Murali Pillai asks what steps the Govt would take in response to racial incidents related to pandemic
Mr Murali Pillai pointed to a report in the media of a Singaporean woman who was allegedly assaulted by a man accused of using racial slurs.
He said that this incident comes in the wake of Covid-19 community spread, with tensions appearing to be fanned by posts with false or misleading narratives circulated through WhatsApp and other platforms. He asked what steps the Government will take in response to racial incidents connected to the pandemic.
Home Affairs and Law Minister K. Shanmugam, in response, said that the incident is under investigation and investigations need to be done before any conclusions can be reached.
However, he noted that there has always been racism in Singapore, like in other places, but the country has managed it. And over time, it has sought to reduce it, but it has been stirred up recently, he added.
Around the world, economic pressures have led to populism, and populists have been seeking political profit by exploiting people's fears over jobs and economic insecurity, such as blaming foreigners for all of the country's problems, he said.
He added that Singapore has avoided the worst of such populism, but people are concerned for their jobs. He stressed that the Government's duty is to protect Singaporean jobs.
He said that if anyone believes Ceca (India–Singapore Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement) is a problem in Singapore, they should put it up for a motion to be debated openly.
Singapore will fail if it allows racism and xenophobia to become prevalent, he said, adding that they are contrary to everything that has made us successful and proud to be Singaporean.
Mr Murali Pillai pointed to a report in the media of a Singaporean woman who was allegedly assaulted by a man accused of using racial slurs.
He said that this incident comes in the wake of Covid-19 community spread, with tensions appearing to be fanned by posts with false or misleading narratives circulated through WhatsApp and other platforms. He asked what steps the Government will take in response to racial incidents connected to the pandemic.
Home Affairs and Law Minister K. Shanmugam, in response, said that the incident is under investigation and investigations need to be done before any conclusions can be reached.
However, he noted that there has always been racism in Singapore, like in other places, but the country has managed it. And over time, it has sought to reduce it, but it has been stirred up recently, he added.
Around the world, economic pressures have led to populism, and populists have been seeking political profit by exploiting people's fears over jobs and economic insecurity, such as blaming foreigners for all of the country's problems, he said.
He added that Singapore has avoided the worst of such populism, but people are concerned for their jobs. He stressed that the Government's duty is to protect Singaporean jobs.
He said that if anyone believes Ceca (India–Singapore Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement) is a problem in Singapore, they should put it up for a motion to be debated openly.
Singapore will fail if it allows racism and xenophobia to become prevalent, he said, adding that they are contrary to everything that has made us successful and proud to be Singaporean.
