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Several residents from Tanjong Pagar penned a letter of support to the Singaporean family after a National Day banner at Tanjong Pagar GRC, which the family was featured in, garnered xenophobic and racist comments.

The featured family is the family of a national athlete Thiruben Thana Rajan.

Thiruben, who has represented Singapore in athletics since he was 15, put up a post on Aug. 2, clarifying that it was his family in the poster, and that they had been invited to be featured in one of 20 different posters showcasing families of different races and religions.

He added that they are Singaporean – his siblings and him were "born and bred here", while his parents had moved to Singapore from Malaysia more than 30 years ago.

Letter of support

In a post on "My Tiong Bahru Heritage Trail" Facebook group, a group of 41 residents from the Tiong Bahru Poh Seng estate subsequently sent a letter of support to Thiruben and his family on Sunday night, Aug. 8.

In the letter, the residents thanked Thiruben for representing Singapore, and for "flying our country's flag".

They wrote: "We stand with you against racism, race-baiting, xenophobia, and ignorance. And we are unequivocally proud that you and your family are one of the featured families from Tanjong Pagar GRC".

You can find the full letter here:

"Regardless of race or religion"

The letter was also shared by Minister in the Prime Minister's Office Indranee Rajah, who is also the MP of Tanjong Pagar constituency.

On Aug. 8, Indranee published a Facebook post sharing her thoughts on the fiasco, after she had visited Thiruben and his family on Aug. 7 to see how they were doing.

She denounced the xenophobic and racist comments, saying they were "hateful and disgraceful".

In her post, she also noted that it was heartening to see many people had first called out the unkind comments on their own accord, despite not knowing who the family was.

She added that this incident showed what many Singaporeans truly value – a multiracial, multi-religious, multicultural Singapore. She wrote:

"We are a people who will put action to the words 'regardless of race, language or religion'. And we are a people who will reach out in support of each other when it is most needed. That’s what it means to be Singaporean."

A message of gratitude

In a post on Aug. 3, Thiruben thanked those who had expressed their love and support to him and his family in the days following the incident.

He shared that the well-wishes from hundreds meant a lot more than the close-minded comments of a few.

He wrote in his post:

"Whether you are part of the minority or the majority, Singaporean or immigrant, I hope that our story has empowered you to stand up against those who constantly try to put you in a box. Be your own biggest fan. Don't let others decide who you are or what you should represent".

Top image via Indranee Rajah Facebook 

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