TaBooB we did invite Islamic Banking into Singapore did we ?

[Watchman]

MM Lee was describing "worst-case scenario": Dr Yaacob
By Hoe Yeen Nie | Posted: 29 January 2011 1700 hrs
Yaacob Ibrahim

Yaacob Ibrahim


SINGAPORE: The Minister-in-Charge of Muslim Affairs said
Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew was describing a "worst-case
scenario" when he recently spoke about the Malay Muslim community.
Dr Yaacob Ibrahim, who was at a cheque presentation ceremony at
Yayasan Mendaki, was responding to media queries regarding Mr Lee's
comments in his latest book, titled "Hard Truths To Keep Singapore Going".
Mr Lee had said that multi-racialism in Singapore was "progressing very
nicely until the surge of Islam came". Dr Yaacob said the rise in religiosity
in almost all faith communities has been described as a reaction to
modernisation and noted that Mr Lee believed these reactions can be
divisive and saw it as his responsibility to warn Singaporeans about the
possible risks in society. Dr Yaacob added that Singapore is a secular
country that respects and protects the rights of Muslims to practise
their own religion, and this is fundamental to Singapore's identity.
"Many Muslims and non-Muslims in Singapore have commented on MM's
remarks about Muslims...They have told me, and told us, that the
scenario painted by MM is not the reality that they face in the day-to-day
lives that they experience here in Singapore.
"To me, that is a very good sign. I would be personally very worried if
Singaporeans agree with the scenario that MM has painted, because it
means that for us to be a committed Muslim or of any other faith, is
incompatible with being a loyal citizen." Asked for his comments on the
response by Muslims, Dr Yaacob said he expected a reaction.
"Let's look at this rationally, read the book and understand where he's
coming from. And don't just read one book, see MM in his whole lifespan
and the struggles he has gone through. "At the end of the day, he has
a certain perspective. That perspective may not be accurate now, maybe
40 years ago. So that's where I disagree with him, as I mentioned, in the
book. That the reality on the ground is people are working together side by side."
Dr Yaacob declined to speculate on the impact the issue might have during the
general election, but said: "At the end of the day, as far as the government
policy is concerned, we want to integrate everybody, irrespective of your
race and religion...so let's put this in perspective."