SINGAPORE: Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong acknowledged that it is “most unlikely” that Singapore will ever reach the point where a “guiding hand” on race and religion issues is no longer necessary, at the National Council of Churches of Singapore’s 50th Anniversary Thanksgiving Dinner on Wednesday evening (24 July).

Emphasizing the fragile nature of Singapore’s peace and harmony and the necessity of ongoing efforts to maintain it, the former Prime Minister highlighted the challenges other societies face with racial and religious divisions, pointing to conflicts in the Middle East and Southeast Asia, including the situation of the Rohingyas in Myanmar.

He warned that these external troubles could impact Singapore due to its diverse population and openness to global events, as he noted: “These external troubles have a real impact on Singapore, on our society. All the major faiths are present here, and religion plays a big part in many Singaporeans’ lives. And being so open and connected to the world, our people are constantly and completely exposed to external events and developments.”

Addressing the question of whether the government should relax its oversight on race and religion, Mr Lee said that while the way these sensitive matters are handled could evolve as society evolves, they “will never cease to be sensitive.” He said, “It is most unli...