KUALA LUMPUR – Singapore will be deporting and barring the re-entry of a Malaysian man and his Iranian spouse after they were found to be involved in activities related to terrorists.
Malaysian national Soo Thean Ling, 65, and his Iranian wife, Parvane Heidaridehkordi, 38, are to return to their own countries and will not be allowed to return to Singapore after authorities linked them to activities deemed a threat to national security, reported Bernama.
Singapore’s Home Affairs Ministry (MHA) announced the deportation yesterday, revealing that Soo, a former permanent resident, had supported his wife’s involvement in a travel agency that allegedly facilitated visa applications for foreigners with terrorism ties. The agency, which has since been deregistered, was said to be a front for an overseas-directed operation.
According to The Straits Times, authorities said that even after the agency’s closure, Soo attempted to establish two new travel businesses, intending for Parvane to run them. However, both applications were rejected due to national security concerns.
Singaporean officials concluded that the couple’s continued presence posed a risk, leading to their expulsion from the country. The exact date of their deportation was not specified.
Meanwhile, another Malaysian, Saharuddin Saari, 34, was deported in November 2023 after being arrested under Singapore’s Internal Security Act (ISA). Authorities found that he had been radicalised by the Islamic State (IS) since 2014 and had pledged allegiance to former IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. He had attempted to travel to Syria but lacked the financial means.
Following the October 7, 2023, attacks which escalated aggressions in Palestine, Saharuddin voiced support for Hamas and the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, even considering flying to Gaza.
While Singapore’s Internal Security Department (ISD) determined that he had no immediate plans to carry out an attack locally, he was found willing to resort to violence if he believed Singapore was acting against Islam. His work pass was revoked, and he was handed over to Malaysian authorities.
In a separate case, Singaporean national Hamizah Hamzah, 56, was placed under a restriction order in January 2024 after authorities found that she had been actively managing pro-Axis of Resistance social media groups and spreading propaganda. The ISD stated that while Hamizah had no intention of committing violence, her activities raised security concerns. – February 11, 2024