M'sian activist barred from S'pore for promoting violent protest here & getting involved in domestic politics

A Malaysian lawyer and activist was barred from entry into Singapore for promoting unlawful, violent and disruptive methods of civil protest, and getting involved in domestic politics here.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) shared in a media statement on Mar. 27, 2026 that Fadiah Nadwa Binti Fikri was denied entry into the country as an undesirable visitor.

"Outrageous, deliberate attack"

Fadiah shared on X (formerly Twitter) on Mar. 22, saying she was "banned" from entering Singapore.

She added that it was a "stunning" decision because she apparently stayed in Singapore for five years and was "conferred a doctoral degree" by NUS.

Fadiah studied for a Doctorate of Philosophy in NUS's Department of Southeast Asian Studies, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences.

In a series of follow-up tweets, Fadiah claimed that her denial of entry into Singapore was "tantamount to a deliberate attack" on her scholarly work, which involves decolonisation and anti-imperialism.

She said she found the ordeal "extremely distressing and outrageous."

In a series of retweets, Fadiah shared the tweets of other X users who linked her denial of entry into Singapore to her views on the conflict in Gaza between Israel and the Palestinians.

The incident was picked up by at least one Malaysian media outlet.

Encouraged youths to undertake disruptive and violent actions

However, in their statement, MHA made clear the real reason why Fadiah was denied entry.

As a Malaysian who was studying in Singapore, she engaged in political activism here:

"She encouraged some youths in Singapore to adopt her brand of radical advocacy.

She encouraged them to go beyond protests, to mobilise students and different communities in Singapore, and to undertake disruptive and violent actions to support specific causes."

"We will not tolerate foreigners getting involved in our domestic politics, nor the promotion of unlawful, violent and disruptive methods of civil protest," MHA added.

Top image from Fadiah Nadwa Fikri/X