PETALING JAYA, MAY 30- The Penang government is willing to help resolve the issue of Malaysians, especially Penangites, who were arrested during two protests on May 8 and 11.
Singapore police arrested 21 Malaysians when they held a protest at Merlion Park, seeking electoral reforms following BN’s win in the 13th general election despite losing the popular votes.
“The Penang state government acknowledges and respects the right of the Singapore government to determine and take action based on its own laws and affairs.
“But I believe the Singapore government would not reject efforts to plead for leniency,” said Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng in a press statement.
“Our efforts are being made humanitarian grounds and should not be viewed as an interference in Singapore’s affairs. We hope they’ll view this case not from criminal angle, but from a human rights perspective, he added.
In a related development, the Singapore Home Ministry warned Malaysian politicians to stay out of its affairs especially in the arrests of the 21 Malaysians.
“Foreign parties attempting to seek special treatment and to further politicise what is essentially a domestic law and order issue in Singapore is unacceptable,” it said on is website.
The statement was issued in response to a petition by PR MPs, including Nurul Izzah and Teo Nie Ching who had interceded on behalf of Malaysians, some who had their work permit revoked as punishment.
