S’pore bans IS-linked newspaper Al Fatihin

SINGAPORE — Al Fatihin, the newspaper linked to terror group Islamic State (IS), has been banned here by the Ministry of Communications and Information (MCI), the first time in more than 20 years that the Government has gazetted a publication as a prohibited item. 

The newspaper, published by IS-affiliated media agency Furat Media, has been gazetted under the Undesirable Publications Act. In a statement on Friday (July 22), Communications and Information Minister Yaacob Ibrahim said: “IS’ intention to use the newspaper, Al Fatihin, to spread extremist ideology in the region is 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,” said Dr Yaacob, who is also the Minister-in-Charge of Muslim Affairs. 

The MCI said that the publication, which can also be found online, “is yet another step by IS to spread its propaganda abroad, with clear intention to radicalise and recruit South-east Asians to join IS.”

The move comes after Al Fatihin — which means “The Conqueror” in Arabic — was launched last month in the Philippines, with the aim of spreading its influence in the region.  

Its first issue focused on the month of Ramadan and the act of jihad (or holy struggle). In the 20-page edition, there was also an invitation to militant groups in Indonesia and the Philippines to pledge their allegiance to IS leader Abu Bakr Baghadi. 

Commenting on the move to ban the newspaper, Dr Yaacob said that the Government takes “a strong stance against terrorist propaganda and …will take decisive action as necessary”.

Last week, the Malaysian Home Ministry said it would also take action against those producing and distributing the paper. The Malaysian police are also closely monitoring the matter. 

Under the Undesirable Publications Act, anyone caught distributing, importing, selling or reproducing the newspaper can face a fine of up to S$10,000, or a jail term of up to three years, or both. Subsequent offenders can be jailed for up to four years. 

The MCI also said that it is an offence for any person to possess the newspaper, or come to possession but fail to hand it to the police. 

In 1994, it banned all publications by the International Bible Students Association, a not-for-profit organisation of the Jehovah’s Witnesses movement. Sixteen other publications or sources remain banned here.