Hours after police announced that a “stern warning” was handed to opposition MP Raeesah Khan over complaints against her online posts, the Workers’ Party politician said yesterday she had learned from her mistakes but would continue to speak openly in Parliament.
The 26-year-old wrote this online after police concluded a two-month investigation into two online posts for promoting enmity on grounds of religion or race and scandalizing the court. Two police reports had been filed against Khan over posts referencing social distancing violators at Robertson Quay and a trial of high-profile church leaders.
GE2020: PAP calls on Workers’ Party to state its stand on Sengkang GRC candidate Raeesah Khan
Khan, who was elected to parliament for the first time in July, said that her engagement with residents in Sengkang, which she represents, had taught her “the power to start difficult conversations, and that it is vital to frame these conversations in a considerate and accountable manner.”
She added that she would continue to “speak frankly” and “responsibly” in Parliament when raising important issues.
In May, Khan suggested that the law was being enforced unequally between “rich Chinese and white people.” Two years ago, Khan alleged there was unfair treatment by the justice system between “corrupt church leaders” and those of other religions when commenting on the City Harvest Church trial.
She had already apologized for the posts while campaigning for office in a joint statement to the media alongside fellow party members. But she apologized again yesterday evening.
“My intention was never to cause social unrest or division. I have spent most of my youth and adult life advocating, campaigning and organizing for minority causes, such as working with families torn apart by incarceration, people with disabilities and women who have gone through sexual assault.”
She added: “In my passion, I have said things in a manner that may have caused hurt to certain communities. I apologize for this. I will continue to learn and hope to contribute to positive change in Singapore.”
The police did not elaborate to the media what the stern warnings entailed.
“The police have completed their investigations and in consultation with the Attorney-General’s Chambers, have issued a stern warning to Ms Raeesah Khan for the offence of promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion or race,” the police said in a statement.
The warning was also issued for “an additional offence of contempt by scandalising the court.”
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