I'm quite heartened to see that many people actually don't agree with what PM Lee said and has spoken up against his remarks. I do feel PM Lee's calling Singaporeans a "disgrace" is highly misplaced, especially as the PM of the country.
In any case, PM Lee's remarks seem to be based on one sole report by the Straits Times of the organisers being ALLEGEDLY harassed.
What is the nature of that "harassment"? No one knows.
What were the actual words/threats made? No one knows.
Unfortunately, the organisers said they would "not want to escalate" (ST's words) the matter and so would not make a police report.
So, we come back to one main point here: the Straits Times report.
But we all know the Straits Times is not known for its accuracy. I mean, on this same issue itself, Acting Manpower Minister Tan Chuan Jin said the ST report of some 26,000 supporting the protest against the Independence Day event was "inaccurate".
And just this past week, PM Lee himself had to correct a Straits Times report that he is "considering a coalition government".
And also this past week:
Indonesian Chief of Army said he did not apologised, contrary to a CNA report which apparently then prompted our Defence Minister to say he accepts the "apology" and that Singapore would resume bilateral programmes with Indonesia. Now, he has egg on his face.
So really, I think the PM should not be so fast to jump the gun on this Filipino issue too.
What exactly were these alleged "threats" made to the organisers of the event which PM Lee is now using to slam Singaporeans?
Truth is: no one even knows if the threats were true!
https://www.facebook.com/leehsienloong/posts/694916833904359?stream_ref=10
Andrew Loh
*Article first appeared on https://www.facebook.com/andrewlohhp/posts/791240257567592?stream_ref=10