Internal Security Department to engage migrant workers following extremist sermon incident

SINGAPORE – The Internal Security Department (ISD) has announced a series of engagement sessions aimed at migrant workers following concerns raised over an illegal and extremist sermon conducted by Bangladeshi preacher Amir Hamza earlier this month.

The sessions are part of a broader effort to counter extremist and segregationist ideologies that may have been propagated during the event.

These engagement sessions, which are scheduled to take place in the coming weeks, will focus on sensitizing workers to the dangers posed by extremist teachings.

The ISD, in collaboration with the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and partners like the Religious Rehabilitation Group (RRG), will lead these efforts.

Additional resources, including access to RRG’s Resource and Counselling Centre, will be made available for workers seeking clarifications on religious concepts and for those in need of counselling services.

Delayed Awareness and Oversight in the Sermon Incident

The ISD was only made aware of Amir Hamza’s sermon and his entry into Singapore after concerned individuals filed police reports on 12 August and a Reddit post brought the incident to public attention.

Although the preacher had a history of terrorism-related activities and entered Singapore using a passport under a different name, Amir had publicly announced his impending visit to Singapore on his Facebook page on 8 August 2024. This raises questions about the ISD’s ability to monitor such announcements and prevent entry of individuals posing potential security threats.

Furthermore, Amir’s entry into Singapore, despite being flagged as a known terrorist by the Bangladesh government, highlights potential gaps in the visa approval process.

Bangladeshi nationals require a visa and a local sponsor to enter Singapore, prompting concerns over how his visa was granted without triggering any alerts from the ISD.

Amir conducted the sermon on 9 August at Lantana Lodge, a dormitory in Tuas, where he allegedly labelled non-Muslims as infidels and delivered a politicized message. He left Singapore the following day, prompting an investigation by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) into his activities and the event’s organizers, who had failed to apply for the required police permit for the gathering.

Response and Preventive Measures

Dormitory operator Centurion Corporation, which manages around 35,000 migrant workers, primarily from India and Bangladesh, has reiterated its commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of its residents.

Bakurdeen Majid, a dormitory manager, told Channel News Asia that all events at Centurion’s dormitories undergo thorough vetting, including religious activities. The operator works closely with relevant religious authorities to ensure that any religious activities are appropriately sanctioned.

In response to the recent incident, Centurion Corporation, which does not manage nor own Lantana Lodge, will enhance its scrutiny of new arrivals and reinforce the existing protocols against mass gatherings without proper authorization.

The operator also ensures that any resident assuming a religious role within the dormitories is vetted by the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS), particularly during significant religious events like Ramadan and Hari Raya.

Community Reaction

The Singapore Bangladesh Society expressed shock and dismay at the extremist sermon, urging Bangladeshi workers in Singapore to remain cautious and not be swayed by irresponsible speakers.

The society acknowledged that many attendees of the sermon might have been unaware of the potential consequences and emphasized the importance of staying informed and vigilant against extremist influences.