Singapore Muslim affairs minister condemns Gaza remarks by expat commentator Critical Spectator, warns of threat to social harmony
The minister in charge of Muslim affairs said while it is legitimate to highlight suffering in other parts of the world, it is unacceptable to make statements that diminish the pain endured by Palestinians in Gaza.
'I'm gravely concerned about the recent remarks made by Critical Spectator,' Faishal said in a Facebook post yesterday.
'While it is valid to draw attention to suffering in other parts of the world, we should reject any statement that minimises the suffering of Palestinians'.
Critical Spectator was reported to be the online pseudonym of Michael Petraeus, a Polish pro-establishment blogger and commentator based in Singapore known for his controversial and often provocative views usually directed at the Opposition.
The Facebook account had mocked former Singapore president Halimah Yaacob who warned that any silence on Israel's atrocities in Gaza mean that the republic is complicit in the violations of international humanitarian laws and encourages similar aggressions elsewhere.
Faishal stressed that such comments, whether from local or foreign voices, are harmful and could erode the mutual respect Singaporeans have worked hard to maintain in a multicultural society.
'In times like these, we need more understanding, not division. We must never allow dismissive or divisive rhetoric — local or foreign — to erode the mutual respect and unity we have worked so hard to build in our multicultural society,' he said.
Faishal noted that many Singaporeans, including members of the Muslim community and Halimah, are deeply affected by the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
He praised Halimah's recent Facebook post on the issue, saying her concern reflects the compassion and moral courage shared by many across Singapore.
Faishal also reaffirmed the Singapore government's position, stating it has consistently called for a humanitarian ceasefire and supported the rights of Palestinians to a homeland.
He highlighted that Singapore and its citizens have contributed over S$19 million (RM64.5 million) in aid to Gaza and continue to support Palestinian state-building efforts through the Enhanced Technical Assistance Package.
The minister previously described Israel's actions in Gaza as 'oppressive and unacceptable', remarks he said he has made publicly on various platforms, including a recent podcast.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Malay Mail
7 hours ago
- Malay Mail
Trump's visit to the East Asia Summit must anchor a new strategic stability with Asean — Phar Kim Beng
AUGUST 3 — President Donald Trump's expected appearance at the East Asia Summit (EAS) should not be misread as a mere diplomatic formality or ceremonial visit. It should be welcomed for what it could become: a turning point in US-Asean relations that restores a degree of strategic stability between Washington, Beijing, and the eleven member states of Asean. At a time when the region stands delicately between escalating rivalry and renewed economic convergence, Trump's personal participation — after years of inconsistent US attendance at high-level Asean meetings — signals a potential inflection. This year's summit carries additional weight. It coincides with Asean's historic expansion to include Timor-Leste, the first new member in over two decades. The inclusion of Timor-Leste symbolizes Asean's enduring appeal and the bloc's ability to renew itself from within. It also strengthens Asean's moral and geopolitical identity as a community committed to democratic values, regional inclusivity, and strategic neutrality. The United States should view this enlargement as an opening to further anchor its presence — economically, diplomatically, and institutionally — in a wider South-east Asia that now stretches from the Mekong to the eastern edge of the archipelagic Pacific. Contrary to the binary framing of US-China competition, the East Asia Summit represents a rare multilateral setting where both great powers meet under Asean's chairmanship and agenda-setting authority. This alone is a feature — not a flaw — of Asean centrality. If President Trump recognizes the value of this platform, and builds upon it, the EAS could serve as a channel for managed competition and economic complementarity rather than open hostility. More significantly, Trump's visit coincides with an encouraging trend: the reduction of tariffs between the US and several Asean member states, effective August 1. Malaysia, for instance, now benefits from a lowered tariff of 19 per cent on select categories of exports. While these cuts are modest in scope, they offer a vital foundation upon which the US can pivot from protectionist reflexes toward strategic economic engagement. If extended across multiple sectors and scaled throughout South-east Asia, these adjustments can recalibrate America's economic presence in the region — especially when paired with Asean's long-term focus on industrial upgrading and regional integration. This moment must be seized. Asean is no longer merely a low-cost assembly zone. It is home to ambitious national frameworks such as Malaysia's National Semiconductor Strategy (NSS), Indonesia's downstream resource policies and Vietnam's digital economy transformation. All of which can sour the Asean Digital Economic Framework (DEFA) too. These initiatives aim to lift Asean into the higher rungs of global value chains. The United States — long seeking to reduce overdependence on China — can find in Asean the next frontier of secure, rules-based economic partnerships. But any trade recalibration must be anchored by political assurance. The US-Asean Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, elevated in recent years, still requires substantive backing. This is where President Trump's engagement becomes pivotal. He must not only reassure the region of America's long-term presence but also avoid zero-sum demands that force Asean into hard alignments. Asean's strategic doctrine is one of balance, not bandwagoning. Its preference is for multipolar cooperation, not bipolar confrontation. President Donald Trump's expected appearance at the East Asia Summit (EAS) should not be misread as a mere diplomatic formality or ceremonial visit. — AFP pic In this context, Trump would do well to understand the nuanced achievements of the recent Asean-GCC Summit, further expanded with China's participation in the Asean-GCC-China Summit. These gatherings were more than diplomatic rituals; they were civilisational overtures and dynamic dialogues too. They reflected Asean's growing ambition to serve as a connector — not just of markets, but of worldviews. Malaysia's leadership of Asean in 2025 has affirmed this ethos, with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim offering a values-based diplomacy that draws on dialogue and defensive diplomacy. Trump's visit should reinforce, not disrupt, this strategic arc. It is not enough to deploy aircraft carriers or frame South-east Asia through a military lens. The region requires a US presence that is economically enabling, diplomatically respectful, and civilisationally attuned. Tariff reductions are a step in the right direction. A comprehensive US-Asean trade framework would be a leap forward. Beyond trade, Washington must also recognise Asean's role in conflict management and peace-making. Malaysia's recent mediation in the Cambodia-Thailand border crisis is a case in point. Asean's diplomatic bandwidth is growing, and the US can support — not override — this capacity by funding Track II dialogues, technology transfer in humanitarian response, and confidence-building among rival claimants in the East and South China Sea. In conclusion, President Trump's presence at the East Asia Summit must be more than symbolic. It must be strategic. His administration should embrace the summit as a platform to reset economic ties, stabilize regional diplomacy, and affirm Asean's agency. The future of East Asia will not be shaped by bilateral muscle-flexing alone, but by the kind of multilateral sensibility that the EAS — anchored by Asean — has nurtured for nearly two decades. If the US is serious about restoring its relevance in South-east Asia, then the EAS must be the starting point; although a swifter concern with the starvation of Gaza. This issue is no less critical as more and more member states of European Union has recognised Palestine as a separate state. In order to justifiably pressure Israel into allowing more humanitarian aid to go into the war-stricken death zone. At any rate, tariff diplomacy, coupled with high-level trust-building, must form the substance of America's return to East Asia if all things fail to make any progress. *Phar Kim Beng PhD is Professor of Asean Studies, International Islamic University of Malaysia and Director of Institute of Internationalisation and Asean Studies (IINTAS). **This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail.
Malay Mail
16 hours ago
- Malay Mail
Cambodia asks Malaysia to help free 18 soldiers held by Thailand after border clash
PHNOM PENH, Aug 3 — Cambodia is seeking Malaysia's assistance as Asean Chair to help secure the release of 18 Cambodian soldiers detained by Thailand. Ministry of National Defence spokesperson Lieutenant General Maly Socheata said the Thai military had confirmed that the soldiers are safe and that the government is in talks for their release. The Cambodian government continues to push Thailand to expedite a safe return of the country's troops, she said. 'Cambodia has also suggested to Malaysia, the Asean chief, please intervene to urge Thailand to quickly return our 18 troops to us. 'The Ministry of National Defence and the army of Cambodia will never leave any of its members behind, under any circumstances,' said Maly, according to the Information Ministry's Facebook page. The ministry's request came days before a General Border Committee (GBC) meeting is scheduled to take place in Kuala Lumpur next week. The two neighbouring countries have a long history of trying to impose sovereignty along their 817-kilometre shared border in northern Cambodia. The latest conflict began with a brief skirmish between Thai and Cambodian troops on May 28, which escalated into armed clashes on July 24. Twenty Cambodian soldiers were held captive by the Thai army following the clashes. On Friday, Thailand released two injured Cambodian soldiers. The fighting temporarily ceased on Monday, July 28, after Cambodia and Thailand agreed to an immediate and unconditional ceasefire during a special meeting in Putrajaya hosted by Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. — Bernama
Malay Mail
17 hours ago
- Malay Mail
Johor, Singapore propose cross-border e-hailing service for commuters
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 3 — Johor and Singapore have proposed introducing cross-border e-hailing services as an alternative mode of transport for commuters. Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi said the proposal was among the matters discussed during his meeting with Singapore's Acting Transport Minister Jeffrey Siow on Friday. 'This service not only offers more flexible, on-demand mobility options for users but also has the potential to ease congestion on major routes and create income opportunities for local drivers,' he said in a statement yesterday. 'It could also serve as a catalyst for a more user-friendly, safe and competitive transport system, while strengthening integration between both countries' public transport networks.' Onn Hafiz said discussions also touched on the progress of the Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link project, which is scheduled to begin operations in January 2027. 'This includes the physical development of the project, coordination of operating schedules, determination of fare structures, and integration of public transport systems between Johor and Singapore. 'There were also proposals to align operating hours and increase the number of cross-border buses, with services starting earlier than the current 5am schedule, to ease congestion and ensure smoother traffic flow at the Johor Causeway and immigration complexes,' he said.
