Why was Indonesian preacher Abdul Somad denied entry to Singapore?

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Abdul Somad Denied Entry Due to Extremist Teachings

Indonesian preacher Abdul Somad Batubara was denied entry into Singapore on Monday, May 16, as stated by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). The reason for his exclusion was his known propagation of extremist and segregationist teachings, which are deemed incompatible with Singapore's diverse, multi-racial, and multi-religious society.
Preacher's Teachings Deemed Unacceptable

The MHA explicitly stated that Abdul Somad, aged 44, was denied entry because his teachings are known to be extremist and segregationist. Such doctrines are considered unacceptable within Singapore's social fabric, which is built on principles of inclusivity and harmony among its various racial and religious communities. This assessment led to the decision to bar his entry.
Supporters' Online Reaction

Following the denial of entry, social media accounts belonging to several Singaporean political office holders and government agencies experienced spamming by supporters of Abdul Somad. This reaction was confirmed by a spokesperson from the Ministry of Communications and Information (MCI). The accounts targeted included those of President Halimah Yacob, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean, and Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan, as well as various government digital platforms.
Calls for Cyberattacks Reported

Beyond spamming, there were also reports of calls for cyberattacks against Singapore Government social media accounts circulating in public Indonesian chat groups. Furthermore, two events management companies had their websites defaced, though these have since been recovered. SingCert, the Singapore Computer Emergency Response Team, has been offering assistance to affected organisations.
Indonesia's Counter-Terrorism Agency Acknowledges Singapore's Stance

The Indonesia National Counter Terrorism Agency acknowledged and appreciated Singapore's decision to bar Abdul Somad from entering the country. The agency's head, Brigadier-General Ahmad Nurwakhid, noted that Singapore's action represents a "pre-emptive strike" or upstream measure against potential threats stemming from radical thinking, doctrine, and ideology. This approach contrasts with Indonesia's current focus on law enforcement against terrorism.

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Why was Indonesian preacher Abdul Somad denied entry to Singapore?

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