Former NMP nominee and socio-political commentator Calvin Cheng expressed regret over remarks made about a pro-Palestinian activist group in Singapore on Thursday ( Apr 10 ).
On Wednesday, Mr. Cheng claimed to have met two Arab group leaders, Ustaz Pasuni Maulan and Ustaz Mohamad Hasbi, at the Yusof Ishak Mosque in Woodlands. The MUIS government, which is the organization’s overall decision-making system, has two men on it.
The Islamic Religious Council of Singapore is known as MUIS.
” I told the Americans that I was greatly regrettable about suggesting that our people relocate to a fight territory.” They told me to be more sympathetic in what I say in the future, Mr. Cheng wrote.  ,
His Facebook post on March 13th, which criticized a group called Monday of Palestine Solidarity whose people have been accused of disrupting Meet-the-People Classes, caused a public outcry.
” I want to partner them to move to Gaza, with my expenses covered. But I’m giving business school to the leaders only if they never return. And you can also buy them some running shoes for each of their 928 fans. Taking a slow hike,” he wrote next on Facebook.  ,
The Singapore Islamic Scholars and Religious Teachers Association ( Pergas ) has expressed shock over the comments, while a police report and legal threats have been made.
Last month, Home Affairs and Law Minister K Shanmugam and Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Masagos Zulkifli both declared they disagree with Mr. Cheng’s notes.
On Wednesday, Mr. Masagos, who is also the Minister for Social and Family Development, on Wednesday, added that the responses were “unacceptable and hurtful” and that many people, particularly those in the Malay-Muslim society, felt enraged and dismissed.
Mr. Cheng acknowledged that the article “had caused harm and fury, particularly within the Muslim group in Singapore,” adding that he had not intended to offend any members of the community or any particular faith.
” My remarks specifically addressed the MPS ( Monday of Palestine Solidarity ) group, which had members from a variety of religions. I was particularly offended by their violent advocacy. My remarks did not address the Sunni population.
Mr. Cheng made similar remarks last week in a Facebook post, stating that he did not “generalize these notes to all protesters, nor did I notice culture or church.”