KUALA LUMPUR – Singapore’s Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan has reported “unauthorised activity” on his Facebook page to Meta, following an incident involving a social media post by former Nominated Member of Parliament and socio-political commentator Calvin Cheng.
On Wednesday, Dr Balakrishnan denied engaging with a Facebook post by Mr Cheng that discussed a pro-Palestinian activist group, Channel News Asia reported.
“I did not ‘like’ the post by Calvin Cheng on March 13, 2025. I do not share those views,” said Dr Balakrishnan. “I have since taken measures to enhance account security.”
Responding to media queries, the minister’s press secretary confirmed that a report had been submitted to Meta regarding the matter. “Meta is investigating,” the press secretary said.
Mr Cheng’s post, dated March 13, referenced a group called Monday of Palestine Solidarity, whose members have been accused of disrupting People’s Action Party (PAP) Meet-the-People Sessions.
“I would like to sponsor them to relocate to Gaza, expenses paid by me. But only if they never come back,” wrote Mr Cheng.
“I am offering business class to the leaders. And to their 928 followers, can buy them some walking shoes each. Take a slow hike.”
Home Affairs and Law Minister K Shanmugam, speaking to reporters on Wednesday regarding cases under the Internal Security Act, was asked about Mr Cheng’s remarks. He emphasised that his stance on Israel and Palestine differed significantly from Mr Cheng’s views.
“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.
“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 declined to comment further, citing an ongoing police investigation into a report lodged against Mr Cheng over his remarks on Israel and Palestine. Mr Cheng has also initiated legal proceedings against individuals who, he claims, made accusations against him following the post.
In a Facebook post on Wednesday, Mr Cheng stated that former Singapore Democratic Party chairman Jufrie Mahmood had filed a police report, alleging that Mr Cheng is an Islamophobe.
He further mentioned that Reform Party leader Kenneth Jeyaretnam and activist Martyn See had expressed similar sentiments, while The Online Citizen and an individual named Mohamed Khair had republished these views.
Rejecting the allegations, Mr Cheng wrote: “I have sought legal advice from Senior Counsel and have been advised that these statements are highly defamatory of me.
“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.” – April 2, 2025