Singapore: Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong said on Tuesday ( Apr 29 ) that the “very vicious” set of conversations sparked by recent foreign posts calling Singaporeans to vote along religious lines has not vanished.
Mr. Lee reaffirmed that Singapore does not operate its politicians along racial or religious lines, warning Singaporeans to “understand the game being played online.”
On the day of his visit to the People’s Power Party ( PPP ), a PAP slate led by Mr. Masagos Zulkilfi will square off against teams from the Workers ‘ Party ( WP), National Solidarity Party ( NSP), and People’s Power Party ( PPP ), Mr. Lee stated to the media.
Additionally, he serves as the Minister-in-Charge for Muslim Affairs and the Minister for Social and Family Development.
Mr. Lee said he came to Tampines because” the issue of race and religion getting mixed up with elections” came up last week when asked by the press about his attend to the district.
The authorities ordered Meta to censor access to Singapore users after it was discovered that two Malaysian politicians and a former Internal Security Act ( ISA ) detainee who is now an Australian citizen had posted several instances of online election advertising.  ,
They criticized the Singapore administration’s handling of delicate religious concerns, among other things, and urged Singaporeans to cast ballots according to their religion.  ,
On Tuesday, Mr. Lee stated that” there have been very extraordinary articles that have been propounding for a watch and propounding that people should vote for candidates who will most advance their spiritual interests.
” And especially the Malay MPs, delight, the Malay prospects, please examine them to see who is the most eager to advance this Malay or Muslim interest, vote for them, and appraise them on that basis,” said one Malay MP.
That is not how politicians are run in Singapore, according to Mr. Lee.
Despite the fact that Malay candidates “naturally have an interest in the well-being of” their personal society, they also take care of all people, regardless of race, language, or religion.
Additionally, Mr. Lee noted that political parties in Singapore are no organized by racial or religious boundaries.
And as a member of the Cabinet, I believe it was very significant for me to come and show my support for Mr. Masagos, who is also minister for Muslim politics, but who at the same time represents people of all races and religions in Tampines and who is also looking after the interests of all Singaporeans.
Mr. Lee emphasized the need for Singaporeans to comprehend this and “understand the online games being played,” noting that the international posts have sparked a “very cruel” set of exchanges.
” And it has not merely vanished.”