Calvin Cheng meets with S'pore Islamic association PERGAS, expresses 'deep remorse' for remarks

Former Nominated Member of Parliament Calvin Cheng has met with two religious teachers from the Singapore Islamic Scholars and Religious Teachers Association (PERGAS) at the Yusof Ishak Mosque.

The meeting, which took place on Apr. 9, pertained to a recent Facebook post he wrote in response to pro-Palestinian activists who disrupted a Meet-the-People Session (MPS) headed by Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam.

In a post put up on Apr. 10, Cheng said he had told the two religious teachers, Ustaz Pasuni Maulan and Ustaz Mohamad Hasbi, that he is "deeply remorseful" about his remarks suggesting that "our people" go to a conflict zone.

"I am deeply grateful that Ustaz Pasuni and Ustaz Hasbi were willing to meet me and listen to me and speak about reconciliation and healing. I thanked them for their kindness, understanding and compassion," he wrote.

Cheng: Did not intend to attack any community or faith

Cheng added that the meeting with the two religious teachers was at his request, to which both of them had "kindly agreed".

Cheng added that he told the two elders that he had not intended to attack any community or faith.

"My comments were directed specifically at the MPS group, which included Chinese and Indians, and had a mix of religions. I was specifically upset with their disruptive activism. My remarks were not targeted at the Muslim community," Cheng said.

Cheng also revealed that he had been speaking with members of the Malay/Muslim community over the previous week.

"I realise that I should have been more sensitive with my remarks. I should not have said (even in jest) that people should go to a conflict zone," he added.

Cheng also said he had pointed out during the meeting that some people had wrongly attributed some other statements to him, which he did not make.

"I explained that I had to start legal actions because such untrue statements were very damaging to me," Cheng said.

He then concluded his post by thanking the two religious teachers for their understanding, patience and compassion.

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Top image via Calvin Cheng/Facebook