As the world reels in shock over UK’s decision to leave the European Union, the sentiments of uncertainty have spread all the way here as politicians remain cagey over its implications for the little red dot.
Markets across the world (including ours) felt the immediate impact as they suffered one of their worst days since the 2008 financial crisis, with the pound collapsing to a 31-year low. The Singapore dollar sustained heavy losses as well, among other Asian currencies.
Amidst the fallout, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has spoken out about the Brexit result, calling it a “turning point”, while also calling for caution and promising to continue cultivating ties with Britain.
Minister for National Development Lawrence Wong has also raised similar senses of wariness, calling the result “yet another reminder that we must continue to stay alert and nimble”.
Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Grace Fu expressed a more doleful stance about the “messy situation”, requesting Singaporeans to “brace for gloomier outlook”.
Meanwhile, Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen says that the result has provided him a sobering lesson that “change is inevitable”.
Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam had some wise insights as always, warning against “the growing appeal of nationalist politics, demagogues, and in some cases outright racism”.
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