Foreigners who break Singapore's law should face consequences, says MHA and MFA
POSTED: 28 May 2013 8:39 PM
SINGAPORE: The Ministries of Home Affairs and Foreign Affairs on Tuesday said foreigners who break the law in Singapore should be prepared to face the consequences, including having their visas or work passes revoked.
The ministries issued a joint statement in response to media queries about appeals for leniency for the Malaysians arrested for participating in illegal protests in Singapore on 8 and 11 May 2013.
The statement said that it is clear that some of the Malaysians who participated in the two illegal gatherings at Merlion Park deliberately ignored repeated warnings that the protests were illegal.
It added that foreigners should not import the differences that they may have over issues in their countries into Singapore.
The statement added that they broke Singapore laws, and have to be dealt with accordingly.
Some of the Malaysian offenders had approached Malaysian Members of Parliament to petition on their behalf against the measures imposed on them for breaking the law.
The statement said their actions to involve foreign parties are attempts to seek special treatment and to further politicise what is essentially a domestic law and order issue in Singapore.
It also said Singapore values its strong bilateral relations with its neighbours and these are based on mutual respect and the principle of non-interference in each other's domestic affairs.
It added that Singapore does not interfere in the domestic matters of other countries. In turn, Singapore will not tolerate outside forces interfering in its internal affairs.
- CNA/de
