Jackie slams S'poreans

		In that address, Jackie Chan reportedly said of Singapore: 'A lot of people are not like those in USA and Japan who voluntarily have self-respect. When you don't have self-respect, the government will have to control you. -- PHOTO: ASSOCIATED PRESS

SINGAPOREANS have no self respect, action movie star Jackie Chan told an audience of businessmen.

He said this in the same speech at the annual Boao Forum in Hainan last Saturday, at which he said Chinese people need to be 'controlled'.

In that address, he reportedly said of Singapore: 'A lot of people are not like those in USA and Japan who voluntarily have self-respect. When you don't have self-respect, the government will have to control you.

'In Singapore, you have to abide by Singapore's regulations. In China, you can litter, In Singapore, try littering and you will be jailed immediately.' Shin Min Daily news had earlier this week published a transcript of his 'freedom speech' which touched on the issue of liberty in China.

The 55-year-old sparked an uproar after he told a business forum last Saturday that 'we Chinese need to be controlled', lamenting that freedom had made Hong Kong and Taiwan societies chaotic. 'I'm not sure if it's good to have freedom or not,' said Chan, who added: 'If we're not being controlled, we'll just do what we want.'

The backlash against Chan has escalated even after his spokesman claimed that he was referring to freedom in the entertainment industry and not Chinese society as a whole.

In China, a prominent Beijing academic is leading a group of locals calling for a boycott of Chan's 'Believe in China' charity concert on May 1, which will be the first music event held at the iconic Bird's Nest stadium.

In that speech, he also lashed out at Singaporeans' lack of social graces, The New Paper reported on Saturday. 'Sometimes, I wonder why I can't eat chewing gum in Singapore. Then, I think it's actually right not to eat chewing gum," he was reported as having said.

''If I let you eat chewing gum, those people will leave them on tables and chairs. They have no self-respect at all.' His comments have drawn a backlash from much of the Internet community here.

'What's up with him lately? Before he criticised our local female artistes for not working hard enough. Now this? I have suddenly lost respect for him,' said Gabriel_23 on the HardwareZone forum.