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[h=2]Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has directed the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to convene a Committee of Inquiry to look into the riot in Little India on Sunday night.[/h]
One of the police cars damaged in the riot at Little India. (Photo: Fharid Ali)
SINGAPORE: Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has directed the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to convene a Committee of Inquiry to look into the riot in Little India on Sunday night.
The committee will look into the factors that led to the incident and how the incident was handled on the ground.
It will also review the current measures to manage areas where foreign workers congregate, whether they are adequate and how they can be improved.
The ministry will provide more details when ready.
In a statement on Monday afternoon, Mr Lee said the riot was an isolated incident arising from the unlawful actions of an unruly mob reacting to a fatal traffic accident.
He also said the riot was a very serious incident, and there is no excuse for the violent and criminal behaviour.
The authorities are investigating the incident thoroughly and will deal with the culprits with the full force of the law.
Mr Lee offered his deepest condolences to the family of Mr Sakthivel Kumaravelu, who was killed in the traffic accident that preceded the riot.
Prime Minister Lee said: "The vast majority of foreign workers in Singapore are law-abiding workers. They contribute to our economy, working hard to earn a living and support their families back home.
"We must not allow this bad incident to tarnish our views of the foreign worker community here."
He urged Singaporeans to remain calm and continue with their daily lives.
He also called on them to support frontline officers in the Home Team, and share any leads they may have with the police.
He said he is glad the Home Team officers who were injured in the incident have been discharged from the hospital and are recovering well, and wished them a complete and speedy recovery.
"Let us stay united as one people as we deal with this unfortunate incident, and keep Singapore a safe and orderly country," said PM Lee.
Channel NewsAsia will air a Talking Point Special on the Little India riot on Monday at 8pm.
The one-hour programme will have Second Minister for Home Affairs S Iswaran and the police discuss the first major riot that Singapore has seen in over 40 years.
A live-stream of the talk show will also be available at the Talking Point website.
- CNA/nd/gn
SINGAPORE: Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has directed the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to convene a Committee of Inquiry to look into the riot in Little India on Sunday night.
The committee will look into the factors that led to the incident and how the incident was handled on the ground.
It will also review the current measures to manage areas where foreign workers congregate, whether they are adequate and how they can be improved.
The ministry will provide more details when ready.
In a statement on Monday afternoon, Mr Lee said the riot was an isolated incident arising from the unlawful actions of an unruly mob reacting to a fatal traffic accident.
He also said the riot was a very serious incident, and there is no excuse for the violent and criminal behaviour.
The authorities are investigating the incident thoroughly and will deal with the culprits with the full force of the law.
Mr Lee offered his deepest condolences to the family of Mr Sakthivel Kumaravelu, who was killed in the traffic accident that preceded the riot.
Prime Minister Lee said: "The vast majority of foreign workers in Singapore are law-abiding workers. They contribute to our economy, working hard to earn a living and support their families back home.
"We must not allow this bad incident to tarnish our views of the foreign worker community here."
He urged Singaporeans to remain calm and continue with their daily lives.
He also called on them to support frontline officers in the Home Team, and share any leads they may have with the police.
He said he is glad the Home Team officers who were injured in the incident have been discharged from the hospital and are recovering well, and wished them a complete and speedy recovery.
"Let us stay united as one people as we deal with this unfortunate incident, and keep Singapore a safe and orderly country," said PM Lee.
Channel NewsAsia will air a Talking Point Special on the Little India riot on Monday at 8pm.
The one-hour programme will have Second Minister for Home Affairs S Iswaran and the police discuss the first major riot that Singapore has seen in over 40 years.
A live-stream of the talk show will also be available at the Talking Point website.
- CNA/nd/gn
