LettersSingapore feels for Hong Kong protesters, but won’t support violence: harmony and stability are core values

The extradition bill has unleashed the unhappiness over issues such as housing and jobs that date back to the colonial era – domestic matters that Singaporeans respect as Hong Kong’s own business

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Speakers’ Corner, Singapore’s free speech area where the people may demonstrate and air their grievances. Singaporeans place a bigger premium on social harmony and tolerance. Photo: Roy Issa

Published: 8:00am, 14 Jul 2019Updated: 8:00am, 14 Jul 2019

I refer to “Singaporeans support Hong Kong protests against extradition bill” (July 9). I want to put the facts in the right perspective and emphasise that the survey cited does not represent the majority of Singapore. It is just a random survey of a minority who may not be fully aware of the facts and different historical backgrounds of Hong Kong and Singapore, although both are former British colonies.

Yes, Singaporeans do sympathise with the Hong Kong protesters for their beliefs, but definitely do not support their senseless and lawless violent actions.

To put it simply: what is there to be afraid of, if the Hong Kong people live within the rule of law (freedom of speech and movement) and do not commit crimes? One can see that the protesters’ demand for the withdrawal of the extradition bill is only an excuse to vent their unhappiness over the problems of housing, jobs, and other social needs. These problems are pressing issues deeply rooted in history since China ceded Hong Kong to Britain.