SINGAPORE: Members of Parliament ( MPs ) and members of the Malay community have spoken out against the activists who have canceled Meet-the-People sessions recently.  ,
Home Affairs and Law Minister K Shanmugam shared a video of himself speaking with two female activists wearing face masks and shirts that read “press” on Thursday ( Mar 13 ).  ,
The two activists are a group that has been organizing Meet-the-People sessions for People’s Action Party ( PAP ) because he claims they are “deliberately confrontational, create incidents, try and provoke,” he said in his post.  ,
A PAP director responded to CNA’s questions by stating that the party calls itself Monday of Palestine Solidarity in his Instagram post, though Mr. Shanmugam did not identify the party.
The group visited a Meet-The-People Session in Pasir Ris East, according to Mr. Sharael Taha ( PAP-Pasir Ris-Punggol ).  ,
Their actions, including being harsh to the volunteers and making hurtful remarks about their families, demonstrate that they were not really motivated to engage in meaningful, constructive dialogue that might actually advance the cause, he wrote on Instagram.  ,
The team’s actions, including their crude movements, do not adhere to the values of the Muslim group, according to Mr. Sharael, adding that the focus is still on offering “real, visible support” to the people of Gaza.  ,
He noted that the M3 Aid for Gaza fundraiser has raised more than S$ 300, 000 ( US$ 224, 570 ) since the beginning of Ramadan. On March 21 at 10 p.m., the Ramadan Ride in Aid of Gaza will also be held.  ,
These initiatives add to the S$ 17 million in regional assistance that has already been distributed in seven installments, according to Mr. Sharael.  ,
Conflicts will always exist, he wrote, but we must treat them with respect, compassion, and a shared responsibility to positive change.  ,
The best way to move forward is to unite and concentrate on helping those in need, according to  .
Mr. Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim ( PAP-Chua Chu Kang ) expressed concern over the recent disruptions at Mr. Shanmugam’s Meet-the-People Session on Thursday.  ,
For problems “precious time” is lost on people who had registered and waited to ask for assistance at the conference, he wrote on Instagram.  ,
We are supposed to be patient, reflect fine figure, and show compassion to others in this holy month of Ramadan, he wrote.  ,
There are legitimate ways and programs to support any cause and offer suggestions on something, but shouting and disrupting MPS at the cost of another Singapore who are also in need is not the right way.
Mohamed Imran Mohamed Taib, an interfaith activist and director of Dialogue Centre, attacked the organization on Twitter for” juvenile activism,” adding that their actions drew attention to their rowdy and disrespectful behavior rather than the problems they are concerned about.  ,
Mr. Imran emphasized that engagement is not about being “heroic,” noting that the party had attempted to discuss Palestine at various Meet-The-People Sessions.  ,
He claimed that “policies are not changed by shouting, marching, and breaking rules” at least in Singapore.  ,
While taking a stand on some plans can be passionate, Mr. Imran said that it’s not about being sarcastic and indignant.  ,
It is” about coercion.” It is about being open to discourse and paying close attention to our adversaries. Sometimes there must be a bargain. Yet a rethink, he wrote.  ,
What these people did at the Meet-The-People Session did not advance their reason, according to Mr. Imran, and instead had the same result.  ,
Some people might have been persuaded by their actions that activists are all the same, he wrote, “antisocial and nearly anarchist.”  ,
Mizi Wahid, the leader of the Singapore Islamic Scholars and Religious Teachers Association, wrote on Twitter that Muslims should be watchful of their actions and strive to become their best selves during the holy month of Ramadan.  ,
According to Mr. Mizi, the leader of the Muslim youth organization Safinah Institute, “insulting, name-calling, profanity in speech, creating a ruckus in public, disturbing our neighbors are actions that our faith despised.”  ,
It is important to remember that the way we express and express our emotions must be in the best way possible when talking about things we believe in and are excited about.
CNA has reached out to Palestine Solidarity for post on Monday.