Shanmugam urges opposition parties to reject foreign interference, identity politics

Key Concepts

• Identity Politics: A political approach where people of a particular religion, race, social background, etc., form exclusive political alliances, often prioritizing group interests over broader national unity.
• Meritocracy: A system in which promotion and advancement are based on individual ability or achievement rather than on social class, wealth, or background.
• Multi-racialism: The policy or practice of according equal recognition and status to different racial and ethnic groups within a country, fostering unity and equality.
• Foreign Interference: Attempts by external actors, including religious figures or political parties from other countries, to influence the domestic political processes or public opinion of a sovereign nation.
• Political Cost: The negative consequences, such as loss of votes or public disapproval, that a political party or leader might incur for taking a particular stance or action.
• Hustings: The campaigning activities and speeches made by political candidates before an election.
• Existential Threat: A danger so severe that it threatens the very existence or fundamental nature of a nation or society.

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Ministerial Statement on the Rejection of Identity Politics

Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam delivered an hour-long speech in Parliament, followed by another hour of clarifications, to address the critical issue of identity politics in Singapore. The primary purpose of this ministerial statement was to reaffirm Singapore's fundamental principles and to establish clear expectations for how politicians and political parties should conduct themselves, particularly concerning the misuse of race and religion in politics. Shanmugam emphasized that this is an "existential" matter for Singapore, too serious to be ignored, necessitating a clear line to be drawn immediately.

The Existential Threat of Identity Politics

Mr. Shanmugam described the mixing of race and religion with politics as "reckless and dangerous," asserting that it strikes at the heart of Singapore's unity and is a "one-way street to ruin." He warned against the rising divisions seen abroad, citing examples such as deepening "culture wars" in the United States, where political violence occurs in the name of religious ideals, and far-right rhetoric in parts of Europe, where politicians openly frame Islam as incompatible with national values. He argued that while "bigger countries may possibly survive with these sorts of divisions," Singapore would "certainly be divided, damaged, and ruined."

Singapore's Founding Principles and Resilience

The Minister highlighted that Singapore's founding leaders, 60 years ago, deliberately chose unity over policies favoring dominant ethnic groups. This commitment led to the establishment of English as a neutral common language (while retaining Malay as the national tongue) and the implementation of policies built around meritocracy, equality, and multi-racialism. All citizens, regardless of background, were granted equal status, selected festivals of different races were designated as public holidays, and religious freedoms were constitutionally protected. These ideals remain the "backbone of Singapore," reinforced by laws and policies designed to safeguard harmony and promote inter-community mixing.

Despite Singapore being ranked among the most harmonious societies globally, Mr. Shanmugam acknowledged that these founding ideals are "a work in progress." He noted that minorities often experience "lived realities on the ground" where they face racism and discrimination, a sentiment supported by surveys. While instances are fewer, some Chinese citizens also report similar experiences.

The Dynamic Nature of Harmony and Political Cost

Mr. Shanmugam cautioned that Singapore's stability exists because successive governments, particularly the PAP, have consistently rejected identity politics, even at a political cost. He explained that the PAP's political dominance has allowed it to bear this cost by fighting against sentiments that seek to stir up divisions among Chinese and Malay communities. He stressed that this situation is "not permanent." If future generations of political leaders perceive identity politics as gaining traction, they might be pressured and tempted to engage in it, leading to ruin. He stated that while it would have been "easier to leave all of this unsaid," the statement was made in the country's interest.

Specific Incidents During the General Election

The Minister referenced several incidents during the general election earlier this year that exemplified the dangers of identity politics:

1. The Noros Incident and WP's Response:

   • Two weeks before the election, Malaysia-based self-professed preacher Noros pledged to campaign for any party that met his religious demands.
   • Days before Nomination Day, Noros claimed only the Workers' Party (WP) had taken him seriously, openly urging Muslims to vote for the WP if they agreed with his views. He specifically singled out WP's Faizal Manap in Tampines GRC as a "stronger Malay Muslim voice" than PAP's Masagos Zulkifli.
   • Mr. Shanmugam described Noros's actions as "reckless and dangerous," warning that allowing such calls would lead to similar demands from other racial and religious groups, resulting in clashes and the dominance of the largest and best-organized groups.
   • On April 25, the Home Affairs Ministry and Elections Department warned against mixing religion with politics. The next day, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong urged Singaporeans to reject such efforts and called on all political parties to unequivocally reject foreign interference.
   • WP chief Pritam Singh later stated his party made no promises or agreements with Noros. However, Mr. Shanmugam criticized the WP for not responding "immediately" and "categorically" to Noros's posts during the campaign period, arguing that the delay could have confused voters into thinking the WP was considering Noros's demands.

2. Foreign Interference: PAS and Other Remarks:

   • Politicians from Malaysia's Islamist Party PAS also urged Singaporeans to vote for the WP in Tampines GRC, claiming PAP MPs could not be trusted.
   • Mr. Shanmugam noted that Mr. Singh only categorically rejected foreign involvement after PM Wong's media conference, reiterating that a prompt and direct rejection from the start would have been better. He expressed hope that political parties would "immediately reject any such attempt to interfere in our political process" in the future to avoid confusion.

3. SDP Candidate's Divisive Rhetoric:

   • SDP candidate Daman Huri Abbas accused PAP's Malay MPs of neglecting the community and urged voters to back the opposition. The Minister labeled such rhetoric as "deceptive and divisive."

Call to Action for Political Parties

Mr. Shanmugam acknowledged that faith, language, and culture are integral to how Singaporeans define themselves, requiring sensitive handling. However, he stressed that "religion must not be misused for political purposes" and "must never be brought into election campaigns." He called for "shared restraint" to prevent destructive competition for power and influence among different groups, applying the same logic to race.

He urged all Singaporean political parties to "immediately and decisively reject any attempts to use race or religion for political gain." Failure to do so risks a path where parties appeal to the majority vote, leading to the marginalization of minorities. He referenced past instances in the 1970s and 1990s where candidates made racially charged claims or accused the government of neglecting the Malay community, emphasizing that such attempts "must never be repeated."

Conclusion: Upholding Singapore's Fundamentals

The Minister concluded by reiterating that his speech served as a reminder of the fundamental principles that have guided Singapore's success. He emphasized that these principles are "central to the very existence of Singapore" and that the government decided to state its position "formally, robustly and unequivocally at the highest forum in our country, Parliament." While much more needs to be done to achieve the ideals of the national pledge, it is clear, by observing global trends, that this can only be achieved if Singapore "steer[s] clear of identity politics."