'Uncalled For’: MEA on Singapore PM's Remark on Criminal Cases Faced by MPs

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong had criticised the large number of criminal cases against Indian parliamentarians.

Two days after Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong criticised India's parliamentarians, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday, 17 February, summoned the High Commissioner of Singapore to India, Simon Wong, over the remarks.

Discussing how a democracy should work in Singapore, the country's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Tuesday had criticised the large number of criminal cases against sitting parliamentarians in India.

Government sources cited by ANI on Thursday said that such remarks were "uncalled for," adding that the matter has been taken up with the Singaporean side.

What Had the Singaporean PM Said?

Invoked India's first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru during a Parliamentary session Loong had said, "Things start off with passionate intensity. The leaders, who fought for and won independence, are often exceptional individuals of great courage, immense culture, and outstanding ability. They came through the crucible of fire and emerged as leaders of men and nations. They are the David Ben-Gurions, the Jawaharlal Nehrus, and we have our own too."

"Nehru's India has become one where, according to media reports, almost half the MPs in the Lok Sabha have criminal charges pending against them, including charges of rape and murder. Though it is also said that many of these allegations are politically motivated."

Prime Minister of Singapore Lee Hsien Loong

"Our democracy can mature, deepen and grow more resilient, as both the governed and the governing embrace and express the right norms and values. Singapore can continue to flourish. But if we allow ourselves to slacken, loosen standards here, just a bit; overlook a lie there, just this time, the virtuous cycle will stutter and start to fail," he had added.

The speech was made after the prime minister received the report of the Committee of Privileges (CoP) on complaints about untruths spoken by the previous lawmaker of the Workers' Party Raeesah Khan.