Singapore's cohesive multiracial society will forever be a work in progress: PM Lee

A cohesive multiracial, multireligious society will forever be a work in progress, even as Singapore has come a long way. Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said this at the first-ever International Conference on Communities of Success, organised by the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS). Mr Lee said that new and spiky issues may also need to be addressed as life experiences and expectations change.



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[susugagalala]

....the Government has played an important role in setting the overall direction and tone for Singapore’s founding fathers were determined to uphold the principle of equality – "regardless of race, language or religion", as enshrined in the national pledge....This has served as an ideal and aspiration for all of Singapore to work towards, generation after

In the national pledge, after "regardless of race, language or religion....": "to build a DEMOCRATIC
Have we as Singaporeans upheld that ideal and aspiration as well, as enshrined in the national pledge?

[osmanzng]

In the past, there were mainly the Malays, Chinese and Tamils handed down by the British.
There were very small communities of Eurasians, Arabs and Jews and others. Not without problems but still manageable.
Now, there are more than a dozen ethnic groups living in the tiny islnd. Too culturally diverse.
Too confusing to anticipate the kind of trouble that will arise in the future.

[martinlee]

Chinese, Malay, Indian and Others (CMIO) classification system

Ethnicity Based Self-Help Groups

Mother Tongue Language
The Mother Tongue Language (MTL) Policy is motivated by the socio-political objective to divide the people along racial and linguistic lines. Languages define identities and create communities and therefore cultures within them.
Why talk about treasuring harmony when you do what you can to entrench fault lines and division?

Group Representation Constituencies (GRCs)
The Group Representation Constituencies (GRCs) was justified and implemented in 1988 to allegedly ensure adequate minority representation but what it does instead more significantly is to politicise race and create an unnecessary race-based political system. The PAP has created the need for minority representation in the first place that they now say needs to be fixed by a race-based group representation political system. If we truly had the racial harmony the PAP says they treasure why is it that we need minority representation?
The need for a GRC is simply a symptom of a disease which the PAP spread.

[ZhenYae]

On Halal Trays.
@Justin Gomez Unfortunately, these unfortunate souls have unknowingly and unwittingly been made to be the propagators of Islam against their belief.

I gather they are only paid workers, non-Muslims, who are frowned upon and take the brunt of the insult Islam has heaped upon them because they will be reprimanded by their pay masters for not being able to separate the trays, utensils, etc. at the front.

 

And the current law on racial harmony actually defends their employers or any Muslims who complain to the authorities. The laws place an untold burden on these wage workers to advance the Islamic cause. I

It must be seen to be criminal at another level.

Forcing non-Muslim low-wage workers to make others observe Islamic practices and rituals is not ethical.

This could hardly be the enlarging of public space spoken of by the Singapore leadership. It actually restricts others.

It is criminal.

[martinlee]

Prime Minister’s People’s Action Party (PAP) government who are guilty of making race and religion divisive fault lines in Singapore.
The question is whether the PAP Government practices what it preaches or do they speak with forked tongue?

Don’t get taken in by the PAP Government’s empty words. Look instead at what they in fact do. The place to start in identifying their deeds is in the policies they champion. Here are just some of the more obvious policies that entrench the racial and religious divide

[Qingqiu]

Our official language is English, Chinese (Simplified), Malay and Tamil.

[ZhenYae]

When will Singapore get a Ex Muslim Christian President. When is the next cycle for a Malay Christian President?

[veganath]

Well said PM Lee a difficult topic to broach. For any *_multiracial_* society, *_multiculturalism_* and it preservation shouldn't be the headline goal of a government, what should be the headline goal is *_unity of vision_* for the future where *_we don't encourage diversity of thought_* for its own sake usually borne of culture, but instead we nurture *_'thinking correctly' i.e. thinking that is in line with the most successful methodology historically for arriving at solutions to problems, science._* Science is our last best hope to objectively resolve the many issues we all face today.

[ongchinlam]

Everymonth take high salary laugh all the way to the bank.must sack

[ZhenYae]

To Justin Gomez:

@Justin Gomez

all of that. At least in some countries, they are honest about it.

It must be for Singaporeans and those in leadership positions that it is a national past time to indulge in falsehood, and be protected by the laws no less.

Clearly, only Islam is represented in the law and in practice. I cannot see anyone disagreeing with this assement, not even the keeper of the law.

For certainty, being told to be observant of Islam could only be seen as discriminatory, going against the belief of others who choose how they want to practice their faith with regard to Islam.

Because no one else has imposed their faith on Muslims yet. Islam under this government has institutionalized others.

This government has made Islam an institution for everyone else, and this government could hardly qualify as being truthful.

Is Christianity a function of this government? What about Buddhism?

Only Islam is!

It is criminal.

[deschan]

Singapore external debt is very high, its getting worst during his time as PM. Could u elaborate and explain to Singaporeans, how and why Singapore landed in this debt situation?

[ree]

Multiracial and multiethnic societies never work in the long run. Ethnic nepotism, ethnic clashes never leave

[cholesterol]

2 race groups goes to violent brawl and you just send police. 2 different religion on debate can just send wong. When lgbt demands another priviledge you send who?

[deschan]

Singapore is invaded, what cohesiveness is he talking about?

[leexianlong]

Singapore will not progress fast if everyone always give and take. There are fundamental values that must be upheld and at no time requiring a compromise, such as equality for all. Fight for freedom, stand with LGBTQ.

[oklahoma]

Invite the PLAN, PLAAF, CHINA PRC CCP. into Singapore, tell USA aquilino UK to take their warships to the Sahara desert.

[ZhenYae]

Response to Justin Gomez comment.

Hear Here. This government has been assimilated into Islam. They are separate and more equal than others. It is foolish for Singaporeans to abide by a pledge that one segment of society does not abide by, and assume they can be separated and more equal than other Singaporeans in this national falsehood of multi-racialism and multi-religious. Make a mockery of all the others.

[deschan]

Whats Singapore reserves now n before you took office?

[justingomez]

Beg to differ with the PM on many fronts on Minorities & Religion.

No privileges for any religion.
Religious practices must be kept separate from individual Rights.

Religious practices by Religious groups must not impose separate & segregation practices on invidiuals.

Religious agenda is Challenging for any government where ever !
Let me elaborate.

Dress code is an individual Right.
None should be obliged to abide by Religious Dress Code by any religion
Irrespective of individuals Religious
Beliefs & Practices.

This government has given favor on dress code to religion in Public Healthcare institutions .
A Blatant foolish move.

What will they Demand next on their religious beliefs ?
Separate laundry outlets ?
Separate Private Car Hire Drivers ?
Separate Barber outlets ?
Separate eye- wear outlets ?
Common PM !
What's going on ?
Plates, Cups, Trays & utensils @ hawker centres & Public Healthcare institutions ... are segerated.
Shelf separation in Supermarkets.
Non Muslim cannot cut chicken for Muslims @ Supermarkets.
Halal Chicken & Non Halal Chicken.

Your Government is responsible for the "Zero Tolerance" from this religious group if their religious practices are not abided by !

Simply put your government has caved in to Religious beliefs !
Government policies have failed Social Cohesiveness.
PM I beg to differ on your Call !

[awequayzngs]

GOD BLESS and SAVE LHL 🙏 and SINGAPORE !. HALLELUJAH ! AMEN !.