Yah Lah But #733 ft. K Shanmugam: The Debate Around His Ministerial Statement on Race & Religion in Politics
Oct 29, 2025
K Shanmugam, Senior Minister for Home Affairs and Coordinator for National Security, discusses his recent ministerial statement on race and religion in politics. He addresses public reactions and the importance of racial harmony in Singapore's stability. Topics include the pitfalls of identity politics and the need for political parties to reject religious endorsements to maintain cohesion. Shanmugam also emphasizes the threat of foreign interference and the importance of fostering a common identity among Singaporeans.
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Multiracialism Plus Singaporean Identity
- Singapore's stability rests on preserving separate ethnic identities while overlaying a strong national Singaporean identity.
- K Shanmugam argues this dual approach prevents identity conflict and underpins harmony and prosperity.
Reject Identity Politics Immediately
- Reject any attempt to inject race or religion into politics immediately and clearly.
- Political parties should refuse foreign or clerical endorsements instead of waiting for government intervention.
Parliament Sets Behavioural Markers
- Bringing election incidents into Parliament creates a public marker that shapes future behaviour.
- Documenting sequence and facts in Hansard helps build collective expectations on acceptable conduct.
