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GE2020: PAP's statement on WP candidate Raeesah Khan not unlawful, says police

Raeesah Khan (left) and Jamus Lim, Workers’ Party candidates for Sengkang GRC, seen on walkabout in Anchorvale Link on 2 July 2020. (PHOTO: Yahoo News Singapore)
Raeesah Khan (left) and Jamus Lim, Workers’ Party candidates for Sengkang GRC, seen on walkabout in Anchorvale Link on 2 July 2020. (PHOTO: Yahoo News Singapore)

SINGAPORE — The police said on Wednesday (8 July) there was no offence arising from reports filed against a People’s Action Party statement regarding Workers’ Party (WP) candidate for Sengkang GRC Raeesah Khan.

“In consultation with the Attorney-General’s Chambers, it was assessed that no offence was disclosed,” said the police.

In its statement, titled ‘The Workers’ Party’s position on Sengkang Candidate Ms Raeesah Khan’, the PAP asked the WP to state its stand on Raeesah’s social media posts, “since she has admitted to making highly derogatory statements about Chinese and Christians”.

“Why does the WP still consider her worthy of consideration as an MP? This is a serious matter, which goes to the fundamental principles on which our country has been built,” the PAP added.

About the case

Two police reports were made against Raeesah over the weekend. In a statement on Sunday, the police said, “She allegedly commented that Singapore law enforcement authorities discriminated against citizens, and that compared to other groups, rich Chinese and white people were treated differently under the law.”

And in the context of a news article on the City Harvest Church court ruling, she allegedly commented that Singapore “jailed minorities mercilessly, harassed mosque leaders but let corrupt church leaders free” as well as “questioned who had been paid”.

“The police have consulted the Attorney-General's Chambers, which advised that an offence of promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion or race under Section 298A of the Penal Code is disclosed,” the police said, adding that investigations are ongoing.

On Sunday evening, Raeesah apologised for her “insensitive” post while WP chief Pritam Singh said the party would stand by her.

“My intention was never to cause social divisions but to raise awareness on minority issues. I apologise to any racial group or community who have been hurt by my comments. My remarks were insensitive and I regret making them,” Raeesah told reporters.

“I feel very passionate about minority issues regardless of race. And in my passion, I made improper remarks. I will fully cooperate with police investigations.”

Khan is the WP’s youngest candidate and daughter of 2017 presidential hopeful Farid Khan.

She is also the founder and chief executive of the Reyna Movement, an organisation operating in Singapore and Johor that aims to empower marginalised women and children through upskilling programmes and community engagement.

She is contesting in Sengkang GRC alongside economics associate professor Jamus Lim, 44, lawyer He Ting Ru, 37, and equity research analyst Louis Chua, 33.

They are up against a team led by labour chief Ng Chee Meng, 51, from the ruling People’s Action Party. The other candidates are senior parliamentary secretary for home affairs and health Amrin Amin, 42, senior minister of state for health and transport Lam Pin Min, 50, as well as new face and lawyer Raymond Lye, 54.

Polling will take place from 8am to 8pm on Friday.

A total of 192 candidates are contesting 93 parliamentary seats across six four-member GRCs, 11 five-member GRCs and 14 SMCs.

The PAP is contesting all 93 seats.

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