A Choa Chu Kang GRC resident waited two hours to meet MP Low Yen Ling and discuss Singapore’s role in the Palestine genocide, but was denied a face-to-face meeting.
On 4 November, a resident known as TK, attended a Meet-the-People Session (MPS) to discuss Singapore’s stance on the Palestinian conflict with MP Low Yen Ling.
Despite arriving early at 7:40 pm and waiting nearly two hours, TK was informed that she would not be meeting with the MP directly.
TK aimed to advocate for a shift in Singapore’s position on the conflict, urging measures that align with international human rights standards.
Initially, a volunteer at the MPS suggested that such topics were unsuitable for the forum, as MPS typically addresses personal or family matters.
However, another volunteer allowed TK to proceed with her registration.
Despite being one of the first to register, TK was among the last to be called into the People’s Action Party (PAP) branch office.
Upon entering, she was instead met by three assistants rather than MP Low. Assuming this was a preliminary step, she proceeded to present her concerns.
TK raised several points, starting with Singapore’s lack of sanctions on Israel, citing a recent United Nations General Assembly resolution.
On 15 October, Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan responded to NCMP Leong Mun Wai regarding Singapore’s vote on UNGA Resolution A/ES-10/L.31 concerning the Israel-Palestine conflict.
Dr Balakrishnan reiterated Singapore’s support for a two-state solution and respect for international law, emphasizing that Israel’s settlements in the West Bank are illegal.
However, he voiced reservations about the resolution’s measures that exceeded current international obligations and bypassed negotiated agreements between Israel and Palestine.
TK also expressed concerns about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, questioning how aid was being delivered given the blockade, and criticized Singapore’s reliance on air-dropping aid as inefficient and dangerous.
When her concerns were met with silence, TK shifted to addressing the charges against several Singaporean women involved in a pro-Palestinian demonstration.
The three women, Annamalai Kokila Parvathi, Siti Amirah Mohamed Asrori, and Mossamad Sobikun Nahar, were charged under the Public Order Act for organizing an unpermitted procession near the Istana earlier in the year.
TK argued that their actions were peaceful and did not warrant such drastic measures.
She then presented a petition signed by over 9,000 people, including former PAP MPs, Non-Constituency Members of Parliament (NMPs), and academics, advocating for Singapore to recognize Palestine as a state.
Throughout the meeting, TK noted a lack of attentiveness from the assistants, who repeatedly asked her to restate her points.
One assistant eventually informed her that MP Low planned to hold a dialogue on the issue, and that someone would follow up with her later.
At 10 pm, after leaving the session, TK discussed the experience with friends, questioning why no follow-up meeting had been arranged.
She then approached a volunteer to inquire if MP Low had been available and why her request for a meeting was denied.
The volunteer explained that only personal and family issues could be addressed by the MP on MPS nights due to the high volume of cases, adding that a relevant government agency would reach out in response to her concerns.
Residents voice frustration over limited engagement options
Disheartened, TK and other residents began questioning the limited avenues for raising international concerns with their representatives.
“If Palestine is not an issue we can bring up at MPS, then what is the appropriate channel for citizens to address these concerns with our government?” TK asked.
After four unanswered emails to previous MPs, TK attended the MPS as a final effort to communicate with her representative on the Palestinian issue.
This experience reflects a broader struggle for pro-Palestine advocates in Singapore to engage in public discussions.
In response to increasing restrictions, residents have voiced frustrations over event cancellations, protest limitations, and investigations into private gatherings on pro-Palestine topics.
“Why are citizens being denied their right to speak with their state representatives?” residents questioned.
“Is it not a resident’s right to discuss with her MP if the government’s pro-US, pro-Israel policy is putting Singaporeans at risk? Is our responsibility to international law and Palestinian lives not important? Is genocide not important?”
On 16 September, Holland-Bukit Timah resident Hasannah met with MP Edward Chia to discuss sanctions against Israel.
MP Chia emphasized caution regarding sanctions, suggesting they might be ineffective.
Similarly, on 7 October, a group of activists in Punggol West met with MP Sun Xueling, urging her to consider sanctions and questioning Singapore’s approach to aiding Gaza.
Activists have since encouraged more residents to approach MPs, seeking to raise awareness on Palestine’s plight and promote solidarity efforts in Singapore.
