Well our erstwhule Minister Yaacob Ibrahim has come out to confirm that the Malay-Muslim society is still recovering from the hurtful remarks by LKY. So Nicole...you have support.
PAP's Yaacob Ibrahim: MM's Malay integration comments hurt, will take time to heal
by Shamir Osman
01:45 PM May 04, 2011
SINGAPORE - The Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs, Dr Yaacob Ibrahim, 55, has acknowledged that comments made by Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew, 87, on Malay integration hurt and will take time to heal.
Dr Yaacob is leading a People's Action Party (PAP) team contesting in Moulmein-Kallang Group Representation Constituency (GRC), which has more than 87,500 voters.
The team was at the Sims Vista market and food centre, meeting and greeting residents, this morning.
At a National Solidarity Party (NSP) rally, last night, its candidate for Chua Chu Kang GRC, Nor Lella Mardiiiah Mohamed, 37, had brought up MM Lee's remarks and noted how he had still not apologised for making them.
Earlier this year, he had said it was harder to integrate Muslims, which drew angry reactions from the community.
Responding to Ms Nor Lella's comments, Dr Yaacob said: "I will agree that what (MM Lee) said was hurtful. In a sense it's like saying that he does not recognise what we've done for the last 40 years … My sense is that it will take time to heal, I'm not going to deny it. Young Singaporeans I've met were a bit angry."
He added: "MM has said that he stands corrected … will leave it at that. But most important for us to reflect is what PM (Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong) said. He's made it very clear that he's confident that the Malay society is well-integrated into the larger Singapore society; and he has said he does not share MM's view. I think the vast majority has accepted and we're moving on."