🏆 What The Zaobao Forum Letter Incident Reveals About Singapore’s Echo Chambers

Extract from Author

A few days ago, I translated a Zaobao forum letter “No Need For Unnecessary Finger-Pointing During A Pandemic” that quickly went viral. The letter drew much flak for its racist and xenophobic overtures.

In response, the forum editor defended its decision to publish the letter, arguing that it was important not to censor views out of political correctness…

Judges’ Comments

Are migrant workers’ communal eating habits to blame for how quickly the coronavirus has spread in their dormitories? A Lianhe Zaobao forum letter which alluded to this sparked a lively debate among Singaporeans over whether it was racist to make such a suggestion. Poh Yong Han wrote about how she had to personally come to terms with the issue in her own family, with her parents who were initially unable to understand what the fuss was about. Hers was a commentary from the heart, and a plaintive plea for better understanding and tolerance.

Written by
Poh Yong Han,
Rice Media

Sunday,
19 April 2020

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