Extremist Bangladeshi preacher being probed over sermon at Tuas dormitory

He entered S’pore under different name, was arrested by his govt over terror links

- Mike Yeo

A Bangladeshi national who had previously been arrested by his government for alleged terror links entered Singapore and preached to migrant workers at a dormitory here on Aug 9 without a permit.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said on Aug 21 that it is investigating the preacher, Amir Hamza, and others involved in the event, including the organiser, and will take strong action if they are found to have breached Singapore's laws or posed a security concern.

Possible action includes deportation, prosecution or detention under the Internal Security Act, said the ministry.

"Amir Hamza's sermon propagated extremist and segregationist teachings that were dangerous, and detrimental to Singapore's communal harmony," it added in a statement.

MHA said the Internal Security Department (ISD) was aware of Amir Hamza and his background, but that the Bangladeshi had used a passport which bore a different name from that in its databases to enter Singapore on Aug 9. It also did not have his biometrics at the time of his entry.

Minister for Home Affairs and Law K. Shanmugam told reporters on Aug 21 that from all appearances, the passport looked to be validly issued but with a different name, and Amir Hamza "slipped through because of this passport issue".

The sermon Amir Hamza gave on Aug 9 took place at the Lantana Lodge dormitory at Tech Park Crescent in Tuas, he added.

He left Singapore the next day, and police received reports on Aug 12 that he had preached to a group of Bangladeshi migrant workers.