Christians cannot expect this to be a Christian society, Muslims cannot expect this to be a Muslim society, ditto with the Buddhists, the Hindus and the other groups.
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong
- Home
- Blogs & Sites
- Moderation
- TOC Store
- Vision, Mission & Core Values
- Join Us!
- Contact Us
- Privacy
- RSS
All rights reserved. Singapore Wedding Videography and Photography | Cream Pictures
I find that our country fails despite years of racial harmony.
We cant unite the country if we still divide ourselves with Mendaki CDAC and Sinda.
It is ironical that we try to unite and yet the fund aid is dispersed via racial lines.
With the new generation speaking mostly English as the main language, I think that we can now use that as a unifying tool.
I say take out the separate fund aid channels and unite them under one roof like CDCs do.
Continuously tru to unify than doing thigns along racial or religious lines.
In Australia, we all speak only one language – English. People can speak their own language or ethnic dialect but the official language is English. There is mutual respect for each other religion and practices here.
Here we have at least 50 over races and more than 100 over languages with migrant representation from more than 100 countries.
If Australia is to follow Singapore’s example of ethnic segregation the country will be in chaos.
This is one of the rare occasions I actually agree with PAP.
Why English must be the main language used in Singapore ? We are not british nor australia .. we have our own culture …
Diversity is good for the society in long run …
The Spirit of the Quote itself is reasonable and sensible, however, when reflected with what Gilbert Goh has highlighted at #1, the Spirit is not that wholesome anymore.
On one hand You want people to be united in diversity and on the other hand they(people) are separated and segregated by Races and Religions to help within themselves. It does not seem or sound logical.
patriot
“Christians cannot expect this to be a Christian society, Muslims cannot expect this to be a Muslim society, ditto with the Buddhists, the Hindus and the other groups.”
PM Lee is absolutely right on the religion issue , religion should only be practiced in private spaces and keep to themselves . Religion extremist shall not cross the line to recruit more believer in public space ..
Why didn’t the spineless PM also say Singaporeans should not expect this to be a democratic society with checks and balance, and citizens should exercise tolerance and restraint……………to his PAP govt ?
Indeed ! exercise tolerance and restraint to those who manipulate the election system, manipulate the truth, manipulate the judiciary, manipulate the laws….
…advice from one with rockbottom credibility ?….what a laugh !
Malay is the national language of Singapore. If not, change Manjulah Singapura to some english song.
Does our Leaders intentionally keep some divide and conquer strategies to remain in power ?
patriot
There is such a thing as indirect influences. The key is to preach a populistic message and grow your power and influence.
Even in religion, money talks.
I agree with some commentators that organizations like Mendaki, Sinda and CDAC appear to promote division rather than further integration. Further, this phantom fragility of racial/religious harmony appears to be the NEW bogeyman for the PAP.
In reality, I see clear unity across racial/religious lines when it comes to having a BETTER SINGAPORE. This is exemplified by the PAP critics, both online and offline.
I don’t see any racial polarisation here, why he brought this up for cheap publicity ?? Is he using scare tactics to unite Singaporeans ??
It amazing!
In our worse recession ever, with close to 200,000 people unemployed and no sight of when things will improve, why is a leader of a nation talking about religious and racial harmony?
Shouldn’t he have used this monumental opportunity to encourage, inspire and give hope to Singaporeans; to present a concrete plan that shows clear leadership for economic recovery?
12) Amazing on August 17th, 2009 1.21 pm
Obviously PM Lee has chosen a less sensitive topic (at least for this moment) to discuss and score points lor. Otherwise he will be putting his party’s head on the chopping block.
12) notalone, and all reading
……..so much for courage, leadership and million dollar salaries. What a let down to Singaporeans.
My amazement is now transformed to embarrassment!
I agree that this is the least important of topics to bring up. Even during the Mas Selamat incident, I felt that all the Singaporeans regardless of religions were united to seek his arrest and seek for accountability for those responsible in his escape. No racial disharmony or problems.
Of course Singaporeans agree to this.
Cmon Economic downturn will bottom up eventually but a ctry divided by religion will stay as such for a long time. And this will cause further economic crisis in SG. So this message is both timely and impt. As this will determine SG’s prosperity for the next decade. So for those religion extremist, keep it within ur sphere. No one needs to kn and hear ur preaching.
Come on lah PM Lee ! it is already proven MONEY is your religion and ditto for the famiLee and PAP goons.
Isn’t it a freaking joke , the one whose religion is MONEY, is dishing out words of wisdom on religion ?
He’s kinda stupid… religon. I long lost religon. Only care about myself in Singapore. I’m a selfish brat.
Gerald Giam has tackled this topic before, in his blog and here on TOC.
Why do we keep reminding ourselves of our different religion and race and languages – when in our Pledge… “one united people…” “regardless of race, language or religion…”
why does it happen in filling up forms, in our identity cards, etc… why?
My theory is because they NEED to keep reminding us of our differences. knowing we’re different will create some form of fear, some form of differences.
Its a Machiavellian idea – to maintain fear between people.. With fear of each other, that will keep people seperate. Then the leadership can maintain order and control by saying that they keep the peace.
Yes, i agree very much with Gilbert’s point comment #1.
If one is poor, or one’s education performance is lacking, dont one should receive help as a Singaporean? why the division along races?
If its a national programme, then let it be fair and equal. AND THEN, if any religious group or racial group, or clan group, wants to raise charities to help themselves, to supplement what the govt is doing, then fine.
The Shaw Foundation has been doing it excellently for many many years.
I have to agree with PM Lee – the examples of the funeral / wedding are timely reminders.
Let us now gently urge the PAP govt to remove the racially charged Sinda / CDAC / Mendaki.
Ms Denise Phua has mentioned in her parliament speech that we need an umbrella body for such assistance scheme – it was a challenge to Bala that was not taken up.
I guess the PAP would rather make it ‘messy’ and ‘unwieldy’ so that help is not convenient and people would rather stay off ‘welfare’. But imagine the costs and duplication involved for the taxpayers…. sigh.
Given our world class government – it would be easy to have 1 body instead of 4…..
I refer to whyEnglish’s comment on 17 Aug.
How else do you expect the different races to communicate? In Mandarin?
This is not China.