Latest News

‘I don’t see that as being unfriendly’: PM Lee says Taylor Swift exclusivity deal wasn’t hostile

PM Lee assures Taylor Swift deal not a hostile act towards neighbours

Prime Minister (PM) Lee Hsien Loong has asserted the arrangement for Taylor Swift to perform exclusively in Singapore during her time in Southeast Asia was not a hostile act towards neighbouring countries.

At a joint press conference with Australian PM Anthony Albanese in Melbourne, Mr Lee shared the process behind the agreement.

“(Our) agencies negotiated an arrangement with her to come to Singapore and perform and to make Singapore her only stop in Southeast Asia,” he said.

“It has turned out to be a very successful arrangement; I don’t see that as being unfriendly.”

Source: @taylorerastour on Instagram

Bad blood with neighbours

The deal ruffled the feathers of some of Singapore’s neighbours, including Thailand PM Srettha Thavisim who claimed Singapore made a deal with Taylor Swift to stop her from performing in other Southeast Asian countries.

Philippine lawmaker Joey Salceda also requested for the Phillipines’ Department of Foreign Affairs to make an official protest against the deal. He said: “(This) isn’t what good neighbours do.”

Mr Lee is currently in Melbourne to attend the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit taking place tomorrow.

Source: ABC News (Australia) on YouTube

Also read: STB provided grant for Taylor Swift concerts in S’pore, says tour will boost country’s economy

Have news you must share? Get in touch with us via email at news@mustsharenews.com.

 

Featured image adapted from ABC News (Australia) on YouTube and TAS Rights Management via @aegpresentsasia on X.

Dhanya Vimalan

Recent Posts

M’sia Airlines grounds new Airbus just days after maiden flight, cites technical issues

The brand-new jet suffered a series of technical issues since its first-ever flight on 19…

23 Dec 2024, 6:17 pm

Family in S’pore finds snake on side view mirror mid-drive, netizens quip ‘Snake Year is coming’

The Paradise Tree Snake may have misjudged its landing and ended up on the car.

23 Dec 2024, 4:48 pm

69-year-old man dies after fight with 71-year-old neighbour over bumping into each other

The 69-year-old was reportedly upset over his neighbour's refusal to apologise.

23 Dec 2024, 4:33 pm

Bloomberg issued POFMA order over S’pore GCB transactions article, Govt addresses ‘falsehoods’

False claims include that GCB transactions occur without government checks on beneficial owners' identities.

23 Dec 2024, 3:35 pm

Woman set on fire aboard New York subway train, suspect allegedly watches her burn

The suspect casually watched as the woman became consumed by flames.

23 Dec 2024, 3:14 pm

Elderly man pickpocketed on bus from JB to S’pore, loses S$450 & has S$800 charged to credit card

The thief left the wallet and more than RM200 behind, presumably to mislead the 72-year-old…

23 Dec 2024, 1:38 pm