SINGAPORE (Diya TV) — Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong has condemned racist and xenophobic comments targeting the Indian community following the Nepal flood tragedy, calling the remarks “deeply troubling.”
In a Sept. 6 Facebook post, Lee urged Singaporeans to reject racial hostility and respond to the tragedy with compassion.
“When incidents like this happen, leaders must speak up with force and conviction,” Lee said.
His comments followed remarks from Senior Minister K. Shanmugam, who said Sept. 5 that police were investigating racist and xenophobic posts linked to the Nepal floods and Singapore Airlines’ investment in Air India.
Shanmugam described some of the comments as “shameful, nasty and totally unacceptable.” The posts reportedly included offensive stereotypes about Indians.
Singapore authorities have separately taken action against online content targeting the Indian community. The Ministry of Digital Development and Information previously ordered social media platforms to restrict access to 14 posts that allegedly promoted anti-Indian views.
The ministry has also said it may seek the removal of additional content that violates Singapore’s rules.
Minister of State for Culture, Community and Youth Dinesh Vasu Dash and Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC MP Alex Yam also criticized online comments questioning the nationality of nine Singaporeans reported missing after the Aug. 26 disaster.
Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it remained in contact with affected families. The Singapore High Commission in New Delhi also deployed a crisis response team to Nepal to provide consular assistance.
Lee cited previous instances in which Singapore leaders addressed racial and religious tensions, including anti-Indian sentiment during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Authorities continue to investigate the online remarks linked to the Nepal disaster.
