Yahoo Finance Singapore, world leaders express shock over US Capitol storming
SINGAPORE — Leaders in Singapore and around the world have expressed shock over the storming of the US Capitol building in Washington by supporters of outgoing US President Donald Trump.
Many of them urged the US government to swiftly restore order and faith in democracy while condemning the actions of the mob on Wednesday (6 January DC time). The Washington DC mayor has declared a curfew and ordered an extension of the state of emergency for 15 days.
Teo Chee Hean, Singapore’s Senior Minister & Coordinating Minister for National Security, called the incident a “sad day”, saying he has been watching the “shocking scenes” in the US Congress.
Speaker of Singapore’s Parliament Tan Chuan-jin said he hopes for the situation in the US to stabilise. He added, “There is always due process and the rule of law needs to be respected. When individuals and groups decide to take the law into their own hands, it will essentially be mob justice.”
Urging a smooth transition of power, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson condemned the scenes at the Capitol building as "disgraceful".
German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said Trump and his supporters "must accept the decision of American voters at last and stop trampling on democracy".
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was "distressed” about the situation in Washington and called for a "peaceful transfer of power".
Former US President Barack Obama said the violence incited by a sitting president was “a moment of great dishonor and shame for our nation”. He called upon all Americans, regardless of party, to support Biden as the President-Elect “works to restore a common purpose” in US politics.
Meanwhile, some governments have urged their citizens who are in the US to stay clear of potential places of violence amid the tense situation there. "We recommend that our citizens in the USA stay away from crowded places and places where shows are held," the Turkish Foreign Ministry said.
In the evening, the US Congress resumed its joint session to certify Joe Biden's victory in the 2020 US presidential election.
Stay in the know on-the-go: Join Yahoo Singapore's Telegram channel at http://t.me/YahooSingapore
Other Singapore stories:
COVID-19: Singapore confirms 33 new cases, 2 in the community
COMMENT: Can trust in TraceTogether be restored?
Stickers on Tuas lamp post will stay on to 'brighten up life': Ong Ye Kung
