April 20, 2014
SINGAPORE: Mr. Lee Hsien Loong urged Singaporeans to show that "we are generous of spirit and welcome visitors into our midst, even as we manage the foreign population here"
Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.
April 20, 2014
SINGAPORE: Mr. Lee Hsien Loong urged Singaporeans to show that "we are generous of spirit and welcome visitors into our midst, even as we manage the foreign population here"
Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Saturday asked Singaporeans to welcome foreigners in the country, saying those who show bigotry are a “disgrace to Singapore”.
He encouraged Singaporeans to show that “we are generous of spirit and welcome visitors into our midst, even as we manage the foreign population here”.
Mr. Lee said he was appalled to read about those who harassed the organisers of the Philippine Independence Day celebrations in Singapore.
In a post on Facebook, Mr. Lee on Saturday said these people were a “disgrace to Singapore.”
His comments came in the wake of reports about Filipinos being targeted online for planning to celebrate Philippines’ 116th Independence Day on June 8 at Ngee Ann City.
He said it was fortunate the harassment appeared to be the work of a “few trolls”, and he was heartened to see that “many sensible Singaporeans condemn this thuggish behavior”.
He pointed out “many Singaporeans live overseas, and are warmly welcomed in their adopted homes.”
Mr. Lee, who recently attended the Singapore Day in London, said, “How would we have felt if British netizens had spammed our website, and abused Singaporeans living in Britain?”
Asking Singaporeans to accept foreigners amongst themselves, Mr. Lee said, “Otherwise we will lower our standing in the eyes of the world, and have every reason to be ashamed of ourselves.”
Acting Manpower Minister Tan Chuan-Jin asked Singaporeans to take a stand against bigotry.
Courtesy: PTI
