Ensure secular space for all

June 4, 2009

Ensure secular space for all

Each S'porean must be given space to practise own religion without imposition of others' views, says Lim Hwee Hua

By Yen Feng
		Second Minister for Finance and Transport Lim Hwee Hua (left) said having a common secular space would allow 'each Singaporean the personal and private space to practise his own religion without having the views of others imposed upon him'. -- ST PHOTO: ALBERT SIM

SINGAPOREANS must guard the country's secular space to ensure that trust, confidence and respect between people of different races and religions will continue to grow.

In making this call on Wednesday, Second Minister for Finance and Transport Lim Hwee Hua said having a common secular space would allow 'each Singaporean the personal and private space to practise his own religion without having the views of others imposed upon him'.

POTENTIAL DIVIDE 'Singaporeans must not allow economic difficulties to spill over into irrational or emotional resentment along issues of race and religion.' Second Minister for Finance and Transport Lim Hwee Hua, on one of three 'stress points' that could test the social fabric in bad times ... more

She was addressing some 360 students from 54 secondary schools at a student leaders' convention at Hwa Chong Institution, which began on Tuesday.

In her keynote speech, Mrs Lim referred to three 'stress points' - first mentioned by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong during the May Day Rally last month - that could test the social fabric of Singapore, especially given the current difficult economic times.

One 'stress point' is that between races and religions, she said.

Mrs Lim returned to this point during a question-and-answer session following her speech. Asked by a student to elaborate on laws to protect secularism here, she referred to the recent leadership tussle in the Association of Women for Action and Research (Aware) and said: 'In this common space, we cannot impose our religions on others. All of us have to carefully guard against that.'

Speaking to The Straits Times later, she added: 'We must look out for indications, of people who are pushing too far, who test the limits. All stakeholders - parents, schools and individuals - have to remind themselves and one another of the need for a secular space.'

The Aware controversy sparked a divisive debate on issues such as religion and homosexuality.

The other 'stress points', Mrs Lim said, were between Singaporeans and non-Singaporeans, and between the more successful and less successful.

To avoid potential divides in these areas, she said, Singaporeans have to remember the nation's immigrant history and to invest in education so that lower-income groups continue to have opportunities for social mobility.

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