DPM ON AWARE SAGA: Don't mix religion, politics

May 14, 2009

DPM ON AWARE SAGA

Don't mix religion, politics

		Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng (left) warned that the Government would intervene if activism threatens Singapore's social fabric. --PHOTO: NP

THE Government has spelled out the rules of engagement for religious groups in the secular sphere, as it urged those involved in the recent Aware saga to calm down and move on.

While acknowledging that tussles are inevitable, Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng also warned that the Government would intervene if activism threatens Singapore's social fabric.

Responding to questions from The Straits Times on the recent leadership tussle at the Association for Women in Action and Research (Aware), Mr Wong on Thursday said categorically that keeping religion and politics apart was a key rule of political engagement here.

'Our political arena must always be a secular one,' he said in a detailed response to The Straits Times' queries.

'Our laws and policies do not derive from religious authority, but reflect the judgments and decisions of the secular Government and Parliament to serve the national interest and collective good.

'These laws and public policies apply equally to all, regardless of one's race, reglion or social status. This gives confidence that the system will give equal treatment and protection for all, regardless of which group one happens to belong to.

Asked to comment on Paster Derek Hong of the Church of Our Saviour using the pulpit to urge his flock to support the new Aware executive committee, which was eventually booted out after a raucous extraordinary general meeting two weeks ago, Mr Wong said: 'If religious group start to campaign to change certain government policies, or use the pulpit to mobilise their followers to pressure the government, or push aggressively to gain ground at the expense of other groups, this must lead to trouble.

'Keeping religion and politics separate is a key rule of political engagement.'

But he stressed that this did not mean the religious individuals were in any way more restricted than normal citizens.

'Religious individuals have the same rights as any citizen to express their views on issues in the public space, as guided by their teachings and personal conscience. However, like every citizen, they should always be mindful of the sensitivities of living in a multi-religious society,' said DPM Wong.

The Aware saga began on March 28, when a team of new members seized nine of the 12 positions on the exco.

What followed was weeks of accusations from both sides with the fight taking on a religious slant. Homosexuality also became a hot issue as the new guard said they had mounted a takeover because it felt Aware it was promoting lesbianism and homosexuality. Two weeks ago, the new exco was ousted at an EGM attended by over 3,000 members.

http://forums.delphiforums.com/sunkopitiam/messages?msg=28024.359