Raeesah Khan is the latest candidate to come under scrutiny since campaigning has begun for Singapore General Elections 2020.
Who is Raeesah Khan?
Raeesah is 26 years old and is a freelance digital marketing consultant and a social activist. She is the founder of Reyna Movement, which seeks to empower women through engagement and up-skilling programmes.
She is also the daughter of former presidential candidate, Farid Khan, who is chairman at Bourbon Offshore Asia.
She is the youngest candidate at this General Elections. She is married with an infant son.
What does Reyna Movement do?
Founded in 2016, Reyna Movement has 2 main projects – “Kakak Dan Adik” & “Project Ria”.
“Kakak Dan Adik” translates to “Sisters and Brothers”. It is a project that provides support for Rohingya refugees displaced around Kuala Lumpur. “Project Ria” creates spaces of support for women in Singapore.
Raeesah runs Reyna Movement with Whitney Tan, a Singaporean. They have been featured substantially on mainstream media.
Why does Raeesah stand for in politics?
Raeesah is running for parliament because there are deep-seated inequalities produced by the current system. Low income families and people with disabilities are disproportionately affected. Citizens are being persecuted for simply challenging the status quo.
It’s increasingly difficult for young people to save up and buy their own homes. Parents have to work harder and spend lesser time with their families. Senior citizens are struggling to live and afford medical expenses.
There is a need for long-term structural policy change and the elites should not be the only ones with seats at the table.
She believes in a Singapore that is fair and equitable – this election is about the working people.
Why is the police investigating her?
Two reports were made against the Workers’ Party candidate for allegedly making comments on the discrimination by Singapore’s law enforcement authorities.
Ms Khan, 26, had allegedly commented that Singapore law enforcement authorities discriminated against citizens, and that compared with other groups, rich Chinese and white people were treated differently under the law.
In particular, regarding the City Harvest Church case, Raeesah has allegedly commented that Singapore jailed minorities mercilessly, harassed mosque leaders but let corrupt church leaders free.
The Police have said in a statement that “The police have consulted the Attorney-General’s Chambers, which advised that an offence of promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion or race under Section 298A of the Penal Code is disclosed,”.
What punishments are we looking at?
For promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion or race under the Penal Code, a person can be jailed up to three years, or fined, or face both punishments.
What are the actual offending posts by Raeesah?
Why is the law different for these people? Is it because they’re rich Chinese or white people? Do you think expats will be treated with the same disdain as migrant workers who broke the law? I’m not a fan of aggressive policing, but what I will not accept is law enforcement that discriminates against its citizens.
Raeesah Khan on Facebook
What happens now?
Well, Raeesah has apologised. You can read all about it in our other article. Police investigations are ongoing.