JAKARTA: Protests were held at the Singapore embassy in Jakarta and the Singapore consulate-general in Medan on Friday (May 20), after Indonesian preacher Abdul Somad Batubara was denied entry to Singapore and sent back to Batam earlier in the week.
Singapore’s Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) had said that Somad has been known to preach “extremist and segregationist” teachings.
According to Indonesian media outlet Detik, the protest in front of the embassy started around 2.20pm local time on Friday with protesters carrying the Indonesian flag and handing out flyers listing their demands.
The protesters, who are members of the Islamic Sharia Ideology Defenders (Perisai), called for condemnation of Singapore’s decision to deny entry to the preacher.
They demanded that the Singapore embassy in Jakarta provide clarification over the incident and apologise openly. The group also called for Singapore’s ambassador to Indonesia to be asked to leave the country.
Local district police chief Agung Permana reportedly said 50 officers were deployed to maintain order.
Protesters continued to demonstrate despite the rain. They disbanded around 4.10pm (local time), according to the Detik report.
“The actions by Singapore suggest that they are openly accusing Somad of being a radical. Somad is accused by Singapore of being a terrorist,” a protester Muhammad Saleh was reported as saying by Detik.
CNA has contacted Jakarta police for comments.
The protest in Medan was larger. Protestors gathered at a mosque and marched toward the Singapore consulate-general, demanding that Singapore be held accountable for “deporting” Somad, CNA understands.
Some protesters carried banners with messages such as “boycott Singapore products” and “expel Singapore ambassador”.
CNN Indonesia reported that the protesters were members of the Alliance of Islamic Organisations of North Sumatra.
A representative from the group reportedly said that Singapore’s decision had hurt the feelings of Muslims and affected Indonesia’s sovereignty.
“We are a big country. Singapore is a small country. (Both) should stand upright together,” he reportedly said.
“He is not a criminal. In fact, he is quote and unquote, a high-class citizen because he is an intellectual … Everything he said is based on strong academic grounds. Don’t let assumptions make someone to be treated unfairly,” he added, according to CNN Indonesia.
CNA understands that at the demonstrators’ request, Singapore’s Consul-General in Medan Richard Grosse met the head of the Indonesian Ulema Council in Medan Dr Hassan Maksum. The meeting took place in the presence of local police without incident.