SINGAPORE - Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean has said that Singaporeans should
not let events overseas "undermine the peaceful and harmonious
relationships we have built up over the years in Singapore".
He was responding to media
queries on the film, "Innocence of Muslims", which has sparked
violent protests across the Middle East, and resulted in the death of a US
diplomat and three others.
Mr Teo added: "Freedom of
expression does not mean that one has unfettered rights to insult and denigrate
another’s religion or race.
"Rather, we safeguard this
freedom only through mutual respect of the views and beliefs of others.
"Responding to this
inflammatory and offensive film with violence is also wrong and
counterproductive."
He said he is confident that
Singaporeans will react to the film rationally and calmly, "as they have
done previously".
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs
(MFA) today also strongly condemned the attack on the US consulate in Libya
that led to the deaths of a US ambassador and three other Americans.
Said an MFA spokesperson:
"Singapore strongly condemns the violent attacks on the US Consulate in
Benghazi that resulted in the tragic deaths of Ambassador Christopher Stevens
and his colleagues."
"We express our deepest
condolences and sympathies to the families and friends of the victims in their
time of grief.
"The properties of foreign
diplomatic missions and safety of foreign diplomatic staff should always be
protected and guaranteed under the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic
Relations," MFA said.
In response to further media
queries on the film that sparked the storming of the Benghazi consulate, the
MFA Spokesman said that Singapore likewise strongly condemns the video.
MFA said Singapore
"deplores" the actions of the makers of the "insensitive"
video which denigrates Islam and is highly offensive to Muslims.
"Freedom of speech must be
balanced with respect for religious sensitivities. At the same time, extreme
acts by individuals should be dealt with in a calm and rational manner, and can
never provide the excuse for any acts of violence," the spokesperson said.
AsiaOne
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