Racism has no place in Singapore; concerns about SIA-Air India deal ‘purely commercial’, says MP Kenneth Tiong

“Temasek and its subsidiaries decide how to invest across a wide portfolio with investments of varied risks and varied time horizons. Once governments or politicians start directing individual investment decisions, commercial discipline will be compromised,” he added.

“Decisions will become politicised – shaped by political considerations, rather than commercial judgment. In the end, Singaporeans will bear the cost.”

On Mr Tiong’s previous comments about SIA’s investment in Air India, Mr Shanmugam said: “Mr Tiong is entitled to his views. He is entitled, like any other Singaporean, to ask questions about SIA and Temasek.”

“But neither his views, nor that of any minister, or any other MP, should substitute for the commercial judgment of SIA’s management and board of directors – boards which have knowledgeable and independent members, and management which has professionals whose primary responsibility is to consider and make these decisions.”

Asked by a reporter whether Mr Tiong’s post had crossed racial or xenophobic lines, he said: “As regards to Mr Tiong and whether he was being xenophobic or racist, I think you’d best ask him. You’d have to ask him what he intended and what he meant.”

On Mr Tiong’s previous statement that no one “owes Air India a living”, Mr Shanmugam said: “I think he ought to do his homework and look at SIA’s letter and the facts that I put out today, and ask if he is being responsible.”

In his Facebook post on Saturday, Mr Tiong said that Singaporeans are best served when there is both zero tolerance for racism and hard questions about money. 

“We should not let the two get mixed up. If we do, both causes suffer.”