Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong Says He’s “Disappointed” Over a Mask‑Attack
Why it matters
In a Facebook post that blew up across the island, PM Lee shared his deep disappointment over an alleged racist assault targeting a woman for her refusal to wear a mask while strolling briskly. He slammed the incident, saying it “goes against everything our multiracial society stands for.”
The PM’s Take‑away
- “It harms our international reputation more than we realise.”
- “Covid‑19 has put everyone under stress. Jobs, families, the whole lot. But that doesn’t excuse racist attitudes or physically abusing someone for their race.”
- Even if the victim hadn’t been a Singaporean, the attack would still be “wrong and shameful.”
- He confidently keeps the police on it: “The perpetrator will be brought to justice, no doubt.”
- He urges everyone: “There’s no place for this in Singapore. Stand united against racism.”
Other Ministers Join the Chorus
Later that evening, several senior officials voiced their own concerns—calling the scene “disturbing” and “unacceptable.”
Scene at the Spot
Madam Hindocha Nita Vishnubhai (55) tells the story: She was on a quick run from Choa Chu Kang MRT station toward the stadium around 8.30 am last Friday when the alleged incident unfolded. She’s stunned that something as simple as a mask could ignite such hostility.
Bottom Line
Good news? The police are on the case. Bad news? It’s a stark reminder that racism still lurks, even at the most mundane moments. Let’s keep talking, keep checking, and most of all, keep punch‑lining racism back with real unity.
<img alt="" data-caption="Madam Hindocha Nita Vishnubhai was brisk walking from Choa Chu Kang MRT station towards the stadium when the alleged incident took place.
PHOTO: Hindocha Nita Vishnubhai” data-entity-type=”file” data-entity-uuid=”bfbab91d-519e-4fa1-a5e2-c1cae9853e32″ src=”/sites/default/files/inline-images/20210511_attack_hindochanitavishnubhai_1.jpg”/>The private tutor, an Indian Singaporean, had a run-in with a man believed to be in his late 20s, who shouted racial slurs at her for not wearing her mask above her nose and kicked her in the chest before running away with a woman who was accompanying him.
Madam Nita suffered scratches on her arm and hands due to the incident and lodged a police report on Friday night.
In a Facebook post, Law and Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam said: “Based on the lady’s version, this seems to be a racist, xenophobic attack. Unacceptable.”
Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu, in her post, urged the public to keep in mind Singapore’s core value of unity as a society.
She said: “While Covid-19 has brought out the best in people in difficult situations, with many coming forward to help those in need, it is unfortunate that discriminatory behaviour and even violent xenophobic attacks stemming from fear and intolerance have also been witnessed around the world.
“We felt indignant when Asians were attacked merely because of their race in other countries. Let us not allow such behaviour to take root here. As we battle this unprecedented pandemic, it is more important than ever for our communities to band together and foster stronger cohesion.”
Transport Minister Ong Ye Kung, Second Minister for Manpower Tan See Leng and Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office Tan Kiat How also weighed in on the incident in separate social media posts.
Mr Ong said: “Any of us would have been horrified to hear of Asians in other countries being targeted in violent hate crimes due to Covid-19. Now we see verbal and even physical abuses against members of Indian community here in Singapore.
“This is deeply troubling. This is not Singapore and what we stand for. It is only by standing together that we can beat this virus. Discrimination and racism is worse than the virus.”
This article was first published in The Straits Times. Permission required for reproduction.
Lee Hsien LoongK ShanmugamGrace FuOng Ye Kung
