Amid threats to social harmony, grassroots need to engage beyond the CCs
Deputy Chairman of the People’s Association (PA) Chan Chun Sing speaking at at the annual PA Grassroots Seminar on Saturday, Oct 28. Photo: People's Association
SINGAPORE – The shifting geopolitical forces, technological disruption, the rise of more cause-based groups and radical religious ideologies share one common thread – they pose a threat to Singapore’s social cohesion, warned Deputy Chairman of the People’s Association (PA) Chan Chun Sing on Saturday (Oct 28).
To address these key challenges, Mr Chan stressed that grassroots networks need to expand their reach beyond community centres and the typical events held, and connect with residents through innovative programmes that leverage technology, for instance.
Citing PA’s mission to promote racial harmony and social cohesion, when it was established as a statutory board in 1960, Mr Chan said that grassroots organisations have to be cognisant of the changing global landscape and its impact on the country’s social fabric.
Mr Chan was speaking at the annual PA Grassroots Seminar held at the Singapore Expo, which was attended by over 1,000 grassroots volunteers.
As China’s economy continues to grow, and while the United States goes on a different trajectory in its foreign policy and other countries growing in strength, there is bound to be a shift in the power balance, he noted.
And the contest of influence will affect Singapore’s social cohesion, although Mr Chan did not elaborate further.
At the same time, technological disruptions are sweeping into countries around the world, creating both challenges and opportunities such as allowing local companies to venture into other markets.
“The economic disruptions may create winners and also create another group of people who are less able to keep pace with the change. That will have an impact on the social fabric of our country,” said Mr Chan.
Today, the country is also witnessing the rise of a diversity of causes being pursued. Although it is “good” that Singaporeans are “more cause conscious”, there is an underlying challenge: How can individuals pursue various interests but remain united and not divisive, said Mr Chan.
Without mentioning specific groups, he added that even as passion runs high, “we must remember we’ll always put our country first”.
Pointing out that radical ideologies also run counter to the mission of building a cohesive society, Mr Chan said that there is “no guarantee” that Singaporeans will not be affected by external influences. Some religious preachers, for example, propagate exclusivism.
He also cautioned that another challenge is when religion is mixed in politics, and it is critical to keep these two forces separate from one another as Singapore has done for the past few decades.
At the seminar last year, Mr Chan had called on the 1,800 grassroots organisations to widen its reach beyond their respective constituencies, which include engaging with civic groups and voluntary welfare organisations.
And they must continue on this path to connect with residents of various backgrounds to understand their concerns and aspirations, he noted.
For instance, grassroots volunteers at Pasir Panjang private estate at Telok Blangah have taken to engaging neighbourhood shops and religious organisations in the area to find out more about residents’ concerns, after realising that these places are where people tend to congregate and chat about policies and current state of affairs.
“How do we think beyond just engaging the regulars? How do we think beyond events? How do we think beyond the community centres? Can we not leverage the network of partnerships that we have to do things to engage our residents to serve their needs beyond what we can do at the community centres,” said Mr Chan.
