Date : 19 May 2009
The Straits Times - 3 recent events show importance of harmony
19 May 2009
By Kor Kian Beng
THREE recent events were highlighted by President S R Nathan yesterday when he underlined the importance of social cohesion.
These were: the outbreak of Influenza A (H1N1), the recapture of escaped terrorist leader Mas Selamat Kastari and the Aware takeover saga.
Mr Nathan said the need to strengthen social cohesion must go hand in hand with the push for economic growth.
'The challenging times will put stresses on our society and families, but Singapore must manage these stresses and meet the challenges as one people.
'We will then emerge from the current crisis stronger,' he said in his opening address of the second session of Parliament.
Describing new infectious diseases as a test of social cohesion, he said Singaporeans must respond to the H1N1 outbreak, 'just as rationally, vigorously and cohesively' as they did to Sars in 2003.
As for the recapture of Mas Selamat in Malaysia last month after his escape from detention here last year, President Nathan said it is a reminder that extremist terrorism not only threatens Singapore's security, but also its racial and religious harmony.
In the Aware saga, controversy was sparked when a group of Christians, many from the same church, took over the leadership of the Association of Women for Action and Research. There were heated debates on religion, secularism and homosexuality. The old guard later regained the helm.
The episode, said Mr Nathan, highlighted the need for all groups to practise tolerance, restraint and mutual respect to live peacefully in a multiracial, multi-religious society.
'This applies not just to religious groups venturing into the secular domain, but also to secular groups which want to strongly push their views and change our social norms,' he said.
Globalisation, too, has put social cohesion to the test. While it benefits Singapore tremendously, it also widens income gaps and puts pressure on lower-income, less-educated workers, said Mr Nathan.
But he assured them that 'in this downturn, lower-income Singaporeans will not be left to fend for themselves'.
The Government will train and prepare them for new jobs and ensure that their children get every chance to excel in school.
'Only when all of us share the benefits of globalisation and growth can we stay united, regardless of rich or poor,' he said.
However, Singapore must continue to bring in new people with diverse skills and experiences to contribute to the economy and society, and grow the population.
He urged Singaporeans to welcome these foreigners who, on their part, need to make the effort to integrate into society here.
When contacted, MP Seah Kian Peng said the President's examples are a timely reminder of the need to guard against complacency.
Mr Seah, who is the new chairman of the Government Parliamentary Committee for Community Development, Youth and Sports, said: 'I was with the President on his state visit to Japan this month. At that point, Japan had only a handful of H1N1 cases, but now there are more than 100 cases.
'It shows if we let our guard down a little, the results can be disastrous.'
Political observer and law lecturer Eugene Tan said challenges to social cohesion are now more complex and pronounced as a result of the battered economy, Singapore's openness to values, ideas and lifestyles from abroad, and the new media.
(With thanks to SPH - StraitsTimes.com)
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Please click here for the address by President S R Nathan at the opening of Parliament on 18 May 2009.