Member of Parliament for Jalan Besar Ms Denise Phua apologised on Friday (Apr 8) for her choice of words in her recent speech during the Ministry of Home Affairs budget debate.
“I should not have used the phrase ‘walking time-bombs’ to describe congregations of high density,” she wrote in a Facebook post.
Ms Phua, who is also the mayor of the Central Singapore, was relating a recent visit to Little India in Parliament.
As her constituency covers part of the Little India neighbourhood, she had put forth some suggestions in an effort to safeguard against a repeat of the Little India riot. The suggestions include forming a multi-agency Task Force to manage security risks of congestion or ring-fencing communal residential areas.
“I have no intention to undermine any specific group,” Ms Phua explained. “I personally get along very well with the foreign cleaners in my constituency. To them and the other foreign workers in our country, thank you for your help and please accept my sincere apology if I have caused you concern.”
Source: ChannelNewsAsia
