Kulai MP Teo Nie Ching claimed that there were more than 30 Malaysians arrested in Singapore for participating in the Blackout rallies and they had been denied legal representation by the republic's police force.

The DAP parliamentarian revealed that although the media has earlier reported that there had been nine Malaysians arrested for joining the protest rally on May 8 at Merlion Park, the exact number of arrests were higher.

“I cannot ascertain the exact number as I only know about those who contacted me. If there were other people who were arrested but did not inform me, I would not know,” she said when contacted today.

There were some 100 participants in the rally to protest against fraud and irregularities in the 13th Malaysian general election.

NONE According to earlier media reports, another 21 Malaysians were arrested for participating in another protest rally at the same venue on May 11.

Those who contacted Teo ( left ) also claimed that they were denied access to lawyers during the interrogations by the police.

Teo pointed out that it was clearly against Article 9(3) of the republic's constitution which stipulates that anyone arrested “shall be allowed to consult and be defended by a legal practitioner of his choice”.

Some of those arrested on May 11 had been handcuffed when they were bought back to the police station, said Teo, which was another violation of Section 76 of the Singapore Criminal Procedure Code which states that “the person arrested must not be restrained more than is necessary to prevent his escape”.

azlan “I also found out from those who have contacted me that they are not allowed to leave Singapore until the investigation is completed.

“This has caused difficulties for some of them because among them are a few who travel daily from Johor Baru to Singapore for work. They have had no choice but to stay in hotels for the time being.”

Out of the 21 Malaysians arrested on 11 May 2011, one employment pass and two visit passes were revoked while the other 18 received conditional warnings from the Singapore government.

Teo added that one woman - whose employment pass was revoked - was told by the Singapore authorities that she had participated in both rallies May 8 and May 11, although she claimed that she had only attended the May 11 rally.

'Grossly unfair to revoke employment pass'

“As such, it is grossly unfair for the Singapore government to revoke her employment pass. As she was denied her right to legal representation during the police interrogation, I fear that she may have been misunderstood.

“I therefore urge the Singapore police to review her case if she had indeed participated in both gatherings and if she did not, her employment pass should be reinstated immediately,” said Teo.

According to Teo, the revocation of employment pass could cost her a whopping S$100,000 as the scholarship holder has an agreement to serve her sponsor for six years upon completion of her studies or else she would have to compensate the sponsor.

“We all hope that this matter can be resolved amicably. I strongly urge the Singapore government to show leniency and to give them a second chance as mercy and forgiveness will always be seemed as a virtue,” she added.

In Kuala Lumpur today, PKR handed a memorandum to Singapore High Commissioner to Malaysia Ong Keng Yong today, appealing to the republic to rescind its action to revoke the working passes of Malaysians who had been involved in the protest.

NONE PKR vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar led a four member delegation in handing over the memorandum to Ong's aides. The others were Bayan Baru MP Sim Tze Tzin, Batu Pahat MP Idris Jauzi and Johor PKR chief Chua Jui Meng ( left ).

"A total of 21 Malaysians were arrested in the Black 505 protest, and the authorities are now studying or have decided to revoke the working passes of some of those individuals.

"We recognise the need for Malaysians to adhere the republic's laws, but our plea to the Singapore authorities is to adopt justice, and whether such actions are deemed proper," the memorandum states.

The four signed the memorandum, in which they said they felt the action against the 21 Malaysians "is harsh" as they were only expressing their democratic rights, which is a universal struggle.

The memorandum was handed to the high commissioner's secretaries, Harris Rusdi Chai and Ramanathan Manivasagan, in Kuala Lumpur.