PM Lee castigates racist Facebook post

The comments from a labour group exec were just 'wrong' and 'totally unacceptable', says PM Lee.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong finds a Facebook post of a labour group executive 'offensive' and does not reflect the strength of race relations in Singapore.

Here's what PM Lee posted on his Facebook wall, Monday, Oct. 8.

Several of you wrote to me through Facebook about the person who posted offensive comments about Malay weddings on her Facebook page. I was shocked to hear about this. The comments were just wrong and totally unacceptable.

Just last week I shared a WSJ Asia article on why people say nasty things online that they would never say face-to-face. I reminded netizens that we needed to be extra careful and watch ourselves. I did not expect to see such a dramatic example so soon. Fortunately the person has promptly apologised for her grievous mistake. But the damage has been done, and NTUC did the right thing in terminating her services.

Let us treat this incident for what it is: an isolated case that does not reflect the strength of race relations in Singapore. But it sharply reminds us how easily a few thoughtless words can cause grave offence to many, and undermine our racial and religious harmony. Let us all be more mindful of what we say, online and in person, and always uphold the mutual respect and sensitivity that holds our society together. - LHL