SINGAPORE — Second Home Affairs Minister S Iswaran has urged Singaporeans to exercise calm and restraint in reacting to Tuesday’s (Feb 3) Thaipusam incident, where three men were arrested on for disorderly behaviour, after they confronted police over an issue of the playing of drums in public.

Speaking to the media today on the sidelines of an official visit to Spain, Mr Iswaran called on Singaporeans to stand together against a breakdown in law and order.

“In Singapore we are a multi-religious society. And all of us have to make certain accommodations and concessions. There must be mutual understanding and respect for each other’s practices,” he said. “Whilst we celebrate our respective festivals or events, we also need to take into account the need to maintain overall balance in society in order to preserve safety, law and order.”

Mr Iswaran said Singapore should not allow the actions of a few individuals disrupt the harmony Singaporeans have worked very hard to preserve over the years, adding he was concerned that there were misrepresentations or rumours online regarding the incident.

He also took pains to explain the rationale behind authorities’ approach to preserving public order during religious processions like Thaipusam, in relation to the playing of musical instruments. The restriction has been in place since 1973.

“The reason why there’s a restriction on the playing of musical instruments is because there have been fights breaking out between competing groups, and also disruption to the procession, and people participating in the procession - devotees were hindered,” he said. “So for a variety of reasons, there was a constraint imposed. But having said that, there is a provision and religious hymns can be sung, which is keeping in spirit with the sanctity and the spiritual nature of the event.”

The police had issued a statement on Wednesday saying the three men who had been arrested — all Singaporeans — had used vulgarities against police officers, and three officers had been assaulted. The three men were believed to have been drinking earlier as they smelt strongly of alcohol.

Investigations are ongoing. CHANNEL NEWSASIA