Pergas says ex-NMP Calvin Cheng’s remarks on activist group ‘troubling’, risk undermining cohesion

SINGAPORE – The remarks by former Nominated MP Calvin Cheng that certain individuals be sent to Gaza and not allowed to return are “deeply troubling”, the Singapore Islamic Scholars and Religious Teachers Association (Pergas) said on April 6.

Pergas expressed “deep consternation” over Mr Cheng’s recent statements, which the association said included inflammatory suggestions directed at members of Singapore’s Muslim community. These remarks risk undermining the hard-earned social cohesion that defines Singapore’s multiracial, multi-religious society, it said.

In response, Mr Cheng said in a Facebook post on April 7 that his March 13 comments were directed at a group of people who included non-Muslims, and reiterated that those remarks mentioned neither race nor religion.

The former NMP’s March 13 Facebook post referred to activists from a group called Monday of Palestine Solidarity, which had asked people concerned about the issue of Palestine to raise the matter with their MPs. On March 12, activists from the group had disrupted the Meet-the-People Session of Law and Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam.

In his post, Mr Cheng had offered to pay to relocate the activists, so long as they do not return to Singapore. “I am offering business class to the leaders. And to their 928 followers, can buy them some walking shoes each. Take a slow hike.”

Pergas, which represents all asatizah (religious teachers) here, said Mr Cheng’s public remarks can be interpreted as “dehumanising, dismissive and grossly insensitive”, especially in the light of ongoing tragedies that continue to cause grief to communities around the world.

“As a former public figure, Mr Cheng holds influence and reach,” it said. “It is therefore disappointing that instead of fostering respectful discourse, he has chosen to ridicule and alienate fellow Singaporeans, many of whom are expressing empathy and solidarity in response to humanitarian suffering.”

Noting that Singapore has worked hard over the decades to build mutual respect between people of all faiths and ethnicities, Pergas said statements like Mr Cheng’s not only hurt sentiments, “but also plant seeds of mistrust and division” that disrupt Singaporeans’ peaceful coexistence.

The association said individuals who incite hatred, sow discord or make insensitive and harmful remarks must be held accountable, and urged the authorities to take necessary action to protect the nation’s social fabric.

Pergas said its statement was issued with the support and consensus of its Council of Elders, which includes senior religious scholars such as Ustaz Mohamad Hasbi Hassan and former mufti Mohamed Fatris Bakaram.

In response, Mr Cheng said he understood Pergas’ sentiments, but hoped that the association rereads his March 13 post in context.

“I directed my remarks at a group of people which included non-Muslims. The remarks were not directed at any group defined by race or religion,” he said. “The post is still up and the facts are clear.”

Mr Cheng said certain individuals had “fabricated outright lies” and twisted his words, and that he has commenced legal action against them. In an April 5 post, he said he was “not an Islamophobe”, and that some people had “spread blatant lies” about his remarks.

Pergas’ statement came days after government leaders said they did not agree with Mr Cheng’s comments on the issue of Israel and Palestine.

On April 2, Mr Shanmugam said he

held a “very sharply different view”

on the Israel-Palestine conflict, and that people should be sensitive when making comments on the matter.

A day later, Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Masagos Zulkifli also

said he disagreed with Mr Cheng’s views,

and noted that many people have shared their grief and frustration at the suffering of innocent civilians.

“Here at home, Singaporeans of all backgrounds come together in solidarity,” said Mr Masagos, who is also Minister for Social and Family Development.

“The fact that people of different ethnicities and religions stand united in calling for peace speaks volumes. It reflects our deep values of justice, humanity, and mutual respect.”