• Singapore PM calls Indian MP's criminal during his speech, India summons envoy

    International
    Singapore PM calls Indian MP's criminal during his speech, India summons envoy
    Digital Desk: India whined on Thursday against Singapore PM Lee Hsien Loong's remarks that nearly half of the Lok Sabha members are facing criminal proceedings, calling the remarks "uncalled for."

    According to persons acquainted with the situation, the Indian side summoned Singapore high commissioner Simon Wong to the external affairs ministry.

    "The Prime Minister of Singapore's words were uncalled for. "We've raised the issue with the Singaporean side," one of the individuals mentioned above remarked.

    During a debate in Singapore's Parliament on Tuesday about a former lawmaker found guilty of abuse of privilege for lying in the House twice last year, Lee references both India's first prime leader, Jawaharlal Nehru, and members of the Lok Sabha.

    Lee's address focused on the need for public trust in government and how a democratic society requires MPs with beliefs and values. He claims that most countries begin with high aspirations and reasonable beliefs but that things change over decades and generations after the original leaders and pioneering generation have passed away.

    "Things get started with vicious ferocity. Leaders who battled for and won independence are frequently exceptional persons with enormous courage, vast cultural knowledge, and exceptional ability. They evolved as men and nations' leaders after going through the crucible of fire. The David Ben-Gurions, the Jawaharlal Nehrus, and we have our own," Lee remarked, alluding to Israel's and India's first prime leaders.

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    "However, after that first fervor, future generations typically find it difficult to maintain this energy and drive," he continued.

    "While Nehru's India has become one in which, according to media accounts, nearly half of the MPs in the Lok Sabha have criminal accusations pending against them, including charges of rape and murder," Lee said of India. However, many of these charges are considered to be politically motivated."

    Singapore PM added that many modern political systems would be "very unrecognizable" to their founders. "Despite four general elections in two years, Ben-Israel Gurion's has evolved into a country that can scarcely form a government." Meanwhile, a slew of senior Israeli politicians and bureaucrats are facing a slew of criminal charges, and several have already been sentenced to prison," he stated.