SINGAPORE: Singapore must keep its laws on religious harmony up to date to deal with new threats, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said on Wednesday (Nov 7).
The Maintenance of Religious Harmony Act, which came into force in 1992, allows the Government to take action against those who incite enmity and hatred between religious groups.
Advertisement“We will have to keep the Act up to date to deal with new threats to our religious harmony that may emerge in time to come,” Mr Lee said.
For example, he cited a growing tendency towards religious extremism and terrorism as a “difficult issue”.
Mr Lee was speaking at this year’s International Conference Singapore, which touches on religious values in a plural world and is organised by the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS).
“Fortunately, the Government has never had to invoke the powers it has under the Act,” he said. “Nevertheless, by its very existence the Act has made an important contribution to our religious harmony.”
AdvertisementAdvertisementLaw and Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam said in 2017 that religious harmony laws will be tightened this year. These include laws forbidding religious leaders from promoting hatred and ill-will among different faith groups or furthering political causes.
[h=3]READ: Screening of foreign preachers in Singapore: Why and what's next?[/h]"MUSLIMS IN SINGAPORE THRIVING"
Mr Lee said that while religion plays a vital role in society, describing it as a source of moral guidance and contributions in education, community and social work, he acknowledged that it can be a “deeply personal matter”.
“Friction and misunderstandings can arise if religious sensitivities are ignored or offended. Especially at a time of heightened religiosity in many societies, when people are more conscious of their religious identities and convictions.
“Therefore, fostering good interfaith relations is critical for multi-religious societies like Singapore,” he said.
[h=3]READ: ‘A fight for the hearts and minds’: K Shanmugam on addressing radical content online[/h]Nevertheless, Singapore has established social norms of compromise and accommodation, although “we were not always like this”.
“But through a long period of sustained effort and socialisation, we have got here,” he added.
Mr Lee praised the work of MUIS, which he said “has been willing to confront and act on difficult issues”.
For example, it played a key role in clarifying public misconceptions and persuading the community regarding the Human Organ Transplant Act, which introduced opt-out rules for organ donation.
“As a result of MUIS’ efforts, Muslims in Singapore are thriving, making good progress in all fields and contributing as good citizens too,” he said.
Singapore will also hold an international conference on building interfaith relations next year, Mr Lee confirmed. The conference will bring together prominent thinkers, policy-makers and practitioners to exchange views on the theme of social cohesion.
“Maintaining religious harmony requires unremitting conscious effort and attention,” Mr Lee said.
“By creating opportunities for interfaith interaction and strengthening interfaith ties, we protect ourselves against forces which might otherwise one day tear our society asunder.”
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