logo
Selangor PAS Youth chief calls on ‘marginalised' Singaporean Malays to fight for rights, but denies election interference

Selangor PAS Youth chief calls on ‘marginalised' Singaporean Malays to fight for rights, but denies election interference

Malay Mail27-04-2025
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'.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

KDM eyes GRS stronghold in Ranau
KDM eyes GRS stronghold in Ranau

Daily Express

time32 minutes ago

  • Daily Express

KDM eyes GRS stronghold in Ranau

Published on: Tuesday, July 29, 2025 Published on: Tue, Jul 29, 2025 By: Nikko Fabian Text Size: Wetrom expressed confidence in winning Kadazandusun, Murut and Rungus native seats, with plans to expand KDM's reach to other non-Muslim native constituencies. Kota Kinabalu: Social Democratic Prosperity Party (KDM) Deputy President Wetron Bahanda eyes Ranau as a target for electoral victory in the coming state election. 'KDM is preparing to challenge Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), which holds a stronghold in the ethnic Dusun heartland, spanning the foothills of Mount Kinabalu in the Ranau district,' he said. He attributed this surge in support to KDM's promise of prosperity, predicting a strong showing in the coming elections. Wetrom expressed confidence in winning Kadazandusun, Murut and Rungus native seats, with plans to expand KDM's reach to other non-Muslim native constituencies. 'The party has already nominated candidates for key seats - Datuk Rusdin Riman for Paginatan, Datuk Jeffry Mohd Ali for Kundasang and Datuk Karim Adam for Karanaan,' he stressed. He added these seats are currently held by prominent GRS and PBS figures - Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam (Kundasang), Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun (Karanaan) and Datuk Abidin Madangkir (Paginatan). KDM's ambition reflects its growing influence in northern Sabah's Rungus community and its recent success in the Murut seat of Tenom. This aggressive strategy, despite the recent imprisonment of KDM President Datuk Peter Anthony, signals a determined bid to reshape Sabah's political landscape. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia

Sabah parties must help realise Labuan's vision
Sabah parties must help realise Labuan's vision

Daily Express

time2 hours ago

  • Daily Express

Sabah parties must help realise Labuan's vision

Published on: Tuesday, July 29, 2025 Published on: Tue, Jul 29, 2025 Text Size: Jeffrey with Walther, Linggu, Stephen, Peter Mak and Harun Pudin. LABUAN: Political parties from Sabah operating here must work together to achieve the shared goal of realising the vision for Labuan that was hoped for when the island was handed over to become a Federal Territory in 1984. Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (Star) President Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan said the current situation in Labuan is far from the original expectations. 'In fact, Labuan, once a duty-free island, no longer enjoys the same duty-free status as it once did. 'This concern is based on fact. Even former Sabah Chief Minister Tan Sri Harris Salleh, who was the architect behind Labuan's handover as a Federal Territory, has acknowledged that his original objective for Labuan has failed,' he said Dr Jeffrey when launching the Star Labuan Division. Jeffrey emphasised that since 1984, the hope was for Labuan to be developed economically, creating ample job opportunities and increasing income levels for its people. 'Back then in 1984, the entire Borneo region hoped Labuan would become a catalyst for development in Sabah and Sarawak,' he added. Jeffrey, who is also Sabah Deputy Chief Minister I, noted that the changes in Labuan have strayed far from the original 1984 aspirations. Instead, the culture and traditions of some Labuan residents — who were once part of Sabah — have been 'Malay-ised.' 'Today, some Labuan residents feel sidelined in the Federal Territory's administration. They want to be involved in policy-making and implementation,' he said. According to Jeffrey, the concerns being raised are not out of anger or resentment but simply calls for positive changes that would make Labuan a source of pride for all. He added that this is precisely why Star established its division in Labuan. Through cooperation with fellow component parties under the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) coalition, the aim is for Labuan's politics to one day be led and managed by Sabah-based parties. 'This issue has also been raised in Parliament. I myself have repeatedly called for the restoration of Labuan's duty-free status, but unfortunately, our pleas have yet to be heard,' he said. Some 500 people attended the event. Also present were Star Secretary-General Senator Datuk Edward Linggu, Labuan Star Coordinator Datuk Kapitan Stephen Teo, Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) Labuan Division Chief Datuk Peter Mak and Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (PGRS) Deputy Division Chief Dr Harun Pudin. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia

Trump criticises London mayor Khan again during UK visit
Trump criticises London mayor Khan again during UK visit

The Sun

time2 hours ago

  • The Sun

Trump criticises London mayor Khan again during UK visit

TURNBERRY: US President Donald Trump once again targeted London Mayor Sadiq Khan during a press conference in Scotland, where he appeared alongside British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. When asked if he planned to visit London in September, Trump confirmed his intention but took the opportunity to criticise Khan. 'I'm not a fan of your mayor. I think he's done a terrible job,' Trump said. 'The Mayor of London... a nasty person.' Starmer, standing beside Trump, quickly interjected, 'He's a friend of mine, actually.' However, Trump doubled down, stating, 'I think he's done a terrible job. But I would certainly visit London.' The tension between Trump and Khan is long-standing. Khan, a Labour Party member like Starmer, has been a vocal critic of Trump. In January, ahead of Trump's return to the White House, Khan warned of the dangers posed by 'reactionary populists' in an article. Their feud dates back to Trump's first term when Khan criticised the US travel ban on citizens from several Muslim-majority countries. Trump retaliated by calling Khan a 'stone cold loser' and accusing him of mishandling terrorism. In a podcast recorded before Trump's 2024 re-election, Khan suggested that Trump's hostility was racially motivated. 'He's come for me because of, let's be frank, my ethnicity and my religion,' Khan said. Despite their differences, Khan acknowledged the democratic process after Trump's victory, telling AFP in December that the American people had 'spoken loudly and clearly.' Responding to Trump's latest remarks, a spokesperson for Khan said the mayor was 'delighted that President Trump wants to come to the greatest city in the world,' adding that Trump would see how London's diversity strengthens the city. - AFP

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store