Both Singapore’s Acting Manpower Minister Tan Chuan Jin and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong have publicly expressed their disappointment over the hatred that’s been shown towards organisers of the Philippine Independence Day Celebration in Singapore.
The event organised by the Pilipino Independence Day Council Singapore (PIDCS) received backlash when it was announced, mainly from Singaporeans who thought its presence here inappropriate.
Mr. Tan was first to speak up about the hateful comments that came in response to one of PIDCS’ Facebook posts, which has since been deleted.
“These actions by those who peddle hate are not acceptable, repulsive even. We should make a stand to say no to such bigotry. They do not reflect who we are as a people and as a nation,” he wrote on his own Facebook page on April 18.
On April 19, PM Lee too wrote on his Facebook page, saying he was “appalled to read about those who harrassed the organisers of the Philippine Indepence Day celebrations, and spammed their Facebook page”.
He called them “a disgrace to Singapore” and insisted citizens “treat people in Singapore the way we ourselves expect to be treated overseas”.
PM Lee also said that if Singaporeans are not generous and welcome visitors into our midst, it is possible that “we will lower our standing in the eyes of the world” and “have every reason to be ashamed of ourselves”.
Photo: Sikatuna Fest held at Hong Lim Park in June last year; PIDC Singapore Facebook
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