A 26-year-old man identified as Kokulananthan Mohan has been formally charged in court following a high-profile security incident at St Joseph’s Church in Bukit Timah. The accused, who is reported to be a volunteer at the church, faces a serious charge of making a false threat of a terrorist act. The incident, which unfolded on the morning of December 21, 2025, led to a massive emergency response and the disruption of religious services for hundreds of congregants.
The prosecution alleges that Kokulananthan committed the offence at approximately 7:00am on the church premises located at Upper Bukit Timah Road. According to court documents, the item used in the alleged act was designed to resemble an improvised explosive device. The construction of the object involved three cardboard cylinders that were filled with stone pebbles. To heighten the appearance of a dangerous device, red wires were made to protrude from the cylinders, and the entire assembly was bound together using black and yellow adhesive tape.
The prosecution stated that the accused allegedly placed this article on the church grounds with the specific intention of inducing another man to believe that the item was likely to explode or ignite. The fear intended was that such an explosion would cause significant personal injury or damage to the church property. The discovery of this suspicious object by a churchgoer occurred shortly before the scheduled 7:30am Chinese-language mass, prompting an immediate call to the authorities.
The police response was swift and extensive. To ensure public safety, the church premises were evacuated, and a security cordon was established. The severity of the threat required the activation of the Singapore Armed Forces’ Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Explosive Defence Group. These specialists conducted a thorough examination of the object to determine if it posed a genuine danger to the public. While the experts eventually concluded that the item was harmless and contained no explosive materials, the resemblance to a real bomb was sufficient to cause widespread alarm.
The police have clarified that, based on current evidence, there is no suggestion that this was a religiously motivated attack or an act of international terrorism. The accused is believed to have acted alone in the creation and placement of the item. The police operations at the church continued throughout the day, officially concluding at approximately 5:00pm after the area was deemed safe and the item was removed for further forensic analysis.
On December 22, 2025, Kokulananthan appeared in court to face the charges. During the proceedings, the court ordered that the accused be remanded at the Changi Prison Complex Medical Centre. This remand is for the purpose of a medical examination, which is a standard procedure in cases where the mental or physical state of the accused may be a factor in the legal process. The case has been adjourned, and a follow-up court mention is scheduled for January 12, 2026.
The legal consequences for making a false threat of a terrorist act in Singapore are extremely severe. The law serves as a strong deterrent against actions that cause public panic or waste significant emergency resources. If convicted, an offender can face a term of imprisonment of up to 10 years. In addition to or in place of jail time, the court can impose a fine of up to $500,000. This case highlights the gravity with which the authorities treat any act that mimics a threat to national security, regardless of whether the devices used are functional or inert. The disruption to the community and the activation of specialized military units underscore the high cost and impact of such false threats.
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