Racial and religious harmony must be continually worked on to be preserved: PM Lee

SINGAPORE — Racial and religious harmony in Singapore is a “very unnatural state of affairs”, and is something that needs to be continually worked on to be preserved, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.

Speaking at the Taoist Federation’s 25th anniversary celebrations today (April 15), he said a report last year by the Pew Research Centre ranked Singapore as the most religiously diverse country. Yet, the different racial and religious communities are able to coexist peacefully. That is because a multi-racial and multi-religious society is a key ideal that Singapore was founded upon, said Mr Lee.

He also cited the Book of Dao and its Virtues, which said good governance requires parsimony, or a “limitless store of virtue”.

“So our mindset should be to keep on building, keep on saving, keep on being good stewards, to keep Singapore going for a long time,” said Mr Lee. “And not to think that perhaps we have done enough, or saved enough, and can afford to ease off, do less, and enjoy more. This is how we developed and continued to build over the last 50 years, and this is how we should carry on.”

Singapore needs to keep its society open and inclusive and the commitment of religious leaders to build trust and friendships with other communites plays an important role, he added.

“As religious leaders, you lead by example — your communities look to you as role models, how you counsel and lead your congregations will shape religious relations in Singapore,” said Mr Lee. “So, I am glad that many of our religious leaders are committed to build trust and friendships with other communities.”

An example of that was the Taoist Federation inviting guests of all races and religions to its celebrations today to share a meal, said Mr Lee. It is through such personal interactions that trust and goodwill can continue to be built up among religious leaders, and communities are brought closer to one another, he added.