Datuk Iskandar Abdul Samad, a key financial official of the Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS), has vehemently denied allegations that he attempted to influence the Singaporean general election through his Facebook posts. He also criticized the Singaporean government's attempt to link his party with the opposition Workers' Party (WP) as "absurd and counterproductive."
In his Facebook post, Iskandar Abdul Samad stated, "I did not think my Facebook page was influential even in Malaysia, and I was shocked when it was blocked and made inaccessible in Singapore." He added, "Therefore, I still wonder what the real intention was, but I hope it is not an attempt to link my party with the opposition. Such an attempt is absurd and counterproductive."
He explained that he had only shared information about notable Muslim candidates from the Workers' Party and a video of a young Muslim candidate from the ruling People's Action Party (PAP) introducing himself to voters. He emphasized that his posts were primarily aimed at a Malaysian Muslim audience and were not intended to sway Singaporean voters.
"I have never urged voters to vote along racial and religious lines," he said. He mentioned that he hoped some Muslim candidates would win but added that he did not know them personally and had never met them.
Iskandar Abdul Samad jokingly noted that the only Singaporean politicians he had met were from the People's Action Party, including ministers and members of parliament, suggesting this could also be seen as an association with the PAP. "As a politician, it is not wrong to be interested in the political developments of countries other than Malaysia," he stated, citing his past writings on British politics and his support for the Labour Party in the last general election. "But to accuse me of interfering in the election process of that country is absurd. I have commented on the politics of other countries without any repercussions," he added.
Last Friday, the Singaporean government requested Meta to block local access to several Facebook posts, alleging that foreigners were trying to interfere in the Singaporean general election. These posts were reportedly written by two leaders from the Malaysian Islamic Party and a former Singaporean citizen who is now an Australian citizen.
The Singaporean government determined that these posts were an attempt to unduly influence the Singaporean election and took action accordingly. Singapore strictly prohibits foreign interference in its elections and has regulations in place to govern such matters.
This controversy is amplifying concerns about the potential for foreign interference in the upcoming Singaporean general election. The Singaporean government is expected to further strengthen its monitoring of foreign attempts to meddle in its elections in light of this incident. Additionally, there are analyses suggesting that diplomatic tensions between Singapore and Malaysia could escalate.
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