Latest news with #MondayofPalestineSolidarity
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Singapore Muslim affairs minister rebukes Calvin Cheng's ‘unacceptable' jibe against pro-Palestine activists, says nobody is ‘pendatang'
SINGAPORE, April 9 – Singapore's Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Masagos Zulkifli has yesterday criticised recent comments by former Nominated Member of Parliament (NMP) Calvin Cheng regarding pro-Palestinian activists, labelling them 'unacceptable and hurtful.' In his second official remark on the matter, Masagos said such remarks have angered many, particularly within the Malay-Muslim community here. 'The way those comments were framed crossed a line. It's not just about disagreement, it's about the message it sends, that some Singaporeans somehow do not belong if they speak up. 'That is not something we can accept. Not here,' he posted on Facebook. Cheng had previously suggested on Facebook that activists from the group Monday of Palestine Solidarity should be sent to Gaza, offering to sponsor their relocation and implying they should not return. In reply, Masagos highlighted the importance of Singapore's social harmony, built over decades, and warned that trust can be easily shaken by careless words. He urged Singaporeans, especially those in positions of influence, to be mindful of the negative impact their words may have on social cohesion. Masagos also addressed the matter in an interview with Singapore-based Malay-language paper Berita Harian, reiterating that all Singaporeans, regardless of background, have a stake in the country and that no one is a 'pendatang' or immigrant. The Singapore Islamic Scholars and Religious Teachers Association (Pergas) had previously expressed 'deep consternation' over Cheng's remarks, describing them as 'dehumanising, dismissive, and grossly insensitive.' In response, Cheng clarified that his remarks were directed at a specific group and not at any racial or religious community. Other government officials, including Home Affairs and Law Minister K Shanmugam, have also publicly disagreed with Cheng's views on the Israel-Palestine conflict. Cheng has been involved in several controversies over the years, including downplaying concerns about gerrymandering in August 2024, and advocating in November 2015 for the killing of terrorists' children to prevent future threats.
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Singapore foreign minister denies liking controversial Palestine post, reports ‘unauthorised activity' to Meta
SINGAPORE, April 2 — Singapore Foreign Affairs Minister Dr Vivian Balakrishnan has reported 'unauthorised activity' on his Facebook page to Meta after a 'like' appeared on a post by former Nominated Member of Parliament Calvin Cheng that has sparked controversy. Dr Balakrishnan denied engaging with the post, which was made on March 13 and targeted a pro-Palestinian activist group. 'I did not 'like' the post by Calvin Cheng. I do not share those views,' he said on Facebook today. 'I have since taken measures to enhance account security.' The minister's press secretary confirmed to Channel News Asia (CNA) that a report has been filed with Meta, which is now investigating the matter. In his March 13 post, Cheng criticised members of the Monday of Palestine Solidarity group, who have been accused of disrupting Meet-the-People Sessions held by the ruling People's Action Party (PAP). He suggested funding their relocation to Gaza on the condition that they do not return. He also said he was 'offering business class to the leaders' and suggested that their 928 followers could be given walking shoes for 'a slow hike.'
South China Morning Post
02-04-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Singapore Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan denies ‘liking' controversial Gaza post
Singapore 's top diplomat Vivian Balakrishnan has denied 'liking' a Facebook post by a former nominated member of parliament (NMP) who suggested relocating pro-Palestine activists to Gaza. Advertisement Just past midnight on Tuesday, the city state's foreign minister said he did not share the views of former NMP Calvin Cheng, and had since taken measures to enhance the security of his account. Cheng said in a Facebook post on March 13 that he would sponsor moving members of local activist group Monday of Palestine Solidarity to Gaza 'only if they never come back'. His controversial remarks drew criticism, with an opposition politician filing a police report against him. Cheng was responding to pro-Palestinian activists disrupting various meet-the-people sessions, which are weekly talks across Singapore during which residents can seek help from their elected parliament representative. Advertisement Law and Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam posted a video of his interaction with two activists last month at a session, in which they were seen making rude gestures and calling him a coward. While Monday of Palestine Solidarity denied that the visit to Shanmugam's session was initiated by it, the ruling People's Action Party named the group when answering queries from local media.
