Bryan: Thank you Minister for coming to visit us at Oogachaga,
it’s really great to have you here with us.
Minister: Thank you.
For years we have been working with a lot of LGBT clients
on very diverse issues.
And one of the issues
that our clients occasionally bring up
is about their struggle on drug use issues.
But we also recognize the fact is
that drug use is not exclusive to the LGBT community.
The existing legal system,
the social stigma associated with drug use,
as well as the lack of appropriate support,
has created a lot of fear
for those who want to come forward and seek help.
As a community we are very concerned about that,
and we would like to work with different partners
to tackle the drug use issue in the community.
From my perspective,
Singapore has tackled the drug problem quite effectively.
But it’s not a war that
you can ever say you’ve won. It’s a continuous fight.
You need the legal framework that
makes consuming drugs and  trafficking in drugs an offence.
At the same time,
you’ll also have to look at
what are the age groups,
what are the practices.
Worryingly we are picking up more young people,
they went in for designer drugs,
now you get them available online.
When I deal with that problem,
I have to look at how
I can approach each of the communities,
whether it’s racial communities
or based on other groupings.
How can I get the message across
that drugs are bad, that drugs destroy,
that drugs kill.
So for the LGBT community,
I told CNB (Central Narcotics Bureau)
“Look, let’s find people who can get the message across to the LGBT community”.
So your organisation was one such organisation.
I told CNB
“Work with them, get the message across.”
The key is to get the message across to the LGBT community,
that drugs destroy lives.
So we know that in the past few years
since Pink Dot has started,
there are some very strong, negative criticism from some segments.
And some of these individuals
have gone to the extent of
sending hate mails to sponsors,
making police reports,
or even attacking individuals on social media.
What’s your reaction to that?
Well Bryan, let me put it this way.
We are very clear.
Anyone  who crosses the line
in terms of harassment, in terms of assault,
in terms of threats against any group,
the Government is very strict.
That’s not the way we have discussions.
And again, when lines are crossed,
the Police will take action,
and I think that message has got to go out to everyone.
You can’t threaten physical, armed violence,
just because you disagree with somebody.
And this applies to all.
Again, there might be people who want to organize against LGBT causes,
they might want to persuade Singaporeans.
They are free to do so under Speaker’s Corner rules.
But no violence,
no violence by them, and no violence against them.
The same goes for LGBT causes.
The other point you mentioned,
the Government has agreed to listen.
It doesn’t take a position on Pink Dot,
not for, not against.
We have rules on where you can express your viewpoints,
by way of a public coming together:
Speaker’s Corner rules.
Speaker’s Corner rules don’t prohibit
people from organising in support of Pink Dot,
they don’t prohibit people from organizing against Pink Dot.
Supposing tomorrow some people want to organize
an anti-LGBT rally.
Speaker’s Corner rules allow that too.
The Government will apply the rules fairly to all.
There is a lot of misunderstanding.
These are issues that Singaporeans have to discuss
and decide. Only Singaporeans.
We don’t want foreigners taking part in this discussion.
Likewise if tomorrow,
people want to organize a rally against Pink Dot,
against the LGBT cause, likewise we will impose the same rules.
Only Singaporeans.
And last year when we said that foreign organisations
should not be taking part in this,
there were concerns, but in the end
more Singaporean organisations came forward.
But Government’s position is neutral.
Thank you.
