Not quite as off-centre as the Norks. In the sixties and early seventies, Singapore was a rather more hard-edged place than it is now, as they were struggling for the very survival of the country. Nevertheless, as I remember, it was still more fun than it is today; might be because I was far younger then.
From WIKI:
In 1972 the Singapore government de-registered and banned the activities of Jehovah’s Witnesses on the grounds that its members refuse to perform military service (which is obligatory for all male citizens), salute the flag, or swear oaths of allegiance to the state.[89][90] Singapore has banned all written materials (including Bibles) published by the International Bible Students Association and the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, both publishing arms of the Jehovah’s Witnesses. A person in possession of banned literature can be fined up to S$2,000 (US$1,333) and jailed up to 12 months for a first conviction.[91]
In February 1995, Singapore police raided private homes where group members were holding religious meetings, in an operation codenamed “Operation Hope”. Officers seized Bibles, religious literature, documents and computers, and eventually brought charges against 69 Jehovah’s Witnesses, many of whom went to jail.[92][93] In March 1995, 74-year-old Yu Nguk Ding was arrested for carrying two “undesirable publications”—one of them a Bible printed by the Watch Tower Society.[94]
In 1996, eighteen Jehovah’s Witnesses were convicted for unlawfully meeting in a Singapore apartment and were given sentences from one to four weeks in jail.[95] Canadian Queen’s Counsel Glen How flew to Singapore to defend the Jehovah’s Witnesses and argued that the restrictions against the Jehovah’s Witnesses violated their constitutional rights. Then-Chief Justice Yong Pung How questioned How’s sanity, accused him of “living in a cartoon world” and referred to “funny, cranky religious groups” before denying the appeal.[92] In 1998, two Jehovah’s Witnesses were charged in a Singapore court for possessing and distributing banned religious publications.[96]
In 1998 a Jehovah’s Witness lost a lawsuit against a government school for wrongful dismissal for refusing to sing the national anthem or salute the flag. In March 1999, the Court of Appeals denied his appeal.[89] In 2000, public secondary schools indefinitely suspended at least fifteen Jehovah’s Witness students for refusing to sing the national anthem or participate in the flag ceremony.[97] In April 2001, one public school teacher, also a member of Jehovah’s Witnesses, resigned after being threatened with dismissal for refusing to participate in singing the national anthem.[89]
Singapore authorities have seized Jehovah’s Witnesses’ literature on various occasions from individuals attempting to cross the Malaysia–Singapore border. In thirteen cases, authorities warned the Jehovah’s Witnesses, but did not press charges.[97][98][99]
As of 2017, there are 10 members of Jehovah’s Witnesses incarcerated for refusal to carry out mandatory military service.[100] The initial sentence for failure to comply is 15 months’ imprisonment, with an additional 24 months for a second refusal. Failure to perform annual military reserve duty, which is required of all those who have completed their initial two-year obligation, results in a 40-day sentence, with a 12-month sentence after four refusals.[99][101] There is no alternative civilian service for Jehovah’s Witnesses.
Quite a history.
Comparing to JW’s and Muslims, I would say it’s better to have “funny, cranky” eccentric Bible-believers within your borders who are unarmed and refuse to shed blood, than Koran-believers deeply inspired by a national-Utopian vision of caliphate, for whom shedding blood is a way to please Allah.