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SINGAPORE: Singapore needs diversity to be able to respond to the changing environment, said Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Information, Communications and the Arts, Dr Balaji Sadasivan.
Speaking at a dinner on Sunday for the University of Michigan Alumni in Singapore, he added that while society must be tolerant to different views, diversity must not be allowed to cause discord.
One controversial issue is homosexuality.
Dr Balaji noted that the vast majority of Singaporeans take a centre position.
But, reiterating Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Dr Balaji said the issue of Section 377A of the Penal Code, which deems sex between men a crime, will not be debated in the revision to the Code.
This is because it is a divisive issue and a debate will not yield any practical benefits.
He said: "To deal with a discussion on that issue will, to a large degree, depend on the state of views among Singaporeans. At a less divisive time, we may be able to discuss it, but at this point in time, it is not going to do any good for Singaporeans."
Dr Balaji also commented on the recent political uprising in Myanmar.
He said that about a year ago, ASEAN took a step back from Myanmar because the association decided it was not in a position to defend the country internationally.
So when the crackdown took place recently, ASEAN responded with a strongly worded statement.
He said ASEAN would do what it can to help Myanmar, but said the whole international community has to make an effort to have any effect on the country's military government.
- CNA/so
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