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MM's views on Muslims not Govt's
BY KENNY CHEE
THE views on Singapore Muslims expressed by Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew in a new book are his personal opinions, and not those of the Government, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said yesterday.
PM Lee added that despite a global trend of people, including Singaporeans, becoming more religious today than 50 years ago, the Muslim community here "has made great efforts to integrate with the other communities and with Singapore society to join the mainstream".
At the same time, PM Lee said that Singapore should be careful to not let changing social and religious norms "evolve so that differences in food, dress, customs, and so on keep us apart or reduce our common space".
Speaking to the media on the sidelines of a community event at Yio Chu Kang Community Club, PM Lee said that MM Lee's views were based on his experience of watching Singapore's society evolve over more than 50 years.
He said that MM Lee's opinions were also based on other societies around the world that faced challenges in integrating as a nation and community, as well as the risks Singapore faces if its people are not careful.
"But my own perspective on how things are in Singapore is not quite the same asMMLee's," he said, adding that his view is shared by the Government.
MM Lee's remarks on Singapore Muslims in the book Lee Kuan Yew: Hard Truths To Keep Singapore Going, launched on Jan 21, have evoked concerns among members of the Muslim community here.
In the book, MM Lee said that "Muslims socially do not cause any trouble, but they are distinct and separate".
On how Muslims could integrate, he said: "Be less strict on Islamic observances and say, 'Okay, I'll eat with you.'" Last Friday, the Association of Muslim Professionals issued a strongly worded statement to seek clarification on whether MM Lee's comments on the Muslim community reflected the thinking of the Government.
It added that his comments "have hurt the community and are potentially divisive".
Last Saturday, Dr Yaacob Ibrahim, Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs, said he disagreed with MM Lee's views on Muslims but added they describe a "worst-case scenario", and urged Singapore Muslims to take them in perspective.
Yesterday, the Fellowship of Muslim Students Association issued a statement to remind the Muslim community "to remain focused on the positives" despite concern over MM Lee's comments.
PM Lee said he believes that Singapore Malays "strive to be good Muslims and good Singaporeans" and have taken a progressive view of Islam within Singapore's context.
He added that they are proud of their distinct identity as Singapore Muslims and this "has been recognised and commended by distinguished Islamic scholars".
He also noted that Muslims from the region have come to Singapore to study how Muslims here live and work with others, and contribute as a "successful community within a multi-racial society".
PM Lee said that Singapore Muslims have made "a special effort" to bridge the links between them and other communities, adding that ties between leaders of different religious faiths have also been close.
So, when issues such as the 9/11 incident and self-radicalised extremists come up, "we have been able to deal with them forthrightly, candidly and sensitively", he said.
PM Lee also called on Singaporeans to take the recent issue on Muslims as an impetus to improve integration within the country.
On how Singaporeans could deal with future issues of race, language and religion, he said: "Let's take (them) calmly, sit back, and understand the progress we have made.
"But, at the same time, consider carefully where our weaknesses and the risks might be, and what changes we need to make."
When asked how the recent Muslim issue would affect the upcoming General Election, PM Lee said he hopes "that the community will consider this in a positive light and... vote for the party which looks after them".
[email protected]
BY KENNY CHEE
THE views on Singapore Muslims expressed by Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew in a new book are his personal opinions, and not those of the Government, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said yesterday.
PM Lee added that despite a global trend of people, including Singaporeans, becoming more religious today than 50 years ago, the Muslim community here "has made great efforts to integrate with the other communities and with Singapore society to join the mainstream".
At the same time, PM Lee said that Singapore should be careful to not let changing social and religious norms "evolve so that differences in food, dress, customs, and so on keep us apart or reduce our common space".
Speaking to the media on the sidelines of a community event at Yio Chu Kang Community Club, PM Lee said that MM Lee's views were based on his experience of watching Singapore's society evolve over more than 50 years.
He said that MM Lee's opinions were also based on other societies around the world that faced challenges in integrating as a nation and community, as well as the risks Singapore faces if its people are not careful.
"But my own perspective on how things are in Singapore is not quite the same asMMLee's," he said, adding that his view is shared by the Government.
MM Lee's remarks on Singapore Muslims in the book Lee Kuan Yew: Hard Truths To Keep Singapore Going, launched on Jan 21, have evoked concerns among members of the Muslim community here.
In the book, MM Lee said that "Muslims socially do not cause any trouble, but they are distinct and separate".
On how Muslims could integrate, he said: "Be less strict on Islamic observances and say, 'Okay, I'll eat with you.'" Last Friday, the Association of Muslim Professionals issued a strongly worded statement to seek clarification on whether MM Lee's comments on the Muslim community reflected the thinking of the Government.
It added that his comments "have hurt the community and are potentially divisive".
Last Saturday, Dr Yaacob Ibrahim, Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs, said he disagreed with MM Lee's views on Muslims but added they describe a "worst-case scenario", and urged Singapore Muslims to take them in perspective.
Yesterday, the Fellowship of Muslim Students Association issued a statement to remind the Muslim community "to remain focused on the positives" despite concern over MM Lee's comments.
PM Lee said he believes that Singapore Malays "strive to be good Muslims and good Singaporeans" and have taken a progressive view of Islam within Singapore's context.
He added that they are proud of their distinct identity as Singapore Muslims and this "has been recognised and commended by distinguished Islamic scholars".
He also noted that Muslims from the region have come to Singapore to study how Muslims here live and work with others, and contribute as a "successful community within a multi-racial society".
PM Lee said that Singapore Muslims have made "a special effort" to bridge the links between them and other communities, adding that ties between leaders of different religious faiths have also been close.
So, when issues such as the 9/11 incident and self-radicalised extremists come up, "we have been able to deal with them forthrightly, candidly and sensitively", he said.
PM Lee also called on Singaporeans to take the recent issue on Muslims as an impetus to improve integration within the country.
On how Singaporeans could deal with future issues of race, language and religion, he said: "Let's take (them) calmly, sit back, and understand the progress we have made.
"But, at the same time, consider carefully where our weaknesses and the risks might be, and what changes we need to make."
When asked how the recent Muslim issue would affect the upcoming General Election, PM Lee said he hopes "that the community will consider this in a positive light and... vote for the party which looks after them".
[email protected]
