Multicultural exchanges are critical to promoting cohesion and integration in the Singaporean society, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at Hwa Chong Institution’s 100th anniversary on 21 March 2019.

PM Lee also said every school should uphold the spirit of openness and tolerance, as it helps to preserve the foundation of Singapore’s multiracial and multicultural society.

This spirit was also echoed by Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong when he urged the leaders of the Inter-Religious Organisation to continue to protect inter-faith harmony and guard against religious extremism and segregationist practices

“Regardless of our own beliefs, we must always protect the freedom to interact with one another as friends, neighbours and fellow Singaporeans,” he said.

These comments come in the wake of the recent attack in Christchurch where a gunman opened fire in a mosque, killing 50 Muslims. Singapore’s leaders have since condemned the attacks with religious leaders pledging solidarity with Muslims in Singapore.

Separately, Minister for Law and Home Affairs Mr K Shanmugam called for tough laws to fight hate speech. 

“Online tech companies and platforms don’t do enough to take down anti-Muslim messages. In Singapore, we take a very no-nonsense approach even though we get criticised for it… We make no apologies for the approach we take and we will continue to take a tough and strict approach, but a fair approach, across all communities.,” he said.

Mr Shanmugam said a motion will be tabled in Parliament next month, on structuring race relations and the Government’s comprehensive and contextualise position on the matter.