Prime Minister Weighs in on HK Protests and Tan Pin Pin Documentary

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong recently gave a speech at the National University of Singapore Society. Following the speech, the Prime Minister held a question and answer session with the press where he touched on a range of topics including the recent “Occupy” protests in Hong Kong and the documentary film by Tan Pin Pin, titled To Singapore With Love.

Prime Minister Lee was questioned on the rating policy that essentially banned the movie from being screened or distributed to the public. The film is about political exiles and the Media Development Authority banned its distribution and viewing, claiming that the content of the film is a threat to national security and that it is an untruthful account of the subject matter.

In response to these questions, Mr. Lee said,

“Why should we allow through a movie to present an account of themselves, not objectively presented documentary history, but a self-serving personal account, conveniently inaccurate in places, glossing over inconvenient facts than others which will sully the honor and reputation of the security people and the brave men and women who fought the Communists all those many years in order to create today’s Singapore?”

The Prime Minister was also questioned on the way that he viewed the student protests that are currently going on in Hong Kong. He went on to cite the importance of the protests remaining peaceful and he stated that China and Hong Kong need to come together to find a solution that can satisfy both sides without hurting the interests of either party.

He also spoke on the dangers of outside groups getting involved, saying,

“These are things best of all Hong Kong can sort out for itself. But if other groups get involved and use this to pressure China or to change China, or I read international newspapers, former activists from Tiananmen have come to help the students – I don’t think they need such help. Or the students who were doing the Sunflower movement in Taipei also coming to compare notes, teach you how to occupy something, also coming to occupy something – I don’t think such help is in anyway helpful. I think that will only make things much more complicated.”