Photographed and fingerprinted: I was treated like a terrorist

Controversial academician Prof Mohd Ridhuan Tee Abdullah, who is known for his incendiary writings on issues of race and religion, has been barred from entering Singapore.

Recounting the incident in his column published in Sinar Harian today, Ridhuan claimed that the republic's authorities did not explain their decision.

He said he attempted to visit Singapore recently with a friend via the Woodlands Checkpoint, when immigration authorities requested that he disembark from his vehicle.

"They conducted a search on me and I was treated like a terrorist. They snapped my photo and took my fingerprints.

"Then, after more than two hours of interrogation, I was issued a letter stating that I was barred from entering (Singapore)," he lamented.

"They escorted me past the (Johor-Singapore) Causeway and did not give any reason (for banning my entry)," he added.

However, the outspoken Muslim convert-turned-preacher believes that he was banned for his comments in the media, which had led numerous quarters to accuse him of sowing racial and religious discord.

Three years ago, Ridhuan also courted controversy for his "war on Singapore" remarks in Utusan Malaysia.

"It is fortunate that I was not the PM when solving the dispute over Pulau Batu Puteh. If I was, I would definitely have not brought it to the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

"The only resolution to the dispute over the island is to wage war," Ridhuan had written then.

The Singapore High Commission in Kuala Lumpur was contacted by Malaysiakini today for its comments on the matter.

An officer at the mission said they do not have records on this incident, and refused to comment further.

When Malaysiakini contacted the Woodlands Checkpoint today, a staff who only wished to be identified as Maidin clarified that in incidents where a foreigner is denied entry into Singapore, the person would be issued a written statement which lists the reason for the ban. -Mkini