Singapore Foreign Minister denies liking controversial Gaza post

[SINGAPORE] Vivian Balakrishnan, Singapore's top diplomat, has denied "liking" a Facebook post by a former nominated member of parliament (NMP) who proposed moving pro-Palestine activists to Gaza. Just after midnight on Tuesday, the city state's foreign minister stated that he did not share the opinions of former NMP Calvin Cheng and had taken steps to improve the security of his account.

Calvin Cheng, a former NMP known for his controversial opinions, has played an important role in Singapore's sociopolitical scene. He worked as an NMP from 2009 to 2011 and has been involved with a variety of businesses, including modeling and instructional technologies. His latest words have provoked heated controversy on social media and in Singapore's political circles.

Cheng said in a Facebook post on March 13 that he would finance sending members of the local activist group Monday of Palestine Solidarity to Gaza "only if they never return." His inflammatory comments garnered condemnation, and an opposition legislator filed a police investigation against him. Many saw the message as inappropriate and offensive, particularly given the region's existing tensions. It also raised the broader issue of how social media might amplify divided sentiments and perhaps provoke more conflict.

The debate over Cheng's tweet has also highlighted the significance of social media in shaping public opinion, as well as public personalities' obligations when sharing their views online. In a time when misinformation and inflammatory content can spread rapidly, it is crucial for individuals, especially those in positions of influence, to consider the potential impact of their statements.

Cheng was responding to pro-Palestinian protestors disrupting numerous meet-the-people events, which are weekly talks in Singapore when residents may seek assistance from their elected parliament representatives. Law and Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam shared a video of his meeting with two activists during a session last month, in which they made disrespectful gestures and referred to him as a coward. These occurrences have highlighted concerns about the behavior of activists and the importance of respectful debate in public venues.

Monday of Palestine Solidarity has denied that the visit to Shanmugam’s session was initiated by it, but the ruling People’s Action Party named the group when answering queries from local media. This has led to further discussions on the importance of accurate information and the potential consequences of misattribution in public discourse.