April 2, 2025
SINGAPORE – Singapore must work hard to guard against powerful forces that could pull society further apart along racial and religious lines, said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on April 1.
The Republic must also redouble efforts to maintain social cohesion, he told about 1,000 guests at a dinner to celebrate the Taoist Federation’s 35th anniversary and Singapore’s 60th year of independence.
Among the guests were leaders of Singapore’s major religions, including representatives from Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism and Islam.
Their presence is a testament to the religious harmony Singapore enjoys, PM Wong said.
This did not happen by chance, but is the result of hard work by successive generations of Singaporeans, he noted. While the Government has passed laws and policies to protect and safeguard cohesion, religious leaders put in effort to build mutual trust and understanding, and Singaporeans have also helped build a harmonious and united society, he added.
Elaborating in Mandarin, PM Wong said 60 years – or “yi jia zi” – symbolises a complete life cycle in Chinese tradition and is an important milestone.
There are ups and downs in a person’s life, and the same might be said of Singapore’s progress in the last 60 years, he noted.
“Many did not look favourably on Singapore when it became independent in 1965,” PM Wong said. “But we succeeded in overcoming difficulties and creating miracles.”
The country not only survived, but also thrived, becoming a prosperous little red dot, he added.
Singapore’s founding fathers did not give up, creating a country where “everyone has the opportunity to succeed, regardless of race, language or religion”.
PM Wong noted that “yi jia zi” is not only a happy ending, but also a new beginning, adding that Singapore has to be ready for new challenges.
He said the world is at a turning point, with many countries torn apart owing to racial, religious or political issues.
Larger countries with abundant resources can continue to operate under such circumstances, but not Singapore, PM Wong added.
This is why it must do everything it can to unite and work together to overcome challenges, he said.
“Fortunately, multiculturalism has always been our strength,” he said. “We have different religious beliefs, but we have always respected each other and lived in harmony.”
The Prime Minister elaborated on the role that religious groups such as the Taoist Federation play in protecting racial and religious harmony.
For example, the federation has promoted Taoism and united the Taoist community, and also strengthened collaboration between religious groups, he said.
As a member of the National Steering Committee on Racial and Religious Harmony and the Inter-Religious Organisation, it has always encouraged its members to establish friendly ties with other religious groups, and promoted mutual understanding and respect.
For example, it has worked with the Singapore Buddhist Lodge and Jamiyah Singapore to provide bursaries to students from lower-income families.
In 2024, a number of Taoist temples also responded to the Racial and Religious Harmony Circles’ fund-raising campaign to help Gaza civilians.
“The Taoist Federation and other religious groups must play a more crucial role in strengthening mutual trust among our people,” PM Wong said.
Mr Tan Thiam Lye, president of the federation which has more than 500 members, said it will focus on areas such as training its youth, inter-religious cooperation, international exchanges, and enhancing online and bilingual communication.
Mr Tan is confident that the federation will grow at a rapid pace in the next 20 years.
“I urge all members to seize the opportunity to keep pace with the times and promote the faith, while contributing to Singapore’s racial and religious harmony,” he said.
- Chin Soo Fang is senior correspondent at The Straits Times covering topics such as community, politics, social issues, consumer, culture and heritage.