Abdul Salim Haron has filed a police report on Jurong GRC MP Rahayu Mazam making a serious allegation that her recent comments at a political rally can cause disharmony among the general population.
The MP was one of the speakers in a People’s Action Party (PAP) rally in the lead up to the Bukit Batok by-election. In her speech in Malay, Ms Rahayu said that Dr Chee suggested that foreign workers should be restricted from entering the country, that Muslims who entered this country need to be scrutinised, and that Dr Chee made such a statement in order to politicise race-based issues.
Dr Chee of course never said any such thing. What Dr Chee was that the Government needs to “pay more attention to the people who come into our shores.” He was responding to media queries on the recent detentions under the Internal Security Act.
Salim is not a member of SDP, but he is an active volunteer. He was also one of the speakers in SDP’s by-election rally.
In his report Salim said: “On the 5th May 2016, during a Bukit Gombak stadium PAP rally, Ms Rahayu Mahzam insinuated in her Malay speech mischievously, that the opposition candidate Dr Chee Soon Juan is not only xenophobic, but all foreign Muslims who come into our shores needs to be screened vigorously and background checks judiciously. I feel that such comments especially from elected MPs can constitute subversion among the populace if left unchallenged and does not go well with societal norms and fabric. The 8 min 20 sec speech also constitute defamation as Dr Chee had not said any of such at all and its reach is alarming.”
Salim said that he was lodging the police report for record purpose and will be seeking legal advice on the matter.