Regarding Ustaz Abdul Somad's Refusal, Foreign Minister Retno: There Was No 'order' From Indonesia To Singapore

Foreign Minister Retno (Via ANTARA)

JAKARTA - Minister of Foreign Affairs (Menlu) Retno LP. Marsudi, confirmed the issue that Ustaz Abdul Somad (UAS) was refused entry to Singapore because there was an 'order' from Indonesia.

Retno emphasized that there was no special request from the Indonesian side to the Singapore government to ban UAS from entering the country.

"We can confirm that there was no order at all from the Indonesian side," said Retno during the DPR Commission I Working Meeting (Raker) at the Senayan Parliament Complex, Jakarta, Tuesday, May 31.

Retno revealed that the Indonesian Ambassador in Singapore immediately asked the reason for the ban on UAS when he heard the news of the deportation. Therefore, Retno ensured that there were no orders from Indonesia regarding the ban.

"The Indonesian Ambassador has carried out his obligations according to the regulations. We have the right to ask questions and they have already explained to us. So there are no orders," he said.

Previously, Member of Commission I of the DPR from the PDIP faction, Mukhlis Basri, asked Foreign Minister Retno about the news of UAS's deportation some time ago. Because according to Mukhlis, there were rumors that what happened to UAS in Singapore was an order from the State Intelligence Agency (BIN) and certain institutions.

"Mrs. Foreign Minister, please also explain the problem of yesterday's UAS deportation. Because until now it is still circulating as if this deportation was ordered by BIN and others," said Mukhlis during a working meeting with the Foreign Minister at the Parliament Complex, Tuesday, May 31.

According to Mukhlis, the Foreign Minister needs to explain because this is news that makes relations between Indonesia and Singapore uncomfortable. "So that this is clear and clarified as well, don't become news that always makes Indonesia and Singapore uncomfortable," he said.