Govt bans ISIS publication
'Zero tolerance for terrorist propaganda'
The Government has banned a newspaper published by a media agency affiliated to terror group Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS).
Minister for Communications and Information Yaacob Ibrahim yesterday gazetted Al Fatihin, which is produced by Furat Media, as a prohibited publication under the Undesirable Publications Act.
This makes it an offence to distribute the newspaper, which is produced in Bahasa Indonesia, by any means. It will also be an offence for any person to possess the newspaper, or to have a copy but fail to deliver it to the police, the Ministry of Communications and Information (MCI) said.
The statement said: "ISIS is a terrorist group which poses a serious threat to the security of Singapore.
"Al Fatihin is yet another step by ISIS to spread its propaganda abroad, with a clear intention to radicalise and recruit Southeast Asians to join ISIS.
"The Singapore Government has zero tolerance for terrorist propaganda..."
Al Fatihin was launched online last month and no physical copies are known to have been distributed in Singapore. The title means "The Conqueror" in Arabic.
The 20-page newsletter calls on readers to commit violence, seek martyrdom and kill disbelievers and Muslims who oppose ISIS.
Malaysia's Home Ministry said this month that it would take action against those caught producing and distributing the publication.
In the MCI statement, Dr Yaacob said the intention of ISIS to use Al Fatihin to spread its extremist ideology in the region was "deplorable".
"The contents of Al Fatihin and the fact that it is published in Bahasa Indonesia, which is used by many in this region, confirm the objectives behind the publication to influence the people in this region and to cause disharmony," he said.
"Extremism has no place in Singapore - it cannot and must not take root here.
"We take a very strong stance against terrorist propaganda and we will take decisive action as necessary."
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