Religious leaders must guide followers, says PM (Straits Times,
2 January 2001)
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They should restrain and admonish overzealous followers or the
Government will step in, he says
RELIGIOUS leaders were reminded of the need to be alert to
overzealous followers who may threaten Singapore's religious
harmony.
The message came from Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong, who pointed out
yesterday how trouble in the Maluku Islands demonstrated just how
delicate this harmony was, and warned that in the Internet era,
intolerant views could be spread swiftly.
But while the Government would prefer religious leaders here to
guide their followers, it would not hesitate to 'take firm action'
against those espousing extremist views, he warned.
He was speaking at a charity dinner organised by Jamiyah and the
Singapore Buddhist Lodge. He applauded the two bodies for jointly
organising the dinner, which was attended by religious leaders and
delegates from more than 10 different countries.
He praised them and others for their 'excellent examples of
inter-religious cooperation that will help enhance cohesion and
harmony in our society'.
On religious tolerance and harmony, he said: 'Let me stress that as
religious leaders, you have the heaviest responsibility.
'The practitioners of your faith look to you for guidance on
religious matters. They will take the cue from your words, your
tone and your manner in dealing with other religions when they
themselves relate to others from different faiths.'
He told the leaders: 'There are times when some of your followers
and activists may become overzealous in promoting their
faiths.
'With Internet and the ease with which websites are set up, a few
of them may become bold, insensitive and reckless in expressing
their views.
'It is better for religious leaders to restrain and admonish these
few, than for the Government to do so.'
However, the Government would not allow things to fester. 'If
necessary, the Government will take firm action against such
extremists and fringe groups whose actions threaten Singapore's
multi-religious harmony.
'We have seen how countries have been destroyed by religious
strife.
'We have no intention of allowing our delicate racial and religious
balance to be disturbed by any insensitive group of whatever race
or religion.'
His speech came in the wake of a wave of bombings on Christmas Eve
in the Maluku Islands and other parts of Indonesia. The bombs, set
off at churches to target Christian worshippers, left up to 15
people dead - the latest casualties in the religious strife which
has seen 5,000 killed since 1999.
His reference to the Internet was also pertinent in the light of
increasing use of the medium to defame secular and religious
leaders.
Even Singapore has not been spared. Last week, Mr E.S. Ebrahim
Marican, secretary of the South Indian Jamiathul Ulama religious
group, admitted unjustly accusing Mr Abdullah Tarmugi,
Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs, through e-mail, of
instigating Malay MPs to act against the Indian-Muslim community's
interests. He has since made a public apology to the
minister.