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SINGAPORE: Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam confirmed that he had included a photo of controversial Bangladeshi preacher Amir Hamza with his Singapore visa application.

The minister noted that visa applications usually require photographs, which are checked against the watchlist. However, the effectiveness of this process depends on the quality of the photograph and the information available in the database.

Responding to a supplementary question from Opposition Leader Pritam Singh during a parliamentary session on Monday (9 September), Minister Shanmugam explained that while Singapore’s systems are sophisticated and can identify broad matches, it cannot simply be assumed that every individual on the watchlist has a photo on file.

He said: “It depends on the type of photo submitted and the quality of the photo. It may not always be recognised in the database that we have.

The minister noted that some MPs may assume that Singapore authorities have photographs of all those on the watchlist.

He clarified: “No country in the world has such a comprehensive set of data on all the potential individuals who may need to be excluded. Sometimes we only have names without photographs.”

“In terms of the ability to check, I understand that our systems are very sophisticated, and if there is a broad match in the photos, then they are optimized.”

“But the question assumes we had a picture to check,” Mr Shanmugam added.

Mr Singh, who is also the MP for Aljunied GRC, asked whether a photograph had been sent with Amir Hamza’s visa application and whether there was a system in place to check it against the watchlist.

He also asked if there were plans to improve the process, particularly for identifying individuals on a watchlist who pose a higher security risk compared to regular travellers.

Dormitory operator investigated for violating public order and labor laws

In response to questions tabled by MPs, Minister Shanmugam noted that Amir Hamza was invited by a dormitory manager and entered Singapore on 9 August 2024.

That same day, he delivered a sermon to a group of Bangladeshi migrant workers in a dormitory without a permit, which was illegal.

During his sermon, Hamza made extremist and divisive statements and left Singapore the next day.

Although Hamza was on the Internal Security Department’s (ISD) list for promoting religious intolerance, he entered Singapore under a different passport name that was not registered in the system.

Since it was his first visit, his biometric data had not yet been captured, allowing him to bypass security checks.

If he tries to enter again, his biometric data will now be detected, Minister Shanmugam added.

The minister highlighted the various security measures taken, including pre-arrival risk assessments, biometric systems and screenings based on the watch list.

While the system is robust, he admitted it is not foolproof and that around 2,500 visitors are denied entry each month, with a small number able to slip through.

He confirmed that Hamza’s case is still under investigation and that the dormitory manager is being investigated for several violations, including violations of the Public Order Act and the Employment of Foreign Personnel Act.

Extremist teachings and security concerns

In a press release dated August 21, the MHA provided detailed information about Amir Hamza’s sermon on August 9.

The sermon, which took place on Singapore’s National Day, involved Amir Hamza calling non-Muslims “kafir” – a term meaning disbelievers – and claiming that practising Muslims are superior to non-Muslims.

He also praised several leaders of Jamaat e-Islami, a banned Islamist party in Bangladesh known for its involvement in terrorist activities, citing them as examples of religious piety.

Amir Hamza’s sermon also took on a political tone as he described the previous Bangladesh government led by former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as “oppressors.”

He claimed that this government had sentenced to death those who opposed them and stated that “victory will come when Bangladesh becomes an Islamic country.”

Amir Hamza has raised concerns among authorities in Bangladesh over his alleged extremist teachings and links to terrorist activities.

The MHA said he promoted religious intolerance, hatred and violence in his sermons. He was also said to be an influential figure in Ansar al-Islam (AAI), a pro-Al-Qaeda terrorist organisation active in Bangladesh.

In 2021, Amir Hamza was arrested in Bangladesh for his alleged involvement in terror-related activities and incitement to militancy. He was released on bail in December 2023 pending trial.

The Interior Ministry also noted that Amir Hamza’s speeches reportedly influenced a terror suspect in Bangladesh with links to the AAI who planned to attack the Bangladesh parliament.