Singapore - The Singapore government has explained its decision not to renew the work permit of two Myanmar nationals, saying they had gone beyond the law allowed in staging political protests.

The case involves two Myanmar nationals, Moe Kyaw Thu and Win Kyaw, who were part of a group that held a protest march against their country's ruling junta during the 2007 Asean summit held in Singapore, according to a Tuesday report in Straits Times citing an online posting of one of the Singapore protestor.

The Manpower and Home Affairs Ministries said in a joint statement on Monday that the Myanmar nationals had threatened to lobby with political pressure through the media and agitate foreign public opinion against the Singapore authorities so as to compel them to concede to their demands.

They have shown in their actions and attitude a wilful disregard and contempt for the law and the Singapore authorities, and had demanded the right to stay in Singapore, said the Ministries in response to media queries.

The Ministries stressed that Singapore welcomed foreigners including Myanmar nationals to work, study and stay in Singapore within the parameter of the laws of the land.

Meanwhile, police had released on bail two Singaporeans who were arrested Monday afternoon when they continued to stage a protest in support of the two Myanmar nationals.

Singaporeans Seelan Palay, 24, and Chong Kai Xiong, 27, had protested at the Manpower Ministry premises with placards around their necks that read "Stop illegal treatment of Burmese activists". (dpa)