SINGAPORE: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) confirmed on 15 May 2025 that Indonesian academic Muhammad Zulfikar Rakhmat was subjected to checks and interviews at Changi Airport on two occasions in 2023.
According to MHA, Rakhmat had attracted the attention of Singapore’s security agencies, prompting the action.
The ministry stated that Rakhmat had made online postings supporting the actions of the Islamic State, which led to the intervention.
Despite the checks, Rakhmat was subsequently allowed to board outgoing flights the following day on both occasions.
MHA reiterated its stance that foreigners assessed to be security threats may face measures such as interviews or denial of entry.
“Entry into Singapore is a privilege, not a right,” said the ministry in a statement to state media outlet CNA.
In an article published by Middle East Monitor, Rakhmat described being detained and interrogated at Changi Airport twice in 2023 due to his academic and journalistic work focusing on Middle Eastern affairs, particularly Palestine.
The first incident occurred in February 2023 while Rakhmat was transiting through Singapore from South Korea to Indonesia with his wife.
He recounted being stopped at immigration, brought to a separate room, and questioned about his background, travel history, and work.
He also claimed that his phone was seized and examined by officials during the process.
A similar experience was described during his transit through Singapore in September 2023.
Independent news outlet Gutzy Asia had earlier submitted queries to MHA regarding Rakhmat’s claims, including whether a Singaporean officer had instructed him not to write or speak about the February 2023 incident, but received no response.
MHA instead responded to queries from CNA, though its statement did not acknowledge or address that specific allegation.
According to Middle East Monitor, Rakhmat is the director of the Indonesia-Middle East and North Africa desk at Jakarta’s Centre for Economic and Law Studies (CELIOS).
He is also listed as a research affiliate at the Middle East Institute of the National University of Singapore (NUS).
The NUS Middle East Institute website further identifies him as a research professor at the Busan University of Foreign Studies.
He has authored several publications, with his opinions featured in regional and international outlets such as The Diplomat, Asia Sentinel, and The Conversation.
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