Singapore must maintain racial and religious peace, stay vigilant amid Middle East conflict: Shanmugam
Elysia Tan
SINGAPORE must not let external events affect the city-state’s internal situation, Minister for Home Affairs K Shanmugam told media on Thursday (Oct 12), highlighting the need to maintain racial and religious peace amid the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict.
“We have to stay vigilant. Terrorist groups will try and exploit such conflicts,” he said, flagging their calls for followers to join a wider jihad against Israel and anti-semitic incidents overseas. “Our position has been made very clear over the years. We act against anyone who promotes or espouses extremism and violence.”
Additional security measures have been taken in Singapore, which is “an attractive target”. Emergency forces are always on alert to respond to incidents, patrols will be stepped up at some events and places, security has been reassessed at places which are possible targets, while security is being increased for higher-risk places, Shanmugam said. The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority has also stepped up measures, he added.
Still, Shanmugam noted that Singapore is in “a fairly good position” in terms of religious harmony and understanding, with open and frank conversation, mutual respect and trust and value for racial and religious diversity and harmony.
It is possible to hold strong views on what is happening in the Middle East, to deplore how the Palestinians have been treated over the years, and deeply sympathise with the plight of the Palestinians – and still unequivocally condemn the terrorist attacks carried out in Israel, he said.
The minister also reiterated Singapore’s support for the two-state solution.
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In a letter to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Oct 8, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said: “Singapore strongly condemns the attacks, and the murder and abduction of innocent civilians. Such acts cannot be justified by any rationale whatsoever.”
The letter was posted on the Embassy of Israel in Singapore’s Facebook page, and a copy was obtained from the Prime Minister’s Office.
Shanmugam agreed: “These atrocities cannot be justified by any rationale whatsoever, whether of fundamental problems, or historical grievances.”
Singapore does not control Israel’s response, but any response must be consistent with international law and international rules of war, he said.
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