PUBLISHED ONSeptember 09, 2026 1:09 AMBYSean LerA total of five individuals, aged between 29 and 66, have been identified and interviewed by the police over racist, anti-Indian comments on social media following the deadly Aug 26 floods at the Nepal-Tibet border and Singapore Airlines' investment in Air India.
In its statement, police said that they are "investigating certain comments" made in relation to the two matters, adding that they will continue to investigate and identify those responsible for the online comments.
"The Police take a serious view of conduct that may wound racial feelings or incite hostility and ill will between different racial groups."
A police spokesperson added that they are unable to comment further on the specifics of individual cases amid ongoing investigations.
On Sept 5, Senior Minister K Shanmugam said he had asked the police to look into racist and xenophobic online comments about the Nepal-Tibet disaster and Singapore Airlines' (SIA) investment in Air India.
"I will say this — the comments are shameful, nasty, totally unacceptable," said Shanmugam then, who is also Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs.
The following day, both Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong weighed in on the matter.
PM Wong said such views do not represent Singapore and cautioned that they cannot be dismissed as harmless online chatter as if unchecked, it can become normalised, deepen mistrust between communities, and pull Singaporeans apart.
Pointing to the racist comments made about the nine missing Singaporeans, and the recent anti-Indian abuse that followed Singapore Airlines' investment in Air India, he cautioned against using "seemingly legitimate arguments" as a cover for prejudice.
"We should be clear about the distinction. We can and should have robust debates.
"But we should never use seemingly legitimate arguments as a cover to fuel prejudice against any community or hostility towards foreigners."
SM Lee said it is "deeply troubling" to see racist comments and hateful remarks directed at the Indian community in the wake of the tragedy.
He added that even as Singapore strives for inter-racial tolerance and respect, human beings are by nature not race blind.
"Singapore will always be vulnerable to these visceral and divisive pulls. Race and religion will always be a fault line in our society."
SM Lee stated that this is why the country must continue to work hard to strengthen its cohesion and protect its racial harmony.
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