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Batam radio station denies spreading IS propaganda
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Members of the National Police's antiterrorism squad Densus 88 raid the house of alleged terrorists in Batam, Riau Islands, on August 5. (Antara/M. N. Kanwa)
T
he management of Radio Hang FM Batam has denied accusations by Singapore’s Home Affairs Ministry that the radio station had spread Islamist propaganda about the Islamic State (IS) group.
The ministry said a terrorism suspect arrested in Singapore under the Internal Security Act, had turned into a radical after listening to programs aired by the radio station.
One of the station’s founders, Zein Alatas, said the “baseless accusation” could encourage the government to close down the station, as it had done in the case of Radio Era Baru Batam, which was shut after the Chinese government had protested a report related to Falum Gong.
“Our radio station even cooperates with the National Police in trying to fight terrorism through our religious preaching program. I think the accusation is not merely baseless, but is also a mockery against the police,” said Zein on Tuesday.
“Our listener was denied entry to Singapore after security officers found the Radio Hang FM application installed on his cellular phone. It is a kind of terror against us,” he added.
Zein said representatives of the station had visited the Singaporean Consulate General in Batam but failed to meet any Singaporean diplomat. “We are worried that the Singaporean government may put pressure on the Indonesian government to close down our station,” he added.
Last Friday, Singapore’s Home Affairs Ministry announced that Rosli bin Hamza, one of numerous people arrested, said he was familiar with the IS from a program on Radio Hang FM. (bbn)
