Singapore
MHA admits failure after Reddit post exposes Bangladeshi extremist preacher’s iIllegal sermon in Singapore
The Ministry of Home Affairs admitted its failure to detect Bangladeshi extremist preacher Amir Hamza, who entered Singapore using a false identity and delivered an illegal sermon on National Day. MHA is investigating the incident and reviewing security protocols to prevent similar lapses.
![](https://gutzymedia.s3.ap-northeast-2.amazonaws.com/wp/2024/08/21181257/Mufti-Amir-Hamza.png)
A Reddit post has exposed a significant security lapse in Singapore, revealing how a Bangladeshi extremist preacher, Amir Hamza, managed to enter the country and deliver an illegal sermon on National Day.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has since admitted its failure to detect the preacher’s presence, acknowledging that he bypassed security checks by using a passport under a different name that was not flagged in the country’s security databases.
Amir Hamza’s sermon, held at the Lantana Lodge dormitory in Tuas on 9 August, propagated extremist and segregationist teachings that posed a serious threat to Singapore’s communal harmony.
Despite being aware of Amir Hamza’s background, the Internal Security Department (ISD) did not have his biometrics at the time of his entry, allowing him to slip through immigration controls.
The MHA is now investigating the incident, including the involvement of those who organized the event and has pledged to review and strengthen its security protocols.
Questions Raised, Responses Delayed
Gutzy Asia had earlier reached out to the MHA, ISD, and other relevant authorities on 16 August, seeking clarification on how Amir Hamza was able to enter Singapore undetected and deliver a sermon without the necessary approvals.
The publication specifically questioned the measures in place to prevent individuals with known extremist backgrounds from entering the country and engaging in activities that could incite extremism or pose a threat to public safety.
The email detailed the public’s concerns contained in the Reddit post, citing Amir Hamza’s radical background and previous incarceration in Bangladesh for terror-related activities. Gutzy Asia also referenced the content of the sermon, which was reportedly filled with hate speech, including calls for disbelievers to be made “halal” and advocating for the establishment of Islamic law in Bangladesh.
However, the MHA and ISD did not respond to the queries.
Extremist Teachings and Security Concerns
In a press release on Wednesday (21 August), the MHA detailed the content of Amir Hamza’s sermon, which took place on 9 August.
The sermon, which occurred on Singapore’s National Day, involved Amir Hamza calling non-Muslims “kafir” – a term meaning infidels – and asserting that practising Muslims were superior to non-Muslims. Additionally, he praised several leaders of Jamaat e-Islami, a banned Islamist party in Bangladesh known for its involvement in terrorist activities, holding them up as examples of religious piety.
Amir Hamza’s sermon also took on a political tone, as he labeled the previous Bangladeshi government led by former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as “oppressors.” He claimed that this government had sentenced to death those who opposed them and asserted that “victory will come when Bangladesh becomes an Islamic country.”
Neither Amir Hamza nor the organisers had applied for the necessary approval to hold the sermon in Singapore, a clear violation of local laws. Amir Hamza left Singapore the next day, on 10 August, and the authorities only received police reports regarding the sermon on 12 August — the same day that the Reddit post was posted.
Balancing Security and Travel Experience
In the wake of this incident, Law and Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam addressed the media, acknowledging the delicate balance between maintaining security and providing a seamless experience for travelers entering Singapore.
Mr Shanmugam explained that while the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) has successfully barred extremist preachers from entering Singapore in the past.
“In this case, he (Amir Hamza) managed to get through,” said Mr Shanmugam.
“You’ve got to remember, people from all over the world come into Singapore. We have to keep the airport experience friendly. People have to feel welcomed to Singapore,” Mr Shanmugam said.
He noted that implementing more rigorous checks on every traveler would have a detrimental impact on the country’s tourism industry. Nonetheless, the Minister emphasized that the incident would prompt a review of existing security measures.
Attracting Attention in Bangladesh
Amir Hamza has been a figure of concern for authorities in Bangladesh due to his alleged extremist teachings and connections to terrorist activities. The MHA stated that he has promoted religious intolerance, hatred, and violence in his sermons. He is also alleged to be an influential figure in Ansar al-Islam (AAI), a pro-Al-Qaeda terrorist organisation operating in Bangladesh.
In 2021, Amir Hamza was arrested in Bangladesh for his alleged involvement in terror-related activities and inciting militancy. He was released on bail in December 2023 while awaiting trial. The MHA also noted that Amir Hamza’s speeches have allegedly influenced an AAI-linked terror suspect in Bangladesh who planned to attack the Bangladesh parliament.
Zero Tolerance for Extremism
The Singaporean authorities are conducting a thorough investigation into the individuals involved in organising the 9 August event. The MHA has made it clear that strong actions, including deportation, prosecution, or detention under the Internal Security Act, will be taken against anyone found to have violated Singapore’s laws or posed security threats.
“The Singapore government takes a very serious view of hate and extremist speech. We will not tolerate anyone, foreign or local, spreading and promoting views that threaten Singapore’s security or our racial and religious harmony,” said the MHA.
The Ministry also issued a reminder that foreigners should not import their political agendas into Singapore or engage in activities that could disrupt the nation’s racial and religious harmony.
It emphasized that foreigners looking to conduct talks in Singapore that are “religious, cause-based, or political in nature” must obtain a Miscellaneous Work Pass, and that organising or participating in a public assembly without a police permit is strictly prohibited.
The Ministry has committed to reassessing its processes to prevent such incidents from recurring, while also calling on the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the authorities.
![](https://gutzy.asia/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Gutzy-Logo-whiteS.png)
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🖕🏻Malulah⚡️Profits Above People⚡️Malulah🖕🏻
WILL Lawrence Wong demote him & make him LEEport to the fat ass AG & will he be allowed to slither freely in 280k sq ft mansion as if nothing happened.
Many has said, the PAP Administration take Singaporeans as Basement Dwellers. True. No. How then?
Basically, Shanmugam has FAILED big this time. Please be honorable and resign immediately.
The intelligence units at ISD and MHA are literally caught sleeping on their jobs with pants down!? This guy is already known to them with clear photos images of him splashed all over in Bangladesh,a nation which is predominantly Muslims.By coming to SG on our nation’s birthday undetected to deliver his extreme visions reads a lot to his intentions to wake up those “cells” long planted in SG.This reflects real shortcomings of SG border security protocols and governances.Several heads at MHA and all relevant agencies have to roll.The music has already started to play.So sad to witness such bad things… Read more »
After so many mistakes which ownself Absolve ownself, after so many immoral issues taken root in him – recusal and playing woman – and under his chargers bountiful of mistakes, he still has the IMMORAL GUTS to stay and CONTINUE TAKING Millions of Dollars of Salary from tax payers.
Has he got a spine?
Has he got balls XS size?
So Shanmi is paid million$ salary to fail to safeguard racial-religious harmony here? Who is the Free Rider, hor?
The man delivered his version of his ND message on the 9thAug, … and we’re talking about it now !!!
SillyPore is so so insulated and isolated from real news, … they’re virtually clueless until after the event, and only if it’s revealed by sources outside of state controlled media and their platforms !!!
Well done to the police. say no to extremists, say no to Hamas lovers.. Extreme potatoes will lead to terrorism. tsk tsk tsk
They must be some Hamas lovers ‘ friends here? tsk tsk tsk
This is how the new mpox virus will get in SG..
It will just saunter in carefree..
OYK will say he didnt see it coming …and sg cant screen every visitor!
Thats how foreign criminals are having a field day here too!
I worry for My SG.
The way I see it. The *One Agency* is all ‘bullcraps’.
MHA & MFA not coordinating with one another; though BOTH are supposed neighbors to each other staying in the same kampong!
S1
Just a different name on a different passport and an extremist got through our immigration?
Maybe this was a dry run to test our security protocol? And maybe there are already several more like this preacher in our midst?
This is a major, major cock-up.
Don’t want extremists to create chaos and mischief,
Neither a government that bullies and suppresses it’s citizens.
Both are dangerous and undesirable.
You big shot only in your country club of Singapore.
Banglas dont give a hoot about you, organise and bring in a speaker
to talk about Islam, and leave.
You dont even know.
And you dare say, that being too strict will affect tourism.
What are you..??
Tourism minister?
You are already extreme in issuing defamation suits and POFMAing
Then again you are the biggest and only bully in the kampong.
Go outside the kampong and show how big the testicles can be..
Yes, ISD, MHA can only imprison and spy on its own citizens. But when it comes to foreign nationals, eyes closed, ears closed and mouth closed.
Now the secular government in Bangladesh has collapsed, Islamists will use the opportunity to gain more power and influence.
Thanks to the ruling government, perhaps, there are a hundred thousand of them in Singapore. Imagine what would happen if they decided to launch an organised protest on their off-day?
These are Muslims, so the alcohol ban does not work on them.
Shanmi’s public conference is so clear-cut No Blaming Culture attitude. 1) Why such a internationally known extremist can slip into SG? Pappies always talk about AI, couldn’t ICA use face-recognition s/w to screen for known problematic individuals at our entry points? His excuse that his agencies do not have the biometrics of the preacher – don’t have photos, meh? Face-recognition s/w requires someone’s DNA sample or fingerprint or saliva, hor? Yeah, cotton is from sheep. 2) Why would this preacher want to come to tiny SG? There must be a demand or potential demand for his brand of preaching. Apparently… Read more »
What a cop out kind of excuse.
It boggles the mind.
PAP Administration law makers are a CRASS bunch. Hide behind recusals, police security, POFMA, and Parliament protection blankets.
They deserved to BE SPIT at.
When 2 police officers were killed by a terrorist in JB, Shanmugam had no qualms about putting Singaporeans through 4-6hr waits to cross the causeway in the name of security. Now he lets an extremist preacher saunter into Singapore and says security cannot be increased as it will impact tourism. Which is which, Shanmugam? Is tourism more important than security? Mind you, the shooting incident happened in another country and security was tightened to the max. But an extremist enters Singapore unchecked and he has all kinds of excuses not to increase security. This man will say anything and compromise… Read more »
Will K Shanmugam resign?
Will he commit harakiri?
These clowns so busy persecuting and pofaming local borns that they let china burglars and extremist preachers slip through their fingers… And these are only those they discovered. How about those not discovered yet…
National Day leh, him and all his overly well paid cronies are R&R on long holiday, you ppl don’t disturb them, O.k?😆😆😆😆
Shows that Shanmi has always been incompetent, but protected by his Kayu ex-Boss. No more (or lesser) clutch mentality to the L’s, the skeletons are coming out.
Extremely efficient against Singaporeans but ineffective against foreigners.