Singaporean Man Accused of Hosting Illegal Dormitory Event for Preacher with Extremist Ties

“A 51-year-old Singaporean man is facing charges after allegedly organising an unauthorised religious event at a dormitory in Tuas, which featured a Bangladeshi preacher with suspected links to extremist activities.

Abdus Sattar, who runs SBM Electrical & Automation and operates the dormitory where the event took place, has been charged with arranging a public assembly without the required police permit, and for assisting a foreign religious speaker without securing a valid work pass, according to a joint statement released by the Singapore Police Force (SPF) and the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) on March 27.

Additionally, Sattar’s company is accused of failing to maintain proper records of individuals entering and leaving the dormitory premises.

The event occurred on August 9, 2024 – coinciding with Singapore’s National Day – at Lantana Lodge, located in Tech Park Crescent. Sattar is said to have invited two Bangladeshi nationals, Amir Hamza and Ullah Mohammed Neamat, to the gathering.

During the assembly, Amir Hamza allegedly delivered a sermon to migrant workers, while Ullah reportedly sang religious songs to the attendees. Authorities stated that these activities took place without the necessary public entertainment licence or police approval, and without a valid work pass for Hamza.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) previously disclosed that Amir Hamza’s preaching included inflammatory content, containing extremist and divisive rhetoric. He was accused of glorifying Bangladeshi individuals linked to extremism, specifically members of the Islamist party Jamaat e-Islami, which is outlawed in Bangladesh. Hamza also referred to the former Bangladeshi government as “”oppressors”” and criticised their actions against political opponents.

Despite being on Singapore’s security watchlist, Hamza managed to enter the country by using a passport under a different name, avoiding detection as his biometrics were not previously recorded. He departed Singapore the day after the event, on August 10.

Following police reports filed on August 12 regarding Hamza’s sermon at the dormitory, Singaporean authorities launched an investigation. Prosecutors allege that Sattar played a key role in arranging Hamza’s trip, promoting the event, and allowing the sermon to take place.

Further investigation revealed that Sattar’s company failed to document the entry and exit of numerous foreign workers who attended the gathering, many of whom were not residents of the dormitory.

The case remains under judicial review, with investigations ongoing into the involvement of Sattar, Amir Hamza, and other individuals connected to the unauthorised event.”