Indonesia acknowledges Singapore's right to bar firebrand preacher

Abdul Somad Batubara is an Indonesian ustadz (Islamic teacher) known for fiery sermons that denigrate non-Muslims. - Jakarta Post/ANN

JAKARTA, May 21 (Jakarta Post/ANN): Indonesia has acknowledged that Singapore was within its right to bar the entry of Muslim preacher Abdul Somad Batubara earlier this week, a government official has said, after news of the divisive figure being excluded prompted threats of retaliation.

On Monday, the firebrand preacher and his entourage of six were barred entry into Singapore via the Tanah Merah ferry terminal and turned back to Indonesia.