SINGAPORE: There are worrying trends of politicians in Singapore playing identity politics based on race and religion, said Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam on Friday (Sep 12).

He was speaking on the sidelines of a charity event at Laguna National Golf Resort Club, where reporters asked him about the murder of US right-wing activist Charlie Kirk.

The Coordinating Minister for National Security said that identity politics, such as asking for votes based on a specific identity such as skin colour or religion, was a “basic fundamental of politics”.

“We have seen that, and in every country there is political profit in doing that,” he said.

“If we go down that route, well, ultimately Singapore will suffer.”

He was responding to a question from CNA on whether Singapore could ever reach the current, polarising state of American politics.

“So far, we have largely avoided it, but I see worrying signs,” Mr Shanmugam added, but did not elaborate or provide specific examples.

Mr Kirk, an influential ally of US President Donald Trump, was fatally shot in the neck on Wednesday (Sep 10) while addressing a large outdoor crowd on the Utah Valley University campus in Orem, Utah.

Mr Trump on Thursday urged supporters to respond peacefully to Mr Kirk's death. 

Mr Trump, who soon after the killing angrily pledged a wide-ranging response against the "radical left", told reporters that Kirk had been "an advocate of non-violence".

Mr Shanmugam said that Singapore has largely kept away from identity politics.

Its ability to steer away from identity politics despite being one of the most religiously diverse places in the world is a "key difference" between Singapore and other countries, he said.

"And I hope Singaporeans will continue to eschew identity politics ... the moment we go down the route and we encourage politicians who play identity politics, then that's highly corrosive for society," he said.