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[h=2]Valid
OB Markers[/h]
September 16th, 2012 |
Author: Contributions
Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) and Minister for Home Affairs
Teo Chee Hean said freedom of expression does not mean that one has
unfettered rights to insult and denigrate another’s religion or race.
This position is correct and wise.
Religion is one of the three cans of worm – race, language and religion –
that once opened is extremely difficult to close. More important, it has
unintended consequences with long lasting impacts. For this reason it is one of
those subjects best left alone so long as it stays within the confines of
private practices and do not intrude into the public domain.
This position was first articulated by Lee Kuan Yew during the early years of
his rule and it marked him as a wise leader deserving of respect and admiration.
He certainly won my admiration and respect then. It was only in latter years
that he took it upon himself to open the three cans of worm that was proscribed
by an unwritten code of social harmony of his own making.
The race, language and religion issues were the earliest OB Markers laid down
by the government. It made sense and the people were behind the government 101%
on this matter.
Like all good things that turns bad when overcooked and overdone so can a
perfectly good idea like OB Markers instituted in the name of social harmony. It
is one thing to declare sensitive topics like race, language and religion out of
bound to one and all. It quite another to also declare discussion on the
behavior of the person who came up with the idea of declaring the three cans of
worm out of bound as well. Even more pestiferous is the ruling party’s attempts
to leverage on the one good idea that is socially beneficial and make a mockery
of it by claiming legal immunity from wrongdoings even remotely arising out of
an infinite degree of separation from it.
It is this ruling party’s pernicious mischievous habit of claiming immunity
from any criticism that is making it lose credibility with the people. Its
relentless campaign against any and all forms of opposition, with the help of
the state media and blinkered judiciary, is galling to say the least. Without
the shadow of a doubt it is taking the art of hypocrisy to new heights.
Having said that, the people must rise to the occasion and not sink to the
depravity of the ruling party in their attempt to hold on to power way past
their stay of welcome. We must recognise that the three cans of worm – race,
language and religion – is a valid and sensible OB Marker and must remain caged
and confined. Not only that, we must voice our bipartisan disapproval
vociferously no matter who breaches it. None shall be immune from social
opprobrium and even legal sanction if warranted.
To rise to the occasion in this instance is to applaud and support Deputy
Prime Minister (DPM) and Minister for Home Affairs Teo Chee Hean’s caution
against unfettered freedom of expression on matters of religion whereby it can
lead to social unrest. It is the right call and all of us should stand by him on
this issue.
.
Apolitical
.
OB Markers[/h]
Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) and Minister for Home Affairs
Teo Chee Hean said freedom of expression does not mean that one has
unfettered rights to insult and denigrate another’s religion or race.
This position is correct and wise.
Religion is one of the three cans of worm – race, language and religion –
that once opened is extremely difficult to close. More important, it has
unintended consequences with long lasting impacts. For this reason it is one of
those subjects best left alone so long as it stays within the confines of
private practices and do not intrude into the public domain.
This position was first articulated by Lee Kuan Yew during the early years of
his rule and it marked him as a wise leader deserving of respect and admiration.
He certainly won my admiration and respect then. It was only in latter years
that he took it upon himself to open the three cans of worm that was proscribed
by an unwritten code of social harmony of his own making.
The race, language and religion issues were the earliest OB Markers laid down
by the government. It made sense and the people were behind the government 101%
on this matter.
Like all good things that turns bad when overcooked and overdone so can a
perfectly good idea like OB Markers instituted in the name of social harmony. It
is one thing to declare sensitive topics like race, language and religion out of
bound to one and all. It quite another to also declare discussion on the
behavior of the person who came up with the idea of declaring the three cans of
worm out of bound as well. Even more pestiferous is the ruling party’s attempts
to leverage on the one good idea that is socially beneficial and make a mockery
of it by claiming legal immunity from wrongdoings even remotely arising out of
an infinite degree of separation from it.
It is this ruling party’s pernicious mischievous habit of claiming immunity
from any criticism that is making it lose credibility with the people. Its
relentless campaign against any and all forms of opposition, with the help of
the state media and blinkered judiciary, is galling to say the least. Without
the shadow of a doubt it is taking the art of hypocrisy to new heights.
Having said that, the people must rise to the occasion and not sink to the
depravity of the ruling party in their attempt to hold on to power way past
their stay of welcome. We must recognise that the three cans of worm – race,
language and religion – is a valid and sensible OB Marker and must remain caged
and confined. Not only that, we must voice our bipartisan disapproval
vociferously no matter who breaches it. None shall be immune from social
opprobrium and even legal sanction if warranted.
To rise to the occasion in this instance is to applaud and support Deputy
Prime Minister (DPM) and Minister for Home Affairs Teo Chee Hean’s caution
against unfettered freedom of expression on matters of religion whereby it can
lead to social unrest. It is the right call and all of us should stand by him on
this issue.
.
Apolitical
.
