Singaporean authorities have denied entry to Fadiah Nadwa Fikri, a Malaysian scholar, calling her an 'undesirable visitor' due to her political activism. The Home Affairs Ministry stated that she had encouraged youths in Singapore to adopt radical methods of advocacy, without detailing the specific advocacy she promoted.
Fadiah, known for her human rights work and as an anti-corruption activist, gained notoriety for her social media support of Palestinians. Expressing her distress over the incident, she described the denial of entry as a 'deliberate attack on my scholarly work,' arguing that it was an extreme violation of her rights.
She had intended to visit Singapore to collect her PhD certificate from the National University of Singapore, deliver a guest lecture, and catch up with friends. The immigration authorities did not provide a specific reason for her ban, citing current immigration policies as the basis for her ineligibility.
The Ministry of Home Affairs claimed Fadiah encouraged individuals to 'go beyond protests' and participate in 'disruptive and violent actions,' firmly stating that Singapore would not tolerate foreign influence in its domestic politics. Critics have long accused the Singaporean government of stifling civil liberties under the guise of maintaining public order.
In the past, Singapore has been criticized for its stringent regulations on public gatherings, with police permits required for demonstrations. This particular incident follows others where activists, including Nathan Law from Hong Kong, were similarly barred from entry, stirring ongoing debates about free expression and the implications of such government measures.
