Singapore's reaction to PAS duo exaggerated, says Takiyuddin

Free Malaysia Today

28-04-2025

Takiyuddin Hassan said PAS shares an 'ongoing good and mutually respectful' relationship with the Singaporean government. (Bernama pic)
PETALING JAYA : PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan has sought to play down the concerns of Singaporean authorities over statements made by two party leaders concerning the city state's May 3 general election.
Takiyuddin said the reaction by Singapore's home ministry and elections department was 'somewhat exaggerated', and that claims the PAS duo were seeking to influence Singapore's election were 'inaccurate or untrue'.
Nonetheless, he distanced the party from the statements made by PAS treasurer-general Iskandar Abdul Samad and Selangor PAS Youth chief Sukri Omar, saying they were their personal views.
'It must be emphasised that the posts in question represent their personal views and in no way reflect PAS's official policy or stance as a political party – whether regarding Singapore as a nation or its ongoing processes.
'PAS believes that both individuals were merely expressing their personal opinions without any intention to interfere, let alone influence the outcome of the election, as alleged.
'PAS respects Singapore's concerns and attention to this matter, but at the same time, we also believe that Singapore's reaction concerning the two PAS leaders was somewhat exaggerated,' he said in a statement.
On Friday, Singapore's home ministry and elections department said 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 general election on May 3 with posts that could harm racial and religious harmony.
The government also ordered Facebook's parent company Meta to block Singaporeans' access to their posts.
Sukri had shared a Facebook post accusing several Malay-Muslim MPs of failing to represent the Muslim community in Singapore, while Iskandar expressed support for a candidate in the Singapore election.
Singaporean prime minister Lawrence Wong also weighed in, saying foreigners who urge Singaporeans to vote along religious lines have 'crossed the line'.
However, Sukri denied trying to interfere in the Singapore election, saying any concern he had was only for the nation's 'marginalised' Malay-Muslim community.
Separately, Iskandar said he was merely sharing information about a 'notable Muslim candidate' from the Workers' Party.
Takiyuddin said PAS believed it was the right of the Singaporean authorities to take appropriate measures to safeguard their interests, referencing the restricted access to Iskandar and Sukri's Facebook pages.
The former minister also said PAS's policy to convey any views would be through legitimate channels to maintain formal bilateral relations with Singapore.
He said PAS had shared an 'ongoing good and mutually respectful' relationship with the Singaporean government.
'In today's borderless world, marked by rapid access to information and communication worldwide, it is inevitable that developments in any country or place may attract interest or reactions from individuals in other countries, especially regarding issues that they personally consider important.
'Such reactions should not be construed as attempts to interfere unless they are followed by concrete steps with such intentions,' said the Kota Bharu MP.