7 September 2026 Punjab Khabarnama Bureau : Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong has condemned racist and anti-foreigner comments targeting the Indian community online, warning that prejudice against any community must never become accepted or normalised in Singapore.
Wong’s remarks came amid an online backlash linked to discussions surrounding the Nepal-Tibet floods and Singapore Airlines’ investment in Air India.
Wong Condemns Anti-Indian Comments
Wong said Singaporeans can and should engage in robust debates, but warned against using seemingly legitimate arguments as a cover for prejudice against communities or hostility towards foreigners.
He said racist views do not represent Singapore but should not be dismissed as harmless online chatter. If left unchecked, such behaviour could become normalised, deepen mistrust between communities and damage social cohesion.
Nepal Floods and Air India Deal Triggered Online Abuse
The comments emerged during online discussions about two separate issues.
Racist remarks were directed at some of the nine Singaporeans missing after the Nepal-Tibet disaster, while discussions surrounding Singapore Airlines’ investment in Air India were accompanied by anti-Indian abuse.
Singapore Senior Minister Calls Comments ‘Shameful’
Senior Minister K Shanmugam had earlier condemned the online comments, describing them as “shameful, nasty and totally unacceptable”.
Singapore police are investigating the racist and xenophobic comments, while authorities have stressed the need to prevent such material from becoming normalised online.
Wong Stresses Singapore’s Multiracial Identity
Wong reiterated that Singapore’s national identity must remain open and inclusive.
He said people from different backgrounds are part of the nation as long as they embrace Singapore’s values and way of life. He urged citizens to reject attempts to divide society along racial or religious lines.
Lee Hsien Loong Also Speaks Out
Singapore Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong also urged citizens to stand together regardless of race, language or religion.
Lee described racist comments targeting the Indian community as deeply troubling and warned against exploiting issues such as the Air India investment to stir racial resentment.
Singapore Has Faced Similar Tensions Before
Wong pointed to previous episodes of anti-foreigner and racial sentiment, including during the COVID-19 pandemic and debates surrounding the Singapore-India Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement.
He said Singapore’s social cohesion depends on consistently rejecting attempts to exploit differences between communities.
Government Has Taken Action Against Anti-Indian Content
Singapore has previously used legal measures against online narratives targeting the Indian community. In June 2026, authorities issued disabling directions under the Online Criminal Harms Act against 14 social-media posts containing problematic narratives targeting Indians and Singapore’s multicultural model.
‘Reject Such Views’
Wong acknowledged that authorities cannot prevent every hateful comment from appearing online but said Singaporeans can decide how they respond.
He urged citizens to reject such views rather than give them additional space or legitimacy, stressing that the country’s social harmony depends on collective responsibility.
A Message on Social Cohesion
Wong’s remarks underline the Singapore government’s broader position that legitimate disagreements over business, immigration, foreign investment or international events should not become vehicles for racial hostility.
The Prime Minister said Singapore has remained united by rejecting efforts to divide people along racial and religious lines.