In a compelling call to action, a Singaporean religious teacher residing in Malaysia, Mr. Noor Deros, has engaged in discussions with the Workers' Party (WP) candidates ahead of the elections. His message? The need for prioritizing the rights of the Malay and Muslim community in Singapore.

According to reports from the Malay-language newspaper Berita Harian, Noor conveyed his thoughts in a series of impactful Facebook posts where he claimed to have had extensive conversations with all Malay candidates from the WP. He emphasized that the party acknowledged his concerns regarding the community and expressed intentions to address issues related to the practice and regulation of Islam in Singapore through parliamentary discussions.

Mr. Noor is calling on the WP to confront pressing issues like the Administration of Muslim Law Act and the role of institutions such as the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore. His comments reflect a profound desire for the community’s concerns to be brought to the forefront of political discourse.

In a bold stance, he also urged the WP and other election candidates to oppose the normalization of LGBTQ+ issues, support Palestinian statehood, and take a firmer position against Israel’s actions.

Additionally, Noor criticized Minister-in-Charge of Muslim Affairs, Masagos Zulkifli, for what he sees as a neglect of the rights and aspirations of the Malay and Muslim populace. He contrasted Masagos with WP vice-chairman Faisal Manap, praising Faisal for successfully raising the tudung (headscarf) issue in Parliament, which led to the lifting of previous restrictions on Muslim healthcare workers.

Urging his supporters in the Tampines GRC to back Faisal in the May 3 election, Noor's posts resonate with a growing sentiment among Singaporeans. However, officials have since expressed concern over emerging online messages during the election period that seem to carry racial and religious overtones.

Just recently, the Ministry of Home Affairs issued a stern warning against foreign interference in Singapore's elections. This followed revelations that foreign individuals, including a former Internal Security Act detainee, attempted to influence electoral discussions.

One such case involved Zulfikar Mohamad Shariff, an Australian who previously renounced his Singapore citizenship and was detained for promoting terrorism. He criticized Malay/Muslim MPs for not adequately representing the community's interests, echoing Mr. Noor's sentiments.

In response to these developments, the Infocomm Media Development Authority has acted swiftly, instructing Meta to restrict access to certain Facebook posts, aiming to maintain the integrity of Singapore's electoral process.

As the elections loom closer, the call for greater representation and rights for the Malay and Muslim communities remains a pivotal issue, with Noor's vocal advocacy shining a light on the complexities of Singapore’s political landscape.