'Neither a racist nor an Islamophobe': Ex-SDP chairman retracts statements against Calvin Cheng over Gaza

The former chairman of the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP), Jufrie Mahmood, has retracted the statements he made against former Nominated Member of Parliament (NMP) Calvin Cheng.

On Mar. 28, Jufrie made a Facebook post (that is no longer available) regarding Cheng's comment about two pro-Palestinian activists who disrupted multiple Meet-the-People Sessions.

Jufrie accused Cheng of being an Islamophobe and a threat to racial and religious harmony in Singapore.

He also filed a police report against Cheng.

On Apr. 2, Cheng responded to Jufrie's accusation, calling it false and based on "factual inaccuracies" and "outright lies".

On Aug. 12, Jufrie made a statement on Facebook stating that he retracted his comments made against Cheng that criticised Cheng's character and implied he committed criminal offences.

Discussion

In his post, Jufrie shared that he hired lawyers to file a defence after Cheng sued him for defamation over the remarks he made.

However, he said the two decided to meet and speak with each other, and had a "nice and pleasant" discussion.

Jufrie said that he accepted that Cheng was "neither a racist nor an Islamophobe."

"While I thought Cheng was insensitive, which he accepts, I now recognise that I was too harsh in some of my other comments."

After the meeting, Cheng and Jufrie both agreed to settle their differences and the court case amicably.

" In this spirit and with the intention of reconciliation, I retract the statements I made against Mr Cheng which criticised his character and which implied that he had committed criminal offences," Jufrie added.

The statements about Cheng that Jufrie specifically retract are:

• • “has a track record of extremist anti-Islam and anti-Muslim sentiments”;
  • “show[ed] (…) support to the ongoing genocide”;
  • is an “infamous Islamophobic ex-NMP who has been running free with his anti-Islamic rants which pose a serious threat to our hard-earned Inter racial/religious harmony”;
  • had “sow[ed] discord and resentment towards Muslim”;

• was appointed as the honorary consul of Serbia because “Serbia committed genocide against Muslims in Bosnia”; and
• implied that Madrasah children were potential terrorists and killing them would be valid."

Cheng's response

In his Facebook post on Aug. 12, Cheng shared that he met with Jufrie at his lawyer's office and both agreed that they wanted the best for Singapore.

"Gaza is a divisive and emotive issue. Bust as Singaporeans, we can agree to disagree," Cheng added.

What started it all

Cheng made three Facebook posts on Mar. 13, two of them referring to the activists and one about the President's Annual Diplomatic Reception, but it was the post shared at 11:51 pm that garnered the most attention.

In that post, Cheng called out activists from the "Monday of Palestine Solidarity" group.

He said:

"I would like to sponsor them to re-locate to Gaza , expenses paid by me. But only if they never come back."

The group is responsible for disrupting several PAP Meet-the-People Sessions in recent months.

His post led to several political office holders weighing in on the issue, including Minister for Home Affairs K Shanmugam and Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.

Shanmugam stressed the need to "be sensitive in making comments on the Israel/Palestine situation".

"I have previously said in November 2023 that Israel's actions are illegal and oppressive to Palestinians, and that remains my view."

Shanmugam also said that he has a "very sharply different view on Israel/Palestine from Mr Calvin Cheng".

PM Wong said Cheng's remarks on pro-Palestine activists were "completely insensitive and unacceptable".

The Singapore Islamic Scholars and Religious Teachers Association (PERGAS) also expressed "deep consternation" over Cheng's statements, which included "inflammatory suggestions" directed at members of Singapore's Muslim community.

"His remarks, particularly the insinuation that certain individuals be sent to Gaza and not allowed to return, are deeply troubling and risk undermining the hard-earned social cohesion that defines our multiracial, multireligious society," PERGAS wrote.

Cheng eventually met with two religious teachers from PERGAS, where he said he was "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 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.

Top photo Calvin Cheng/Facebook