Singapore must never allow prejudice against any community to become accepted or normalised: PM Wong
"We can and should have robust debates. But we should never use seemingly legitimate arguments as a cover to fuel prejudice against any community or hostility towards foreigners," says Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.
Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong emphasized on September 6 that the nation must prevent prejudice against any community from becoming accepted or normalized. In a Facebook post, Wong highlighted that an "uglier side" had emerged in online discussions regarding the Nepal-Tibet disaster and Singapore Airlines’ (SIA) investment in Air India.
He stated that while such views do not represent Singapore, they should not be dismissed as harmless online chatter. Wong warned that unchecked behavior can normalize such attitudes, deepen mistrust between communities, and lead to division. He reiterated the importance of an open and inclusive Singaporean identity, as outlined in the National Pledge.
Wong also recalled past instances of anti-foreigner and racial tensions, including during the COVID-19 pandemic and debates over the Singapore-India Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA). He urged Singaporeans to reject hateful comments and respond by refusing to give them legitimacy. Singapore's resilience lies in its consistent rejection of divisive attempts and recognition of fellow Singaporeans regardless of background.
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong echoed these sentiments, condemning racist comments and the distortion of SIA's investment in Air India to fuel racial resentment. He called on Singaporeans to support one another, especially during crises like the Nepal floods, emphasizing compassion and solidarity.
Written by urgent.news from Channel News Asia's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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