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SINGAPORE – The recent wave of racist incidents captured on video is a reminder that Singapore’s multiracialism cannot be taken for granted, Trade and Industry Minister Gan Kim Yong said on Thursday (June 10th).
While the stress of the pandemic can sometimes cause friction, Singaporeans need to remember that they live in a multiracial society and continue to work to build cohesion, he added.
“It’s like a vaccination – to vaccinate us against anti-racial feelings,” he said.
“We have to keep working with each other. And basically the virus doesn’t recognize language, religion or race.”
During a virtual press conference on Thursday, the minister answered a question about these incidents and how the Covid-19 pandemic may have contributed to them.
In a viral video, Ngee Ann Polytechnic speaker Tan Boon Lee was seen berating ice cream shop owner Dave Parkash, of Indian and Filipino descent.
Mr. Tan had, among other things, told Mr. Parkash that it was a shame for a Chinese woman and an Indian man to go out together.
In another video, a Chinese woman bangs a gong loudly as her neighbor, an Indian, rings a bell as part of her Hindu prayer routine.
Finance Minister Lawrence Wong said: “Whenever we see something like this happen, I think we should take a stand – say very clearly that it does not represent us, and we do not condone any of these acts. racism or xenophobia. “
He pointed out that the pandemic has also shown the best of Singapore’s spirit, with many people going the extra mile to help those in need, regardless of their race or religion.
Such incidents truly demonstrate “Singaporeans'” solidarity and unity with one another, “Wong said.
“We must have confidence and believe that as we emerge from this pandemic, we will emerge stronger, better and more united,” he added.
In a viral video, Tan Boon Lee, a professor at Ngee Ann Polytechnic, was seen accusing Mr. Dave Parkash of “going after a Chinese girl”. bell as part of his Hindu prayer routine. PHOTOS: SCREENSHOTS FROM FACEBOOK
Weighing in on the subject, Health Minister Ong Ye Kung said Singaporeans’ ability to trust each other, despite their differences, is “the most important antibody” a society can have for. fight a crisis.
He recognized that in times of stress fractures can occur and underlying feelings arise.
But bad news always travels faster than good news, he added.
In the midst of the pandemic, “we have to remember this fundamental DNA that Singaporeans share with each other, of trust, trust in each other, that we have come so far from a much worse crisis to where we are today, ”Mr. Ong said.
“So continue to keep that unity and resilience. Keep that confidence – it’s the main antibody to fight the pandemic.”
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