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SINGAPORE: The government is monitoring ground reactions here after recent attacks on places of worship in Malaysia.
Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng said ground reactions in Singapore have largely been calm.
In recent weeks there were attacks on churches in Malaysia after the High Court allowed a Catholic newspaper to use the word 'Allah' to denote God.
"I think Singaporeans must have a care not to bring problems like this to themselves," said DPM Wong at a community event in Singapore on Sunday.
"We live in an inter-connected world, we cannot be divorced from what happens in other countries. But at the same time we must be rational, and examine: when we bring such problems to our shores, what are we trying to do? Are we trying to express sympathy only, or will doing so result in more problems for our own community?"
Race and religion have always been seen as a potential minefield in Singapore.
And it's a perennial concern of authorities that if such issues are not handled quickly and carefully, they could erupt into something more serious.
With more immigrants coming to Singapore, efforts are being made to help new citizens and permanent residents understand the nation's ethnic realities.
For example, the National Integration Council will launch the Singapore Citizenship Journey in March this year.
The online programme will give information on Singapore's cultures, values and key institutions.
Mr Wong said: "Those who come here to make a living, to make this their home, ought to understand the local context and not allow what happens in their own home to affect what happens in Singapore."
Ethnic realities also mean that race-based policies will remain.
On the recent move to allow a person's mixed heritage to be recorded in official papers, Mr Wong said it is to give such individuals a choice. Whether that choice is exercised or not, it is up to them.
- CNA/ir
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