There are at least 500,000 Malaysians reported to be working in Singapore, many of whom are young and highly-educated professionals. And they appear to be thoroughly disgusted by the electoral cheating that went on during Malaysia's May 5 general elections.
So widespread has the fraud been that Prime Minister Najib Razak's government can no longer deny it. From cleans polls movement BERSIH to think-thanks like IDEAS that were invited to act as official observers in the 13th general election, the consensus has been that there was unprecedented fraud.
In Malaysia, an angry Opposition has taken its cause on a nationwide tour, drawing hundreds of thousands of sympathizers to its post-election or 505-Blackout rallies. Pakatan Rakyat de-facto chief Anwar Ibrahim and his team will be speaking in Kuantan, Pahang on Tuesday night and Johor Bahru on Wednesday.
Growing overseas disgust & scorn for Umno-BN
Meanwhile, the chorus of anger against Najib's Umno-BN coalition is getting louder overseas.
Last Sunday, scores of people gathered at Hong Lim Park in Singapore for a locally-organised event billed as an expression of "solidarity" for Malaysians who had been arrested in Merlion Park on Saturday for calling for clean elections.
But more than "solidairty" and the wish to show displeasure with Umno-BN, the Malaysians in Singapore also want their government to do something about it - be it re-election, re-counting, whatever the appropriate remedy for each of the 27 seat victories that the Pakatan has exposed as being highly dubious.
According to the Singapore Straits Times, event organiser Jolovan Wham told the crowd that both foreigners and Singaporeans should have the right to freedom of expression, referring to the arrest of 21 Malaysians on Saturday for illegally gathering at Merlion Park.
Mr Wham, a social activist, then read out a statement by 200 Malaysian social workers and counsellors working here who called for free and fair elections and a strengthened social welfare system.
The other speaker was poet Alfian Sa'at who apologised on behalf of the Singapore government for "very repressive laws" on freedom of assembly, in reference to Saturday's arrests. Nine other Malaysians had also been warned days earlier for participating in a protest last Wednesday. He then read out a monologue from his play "Parah", which is about race relations.
Most in the crowd wore black and were issued yellow candles for a vigil. A significant number appeared to be Malaysians who came to observe the event. Several signs expressing support for Malaysia were laid on the ground in one corner of the park. Said businessman Mr Chong Chin Chun, 43, who is a permanent resident from Malaysia: "Our neighbours are here to speak out for us, I will feel very shameful if I don't turn up to support.
Dozens of people gathered at Hong Lim Park on Sunday evening for a locally-organised event billed as an expression of "solidarity" for Malaysians calling for clean elections. -- ST PHOTO: DERRICK HO
Dozens of people gathered at Hong Lim Park on Sunday evening for a locally-organised event billed as an expression of "solidarity" for Malaysians calling for clean elections. -- ST PHOTO: DERRICK HO
Dozens of people gathered at Hong Lim Park on Sunday evening for a locally-organised event billed as an expression of "solidarity" for Malaysians calling for clean elections. -- ST PHOTO: DERRICK HO
Dozens of people gathered at Hong Lim Park on Sunday evening for a locally-organised event billed as an expression of "solidarity" for Malaysians calling for clean elections. -- ST PHOTO: DERRICK HO
Dozens of people gathered at Hong Lim Park on Sunday evening for a locally-organised event billed as an expression of "solidarity" for Malaysians calling for clean elections. -- ST PHOTO: DERRICK HO
Dozens of people gathered at Hong Lim Park on Sunday evening for a locally-organised event billed as an expression of "solidarity" for Malaysians calling for clean elections. -- ST PHOTO: DERRICK HO
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