SINGAPORE (AFP) - - The leader of a Singapore opposition party, jailed numerous times for defying local protest laws and for other offences, has posted a video message asking for US President Barack Obama's support.


Chee Soon Juan, secretary general of the Singapore Democratic Party, posted his "message to President Obama" on the video sharing website YouTube, where he called Obama's Tuesday inauguration "an occasion of great moment."

Chee expressed hope that the United States "will pay more attention to the human rights abuses of the Singapore government and take positive steps to help Singapore join the community of democracies."

Chee, dressed in a dark suit and a tie, sat at a desk to deliver the message lasting more than five minutes.

He said his party was especially encouraged by what Obama, the first black president of the United States, has said about human rights.

"Under your leadership I look forward to a world that is freer, more democratic and more just," said Chee.

He is one of the few Singaporeans who have publicly spoken against Singapore's People's Action Party, which has ruled since 1959.

Since independence in 1965, Singapore has grown from a Third World country to an Asian economic powerhouse. But critics say this has come at a price, in the form of restrictions on freedom of speech and political activity.

The ruling party has all but two of the 84 elected seats in parliament, and the opposition's complaints include a lack of access to mainstream media in the country.

Except for a park that serves as a designated area for limited free speech, it is illegal to hold a public gathering of five or more people in Singapore without a police permit.

Singapore's leaders say tough laws against dissent and other political activity are necessary to ensure the stability which has helped the city-state achieve economic success.

The government has said allegations that Singapore fails to meet international standards for political and human rights are without substance.

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