SINGAPORE: Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on Thursday (Apr 10) said recent remarks made by former Nominated Member of Parliament (NMP) Calvin Cheng were “completely insensitive and unacceptable”.
Mr Wong said that Singapore must nurture and protect its cohesion, and emphasised that its harmonious society today was a product of generations of hard work.
“When we were part of Malaysia, some segments of the Malaysian community called the local Chinese ‘pendatang’ - foreigners or immigrants. It angered many Chinese who felt that they were second class citizens. So when Singapore became independent, we resolved never to treat our minorities like that,” Mr Wong said in a Facebook post on Thursday.
“Today, Singapore is a diverse and yet harmonious society where all races and religions have their place under the sun. This cohesion is the result of generations of patient effort and hard work. We must treasure it, protect it, and nurture it.”
In a Facebook post last month, Mr Cheng had criticised a group known as Monday of Palestine Solidarity, whose members have been accused of disrupting Meet-the-People Sessions.
“I would like to sponsor them to relocate to Gaza, expenses paid by me. But only if they never come back … I am offering business class to the leaders. And to their 928 followers, can buy them some walking shoes each. Take a slow hike,” he wrote.
On Wednesday, Mr Cheng met with Ustaz Mohamad Hasbi and Ustaz Pasuni Maulan at Yusof Ishak Mosque in Woodlands. The former NMP said he was "deeply remorseful" over his public comments.
The two ustazs sit on the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore.
Mr Wong said on Thursday that he had a good chat with Ustaz Hasbi and Ustaz Pasuni during his visit to Madrasah Aljunied. He thanked the ustazs for meeting with Mr Cheng.
"I also shared with them my perspective: That Calvin Cheng's remarks about telling another Singaporean to 'take a hike' to Gaza was completely insensitive and unacceptable," he said.
"In today's uncertain environment where there are many external forces that can pull our society apart, this work is even more important," the prime minister added.
"I thanked Ustaz Hasbi and Ustaz Pasuni for their role in fostering inter-faith harmony. Together, let's build on what we have, and ensure that our little red dot remains an oasis of stability and harmony."
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Mr Wong said that Singapore must nurture and protect its cohesion, and emphasised that its harmonious society today was a product of generations of hard work.
“When we were part of Malaysia, some segments of the Malaysian community called the local Chinese ‘pendatang’ - foreigners or immigrants. It angered many Chinese who felt that they were second class citizens. So when Singapore became independent, we resolved never to treat our minorities like that,” Mr Wong said in a Facebook post on Thursday.
“Today, Singapore is a diverse and yet harmonious society where all races and religions have their place under the sun. This cohesion is the result of generations of patient effort and hard work. We must treasure it, protect it, and nurture it.”
In a Facebook post last month, Mr Cheng had criticised a group known as Monday of Palestine Solidarity, whose members have been accused of disrupting Meet-the-People Sessions.
“I would like to sponsor them to relocate to Gaza, expenses paid by me. But only if they never come back … I am offering business class to the leaders. And to their 928 followers, can buy them some walking shoes each. Take a slow hike,” he wrote.
On Wednesday, Mr Cheng met with Ustaz Mohamad Hasbi and Ustaz Pasuni Maulan at Yusof Ishak Mosque in Woodlands. The former NMP said he was "deeply remorseful" over his public comments.
The two ustazs sit on the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore.
Mr Wong said on Thursday that he had a good chat with Ustaz Hasbi and Ustaz Pasuni during his visit to Madrasah Aljunied. He thanked the ustazs for meeting with Mr Cheng.
"I also shared with them my perspective: That Calvin Cheng's remarks about telling another Singaporean to 'take a hike' to Gaza was completely insensitive and unacceptable," he said.
"In today's uncertain environment where there are many external forces that can pull our society apart, this work is even more important," the prime minister added.
"I thanked Ustaz Hasbi and Ustaz Pasuni for their role in fostering inter-faith harmony. Together, let's build on what we have, and ensure that our little red dot remains an oasis of stability and harmony."
Continue reading...