Rylee current events singapore

1. Politics in Singapore
By: Rylee Schmidt

2. Controversy over Wham and Mohamad meeting
Jolovan Wham is a political activist and a human rights
defender who also speaks out about LGBT rights and
works with members of civil society to announce issues
with freedom of expression and freedom of assembly.
Recently, Wham had a meeting with Malaysian Prime
Minister: Mahathir Mohamad. Even before going to
Malaysia, the Singapore government let him know that
it was “pretty clear” that they didn't want him to go to
the meeting.
“But what I do on my seditious vacation is really known
of their business” Wham added on Facebook.

3. In Singapore, the government has restricted the freedom of
speech, the freedom of press, and other civil and political
rights.
Wham met with Mohamad in Putrajaya, Malaysia, with Thum
Ping Tjin (historian), Kirsten Han (journalist), and Sonny Liew
(graphic novelist) to discuss about democracy, human rights,
freedom of expression, and freedom of information in the
region.
Dr. Thum wanted Mohamad to “bring democracy to
Singapore”, but Home Affairs and Law Minister K.
Shanmugam told reporters that it’s a “no-no” to bring in
foreign politicians to intervene on Singapore’s domestic
politics.

4. Mr Wham, responding to the criticisms, said in his
Facebook post that
"Lobbying an overseas politician on political and civil rights
in your country is nothing new. Activists all over the world
do it. The most recent example that comes to mind is Hong
Kong Occupy activists lobbying politicians in the United
Kingdom and United States. International political pressure
IS part of activism," he said, referring to the territory's
Occupy Central pro-democracy movement in 2014.”
He added: "Even if PJ (Dr. Thum) had asked Mahathir to
'bring democracy to Singapore'... what's wrong with that?"
Thought Provoking Question: How far would you go for the
rights that you deserve?

6. Citations
https://www.straitstimes.com/politics/activist-jolovan-wham-pretty-clear-govt-
would-not-be-happy-with-dr-mahathir-meeting
https://www.tnp.sg/news/singapore/it-was-clear-govt-wouldnt-be-happy-mahathir-
meeting-activist