'Stay out': SDP's Chee Soon Juan, Paul Tambyah reject foreign interference in S'pore politics

Leaders from the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) have criticised recent online activity by foreigners about Singapore's general election.

In separate media addresses on Apr. 26, secretary-general Chee Soon Juan and chairman Paul Tambyah spoke out against foreign interference in local politics.

Chee said he "completely agrees with the PAP (People's Action Party)" on the issue, according to CNA.

"Stay out. We're not interested in people coming in here and making endorsements. We'll fight our own battle," he said.

Tambyah, at a doorstop at Teban Gardens Food Centre, agreed and said the party is "dead-set against foreign interference of any kind".

He said "politics in Singapore is for Singaporeans".

This comes after three foreigners were identified for putting up Facebook posts, attempting to sway Singaporean voters.

All three will have their posts blocked in Singapore during the election period.

Other opposition parties

Other opposition parties in Singapore expressed similar sentiments.

Tan Cheng Bock from the Progress Singapore Party (PSP) said: "We don't want foreigners to interfere. We are our own strength... we don't need foreigners to come and tell us what to do."

"And I'm sure Singaporeans are not so stupid," he said. "[Foreigners] are from the outside, they don't know what's happening here."

National Solidarity Party (NSP) secretary-general Spencer Ng said his party takes "a very serious stance" on foreign attempts to influence the election, while Red Dot United (RDU) chief Ravi Philemon said it would not accept offers of support from foreign organisations, even if it did receive any.

"At the end of the day, we must always think what’s good for Singapore, what’s important for Singapore and we must be one united people. That’s the most important thing," he said.

Background

According to a joint statement by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and the Elections Department (ELD), three foreigners attempted to exert influence regarding Singapore's elections through social media posts.

Under Singapore's Parliamentary Elections Act (PEA), foreigners must not direct, fund, or in any way influence Singapore's elections.

ELD added that the foreigners whose posts were identified called on Singaporeans to vote on racial and religious lines.

"We must not mix religion and politics. Singapore is a secular state," it said.

In response, the Workers' Party (WP) published a statement relating to social media posts by Malaysia-based religious teacher, Noor Deros.

Deros, a Singaporean, had called on his followers to vote for WP candidates, such as Faisal Manap.

He claimed that he had met up with WP leaders with a list of demands, and they had "accepted", but not necessarily "agreed" to them.

In its statement, WP clarified that it did not make any promises, commitments, or agreements to any individual in exchange for political support, including Deros.

It added that the party seeks the support of all Singaporeans in the wards they are contesting in, and does not have control over foreign parties who express support for their candidates.

Top image by Mothership