SINGAPORE, Feb. 9 (Xinhuanet) -- Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said Thursday that the publication of the cartoons depicting the Prophet Mohammad was provocative and wrong, but he expressed objection to violent response.

    According to a Channel News Asia report Thursday night, Lee made the remarks at a dialogue with grassroots leaders.

    He added that it would not have been allowed in Singapore and people in such a multi-racial society "must respect one another's religions, and not deliberately insult or desecrate what others hold sacred."

    Lee also expressed his objection to violent response in the conflict, saying that "it is good that responsible Muslims leaders have come out to condemn the excesses and counsel moderation."

    Twelve caricatures and cartoons depicting the Prophet, published in a Danish daily last September and later reprinted in several other European papers, have sparked an uproar in the Islamic world.

    Reiterating the importance for Singaporeans to keep vigilant as the city state remains a key target for terrorist attacks, Lee announced that the government will set up a Ministerial Committee on Community Engagement.

    Chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng, the committee will supervise the implementation of the Community Engagement Program to get every Singaporean involved in the country's anti-terrorism efforts. Enditem