SPF investigating online comments on Nepal disaster and Air India deal
The Singapore police stated on 9 Sept that they identified and interviewed five people over online comments regarding the Nepal disaster and Air India deal.
Senior Minister K Shanmugam previously announced that the police were looking into racist comments that cropped up on social media.
Five people interviewed for comments about Nepal disaster
The police confirmed with MS News that they received reports about “certain online comments” made regarding the Nepal floods and Singapore Airlines’ (SIA) investment in Air India.
Five persons, aged between 29 and 66, have been identified and interviewed in connection with these comments.
Source: UNICEF
The police stated that they will continue to investigate and identify those responsible for these online comments.
They added that they take a serious view of conduct that may wound racial feelings or incite hostility between racial groups.
“As investigations are ongoing, the Police are unable to comment further on the specifics of individual cases.”
Shanmugam previously asked police to look into racist comments
On 5 Sept, Senior Minister Shanmugam had highlighted the anti-Indian racism in comments about the nine Singaporeans missing in the Nepal disaster.
Source: K Shanmugam Sc on Facebook
They included “No they are not our own” and “I only see Indian faces here. Skip. Rescue cut”.
He said that similar racism surfaced over news of Air India seeking equity funding from SIA.
Mr Shanmugam stated that he had asked the police to look into these comments.
PM Wong and others publicly condemn racism in social media comments
The incident drew a wave of condemnations against the prejudice, including from Prime Minister (PM) Lawrence Wong and Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong.
Source: Air India on Facebook
PM Wong warned against using seemingly legitimate arguments as a cover to fuel racism.
Workers’ Party member Kenneth Tiong also criticised the racist comments.
He stressed that his concerns surrounding the Air India deal were entirely commercial.
Also read: PM Wong & SM Lee call on S’poreans to reject hateful online comments & stand together
PM Wong & SM Lee call on S’poreans to reject hateful online comments & stand together
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Featured image adapted from UNICEF and K Shanmugam Sc on Facebook.
