Masagos, Shanmugam disagree with former NMP Calvin Cheng's views on Israel-Palestine conflict

SINGAPORE: Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Masagos Zulkifli on Thursday (Apr 3) said he also disagreed with the views of former Nominated Member of Parliament (NMP) and socio-political commentator Calvin Cheng on the Israel-Palestinian conflict.

His comments came a day after Home Affairs and Law Minister K Shanmugam said he takes a "very sharply different view" from those expressed by Mr Cheng, whose recent Facebook post about a pro-Palestinian activist group has sparked backlash, a police report and legal threats.

Writing on Facebook, Mr Masagos, who is also the Minister for Social and Family Development, said: "I have expressed my views on the Israel-Palestinian conflict several times. The killing of innocent lives must stop. Many have also shared their grief and frustration, deeply moved by the sufferings of innocent civilians, especially children.

"Here at home, Singaporeans of all backgrounds come together in solidarity. The fact that people of different ethnicities and religions stand united in calling for peace speaks volumes," he added. "It reflects our deep values of justice, humanity, and mutual respect. I disagree with Calvin Cheng’s views about the Israel-Palestine conflict."

In his post, Mr Masagos also said that Mr Cheng, who had earlier helped to get donations in his personal capacity for a community initiative led by Tampines GRC Grassroots Organisations, has decided to redirect the funds for other causes. 

The Our Tampines SG60 Cares initiative supports needy residents in the constituency where Mr Masagos is the anchor minister. 

"While I appreciate his efforts to get support and donations to help Tampines residents, Calvin has said that it might be better if he redirects the funds for other causes," Mr Masago said. "I appreciate his gesture. The Tampines SG60 Cares scheme will nonetheless continue, we will raise the funds from others to support Tampines residents."

In response to CNA's queries over his decision, Mr Cheng said that he believed helping people should be "apolitical".

"I don’t want my political views to distract from this, and that’s why I told Mr Masagos I have decided to redirect the donations to the Community Chest’s national SG60 drive," he added. 

"In a mature democracy, people should be able to agree to disagree even on controversial topics and still remain friends. I hope that Singaporeans can do this."

Separately, Mr Cheng posted on Facebook on Thursday to say that he has "decided that it’s in the interest of all to re-direct the donation to a national cause". The money will now go to the Community Chest. 

Mr Cheng had said previously that he came up with an idea about two months ago - after "talking to some of our Malay Muslim leaders" - to "raise money from wealthy new citizens that would further multi racial and religious cohesion in Singapore". He said the first initiative was to be timed for the Hari Raya celebrations, and he had raised almost S$200,000. 

SHANMUGAM WEIGHS IN 

On Wednesday, Mr Shanmugam was asked about Mr Cheng's controversial post while speaking to reporters on the latest cases being handled under the Internal Security Act. 

"Mr Calvin Cheng comments on a variety of matters – I don’t see all of them. Those that I come across: I can say some I agree with, and some I clearly disagree with," said Mr Shanmugam when asked about the post.

"His views on Palestine and Israel, I can say are quite different from mine. I have a very sharply different view on Israel-Palestine from Mr Calvin Cheng."

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

Mr Shanmugam's comments came on the same day Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan said he has reported "unauthorised activity" on his Facebook page to Meta, after a "like" appeared on Mr Cheng’s post under his name.

"I did not 'like' the post by Calvin Cheng on Mar 13, 2025. I do not share those views," Dr Balakrishnan said in a brief Facebook post. "I have since taken measures to enhance account security."

His press secretary told CNA that a report had been filed with Meta, which is investigating the matter.

In the Mar 13 post, Mr Cheng criticised a group known as Monday of Palestine Solidarity, whose members have been accused of disrupting Meet-the-People Sessions.

He wrote: “I would like to sponsor them to relocate to Gaza, expenses paid by me. But only if they never come back… I am offering business class to the leaders. And to their 928 followers, can buy them some walking shoes each. Take a slow hike.”

A police report has been filed against Mr Cheng over the post, and he has since said he is taking legal action against several people and platforms, which he said have defamed him.

In a Facebook post on Wednesday, Mr Cheng said former opposition Singapore Democratic Party chairman Jufrie Mahmood had lodged a police report accusing him of Islamophobia. Mr Cheng also named Reform Party leader Kenneth Jeyaretnam, activist Martyn See, The Online Citizen, and one Mohamed Khair as having expressed or republished similar views.

"I have sought legal advice from Senior Counsel and have been advised that these statements are highly defamatory of me," he wrote. "I have instructed my lawyers to write to Mohamed Khair, Jufrie Mahmood, Martyn See, Kenneth Jeyaretnam and The Online Citizen, to require them to retract the statements they have made and apologise."