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Singapore bans ISIS-linked newspaper

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An ISIS flag. (Photo: Reuters)

Singapore has banned the Al Fatihin newspaper, citing its connection to the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) terrorist group.

The Bahasa Indonesia paper is published by Furat Media, an ISIS-affiliated media agency, and has been gazetted as a prohibited publication, said the Ministry of Communications and Information (MCI) in a press release on Friday (22 July).

The publication is a means for the group to “spread its propaganda abroad, with a clear intention to radicalise and recruit Southeast Asians to join ISIS”, the ministry said.

“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 Ibrahim, Minister for Communications and Information and Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs.

“We take a very strong stance against terrorist propaganda and we will take decisive action as necessary. Hence, I have instructed for the publication to be prohibited in Singapore,” he added.

It will now be an offence to distribute or be in possession of the newspaper. Those convicted of doing so face a fine, imprisonment or both.