WP clarifies they didn't make any promises or commitments to ex-religious teacher in exchange for support

The Workers' Party (WP) clarified a meeting they had with a Singaporean Muslim religious teacher, Noor Deros, stating that there were no promises, commitments or agreements made with him or any other individual in exchange for political support for their candidates.

On Apr. 26, at 9:00am, the WP released a statement on its social media platforms on "Foreign Influence."

It referred to the joint statement by MHA and ELD on Apr. 25 on the "Takedown of Foreign Online Election Advertising", as well as media reports on their Malay-Muslim candidates.

WP said it seeks the support of Singaporeans in the wards they contest, and does not have control over foreign parties who express support for their candidates. "Any imputation of the same is wholly inaccurate."

Noor Deros

WP then referred to "media references" to a meeting involving some of their Malay-Muslim candidates and Noor Deros.

In the course of their political work, WP meets with various members of Singapore's religious communities. Singaporean religious leaders of all faiths share "varied views" and "opinions on public life in Singapore."

"At a meeting with other religious leaders where Noor Deros was present, the Party confirms there were no promises, commitments or agreements made to any individual, including Noor Deros, in exchange for political support for WP candidates.

In Singapore, the principle of keeping religion and politics separate is well established. The WP’s commitment to this principle is a matter of public record."

Faisal Manap: Religion needs to be kept separate from politics

The post included a quote from party vice-chairman Faisal Manap, during a parliamentary debate on the Maintenance of Religious Harmony (Amendment) Bill, that religion needs to be kept separate from politics, so that it would not be used for personal or political benefit.

Secretary-General Pritam Singh said: "Members of Parliament must represent the interests of every community, not just their own, and must be mindful of introducing religion into politics."

The statement added that WP commits to forging greater understanding between the various communities in Singapore, and push for policies that benefit all Singaporeans.

"We remain firmly committed to Singapore’s secular, multi-racial, multi-religious society, and to protecting the integrity of our electoral process," it concluded.

Background

CNA reported that several posts on Facebook, Reddit, Instagram and Threads have made the rounds online, discussing the GE while mixing religion and politics.

One Facebook post by Islamic religious teacher Noor Deros made a list of demands for political parties in Singapore and claimed that the WP was the only one that responded to him.

According to news and media site Plan B, Noor Deros is a former religious teacher from Singapore who now resides in Malaysia. Noor Deros's Facebook account indicates that he lives in Kuala Lumpur.

In a Facebook post on Apr. 19, he listed demands from political parties competing in GE2025, in exchange for his vote and his "limited capacity" to campaign for them.

These demands include criminalising adultery, protecting the family institution from "wokeism", particularly "LGBT advocacy" and "radical feminist enculturation" and severing Singapore's diplomatic ties with Israel.

In another Facebook post on Apr. 23, Noor Deros said only WP had "taken his concerns seriously" and agreed to a meeting with him and other religious scholars.

He said that while WP had not made any concrete promises to meet his demands, he publicly appreciated their openness and willingness to engage in dialogue, as compared to other political parties, which he implied did not respond to his outreach.

Top image from Parliament video.