Singaporean identity strengthened by global crises, dealing with sensitive issues but tackling racism requires more work: PM Lee

SINGAPORE: The Singaporean identity is stronger than it was 20 years ago, as the nation has weathered many storms that helped foster better understanding and respect among people, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said.

Speaking in two separate interviews with local media, Mr Lee cited the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic and the global economic crisis in 2007 and 2008 as examples of major global and regional crises that Singaporeans overcame together.

Closer to home, Mr Lee said the passing of Singapore’s founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew in 2015 was an "enormous outpouring of emotions, of a shared experience and bonding", and noted how Singaporeans were able to bridge differences in sensitive issues such as the repeal of Section 377A of the Penal Code and allowing Muslim nurses to wear the tudung at work.

“(The way we dealt with these issues) enabled us to understand each other better and to accept each other's differences, respect each other and work out practical arrangements for that,” said Mr Lee. 

“I have no doubt the identity is stronger. It is 20 more years of nation building, 20 more years of ups and downs, trials and tribulations, joys and sorrows.”

Mr Lee was responding to a question from CNA about the strength of the Singaporean identity, following a number of such sensitive issues that came to the fore during his term as Prime Minister.

The interviews, which were conducted three weeks before he passes the baton to Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on May 15, were in English and Chinese on Apr 26 and 28 respectively.

The 2.5-hour English interview covered a wide range of topics that came forth during Mr Lee's 40-year career in politics, including the quality of debates between the People’s Action Party (PAP) and the opposition, and ways to foster more political interest among today’s youth.

JEMAAH ISLAMIYAH AND HOW GOVERNMENT HANDLES SENSITIVE ISSUES

In particular, Mr Lee said the threat of Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) after the Sep 11, 2001 attacks was as an important issue that Singapore had to deal with, as it was sensitive and “could easily have caused a very big problem”. 

JI is an Islamist terrorist organisation founded in 1993 and gained notoriety for its involvement in various attacks, most notably the 2002 Bali bombings, which killed over 200 people, and the 2003 Marriott Hotel bombing in Jakarta.

Its earliest plans to carry out attacks in Singapore date back to the mid-1990s, long before the events of 9/11. It had identified close to 80 targets in Singapore and came close to carrying out attacks, but the plans were successfully foiled by security agencies here.

With JI being a longstanding terrorism threat, Mr Lee said the authorities kept watch for two decades to ensure public safety.

“You had to keep on watching it and worry whether something would suddenly go bang and then you are in serious trouble. Or you have a crisis to handle to prevent serious trouble. So that is a continuing challenge over 20 years.”

During the interview, Mr Lee recalled how he and his predecessor, Mr Goh Chok Tong, worked with the Malay-Muslim community and the Religious Rehabilitation Group to encourage open conversations about their worries following the 9/11 attacks and why Singaporeans should not fear one another.

“After all that we came through, we were fortunate, we have not had any terrorist attacks in Singapore so far... (though) several were aborted (in a timely fashion) by our security agencies. 

“(The attacks) could have happened easily, but it did not,” said Mr Lee, adding that going through the experience of community engagements helped bring Singapore closer together as a nation. 

He cited this example to illustrate how the government cannot “take the hands off the steering wheel” on issues like these. For “forever sensitive” issues, Mr Lee said the government needs to set the tone, and there must be limits to the discussion. 

“If we are going to … make a major move, for example, on the tudung for nurses, or decriminalising male homosexuality, if the government does not make it, it is not going to happen, or it is going to happen in a very chaotic and very contentious way.” 

He brought up the United States as an example of how the federal government is unable to legislate on abortion. 

He cited the infamous case of Roe vs Wade, a landmark legal case in 1973 that revolved around the issue of abortion rights. The ruling by the Supreme Court effectively legalised abortion nationwide and established the framework for abortion laws. 

Despite it being a legal case concerning judicial issues, Mr Lee said the issue took on a more political tone in American society. 

“And it is being fought out again, 40 years, 50 years after (the ruling) in the political arena in all of the states, and again in the federal government and in the presidential elections. 

“So, I think it is better for the government to guide it, allow more discussions, allow a freer exchange of views, and allow more liberal practices, too. But I think we have to handle this with great care, always.” 

ON RACISM AND XENOPHOBIA

Mr Lee then said that as a multiracial and multicultural society, it is unavoidable that racism permeates all levels of society.

Although this occurs less in Singapore than in most other countries, Mr Lee affirmed that the government will keep working to move things in the right direction.

“To make (racism) completely disappear, I think, would be very difficult. I think that we will improve, we will do more... to nudge this in the right direction. 

“For example, the workplace discrimination legislation we are working on. I think it would make a difference. Ultimately, I do not believe that you can completely make this disappear.” 

He was referring to a proposed law against workplace discrimination later this year, which has yet to be introduced in parliament. The proposed law seeks to prohibit workplace discrimination based on a set of characteristics, including age, race, gender, and marital status. 

Instead of striving to eradicate racism, Mr Lee said leaders must take a stance when something “outrageous" happens that sparks public outcry, adding that such events do happen from time to time.

But he also noted that leaders should exercise some judgment of the situation before doing so. A stern stance could be seen as an overreaction over, for example, a “foolish" post on social media, he said. 

“Sometimes, if there is a small incident and you overreact, and everybody gets hyped up overnight because (somebody made a) foolish post, I think it is not really the wisest way to handle it … You cannot have a maximum response every time,” he said.

HOW 4G LEADERS ARE MEETING THESE CHALLENGES

In terms of the most difficult challenge, Mr Lee said it is managing the inherent tensions between wanting social cohesion among Singaporeans and being open to bringing in foreign talent, as well as making people feel comfortable instead of feeling threatened or having social tensions build up.

Asked about the sense of trust between the PAP's fourth generation (4G) leadership team and the Malay-Muslim community in approaching sensitive issues within the community, Mr Lee said: “I think both sides are working at it.” 

Mr Lee noted how DPM Wong recently attended buka puasa (breaking of fast) sessions during Hari Raya Puasa, and also met religious leaders, Malay MPs, and activists in the PAP during the Ramadan period recently.

“All this will be part of the work of developing that relationship, mutual confidence and trust, understanding each other, where you stand, what you can say yes to, and what you can ask for, but the government will probably be unable to agree to it. 

“And it will take time to build up, but I am sure they will be able to do it.” 

This article was originally published in TODAY.