UAS Denied By Immigration, PAN: Is Singapore Enmity To Moslems?

Ustadz Abdul Somad's da'wah at the Al-Anwar Marabahan Grand Mosque, Saturday (16/4/2022). (ANTARA/HO-Prokopimda Batola)

JAKARTA - PAN politician Yandri Susanto regretted Singapore's refusal to allow Ustadz Abdul Somad (UAS) into his country. UAS planned to vacation with his family and close friends but failed because Singapore Immigration refused to let him enter.

In fact, all the required documents have been fulfilled completely. However, UAS was instead pulled out of the line and then interrogated and detained for two hours in a 1x2 meter room upon arrival at Tanah Merah Port, Singapore.

Yandri also questioned Singapore's attitude which was considered to lack respect for Indonesian citizens. Although granting permission or refusing someone to enter their country is Singapore's right.

"It is the right of a country to allow entry or not. But what is the reason? Does not make sense. Is Singapore hostile to Indonesian Muslims?" Yandri said in his statement to reporters, Wednesday, May 18.

According to the Deputy General Chair of PAN, Singapore must explain the reasons for refusing to enter UAS. He considered Singapore to be too paranoid about Indonesian clerics.

"UAS is not a criminal, not a terrorist, why was he refused entry? Even if it's only for vacation. Singapore needs to openly state the reasons," he explained.

Previously, the Indonesian Ambassador to Singapore Suryopratomo said that UAS was not deported, but was refused to enter. "He was not deported but did not get permission to enter Singapore. So he was asked to return to Indonesia," said Suryopratomo, Tuesday, May 17.

It's just a matter of reason, he explained, his party cannot disclose and throw questions at the Singapore Embassy in Jakarta. “If the reason is right, maybe ask the Singapore Embassy in Jakarta. Because they have the right to explain the reason," added Suryopratomo.