A Bangladeshi extremist preacher used a passport with a name that was different from what was on the country’s security databases to enter Singapore and deliver an illegal sermon there, according to the Ministry of Home Affairs ( MHA ) on Wednesday ( Aug 21 ).
MHA claimed that although it was conscious of Amir Hamza’s history, it “did not have his fingerprint at the time of his access.”
The Bangladeshi regional is being investigated by the government for speaking to migrant employees at the Lantana Lodge hostel in Tuas without permission. Additionally, it is looking into the event’s administrator and the participants.
” Amir Hamza’s lecture propagated fundamentalist and separatist lessons that were unsafe, and harmful to Singapore’s social harmony”, said MHA.
BALANCE AT THE Territories
Law and Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam told the media on Wednesday that Singapore must strike a balance between what its safety demands and what visitors encounter.
” You’ve got to remember, individuals from all over the world come into Singapore. We must maintain a positive experience at the airports. Individuals have to feeling welcomed to Singapore”, he said.
At the same time, the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority ( ICA ) has the “very difficult” task of guarding against people like Amir Hamza from entering Singapore.
Mr. Shanmugam pointed out that Singapore has historically prevented pastors from entering, including by disqualifying them at edges.
Indonesian priest Abdul Somad Batubara arrived at Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal in May 2022, but he was denied entrance and later returned to Batam on the same day.
” In this case, he ( Amir Hamza ) managed to get through”, said Mr Shanmugam.
When asked by CNA if the agency’s procedures would be reviewed, Mr. Shanmugam responded,” You don’t be interviewing every individual who is coming in as if he is even a possible radical, or someone who might be a radical.”
The minister claimed that ICA was identify each new traveler and pose specific questions to them, but doing so would adversely affect both the airport experience and Singapore’s tourism sector.
He ( Amir Hamza ) appeared to be the same as any other person entering Singapore, and we will examine it, but keep in mind that we must ensure that we balance the needs of the economy with those needs, he said.
EXPOUSING EXTREMIST VIEWS
MHA said in a media release that the Bangladeshi regional had in his Aug 9 sermon , called non-Muslims “kafir”, which means heretics.
He even held up alleged Bangladeshi extremists as places of worship, including many Jamaat e-Islami leaders, who are banned in Bangladesh, and whose members have been detained for allegedly engaging in terrorism, according to MHA.
Amir Hamza had politicized his entire lecture as well. He claimed that the earlier Bangladeshi authorities, which was led by former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, had executed people who opposed them. He called the past state “oppressors.”
He also asserted that victory will come when Bangladesh becomes an” Islamic nation” ( MHA ).
According to the government, neither Amir Hamza nor the administrator had requested the necessary permission before he could deliver a speech in Singapore.
He left Singapore the following day, on August 10, and the government received authorities information on August 12.
SECURITY ATTENTION BACK HOME WITH ATTRACTED SECURITY
Amir Hamza’s reported radical teachings and connections to terror have attracted the attention of Bangladesh’s security, according to MHA.
” He has reportedly promoted religious prejudice, hatred and violence in his speeches. He is also alleged to be an influential figure in Ansar al-Islam ( AAI), a pro-Al-Qaeda terrorist organisation operating in Bangladesh”, said the ministry.
In 2021, he was arrested in Bangladesh for his alleged evil links, terrorism-related actions and inciting violence. He apparently was freed on bail while awaiting test in December of last year.
A Bangladeshi AAI-linked evil suspect who planned to attack the Bangladesh parliament was also reportedly influenced by Amir Hamza’s statements.
He apparently admitted to intentionally misinterpreting religious doctrines and spreading extremism through his speeches, according to MHA.
ZERO TOLERANCE
The authorities are looking into those responsible for the August 9 incident and may “take solid action” if it is determined that they broke Singapore’s laws or pose safety risks.  ,
This includes imprisonment, trial or detention under the Internal Security Act.
The Singaporean government takes love and extremist talk quite seriously. We will not tolerate people, international or local, spreading and promoting opinions that threaten Singapore’s security, or our racial and religious harmony”, said MHA.
Additionally, it cautioned immigrants against bringing their political agendas into the nation or engaging in such actions.
Additionally, it stated that foreigners who want to hold discussions that are “religious, cause-based, or political in nature” in Singapore must get a Miscellaneous Work Pass, and that it is against the law to organize or take part in a public council without a police force.  ,
” Despite our best efforts, some citizens with security concerns will pass through our investigations and enter Singapore because we are welcoming and welcoming to the rest of the world. “, said MHA. ” The government can help us by staying diligent, and reporting suspicious persons and actions to the regulators”.