Singapore ministers’ criticism of ex-NMP Calvin Cheng seen as bid to cool tensions

Calvin Cheng on Thursday apologised for Facebook comments in which he offered to send pro-Palestinian activists to Gaza

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Former nominated member of parliament Calvin Cheng was criticised for his comments about sending pro-Palestinian activists to Gaza. Photo: Facebook/Calvin Cheng

Published: 9:40pm, 10 Apr 2025Updated: 9:35am, 13 Apr 2025

The criticism of a former nominated member of parliament by Singapore’s top officials over a controversial Gaza post was prompted by the need to cool tensions and address a “political hot potato”, especially in an election season, according to observers.

The city state’s top office holders, including Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, earlier this week took ex-NMP Calvin Cheng to task nearly a month after he said on social media he would sponsor flying members of an activist group to Gaza “only if they never come back”.

Amid a backlash last month sparked by his comments on March 13, Cheng indicated he was taking legal action against individuals – including opposition figures – whom he said had defamed him as he had not targeted any race or religious group.

On Thursday, he finally apologised for his Gaza comments, saying on Facebook he was “deeply remorseful”. Cheng’s post in question had directed sarcasm at pro-Palestinian activists disrupting neighbourhood meetings between residents and members of parliament.

Later on Thursday, after two other top officials had weighed in on the matter, Prime Minister Wong on Facebook called Cheng’s Gaza post “insensitive and unacceptable”, pointing to Singapore’s “diverse and yet harmonious” social fabric.

Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong (centre) with religious leaders Mohamad Hasbi and Pasuni Maulan. Photo: Facebook/Lawrence Wong

Speaking to This Week in Asia, law don Eugene Tan said: “The ministerial interventions, including by Prime Minister Wong, suggest that the issue has the makings of a political hot potato in the coming general election that could undercut the People’s Action Party’s political standing and moral legitimacy on the Gaza issue.”