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.'

Mr 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.'

Mr 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 Mr Chee. -- AFP.