SINGAPORE – Singapore has gazetted a Malay-language publication, titled “Menyingkap Rahsia Tentera Elit Briged Izzuddin Al-Qassam: Generasi Muda Perindu Syahid” (Uncovering the Secrets of the Izz Ad-Din Al Qassam Brigade Elite Force: Young Generation of Seekers of Martyrdom), as prohibited under the Undesirable Publications Act.
On its website today, the Communications and Information Ministry said the book, authored by Abdul Aziz Abu Bakar and Adnan M. El Halabi, was published by Hijjaz Records Publishing in 2015.
It said the publication came to the government’s notice in the course of investigations into 20-year-old Amirull Ali, who was detained under the Internal Security Act in March.
“Amirull purchased the book overseas in 2015. Investigations determined that reading the publication was one of the factors that led to his radicalisation.”
The book promotes armed jihad and contains extremist views that encourage enmity among different religions, it said.
“Such teachings and ideologies are detrimental to Singapore’s racial and religious harmony and relations.
“The government has zero tolerance for individuals or publications that aim to incite hostility or violence among different religious groups, and therefore, decided to prohibit this publication.”
It is an offence to import, publish or sell, or offer to sell or supply, or offer to supply, exhibit, distribute or reproduce, any prohibited publication or an extract of one.
“It is also an offence for any person to possess or come into possession of a prohibited publication, but fail to deliver the copy to police. Those convicted of this offence could be liable to a fine, or imprisonment, or both.”
The ministry said the book’s prohibition is effective today.
Members of the public in possession of the book should hand it over to police, it added. – Bernama, June 24, 2021
