Sarawak Report editor was interviewed as part of immigration clearance process: ICA

SINGAPORE — Issuing its take on what British investigative journalist Clare Rewcastle Brown called her detention at Woodlands Checkpoint over the weekend, the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) of Singapore said on Monday (Sept 17) that she underwent a “short interview” as part of the immigration clearance process.

The ICA did not address her claim of being on a blacklist in its response to media queries, but said its records show that she left Singapore 16 minutes later.

Ms Rewcastle Brown, meanwhile, said she may take the matter up with the British High Commission in Singapore.

This is on the advice of the authorities in Singapore, said Ms Rewcastle Brown on Monday in response to TODAY’s email.

Ms Rewcastle Brown, editor of the whistleblower Sarawak Report website, said she was detained at the Woodlands Checkpoint at 1am on Saturday as she was leaving the country.

The incident took place after the launch of her book, also titled The Sarawak Report, which details how she exposed the financial scandal engulfing the Malaysian state fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).

In 2015, Ms Rewcastle Brown, who is in her late 50s, played a major role in unravelling the multi-billion-dollar scandal at the fund, which is the subject of money-laundering probes in several countries. This includes disclosing the identity of businessman Low Taek Jho, better known as Jho Low, a key figure in the saga who is on the run.

Recounting her detention in Singapore on Saturday, Ms Rewcastle Brown said Singapore immigration officers at the Woodlands Checkpoint were surprised she managed to arrive through Changi Airport on Friday morning without issues, as their screening had showed up an alert on her passport identity.

“They acknowledged that they could find no reason for this blacklisting and they appeared to have referred upwards, and were instructed that I could be allowed on my way,” she said.

Sarawak Report said in a Facebook post on Saturday that Ms Rewcastle Brown had been placed on the blacklist in 2016.

The veteran journalist, whose previous visit to Singapore was in mid-2015, found it “mysterious” that she would appear on the blacklist, and “even more mysterious that the authorities of the state apparently had no record as to why this should be”.

The immigration officers in Singapore later released her on “very cordial terms” after what was an unpleasant initial experience. After she explained her role in exposing the 1MDB scandal, they “were all very gracious and congratulated me, and in fact, shook my hand”.

Travellers entering and leaving Singapore may be subject to additional interviews and checks, the ICA spokesperson said.

“We seek the understanding and cooperation of all travellers when they are requested to do so, as these are essential measures to keep Singapore safe and secure.”

This is the first time Ms Rewcastle Brown has faced problems of this nature on her visits to Singapore. In November 2015, she had to skip a fraud conference here after she received several warnings from Malaysian sources.

She claimed she was told that the Malaysian authorities were aware of her arrival and had arranged to capture her. She was also warned that a Malaysian military jet had detoured to Seletar Airport to wait for her, she told TODAY.

Ms Rewcastle Brown’s website was blocked by the government of former Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak, who was charged for money laundering and abuse of power in connection with funds transferred from a former 1MDB unit. He has denied any wrongdoing.

The ban on Sarawak Report was lifted after the Pakatan Harapan coalition led by Dr Mahathir Mohamad took power in the May 9 general election.