When Nationalist Political Parties Voiced Their Response To Singapore's Rejection Of UAS, Compact Says Don't Judge The Lecturer

Ustaz Abdul Somad/Photo: Antara

JAKARTA - Members of the Indonesian Parliament have criticized Singapore for refusing Ustaz Abdul Somad (UAS) to enter the country. Apart from members of the DPR from Islamic political parties, councils from nationalist parties also voiced their voices.

Apart from being undemocratic, the Gerindra Party considers the attitude of the Lion country far from the spirit of ASEAN. Member of Commission I of the House of Representatives from the Gerindra faction, Fadli Zon, assessed that Singapore's unilateral judgment on UAS shows that the country does not respect good neighborly relations.

According to Fadli, the world community can think that Singapore is exposed to Islamophobia and even racism. Moreover, it was stated that the rejection was because UAS was suspected of spreading extremist teachings.

"UAS is known as a prominent cleric, intellectual and broad-minded in nationality. There are no legal cases in Indonesia. What rights do these countries have to judge UAS?," said Fadli Zon in his statement, Wednesday, May 18.

The chairman of the DPR's Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation Agency (BKSAP) said that Singapore's actions to detain Ustaz Abdul Somad and then deport him were an insult to Indonesian citizens (WNI), especially ulama. "In addition to being undemocratic, Singapore's attitude is far from the spirit of ASEAN. Indonesia is increasingly being underestimated and has no authority in ASEAN," said Fadli Zon.

Meanwhile, Deputy Chairman of Commission VIII of the House of Representatives, Ace Hasan Syadzily, assessed that the Singapore government must provide a clear explanation regarding the refusal to enter the Indonesian citizen into his country.

According to the chairman of the West Java Golkar DPD, Singapore's transparency is important to clarify information about the rejection of the UAS so as not to cause polemics in the public.

Moreover, said Ace, UAS is a public figure who is widely known by the Indonesian people. Even often give tausiyah in several neighboring countries.

Moreover, the Deputy Chair of Commission VIII of the DPR RI who is in charge of religion views that the UAS lecture also does not teach about radicalism in every recitation or event it contains.

"His UAS speeches, lectures, so far are still within reasonable limits, do not contain aspects of radicalism that teach people to do violence in the name of religion," said Ace, Wednesday, May 18.

Similarly, Member of Commission I of the House of Representatives from the NasDem Party faction, Muhammad Farhan, assessed that the reason Singapore rejected UAS was because it accused Indonesia of extremist teachings. 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 narrative of Islam versus Anti-Islam," Farhan said when confirmed, Wednesday, May 18. Farhan believes that Singapore should not judge UAS and declare that he is an extremist. He also asked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to immediately protest to Singapore. “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs must protest to Singapore. 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. there are 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.

Singapore's Reason for Rejecting UAS

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. The following is a full explanation from MHA Singapore published on 17 May 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 refused entry to Singapore and placed on a ferry back to Batam on 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 refused entry to Singapore. Meanwhile, the Indonesian Ambassador to Singapore, Suryopratomo said that Ustadz Abdul Somad was not allowed to enter Singapore due to the 'Not to Land' (NTL) policy. Not to Land is a refusal to enter at national borders or an instant refusal to enter at an Immigration Checkpoint (TPI) in a country.

This Not to Land rule is a form of law enforcement that is enforced in several countries that are state administration. Foreign Citizens (WNA) who are deemed to have committed a violation will be subject to sanctions such as Not to Land Notice, Deportation, confinement and paying fines.

If a foreigner is subject to a Not to Land notice, it will be immediately returned to the country concerned on the first departure to the country of departure.

Meanwhile, if the foreigner who is subject to the Not to Land notice still has to wait because there is no departure schedule, the foreigner must wait in the detention room at the immigration checkpoint (TPI).