Singapore’s Lee Hsien Loong a social media hero in China for Hong Kong protest comments
- Leader of the Lion City has criticised the Hong Kong protesters, saying they are trying to ‘humiliate’ the government rather than solve problems
- He also admitted his own country was not immune to the forces of ‘deep social angst’ sweeping various places across the globe
Lee told a union event on Tuesday that populist movements were growing in various places across the world – from the United States and France to Hong Kong, where anti-government protests have entered their 19th week – and he refused to dismiss the possibility of similar divisions appearing in his own country.
While Singapore’s situation was different to Hong Kong’s, “deep social angst” could take root in the Lion City, too, if it was not careful, Lee said.
“If it happens to us, like what’s happening elsewhere, we will suffer the same consequences as the other [places], only worse because we are that much more vulnerable,” Lee told the NTUC National Delegates’ Conference.
“It would become impossible to govern Singapore, to make and carry out difficult decisions, or to plan for the long-term good of the nation … Confidence in Singapore would be destroyed. I think Singapore would be finished.”