I have right to be concerned for S'pore Malays, says PAS man

Free Malaysia Today

26-04-2025

Selangor PAS Youth chief Sukri Omar said the Malays of Singapore deserve fair and equitable opportunities in all aspects of life as full citizens. (Bernama pic)
PETALING JAYA : A Selangor PAS leader has denied claims he was trying to interfere in Singapore's upcoming general election through his posts on social media.
Sukri Omar, the Selangor PAS Youth chief, said any concern he had about the Singapore election was only for the nation's 'marginalised' Malay-Muslim community.
In a Facebook post today, he said he fully respected the sovereignty and laws of Singapore, but that his concern stemmed from a 'moral responsibility as a Muslim'.
'I have never intended, whether directly or indirectly, to interfere with the democratic process of the country.
'The right to uphold justice, dignity, and the future of a people is not an act of 'foreign interference' when it is done with courtesy, principle, and a love for humanity, without coercion or incitement towards any political party abroad,' he said.
Yesterday, the Singapore home ministry and elections department said in a joint statement that several online posts had urged Singaporeans to vote along racial and religious lines, which in turn sparked more social media content of a similar nature.
They called out PAS leaders and a former detainee, now an Australian citizen, for allegedly trying to influence the country's general election on May 3 with posts that could harm racial and religious harmony.
The Singapore government ordered Facebook parent Meta to block Singaporeans' access to posts made by foreigners, ahead of the election, under rules restricting their social media posts.
Sukri had shared a post by Facebook user 'Zai Nal', identified as Zulfikar Shariff, who renounced his Singaporean citizenship in 2020 and is now an Australian citizen.
In his post, Zulfikar accused several Malay-Muslim MPs of failing to represent the Muslim community and said Singapore does not need another Malay MP who did not reflect their views.
PAS national treasurer Iskandar Abdul Samad also expressed support for a candidate in the Singapore election.
The Singapore government said religion must not be mixed with politics, as Singapore is a secular state.
'Bringing religion into politics will undermine social cohesion and harmony, as we have seen in other countries with race- or religion-based politics,' it said.
However, Sukri argued that the Malays of Singapore deserve fair and equitable opportunities in all aspects of life as full citizens.
'Speaking out against injustice is not a crime. It is a moral and religious obligation.
'Defending the Malay-Muslim identity does not threaten peace. Instead, it strengthens genuine social justice,' he said.
Iskandar also defended himself in a Facebook post, saying he was merely reporting on a few notable Muslim candidates from the opposition parties taking part in the election.
'As a politician, I cannot be faulted for having an interest in the political developments of other countries apart from Malaysia.
'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, without any repercussions,' he said.