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SINGAPORE: Home Affairs Minister Wong Kan Seng has said he is glad to note that Pastor Rony Tan has realised his mistake and has met the Buddhist and Taoist leaders to personally apologise for his actions.
Mr Wong said he is also heartened to learn that the leaders have accepted Pastor Tan's apology and have urged restraint on the part of their religious communities.
Mr Wong, who is also the Deputy Prime Minister, was responding to media queries to comment on the insensitive remarks made by Pastor Tan.
He said that the government cannot allow anyone to exploit and escalate any issue to whip up emotions and tensions on the ground between Singapore's ethnic and religious communities.
Mr Wong said mutual respect, tolerance and restraint are critical to maintaining communal peace and harmony in the country's multi-ethnic, multi-religious society.
He added that religious leaders must lead and set the right example in this regard.
Mr Wong said that while Singaporeans are free to propagate their religious beliefs, it must never be by way of insulting the religious beliefs of others. He added that this is a fundamental OB marker that everyone must all steer by in Singapore.
Mr Wong also addressed concerns on why the three youths on Facebook were treated differently from Pastor Tan. The youths were arrested last month after posting racist remarks on Facebook.
Mr Wong said that it is a very serious matter if anyone is investigated by the Internal Security Department. He added that it is not less serious than getting investigated by the police.
The minister said the bottomline in such cases is to ensure that the OB markers are clear and that transgressions are dealt with in a balanced and professional manner.
In the case of the Facebook incident, a complaint was made to the police. The police are investigating and will refer it to the Attorney General's Chambers.
Mr Wong added that the police investigation should take place without interference or prejudging or speculating what that outcome will be or should be.
- CNA/ir
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