Another Malay MP criticises Seng Han Thong’s racist remarks. What about the Indian MPs?

Another Malay MP criticises Seng Han Thong’s racist remarks. What about the Indian MPs?

 December 24th, 2011 |  Author: Editorial

Another Malay MP, Zaqy Mohamad of Chua Chu Kang GRC, has also stood up to criticise the MP of Ang Mo Kio GRC, Seng Han Thong, for making racist remarks on CNA’s BlogTV talk show, even after Mr Seng has “apologized” on his facebook.

Mr Zaqy posted comments on his facebook on Friday morning (Dec 23), saying that he was upset with Mr Seng’s racist comments as well. Mr Seng was caught on video in the talk show saying:

“And I noticed that the PR (Public Relation) mentioned that some of the staff because they are Malay, they are Indian, they can’t converse in English good, well enough (sic).”

Following was Mr Zaqy’s comment on facebook with regard to “MP SHT”:

“I certainly agree that the comments were unwarranted and I was personally disappointed that Malay and Indian SMRT staff were singled out. Having read the transcript, I think he meant to paraphrase someone else and that the first postings online omitted that fact.

However, I don’t think this changes the fact that it was said and that we should be more sensitive especially in public forums. As for motive, I think MP SHT has already made his explanation and apology, and I can understand if the Singaporeans are upset because I feel the same way about the comments too.

We too, as politicians or public figures, need to improve our own communication skills, not just the SMRT staff, especially in sensing the ground and sensitivities with respect to beliefs and race. One item on my 2012 new year resolution.”

Mr Zaqy’s comment came after the Minister of State for Community Development, Youth and Sports Halimah Yacob rebuked Mr Seng on her facebook on Thu:

“Several friends have raised their concerns over MP Seng Han Thong’s remarks. I am also disturbed by the remarks which are inappropriate and unfair even though he may be repeating what someone else said.”

Even non-minority MP, Mr Baey Yam Keng, told the Straits Times that “there was no necessity to make reference to race in this case”.

Last month, a former PAP youth wing member Jason Neo, made a racist facebook comment on a picture of a bus ferrying Malay kindergarten children. He later apologised and quit PAP. It’s unclear if Mr Seng will step down and quit the party too.

Meanwhile, nothing was heard from the Indian MPs. A TRE reader, Saravanan S, in an open letter to the Indian MPs of Singapore, asked why none of the Indian MPs had stepped forward to say anything about Seng Han Thong’s insensitive remark:

Open letter to the Indian MPs of Singapore

Excerpt:

“Secondly, I am deeply disappointed that none of you came forward to offer any sort of condemnation of the MP’s remarks. Kudos to MP Halimah Yacob who came forward immediately to register her concerns. She has stood up for her community. How come none of the Indian MP’s ever stand up for ethnic Indians in Singapore? What are you doing in Parliament? Aren’t you also a representative of the Indian community here in Singapore? Seems like we have no one to defend or speak for us? Is it correct that Singapore Indians have no members of parliament to speak for them? Even the Malay MP has come out to register her views and publicly condemned MP Seng Han Thong.

Sometimes the ordinary Indian on the street needs to know that there are people in govt who are there for the Indian community. Who will not shy away from protecting minority’s integrity & honour. Sadly none of you have done this. At least the Malay community has a single female to stand up for them! Lucky for them eh!”

It remains to be seen if any of the Indian MPs will make comments about Seng Han Thong’s regrettable comment.

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Update:

MP Hri Kumar of Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC has made a comment on his facebook this morning (Sat, 24th):

Hri Kumar

A friend of mine asked me why I had not denounced Seng Han Thong immediately on his remark about Indian and Malay SMRT employees not having a good command of English. I told him that I did not have all the facts. I am glad I waited. It now appears that Han Thong was quoting, and commenting critically, on a statement by the SMRT, which he felt had unfairly put the blame on employees. He had unfortunately also misheard what SMRT had said on the ethnicity of the employees, and thought two ethnic groups were mentioned by SMRT. He made a disappointing comment, for which he apologised. Was his apology sincere? There is no doubt it was. Is he a racist? Any of us who know Han Thong, as I do, know that he clearly isn’t.

It did not help that The Online Citizen gave an inaccurate account of his statement, especially in its headline. It generated anger, and not an appreciation of what was actually said, and the circumstances under which the subject arose. George Cherian, who is clearly independent, took TOC to task for this.

There is no question that racism exists in Singapore. We are not perfect. But we probably work harder and have done more than any other country in the world to ensure that race does not define our society, and that every person, regardless of race, language or religion has a reasonable opportunity to succeed on his own merits. TOC, in its eagerness to run Han Thong down, certainly did not help that cause. I wonder if it will apologise?