May 19, 2009
SOCIAL COHESION
Importance of harmony
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.
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