JAKARTA - The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) of Singapore has finally issued an official statement regarding the refusal of Ustaz Abdul Somad (UAS) to enter Singapore. The Singapore government reasoned its rejection of UAS because it was known to spread extremist teachings. In response to this, Member of Commission I of the House of Representatives from the NasDem Party faction, Muhammad Farhan, said that Indonesia should be wary of Singapore's reasons. Because according to him, Singapore's reasons can trigger conflicts between supporters of Islam and anti-Islam.
"Now we have to be vigilant because the domestic impact will further trigger the polarization of groups supporting the Islamic versus anti-Islam narrative," said Farhan, Wednesday, May 18.
Farhan believes that Singapore should not judge UAS and declare that he is an extremist. He also asked the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to immediately protest to Singapore.
"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs must protest to Singapore, if we let it, it means we recognize that in Indonesia there is omission of hate speech, radicalism and religious discrimination. Even though in reality there are practices of hate speech, radicalism and religious discrimination in Indonesia, this does not mean that other countries may judge UAS in such a way," he stressed.
According to the NasDem politician, the government must also quickly take a stand and explain that Singapore's case of refusal of UAS is not due to problems between religious communities in Indonesia, but problems between countries.
“The government must move quickly to extinguish this spark before it becomes a hot ball. I also hope that the Alim Ulama and scholars and religious leaders see this as a problem between Indonesia and Singapore, not between religious communities in Indonesia," said Farhan.
Nevertheless, the NasDem legislator for the West Java electoral district acknowledged that every sovereign state has the power to refuse anyone who enters their country without needing to explain why.
"Actually, there is no discrimination, because Indonesia also has the right to refuse entry of foreign nationals to Indonesia without needing to explain the reason. But Indonesia is obliged to accept Indonesian citizens who return from abroad, whatever the reason," concluded Farhan. 2022:
1. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) confirmed that Indonesian preacher Abdul Somad Batubara (Somad) arrived at Singapore's Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal on May 16, 2022 from Batam with six traveling companions. Somad was interviewed, after which the group was denied entry to Singapore and placed on a ferry back to Batam the same day.
2. Somad is known for spreading extremist teachings and segregation, which is unacceptable in Singapore's multi-racial and multi-religious society. For example, Somad has preached that suicide bombings are legal in the context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and are considered "martyrdom" operations. He also made derogatory comments about members of other religious communities, such as Christians, by describing the Christian cross as the abode of "pagan jinn". In addition, Somad openly refers to non-Muslims as “kafir” (kafir).
3. Entry of visitors to Singapore is not automatic or entitlement. Each case is judged on its own merits. While Somad attempted to enter Singapore under the guise of a social visit, the Singapore Government took seriously anyone advocating violence and/or supporting extremist teachings and segregation. Somad and his traveling companions were denied entry to Singapore.
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