Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong has warned that racist and anti-foreigner views must not be allowed to become normal in the country. He said Singapore’s identity should remain open and inclusive, with people of different backgrounds considered part of the nation if they share its values and way of life.
Wong made the remarks after racist comments appeared online following the devastating floods in Nepal, in which several Singaporeans remain missing. He also referred to a fresh wave of anti-Indian comments linked to Singapore Airlines’ investment in Air India.
‘We cannot dismiss them as harmless chatter’
Wong said Singaporeans should be free to have strong debates, including over investments and government decisions. However, he stressed that legitimate arguments must not be used as a cover for prejudice against a community or hostility towards foreigners.
He said such comments do not represent Singapore, but they cannot simply be ignored as online chatter. If left unchallenged, he warned, racist views could become normal, increase mistrust between communities and weaken social harmony.
Wong said he had discussed the issue with his Cabinet colleagues, while Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam also spoke out over the weekend.
Singapore has faced similar tensions before, including anti-foreigner and racial sentiments during the Covid-19 pandemic, debates over CECA and the 2025 General Election. Wong said attempts to bring race and religion into politics must continue to be rejected.
Racist comments after Nepal floods
Shanmugam said police had been asked to examine racist and xenophobic comments posted in connection with the Nepal disaster. The Ministry of Digital Development and Information will also approach social media platforms to remove posts that violate their rules.
He said some comments targeted Indians and used derogatory language. Some news organisations have already removed offensive comments, while CNA has disabled comments on some Nepal disaster posts because of repeated hate speech.
Shanmugam pointed to more than S$3 million raised by the Singapore Red Cross for relief efforts in Nepal, saying Singaporeans showed support across racial and ethnic lines.
Fresh anti-Indian backlash over Air India
Another wave of racist comments emerged during discussions about Air India seeking additional funding from its shareholders, including Singapore Airlines. Some posts used references to snakes, curry, prata and black magic.
Temasek CEO Dilhan Pillay Sandrasegara, who is of Indian ethnicity, was also targeted. Shanmugam said attacking him because of his ethnicity was racist and libellous, stressing that he is “as Singaporean as any of us.”
He said Singapore is not free from latent racism and warned that unchecked online hatred could eventually make hostility or even violence against people of another race or religion seem more acceptable.
Shanmugam also said investment decisions involving Air India should be based on SIA’s commercial judgment. The government, he said, should not interfere in Temasek’s individual investment decisions or pressure companies over where they invest.
Wong said Singapore has remained united by rejecting attempts to divide people along racial or religious lines. He urged Singaporeans to continue making that choice and uphold the ideals of the National Pledge, regardless of race, language or religion.
