Silent majority urged to speak up against bigotry

Ng Eng Hen reminds netizens to play a role in fostering positive social norms

By Goh Shi Ting, The Straits Times, 8 Jul 2012

In the light of recent incidents of online racism, Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen has urged netizens to play a part in 'nurturing positive social norms'.

He was speaking at the first Orange Ribbon Walk organised by non-governmental organisation OnePeople.sg to promote racial harmony.

About 6,000 people from the five Community Development Council (CDC) districts, self-help groups, workplaces and schools recited the National Pledge before taking a 2.7km walk on the Marina Bay waterfront yesterday evening.

Last Monday, it was reported that two 17-year-olds were arrested for allegedly posting racist remarks online, and in March, a polytechnic student's racist comments stirred an online storm.

Dr Ng said: 'Singaporeans support measures to nip racial and religious intolerance in its bud and laws that provide for quick action against those who would incite such hostility, be it in the real or virtual world.

'We should not let the few with divisive words erode the confidence and trust many have built over the years.'

He added that the silent majority who value religious and racial harmony need to speak up against unjust and bigoted views.

Mr Zainudin Nordin, chairman of OnePeople.sg, which was started in 2007 to promote racial harmony, told The Sunday Times that there is a new set of challenges due to the changing demographic landscape and the growing affluence of Singaporeans.

'We are dealing with more educated people who have opinions, and they would say, 'I'm smart, I have my way of doing things'.

'So there needs to be more creative and engaging ways to reach out to them,' he said.

For a start, the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts has partnered the agency to launch the Reflections on Our National Pledge campaign by placing five National Pledge structures at various locations in downtown Singapore.

The structure with the words 'Regardless of race, language or religion' was unveiled by Dr Ng at the Marina Bay Sands' event plaza yesterday.

From Aug 4 to Aug 12, the structures will be moved to the Marina Bay area, where they will be displayed together.

OnePeople.sg will organise islandwide racial harmony celebrations this whole month.