Bondi Beach shooting: S’pore strongly condemns act of terrorism, PM Wong writes to Australian PM
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A woman holding a child in a blanket after a shooting incident at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, on Dec 14.
PHOTO: AFP
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SINGAPORE – Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said Singapore strongly condemns the Dec 14 shooting at Sydney’s Bondi Beach that has killed at least 16 people and left 40 people hospitalised.
In a letter to his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese on Dec 14, he wrote: “Singapore strongly condemns this act of terrorism. Such acts have no place in our societies and undermine the peace and security we all cherish.”
Two suspected gunmen opened fire near the famed beach
One of the alleged shooters is dead, while the other is in custody and in critical condition after the incident, which has been classified by Australian police as a terrorist incident.
“This senseless violence struck a place cherished by Australians and visitors alike, including many Singaporeans,” PM Wong said.
“On behalf of the Government of Singapore, I extend my deepest condolences to the families who have lost loved ones, and my heartfelt sympathy to those who were injured,” he added.
PM Wong said Singapore stands firmly with Australia in solidarity and support during this “painful and difficult time”.
He also wrote in a Facebook post at around 11.15pm that he was deeply saddened to learn of the tragic incident. “My thoughts are with all those who are affected,” he said.
During a press conference on Dec 14, Mr Albanese condemned the targeted attack, saying the evil that was unleashed was “beyond comprehension”.
Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Faishal Ibrahim said he was deeply saddened by the tragic terror attack.
“Such acts of violence have no place in our societies. Everyone should feel safe to practise their faith freely and without fear, whether in a mosque, synagogue, church or temple,” he said on Facebook on Dec 15.
Associate Professor Faishal said the Malay/Muslim community in Singapore remains committed to peaceful coexistence and mutual respect with all communities, regardless of race or religion.
He added that he was heartened by the extraordinary courage of Mr Ahmed al Ahmed, a local fruit seller who was captured on video wrestling, then disarming one of the attackers, and was now recovering in hospital from gunshot injuries.
Mr Ahmed risked his life to save others, said Prof Faishal, adding that his actions were guided not by differences of background, race or religion, but by a deep sense of humanity.
Minister for Home Affairs and Coordinating Minister for National Security K. Shanmugam said the Sydney shooting was a terrible incident.
While he said the precise causes and reasons for the attack in Australia were not known, he added that hate speech has often been an underlying cause on other occasions, by creating an environment more prone to violence.
Singapore has in place tough laws against hate speech and conduct that incite hatred or violence, he said, adding that historical incidents linked to race and religion have shown that it has real and serious consequences.
“Hate speech denigrates one group. It suggests that the identified group is the source of problems,” he said on Facebook. “It dehumanises the group, eventually making violence against them justified.”
Religious groups in Singapore on Dec 15 uniformly condemned the shooting at Bondi Beach while expressing solidarity with the global and Singaporean Jewish community.
In a statement, Singapore’s Inter-Religious Organisation (IRO) denounced the shooting as “pure evil” and violence born of anti-Semitism. “This atrocity is a stark reminder that the poison of anti-Semitism, and indeed all forms of religious and racial hatred, remains a global scourge,” it said.
“An attack on one religious community is an attack on the sanctity of all faiths on the fabric of a harmonious society,” the IRO added, reaffirming its solidarity with the Jewish community.
It also said different communities live side by side in Singapore in peace, understanding and respect, and that the Bondi shooting “reinforces our collective resolve to strengthen those bonds further, to vigilantly guard against the seed of intolerance, and to continue fostering inter-religious dialogue and solidarity”.
The Jewish Welfare Board Singapore, in a Facebook post, said it mourned the loss of Rabbi Eli (Eliezer) Schlanger of Chabad Bondi. He was killed while leading the Hanukkah celebration that day.
“Rabbi Eli lived a life of dedication, kindness, and service to others. He supported our community on many occasions and was always present with warmth, integrity, and a deep sense of responsibility,” it wrote.
“His passing is an immeasurable loss to his family and to the many lives he touched.”
It added that “violence and hatred have no place in our shared future”, and that the board remains committed to working alongside partners of all faiths to uphold understanding, compassion and unity.
The National Council of Churches of Singapore said the shooting was a grave violation of the sanctity of human life and contrary to Christian teachings to love our neighbours as ourselves.
The Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS) said there is no place for violence targeted at civilians and innocent people anywhere, let alone at religious events or places of worship.
MUIS added that the attack was a reminder to reject all forms of violence and hatred, and to root out extremism and radicalisation.
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Singapore said it was grieved by the shooting, adding that it condemns all acts of violence that target human life.
“We honour the lost by reaffirming our desire for common dignity and to build a just world where every person, in every community, can live freely in peace, and not in the shadow of senseless brutality,” said the archdiocese in a statement on Dec 15.
“This can only be achieved if our societies are committed to removing injustices through sincere dialogue.”
The Singapore Buddhist Federation said the “cold-blooded carnage” revealed the attackers’ evil intention of creating hatred and fear among communities of different faiths, adding that the attack was a reminder of how difficult it is to maintain racial and religious harmony.
The Hindu Endowments Board and Hindu Advisory Board said it was particularly heart-rending that innocent lives were taken during a festival dedicated to light and faith. The boards also shared prayers for families who lost loved ones to be given resilience to return to normality soon.
The Sikh Advisory Board said the shootings were a reminder that discriminatory behaviour, hatred and prejudice have no place in societies and that these sentiments must never be tolerated. It added that mutual respect, harmony and unity across faiths are values that Singapore holds dearly.
The Singapore Taoist Federation said the act was one of senseless hatred incited by distorted ideologies and conspiracy theories intended to divide society, but which offered a painful lesson for everyone to avoid falling into these traps of hate.
Speaker of Parliament Seah Kian Peng wrote on Facebook on Dec 15 that the incident was “so horrifying and sad”.
Sydney holds a special place in his heart, added Mr Seah, who spent four years completing his undergraduate degree at the University of New South Wales.
“I (had) been to Bondi Beach on many occasions during that period and also during vacations... Take care, all in Australia. May the community come out the stronger, safer, caring, inclusive, respectful and welcoming following this senseless incident,” he wrote.
Dr Syed Harun Alhabsyi, Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Education and National Development, said in a separate Facebook post on Dec 15: “Nothing justifies such violence. May the voice of reason, peace, unity and solidarity continue to prevail in the world against the tyranny of extremism, terrorism and violence.”
He also urged Singaporeans to stay safe amid their travels.
The Australian High Commission in Singapore said on Dec 15 that its flags will be flying at half-mast in memory of the casualties of the attack. An electronic condolence book is available online for anyone wishing to offer messages to those affected by the attack.
