In response to recent allegations of foreign interference in Singapore’s political landscape, the Workers’ Party (WP) has stepped forward to address concerns regarding the influence of foreigners in their election campaign.
Amidst preparations for the upcoming General Elections on May 3, the party clarifies that they do not have control over foreigners who express support for their candidates.
In a statement released to the media, the WP emphasised its commitment to seeking the support of all Singaporeans, regardless of nationality, in the areas they are contesting in.
The Party stated, “The Workers’ Party does not have control over foreign parties who express support for our candidates. Any imputation of the same is wholly inaccurate.”
The controversy surrounding a meeting involving some of the WP’s Malay-Muslim candidates and an Islamic religious teacher, Noor Deros, further adds to the complexity of the situation.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and the Elections Department Singapore (ELD) revealed that online election advertisements posted by foreigners, including two Malaysian politicians and a former Singaporean now an Australian citizen, were urging Singaporeans to vote along religious lines. Subsequently, the authorities directed Meta to block access to these posts for users in Singapore.
Despite these external influences, the WP maintains that no promises or commitments were made to Noor Deros or any other individual in exchange for political support for their candidates.
Party chief Pritam Singh stressed the importance of maintaining a separation between religion and politics, echoing sentiments expressed by WP MPs in previous parliamentary debates.
In response to these developments, religious and community leaders have expressed their concerns over attempts to exploit racial and religious differences in the upcoming election.
The Singapore Kadayanallur Muslim League urged Singaporeans to prioritise racial and religious harmony, emphasising the need to reject any efforts aimed at dividing unity and peace within the nation.
As the WP navigates through these challenges and prepares for the General Elections, the party remains committed to upholding the principles of a secular, multi-racial, and multi-religious society.
Regardless of external pressures, the party reassures its dedication to policies benefiting Singaporeans of all backgrounds and ensuring the integrity of the electoral process.
