S’pore’s peace, harmony cannot be taken for granted: Heng

SINGAPORE — In the face of racial and religious divisions that have led to terror attacks around the world, the harmonious ties in Singapore should not be taken for granted and require constant safeguarding, said Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat yesterday.

Mr Heng was speaking at the launch of the “Harmony Train”, a North-East Line train emblazoned with stickers and decals to promote diversity and harmony in Singapore. The train, a joint initiative by Thye Hua Kwan Moral Society (THK) and the National Youth Council (NYC), will run 18 hours a day for the next six to eight weeks.

Citing the horrific attacks that recently took place in Manchester, London, Brussels and the Philippines, Mr Heng said that Singaporeans have also been “shaken” by the news of recent arrests of self-radicalised young citizens here who sought to be a part of mayhem and destruction.

Last week, the authorities announced that two auxiliary police officers had been dealt with under the Internal Security Act.

One was detained for wanting to take part in the sectarian conflict in Syria by taking up arms for the Free Syrian Army, and another was issued a restriction order for supporting his colleague’s intention to undertake armed violence.

Before that, an infant-care assistant was also detained under the Act for being radicalised.

At the event held at the Harbourfront MRT Station yesterday, Mr Heng said that thankfully these cases were detected early, before the individuals could do more harm to themselves or to others.

“(But) harmony, trust and friendship are gifts, not accidents; not to be taken for granted,” he stressed.

When differences threaten to divide Singaporeans, they should remember the common goals of wanting the country to be a peaceful place and one that offers good opportunities for all. Singaporeans should also “make the most of our diversity” through frank and frequent communication, added Mr Heng. Safeguarding the special harmony and peace here should also be regarded as a “perpetual work-in-progress”.

“We don’t just reach a final point, and say to ourselves: ‘Hey, we’re there already, no need to make any more effort’,” said Mr Heng. “(Harmony) requires our careful and constant collective cultivation and safeguarding.”

The Harmony Train is part of THK’s Inter Racial Inter Religious Harmony Nite that it has been organising for 13 years.

Last year, the charity organised a Harmony Truck that roved around the heartlands to spread the message of racial and religious harmony.

More than 420,000 commuters are expected to ride the Harmony Train daily. THK designed half of the six carriages with pink, purple and blue stickers that contain messages such as: “Diversity makes us one. A celebration of togetherness.”

The other three carriages were designed by the NYC, featuring images of various local foods from the different racial communities such as pineapple tarts, ondeh ondeh and murukku.

“This reflects the uniqueness of food, particularly to the Singapore culture, as something of a common denominator, bringing together people of different backgrounds through a shared experience,” said the NYC.

More than 100 brands have pledged their commitment to racial and religious harmony through the Harmony Train this year, where their logos were included in the designs in the train cabins.

Commuter Ong Chong Kai, 25, said the colourful designs on the cabin would draw the attention of those taking the train. While racial harmony is something that has been emphasised to Singaporeans since they were young, such messaging can help reinforce the message, he said.