SINGAPORE: Education Minister Heng Swee Keat said
recent incidents such as derogatory online posts reported in the
media show that racial and religious issues can be sensitive and
emotional.
He warned that they may result in tension and
conflicts if not handled properly, and added that these challenges
to social cohesion will not go away anytime soon.
Mr Heng said while technology has enhanced
communication among people, it also means that there needs to be
greater responsibility in the way they use social media.
He also said building a strong network of trust within Singapore's
multi-ethnic and multi-religious society is an important ongoing
effort that should not be neglected.
Mr Heng made these points at the Racial Harmony Day celebrations at
Innova Junior College.
The theme for this year's racial harmony celebrations is
'People.Places.Memories'.
Mr Heng said it aims to remind Singaporeans that as the environment
they live in changes and evolves, their shared memories and
experiences of living in Singapore bind them as a nation.
He said the racial and religious harmony Singapore enjoys today is
not necessarily a natural state.
There are instances where communal and religious tensions have led
to violence in communities who have lived together. Singapore
experienced racial riots on July 21, 1964, and saw how quickly
communal tensions could escalate into violence.
Mr Heng pointed out that Singaporeans learnt from this experience,
and worked hard to build mutual trust, respect and understanding
between the different racial and religious groups.
"This will always be a work-in-progress, so we must continue to
educate our young and our new immigrants about the importance of
maintaining social cohesion and harmony. This is why schools
commemorate Racial Harmony Day on 21st July every year, to remind
ourselves that we do not want a repeat of the racial riots of
1964," he said.
Mr Heng said there has been much progress in Singapore over the
past decades. He cited findings from a recent survey by the
Institute of Policy Studies on 'What Makes Someone
Singaporean'.
The survey showed that for both local and foreign-born citizens,
respect for multi-racial and multi-religious practices is the most
important characteristic of being Singaporean. This is closely
followed by getting on well with neighbours.
Mr Heng said these findings reflect the good work of schools,
parents and the community in reinforcing the importance of social
harmony.
Students at Innova Junior College unveiled a "Mega Photo Montage"
as part of the school's Racial Harmony Day activities. The photo
montage is a compilation of photos sent by students from various
schools in the North Zone.
They also used new media, a niche area for Innova students, to
exchange views on racial harmony.
The students are taking the lead in promoting racial harmony with
other schools by sharing their experience on the junior college's
online portal.
Another project the school initiated is a virtual art gallery
modelled after the popular computer game "Second Life", where users
can view student-made artwork reflecting the theme of racial
harmony.
-CNA/ac/wm