{
  "id": 6102865,
  "title": "PM Wong & SM Lee call on S'poreans to reject attempts to divide us, hold fast to ideals of the pledge",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/06/pm-wong-sm-lee-call-on-sporeans-to-reject-attempts-to-divide-us-hold",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-06T17:01:30.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Mothership",
    "slug": "mothership",
    "url": "https://mothership.sg/2026/09/pm-wong-sm-lee-call-on-sporeans-to-reject-attempts-to-divide-us-hold-fast-to-ideals-of-the-pledge/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong have jointly urged Singaporeans to resist efforts to divide them and to uphold the principles outlined in the National Pledge. They emphasized the importance of standing together \"regardless of race, language, or religion\" and highlighted their concerns over racist comments and anti-Indian abuse that had surfaced in the context of the Nepali floods and the investment of Singapore Airlines in Air India.\n\nSenior Minister K Shanmugam informed the media on September 5 that he had instructed the police to investigate racist remarks made about Singaporeans affected by the Nepali floods, as well as the situation surrounding Singapore Airlines' involvement with Air India. Wong reiterated that Singapore's identity must remain open and inclusive, stating that regardless of a person's background, if they embrace Singapore's values and way of life, they are a part of the nation. He strongly discouraged the acceptance of prejudice as normal or acceptable in Singapore.\n\nWong expressed his worries about the potential consequences of unchecked prejudice, warning that it could become normalized and deepen mistrust between communities, further driving a wedge between Singaporeans. He discussed these matters with his cabinet colleagues, which led Senior Minister Shanmugam to speak out forcefully on the issue.\n\nWong cautioned that there would always be individuals seeking to exploit Singaporeans' differences, but it was up to the public to reject such views and refrain from giving them more legitimacy. He reminded Singaporeans of their responsibility to reject prejudiced comments and uphold the ideals of the national pledge, reaffirming that the country would not tolerate the acceptance of any community as singled out for hostility or discrimination.\n\nSenior Minister Lee Hsien Loong also appealed to Singaporeans to live up to the principles outlined in the national pledge, expressing his deepest condolences to those affected by the Nepali floods. He condemned racist comments targeting Singapore's Indian community and expressed concern over the distortion of legitimate issues, such as Singapore Airlines' investment in Air India, to stir racial and anti-Indian resentment. Lee emphasized that Singapore strives for interracial tolerance and respect, acknowledging that race and religion will always be a fault line in society but stressing the necessity to strengthen cohesion and protect racial harmony.",
  "summary": "“We must never allow prejudice against any community to become accepted or normal in Singapore,\" PM Wong said.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}