'Grave mistake' to assume racial violence
will not happen in Singapore - DPM Wong
Singapore's diversity in race and religion can be its strength
but also its Achilles heel.
And as more Singaporeans turn to religion in recent years, it is
important that this increased religiosity does not in turn create
fault lines in the society.
These remarks were made by Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng
at the National Day Dinner in Bishan East.
Mr Wong who is also the Minister for Home Affairs, says it would
be a ' grave mistake ' to think that violence such as the recent
inter-ethnic clashes in Xinjiang, China cannot happen in
Singapore.
Speaking in English, Malay and Mandarin , DPM Wong elaborated at
length why Singapore needs to ' zealously guard ' its racial and
religious harmony.
The clashes in Xinjiang as well as various racial incidents
around the world, serves as a ' grim reminder' of the importance of
' sensitivity ' in handling potential tensions and
misunderstandings.
He pointed out how such tensions could also happen right here in
Singapore
" Some time ago a Chinese family held a wake at the void deck of
a HDB flat. During the wake, there was a misunderstanding between
the Chinese family and a Malay family. The Malay family objected to
the buring of incense at the grass patch in front of the block. A
scuffle broke out and Police was called to intervene. Grassroots
leaders including members of the inter racial confidence circle
visited the families to talk to them. both families realised that
there was a misunderstanding . The MP subsequently met both
families and they apologised to each other and the matter was
settled amicably."
And one channel the government has made use of in maintaining such
social harmony is through common spaces, such as the school, work
place and national service .
DPM Wong says it is ' necessary ' that these common spaces
remain secular.
This even as more Singaporeans are reportedly turning to
religion.
"There is nothing wrong to be religions. But even as we turn
towards religion to guide us, we have to be acutely mindful of the
impact on the people around us in our multi racial and multi
religious society. My ministry received a letter from a member of
public last month . The writer received religious literature in his
letterbox which he felt was critical of non-believers. And he wrote
' Religious beliefs are deeply personal. Their potential for
incendiary contention is well known and they should be best
confined to the private sphere ' . His reaction is not difficult to
understand."
As more seek out religion, Mr Wong says it is important that
they do so in a way that does not lead to closed minds and
exclusive groups.
He stressed that racial and religious harmony is a 'valuable
capital ' towards Singapore's future success.
--938Live
