18/02/2022

India protests against PM Lee's comments on lawmakers

'Uncalled for...': India strongly objects to Singapore PM's remarks on 'Tainted MPs'; Summons envoy

MEA Summons Singapore Envoy | Summoned Over PM Lee's Remarks On Indian MPs

India Protests Against Singapore PM’s Comments on Lawmakers
Lee cited reports that almost half of Indian MPs face charges

India lodged a diplomatic protest with Singapore over Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s remarks about the number of Indian lawmakers facing criminal charges, potentially testing ties between the two countries that share a key economic partnership. 

New Delhi raised the issue with the city-state’s high commissioner Thursday, a senior government official said, seeking anonymity citing rules for speaking to the media. The official said Lee’s remarks were uncalled for. Singapore enjoys a strong economic and bilateral relationship with New Delhi as well as cultural links given a local Indian population. While it isn’t the norm to summon envoys from key partners, India is sensitive about comments on its domestic politics especially with a slew of local elections currently underway. 

Lee was delivering a speech on Wednesday, encouraging lawmakers to allow public prosecutors to consider initiating criminal proceedings against the leader of the opposition over alleged untruths. He warned that such lies have contributed to the erosion of democracies elsewhere:
“They start out as healthy democracies, with idealism and zeal,” he said. “But over time, the tone of the society changes. All too easily -- a slip here, a blind eye there, a fudge, a trim -- and gradually things go downhill.”
“Nehru’s India has become one where, according to media reports, almost half the MPs in the Lok Sabha have criminal charges pending against them, including charges of rape and murder,” he said referencing India’s parliament. “Though it is also said that many of these allegations are politically motivated.”


Delhi objects to Singapore PM remark on ‘tainted’ Indian MPs
Singapore's PM Lee Hsien Loong invoked Jawaharlal Nehru while driving home his point about how democracies should work

India on Thursday lodged a protest with the Singapore high commission over PM Lee Hsien Loong’s comments on criminal charges against Indian lawmakers. During a debate in Parliament, the PM also invoked Jawaharlal Nehru while driving home his point about how democracies should work and how many political systems today would be unrecognisable to their founding fathers.

It is learnt the Indian foreign ministry raised the issue with the Singaporean high commissioner in a meeting. Official sources said the remarks were “uncalled for”. Congress quickly latched on to Lee’s remarks saying while the first Indian PM continues to inspire world leaders even today, PM Modi “denigrates” him inside and outside the Parliament. “Pandit Nehru’s magnanimity continues to inspire world leaders even today. Pity the ones here at home who fail to have the vision to understand the exceptional leader he was,” Congress said on its Twitter handle.

Lee had invoked Nehru while highlighting how democracy should work in the city-state. "Many political systems today would be quite unrecognisable to their founding leaders. Ben-Gurion’s Israel has morphed into one which can barely form a government, despite four general elections in two years. Meanwhile, a stream of senior politicians and officials in Israel face a litany of criminal charges, some have gone to jail," he said. "While Nehru’s India has become one where, according to media reports, almost half the MPs in the Lok Sabha have criminal charges pending against them, including charges of rape and murder. Though it is also said that many of these allegations are politically motivated," Lee said.


India protests after Singapore PM’s remarks on Lok Sabha MPs
Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong referred to both India’s first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru and members of the Lok Sabha while participating in a debate in Singapore’s Parliament on Tuesday on a former lawmaker found guilty of abuse of privilege for lying in the House twice last year. (REUTERS)

India on Thursday formally protested against Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s remarks that almost half the members of the Lok Sabha have criminal charges pending against them, describing the comments as “uncalled for”. The Indian side took up the matter by calling in Singapore high commissioner Simon Wong to the external affairs ministry, people familiar with the matter said.

“The remarks by the prime minister of Singapore were uncalled for. We have taken up the matter with the Singaporean side,” one of the people cited above said. Lee referred to both India’s first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru and members of the Lok Sabha while participating in a debate in Singapore’s Parliament on Tuesday on a former lawmaker found guilty of abuse of privilege for lying in the House twice last year.

The thrust of Lee’s speech was on how a democratic system needs lawmakers with ideals and values and the importance of public trust in a government. He said most countries start with high ideals and noble values but, more often than not, things change over decades and generations once a nation’s founding leaders and the pioneering generation are out of the scene. “Things start off with passionate intensity. The leaders, who fought for and won independence, are often exceptional individuals of great courage, immense culture, and outstanding ability. They came through the crucible of fire and emerged as leaders of men and nations. They are the David Ben-Gurions, the Jawaharlal Nehrus, and we have our own too,” Lee said, referring to the first prime ministers of Israel and India. He added, “But beyond that initial fervour, succeeding generations often find it hard to sustain this momentum and drive.”


Singapore PM’s remarks on Indian MPs: MEA summons envoy
PM Lee Hsien Loong’s speech on the Report of the Committee of Privileges

Days after Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said that almost half of the lawmakers in Lok Sabha have criminal charges pending against them and suggesting a decline in the country’s democratic polity from “Nehru’s India”, India on Thursday summoned Singapore’s High Commissioner Simon Wong and conveyed its displeasure.

Sources said the Ministry of External Affairs conveyed to Singapore’s envoy that the “remarks by the Prime Minister of Singapore were uncalled for”. Singapore is a key strategic partner for India, and there have been close ties between the top political leadership. While it is unusual for New Delhi to summon envoys from close strategic partners, it has been extremely sensitive about comments about India’s internal affairs.

The PM of Singapore had invoked India’s first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru while arguing how democracy should work in the city-state during a passionate debate in Parliament on Tuesday. “Most countries are founded and start off on the basis of high ideals and noble values. But more often than not, beyond the founding leaders and the pioneer generation, over decades and generations, gradually things change,” Lee said during the debate on the Committee of Privileges’ report on complaints about untruths told by former Workers’ Party lawmaker Raeesah Khan:
  • “Things start off with passionate intensity. The leaders, who fought for and won independence, are often exceptional individuals of great courage, immense culture, and outstanding ability. They came through the crucible of fire and emerged as leaders of men and nations. They are the David Ben-Gurions, the Jawaharlal Nehrus, and we have our own too,” Lee had said.
  • “Nehru’s India has become one where, according to media reports, almost half the MPs in the Lok Sabha have criminal charges pending against them, including charges of rape and murder. Though it is also said that many of these allegations are politically motivated,” he had said.


India protests against PM Lee's comments on lawmakers

India issued a diplomatic protest with Singapore over Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's remarks about the number of Indian lawmakers facing criminal charges.

New Delhi raised the issue with the city state's high commissioner on Thursday (Feb 17), a senior government official said, seeking anonymity, citing rules for speaking to the media. The official said PM Lee's remarks were uncalled for. Addressing Singapore's Parliament earlier this week about a lying scandal involving a former lawmaker, PM Lee said: "Nehru's India has become one where, according to media reports, almost half the MPs in the Lok Sabha have criminal charges pending against them, including charges of rape and murder."

India's Foreign Ministry spokesman Arindam Bagchi was not immediately available for a comment. In Singapore, the Prime Minister's Office declined to comment.

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India Issued Protest Over PM Lee’s Remarks During Debate of COP Final Report

India has issued a diplomatic protest with Singapore, labelling Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s comments about Indian lawmakers as uncalled for.

Here’s what happened. While addressing Singapore’s Parliament earlier this week about the Raeesah Khan scandal, PM Lee cited India as an example where crime amongst lawmakers is prevalent. “Nehru’s India has become one where, according to media reports, almost half the MPs in the Lok Sabha have criminal charges pending against them, including charges of rape and murder.”

New Delhi raised this issue with the city state’s high commissioner on 17 February, said a senior government official. The official, who remains anonymous citing their rules for speaking to media, said that PM Lee’s remarks were uncalled for.



DBS branch in Hong Kong vandalised with vulgarities directed at PM Lee, PAP
A photograph circulating on social media of graffiti at a DBS Bank branch in Hong Kong. TODAY has blurred out vulgarities. DBS said on Thursday the graffiti had been removed

South-east Asia’s largest lender DBS Bank has confirmed that photos circulating online of a vandalised bank was a DBS branch in Hong Kong. “The graffiti on the branch in Hong Kong was cleaned off as soon as it was discovered this morning,” said a DBS spokesperson on Thursday (Nov 14) in response to queries from TODAY.

The online photos showed that the graffiti included vulgarities directed at Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Singapore’s ruling party, the People’s Action Party.

Mr Lee commented on the crisis engulfing Hong Kong while speaking at the Forbes Global CEO Conference last month, in response to a question from Mr Steve Forbes, chairman and editor-in-chief of Forbes Media.

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Vietnam PM tells Singapore’s Lee Cambodia invasion statement incorrect, offensive
Vietnam PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc (R) and Singapore PM Lee Hsien Loong talk on the sidelines of the 34th ASEAN Summit in Bangkok, Thailand, June 22, 2019. Photo by Vietnam News Agency

Vietnam PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc has criticized Singapore PM Lee Hsien Loong’s recent comments about Vietnam's role in the Khmer Rouge fight. He said his claim was incorrect and offended both Vietnam and Cambodia.

In a Facebook post on May 31 Lee had expressed condolences on the passing of former Thai PM and president of the Privy Council, General Prem Tinsulanonda, who he said served at the time five ASEAN members came together "to oppose Vietnam's invasion of Cambodia and the Cambodian government that replaced the Khmer Rouge."

Phuc expressed his unhappiness at talks he held with Lee on the sidelines of the 34th ASEAN Summit in Bangkok, Thailand, on Saturday. He said history has proved that the statement on Vietnam’s position in the Khmer Rouge fight was inaccurate. A prejudice like this negatively affects Vietnam and Cambodia, especially the families of hundreds of thousands of Vietnamese voluntary soldiers who sacrificed themselves to help the Cambodian people end the genocide by the Khmer Rouge to rebuild their country, he said.

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PM Lee the Latest “Victim” of Donald Trump Handshake
 "We have a very big relationship now and it will probably get much bigger," says President Donald J. Trump

What a week for Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. After having to face some semi-tough questions about his family feud in Parliament, the man had to head off to Germany the G20 Leaders’ Summit.

A standard outing for PM Lee of course, but this summit was special — it was the first time he met US President Donald Trump face to face since the latter was elected to office. They’d spoken before on the phone of course, but having the two sit together on stage for a meeting made for a surreal sight. After all, PM Lee had pretty tight relations with previous US president Barack Obama — both of whom believe strongly in the importance of the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade pact. President Trump however made sure to undo all their efforts by formally withdrawing the United States from the deal.

As you’d imagine, their first meeting seemed uncomfortable, despite both leaders reaffirming the relationship between Singapore and the US. Note PM Lee’s constant moving of his legs and hands, his shifty eyes, and the general vibe that he’d rather be somewhere else. We don’t blame him. Also to note: PM Lee falling victim to President Trump’s infamously aggressive handshake, resulting in a split-second shot that seems to put Singapore’s leader in a frailer light. But as Publichouse.sg pointed out, this wasn’t the first time PM Lee’s awkward handshake was caught on camera — he’s done the same pose during handshakes with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Malaysian PM Najib Razak and even former president Obama. It’s a minor subject to talk about, we know, but in the world of politics, the art of handshakes are highly important. And we all know Trump’s past with bizarre handshakes.


Singapore PM draws laughs in US speech

On Tuesday, Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Long visited the United States and met with President Obama. That night, in a speech to U.S. businessmen, Lee told a few jokes about China.

  • He drew laughs – and some groans – with his quips, including one about China’s environmental problems.
  • "Beijing residents joke that to get a free smoke all they have to do is open their windows!" Lee said.
  • He then alluded to thousands of pig carcasses recently fished from Chinese rivers.
  • "(In) Shanghai, if you want some pork soup, you just turn on the tap," he said.
His audience appeared doubtful if that was good taste, until he added, "That’s their joke, not mine!"


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