Singapore not immune to global religious, ethnic pressures: Shanmugam

It has kept ‘a very precious peace’ which must be preserved for future generations, he says

- Vanessa Paige Chelvan Correspondent

Around the world, religion and ethnicity are being used to divide societies — and Singapore is not immune to these pressures, said Coordinating Minister for National Security K. Shanmugam on Oct 10.

That is why the religious harmony Singapore enjoys should not be taken for granted, said Mr Shanmugam at the Parish of Christ Church’s 85th anniversary and fundraising dinner.

Through social media and the internet, Singaporeans are more exposed to happenings around the world, he noted, including religious tensions.

Still, Singapore has maintained “a very precious peace” which must be preserved for future generations, said Mr Shanmugam, who is also Minister for Home Affairs.

“It’s incumbent on all of us as Singaporeans to continue the work, so that our next generations can continue to inherit a Singapore that has this kind of religious and racial harmony,” he said.

He outlined three principles that have helped Singapore build religious harmony.

First, while the state is secular, “we recognise that religion is a very powerful force”, he said.

“We don’t bring religion into politics or politics into religion in a very obvious way,” he said.