Ustaz Abdul Somad, an Indonesian Islamic preacher, was not deported from Singapore, despite his assertions, according to Indonesian Ambassador to Singapore Suryopratomo.

"He was not deported, but he was requested to return (to Indonesia) since he did not have a permit to enter Singapore," Suryopratomo reportedly told Indonesian news site Tempo on Tuesday (17 May).

Suryopratomo did not explain why the popular preacher was denied admission by Singapore officials.

 

According to the Tempo story, he continued, "The actual explanation, perhaps, can be requested to the Singapore Embassy in Jakarta because they are more entitled to explain the reason."

According to the story, the preacher, also known as UAS, who turns 44 on Wednesday, said that he was jailed in Singapore while awaiting deportation.

 

In 2019, Indonesian authorities were investigating the preacher after two local organisations accused him of blasphemy against Christianity based on a video of his speech from several years ago.

According to a report by Tempo, the preacher refused to apologise for his words, arguing that they were in line with Islamic principles.

The Ministry of Home Affairs has been contacted by Yahoo News Singapore for comment on the matter.

All religions must be private matters.