Indonesian preacher Abdul Somad Batubara was previously denied entry into Singapore on 16 May, with the MHA saying that his extremist and segregationist teachings were unacceptable in Singapore’s society.
MHA confirmed in a statement that Somad arrived in Singapore with 6 other people at the Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal on 16 May.
Somad then shared a photo of himself inside a holding area, saying that it was “like a prison”.
He has returned to Batam on the same day, but has since expressed his interest in trying to come back to Singapore again.
He explained that it was because he has a few relatives in Singapore, and that he has roots here.
Speaking to Indonesian journalist Karni Ilyas in a YouTube interview on 18 May, Somad said that he wanted to come to Singapore for his wife and children to get to know their ancestors.
He also said that the people in Riau see Singapore as part of their land.
Somad added that he won’t give up trying to come to Singapore, that “to say that he is tired of going to Singapore is the same as saying he is tired of going to Minangkabau”.
Protests
Protestors in Indonesia staged a demonstration at the Singapore Embassy in Jakarta and the Singapore Consulate-General in Medan, Indonesia.
MFA response
In response to media queries on the demonstrations at the Singapore Embassy in Jakarta and the Singapore Consulate-General in Medan, the MFA Spokesperson said:
“Demonstrations took place in the vicinity of the Singapore Embassy in Jakarta and the Singapore Consulate-General in Medan on 20 May 2022. Indonesian law enforcement personnel were deployed to maintain safety and security.
The demonstrations were held in response to the refusal of entry into Singapore of Indonesian preacher Abdul Somad Batubara on 16 May 2022. The Ministry of Home Affairs of Singapore had issued a statement on 17 May 2022 setting out Singapore’s position on the matter. A visitor’s entry into Singapore is neither automatic nor a right. Each case is assessed on its own merits. The Singapore Government takes a serious view of any persons who advocate violence and/or espouse extremist and segregationist teachings.
The Singapore Government is closely monitoring the situation at our Overseas Missions in Indonesia.”