Pas Leaders Deny Trying To Influence Singapore Polls

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Two PAS leaders have denied the Singapore government’s accusation that they tried to influence the republic’s voters ahead of its general polls, scheduled for May 3.
ADSThis followed media reports on Singapore authorities ordering Meta to block Singapore users’ access to social media postings by three foreigners, for allegedly attempting to influence their general election results.
The three are PAS treasurer Iskandar Abdul Samad, Selangor PAS Youth chief Sukri Omar, and a Facebook user identified as Zulfikar Mohamad Shariff - a former Singaporean citizen who now lives in Australia.
Sukri (above) told Malaysiakini that he fully respects Singapore’s sovereignty and its laws, and stressed that he has never attempted to meddle in their democratic process.
However, he defended his post about the issue of Malay Muslims in the republic, saying that he was speaking out as a concerned human being.
“I have never intended to intervene in the country’s democratic process, either directly or indirectly.
“Secondly, my concern and messages were not to meddle in their election but were part of my morality as a human being concerned about the situation of Malay-Muslims in Singapore, who are becoming more desperate from various aspects, including education, economy, and cultural freedom.
“Thirdly, the right to defend justice, dignity and future of an ethnicity is not a form of ‘foreign intervention’ when it is being done with ‘adab’ (good manners), principle and love for humanity, without any form of coercion or sedition towards any foreign political party,” Sukri said.
Foreigners identified
According to a joint statement issued by Singapore’s Home Affairs Ministry and Elections Department, they have “identified a number of foreigners attempting to influence this GE (general election)” and issued “corrective directions” to Meta to disable access to their postings.
They said Zulfikar, who renounced his Singapore citizenship in 2020, “had accused several Malay-Muslim MPs of failing to represent the interests of the Muslim community, and said that the local Muslim community did not need another Malay MP who did not represent their views.”
Sukri, the authorities said, had reposted Zulfikar’s post. Iskandar was blocked for expressing support for a candidate in the election.
“These posts have been targeted at Singaporeans. They interfere with our domestic politics, which are reserved for our citizens. They also urge Singaporeans to vote on racial and religious lines, which have led to more social media postings of a similar nature.
ADS“All this has the potential to fracture the multi-racial and multi-religious harmony that is the bedrock of our nation,” the statement said.
Singapore’s Elections DepartmentShocked over claims
Iskandar, in a separate statement, expressed his shock over the Singapore authorities’ allegation against him.
The senior PAS leader said he was only posting about several Muslim candidates who are taking part in the election, including a candidate from the ruling party PAP.
“I was merely reporting on a few notable Muslim candidates from the opposition parties taking part in the election.
“I also posted a video of a young Muslim candidate from the PAP introducing himself to the voters. Considering the majority of my Facebook friends and followers are Malay Muslims, these posts would interest them.
“Although some of the posts are in English, they are meant for local Malaysian consumption rather than for voters across the Causeway,” he said.
Adding further, Iskandar also denied having urged Singapore voters to choose along racial and religious lines, albeit having expressed hope to see some of the Muslim candidates win.
PAS treasurer Iskandar Abdul SamadHe said he also did not know any of them personally, and the only Singaporean politicians he ever met were from PAP, including their ministers and MPs.
Iskandar stressed that as a politician, he should not be faulted for having an interest in the political development in other countries.
“I have written extensively on the political developments in the UK and hoped for a Labour victory in the last general election.
“However, it would be ridiculous to accuse me of interfering with the election process of that country. I have also commented on the politics of other countries as well without any repercussions,” he said.
Right to comment
PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said that every person has the right to comment on another country’s politics if their analysis is accurate.
He pointed to the election in the United States, saying that many international analysts comment on political issues there, while the president of the country faces various analyses and criticisms.
At the same time, Singapore’s largest opposition party, the Workers’ Party, asserted that it had not made any commitments to any person for political support.
In a statement, it added that it has no control over foreign support for its candidates. - Mkini

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