PSP’s arguments have ‘strong stench of xenophobia and racism’, says CEO Devadas Krishnadas

PSP's arguments have 'strong stench of xenophobia and racism', says CEO Devadas Krishnadas

If you want to witness for yourself what ugly populist, conspiracy theorising, fear and hatred stoking politics looks like, watch the parliamentary proceedings and the exchanges between PSP members and Ministers Ong Ye Kung and Dr Tan See Leng, Devadas Krishnas said.

Is this what you want for Singaporean politics and for Singapore, Mr Devada Krishnadas asked in a LinkedIn post after he had watched the proceedings.

The Founder and CEO of Future-Moves Group described the conduct of Mr Leong and Ms Poa as ‘deplorable’. They were clearly not in the House to participate in a rational discussion, he said. Instead, they were there to push a political ‘red button’ and play to the fears and anxieties of many Singaporeans.

Underlying their arguments was ‘a strong stench of both xenophobia and racism’, said Mr Devadas.

“FTAs and CECA are economic treaties which benefit Singapore and Singaporeans. They are not some conspiracy to ‘sell’ the country,” said Mr Devadas.  “People who do not understand that, after it has been clearly explained, are either incapable of processing complexity or who are of a character which is shaped by nationalism, xenophobia, ignorance and in some cases, racism,” he added.

Here’s what Mr Devadas wrote in full in a LinkedIn post:

I had to take time to calm down before commenting on this exchange in the House yesterday. Ministers Ong and Tan made very clear, logical and evidence based cases for FTAs and the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (Ceca) between Singapore and India. They clearly and repeatedly explained that CECA is not an ‘open door’ policy for economic migrants from India.

Only to be met by unhinged, biased, unsupported arguments to the contrary by Mr Leong Mun Wai and Ms Hazel Poa of the Progress Singapore Party’(PSP). I find their conduct and that of their party to be deplorable.

First, they were clearly not in the House to participate in a rational discussion but instead to push a political ‘red button’ and play to the fears and anxieties of many Singaporeans.

Second, underlying their arguments was a strong stench of both xenophobia and racism.

These words were not spoken aloud but they are implicit in any criticisms of CECA. One only has to search online for notorious platforms such ae Hardware Zone amongst others to observe with dismay and disgust at the racist venom and vitriol slung at anyone of Indian ethinicity even if they are Singaporean born, with the ‘taint’ of being in Singapore under the unbrella of CECA or being a ethinically self interested parachocial supporter of CECA.

FTAs and CECA are economic treaties which benefit Singapore and Singaporeans. They are not some conspiracy to ‘sell’ the country.

People who do not understand that, after it has been clearly explained, are either incapable of processing complexity or who are of a character which is shaped by nationalism, xenophobia, ignorance and in some cases, racism.

I urge all network to watch the live streaming of the Parliamentary proceedings yesterday to benefit from an education on the logic and mechanisms of FTAs and CECA but also to witness for yourself what ugly populist, conspiracy theorising, fear and hatred stoking politics looks like as exhibited by the members of the PSP and ask yourself if this is what you want for Singaporean politics and for Singapore.

[irp posts=”9248″ name=”Dr Tan See Leng responds to PSP Leong Mun Wai’s CECA concerns with facts and reasons”]

[irp posts=”9231″ name=”Crucial to play our cards right, seize opportunities for future generations of Singaporeans: Tan See Leng”]

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