Latest news with #SelangorPASYouth
The Star
28-04-2025
- Politics
- The Star
PAS denies trying to influence Singapore election
PETALING JAYA: PAS has dismissed claims that its leaders tried to influence Singapore's upcoming general election, calling the allegations "inaccurate and exaggerated". This comes after the Singapore government blocked access to social media pages of several individuals, including PAS treasurer-general Datuk Iskandar Abdul Samad and Selangor PAS Youth chief Mohamed Sukri Omar, over the alleged attempts. PAS secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan stressed Singapore's sovereignty, acknowledging that its Ministry of Home Affairs and Elections Department have the legal right to protect their electoral processes. "As a sovereign nation, Singapore has every right under the law to take any appropriate and reasonable measures to protect and safeguard its legitimate interests," he said in a statement on Monday (April 28). Takiyuddin clarified that the social media posts in question were personal opinions of the two leaders and did not reflect the party's official stance. "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 maintains that both leaders were merely expressing personal opinions without intending to interfere with the May 3 election. Takiyuddin said the party's commitment to formal bilateral relations with Singapore underlines the inaccuracy of the allegations. "PAS's policy of maintaining formal bilateral relations as the legitimate channel for conveying any views or discussing matters of mutual interest — including with the Singapore government — as practised thus far, clearly proves that these allegations were inaccurate or untrue," he said. Takiyuddin said that in an era of global connectivity, individuals are bound to express opinions on international matters, but such reactions should not be seen as interference unless they are followed by concrete steps. "Such reactions should not be construed as attempts to interfere unless they are followed by concrete steps with such intentions," he said. While PAS respects Singapore's concerns, Takiyuddin believes the reaction towards the two leaders was exaggerated. "We respect Singapore's concerns, but we also believe the reaction was somewhat exaggerated and unilateral, especially given our ongoing good and mutually respectful relationship with their government," he added. Singapore's Ministry of Home Affairs and Elections Department, in a statement issued on Friday (April 25), said they had identified three foreign nationals, including two PAS leaders, who allegedly attempted to influence the country's general election. According to the statement, alongside Iskandar and Mohamed Sukri, others named included Australian national Zulfikar Mohamad Shariff, who renounced his Singaporean citizenship in 2020.
Malaysiakini
27-04-2025
- Politics
- Malaysiakini
Racist slur by S'pore politician shocking, disappointing
COMMENT | Just as the ink was hardly dry on my advice to Selangor PAS Youth chief Sukri Omar not to interfere in Singapore's internal affairs, a particular development across the Causeway has made me rethink my position. The recent actions of Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) candidate Gigene Wong have cast a troubling light on the calibre and quality of political candidates in Singapore. In an appalling move during her party campaign, Gigene used a racial slur against her own GRC teammate, Ariffin Sha. She first referred to him using the slur 'keling kia' - a derogatory term targeting people of Indian descent - and later compounded the insult by calling him an 'elephant'.
Focus Malaysia
27-04-2025
- Politics
- Focus Malaysia
'PAS Youth leader Sukri forgets Singapore's meritocracy offers equal chances, not ethnic-based'
IT IS understandable for Selangor PAS Youth Chief Mohamed Sukri Omar to be concerned about the status of Malay Muslims in Singapore. Sukri has claimed that he was not interfering in Singapore's domestic politics but merely expressing moral concern over the alleged marginalisation and political under-representation of the Malay Muslim community. However, his remarks came at a sensitive time – coinciding with Facebook (FB) postings from Australia urging Malays in Singapore to vote along ethnic and religious lines. This led to the Singaporean authorities having requested the FB administrator to remove or block such postings as they border on interference in the country's internal affairs, especially with general elections slared for May 3. While Sukri's concerns might stem from the ethnic and religious dynamics of Malaysian politics, it is neither appropriate nor wise to subtly recommend Malaysia's model of ethnic and religious governance to Singapore. In Singapore, it is not just the Malays but also the Indians who are sometimes considered marginalised communities. However, Singapore's emphasis on meritocracy, performance and hard work offers opportunities to all Singaporeans even if the pace of progress may be slow for some groups. Singapore excels in meritocracy By contrast, in Malaysia, meritocracy is constrained by ethnic-based privileges accorded to the majority community. While Malaysia has tremendous potential, it remains hampered by ethnic structures that inhibit full and equal participation across races and religions. I can understand Sukri's sentiment, but he must realise that imposing Malaysia's ethnic governance framework onto Singapore is unwise. We may have legitimate criticisms of Singapore's governance, particularly concerning minority communities but we must also acknowledge that the Singaporean system – however imperfect – allows for evolution, progress and reform. Meanwhile, Malaysia continues to grapple with systemic issues that prevent it from fully realising its diverse potential. While Sukri is entitled to his views and may feel a moral duty toward Malay Muslims in Singapore, he must exercise greater caution when making statements that may be construed as interference in another country's internal affairs. Given the challenges within their own system, Malaysian politicians should be humble and cautious in judging or commenting on Singapore's governance. – April 27, 2025 Former DAP stalwart and Penang chief minister II Prof Ramasamy Palanisamy is chairman of the United Rights of Malaysian Party (Urimai) interim council. The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
Malay Mail
27-04-2025
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Selangor PAS Youth chief calls on ‘marginalised' Singaporean Malays to fight for rights, but denies election interference
KUALA LUMPUR, April 27 — Selangor PAS Youth chief Mohamed Sukri Omar has urged the allegedly 'marginalised' Malays in Singapore to continue fighting for their rights in education and economy, and to preserve their cultural identity. Accused of attempting to influence Singapore's ongoing general election, he said he fully respects the country's sovereignty and laws and stressed that he had no intention to do so, either directly or indirectly. 'I stand firmly by the principle that any change must occur through peaceful means, in full respect of the law, and with the dignity of all parties upheld,' he wrote on Facebook. 'I call upon the Malay community in Singapore to continue striving with wisdom and prudence, to strengthen education, empower the economy, preserve cultural identity, and contribute actively to the development of their own nation.' He insisted that upholding justice, dignity, and the future of a people is not an act of 'foreign interference' when done with courtesy, principle, and love for humanity, without coercion or political incitement. Mohamed Sukri emphasised that Malays in Singapore deserve fair and equitable opportunities in all aspects of life as full citizens. He also asserted that speaking out against injustice is a moral and religious obligation, and that defending the Malay-Muslim identity strengthens genuine social justice rather than threatens peace. 'My calls and concerns were never aimed at intervening in the electoral affairs, but rather stem from my moral responsibility as a Muslim and as a person deeply concerned for the plight of the Malay-Muslim community in Singapore — a community increasingly marginalised in various aspects, whether in education, economy, or cultural freedom,' he said. He also urged Singaporeans to view his calls through the lens of 'love for the community and for humanity at large', rather than through the 'narrow lens of political suspicion'. On Friday, Singapore told Meta to block local access to several Facebook posts by foreigners allegedly attempting to influence the city-state's upcoming election. The posts were made by two leaders from the Malaysian Islamist party PAS, and an ex-Singaporean who is now an Australian citizen. PAS treasurer Datuk Iskandar Abdul Samad has since slammed Singapore government's attempt to link his Islamist party and the opposition Workers' Party (WP) — calling it 'preposterous and counterproductive'.
Free Malaysia Today
26-04-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
I have right to be concerned for S'pore Malays, says PAS man
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.
