The May 9 peaceful power transition in Malaysia might be a "shining beacon" to influence change in Singapore, said an exiled Singaporean activist.

Tan Wah Piow (picture above, left), who spoke to reporters in Putrajaya today said Malaysians have shown Singaporeans that a change of government was not something to be frightened of.

"I hope so (that it would influence Singaporeans). Malaysians have pointed the way to Singaporeans in that change is possible, that change is not frightening.

"The May 9 (Malaysian) general election result has wiped out the narrative that any kind of change in government would result in racial riots.

"That emboldens the people and frees them from the superstition that democracy brings about violence, from the myth that democracy is just an invention of the West.

“This is the lesson that Malaysia has offered Singapore," Tan told reporters outside Perdana Leadership Foundation office.

He had earlier met Malaysian Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad to invite him to deliver a keynote address at a conference on democracy next year.

Malaysia's 14th general election saw Pakatan Harapan coalition forming the federal government after defeating BN which had an unbroken 61 years in power.

Tan also added that Singapore's ruling party, PAP, could be "struggling to keep up with the pace of changes here".

Democratic experience

On the meeting with Mahathir, Tan who was accompanied by several other Singaporeans including historian Thum Ping Tjin and Malaysian political activist Hishamuddin Rais (picture above, right) said they wanted the premier to share Malaysia's experience in democracy.

Tan has been living as a political exile in the UK since 1976. He was accused of being the mastermind of a plot to overthrow Singapore government in 1987 to form a Marxist government.

The republic then revoked his citizenship.