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Tag: K Shanmugam

  • Mufti: Teachings That Promote ‘Exclusivity And Isolationism’ A Cause For Worry

    Mufti: Teachings That Promote ‘Exclusivity And Isolationism’ A Cause For Worry

    Teachings on the Internet that promote “exclusivity and isolationist” inclinations are a “serious cause for worry” because they can go as far as to deny the rights of others to exist, said the Mufti of Singapore, Dr Mohamed Fatris Bakaram.

    It is not unfounded for some to be sceptical about the role of religion in enriching the “common space” in society, if religion preaches isolation, said Dr Fatris, who was delivering a speech at the SRP Distinguished Lecture and Symposium today (Jan 20) on Islam and developing the common space.

    In extreme cases, Dr Fatris noted, isolationist tendencies with the potential to fragment societies are not limited to rejecting certain thoughts, cultural practices or beliefs, but go on to deny the right of others to exist. This has been the case with perpetrators of terrorist activities, who have “cloaked their crimes with twisted religious arguments”, he said, calling such beliefs “extremely dangerous and totally unacceptable.”

    Despite the existence of clear and constructive religious resources and narratives on the “common space”, these will be rejected by those who spread isolationist teachings. As such, it will not help to increase the number of “pro-common-space narratives”, said Dr Fatris.

    “We then end up with a meaningless debate and endlessly quibble over whose evidence is stronger, which will only lead to more confusion. The prejudicial approach of some groups will only bolster their resolve to reject the notion of a ‘common space’,” he said.

    Dr Fatris was speaking a day after Law and Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam, outlining the threats of terrorism and radicalisation Singapore faces, said community leaders have to help lead the “fight for hearts and minds” for a united Singapore.

    A resource that could be tapped are religious institutions like mosques and madrasahs, which can promote deeper interfaith understanding and offering activities for others to participate in, said Dr Fatris.

    “In our respective institutions, we ought to foster a sense of bonding with other communities, to nurture respect and love for humanity and fellow citizens, to deepen what one may refer to as, the “emotional common space” between us. This ought to be a key component of our religious curricula,” he said.

    Speaking to the media after his speech, Dr Fatris noted interfaith dialogues have been going on for years, and while there is still some “sense of discomfort and lack of confidence among minorities” who question the need for interfaith dialogues, this attitude has changed over the years.

    “If we do not start now with a serious and constructive interfaith dialogue, I think it will be a waste for Singapore as a nation. It is something that is, for me, crucial for the next 50 years, that we have a deeper understanding of racial differences and religious diversity,” he said.

    He also said there must be eagerness and willingness to come together to discuss aspects of differences in faith, adding: “Socially, we are strong enough to embark on this.”

    The symposium was organised by the S Rajaratnam School of International Studies.

     

    Source: www.todayonline.com

  • Walid J. Abdullah: Singapore Needs To Re-Examine Ideas Of ‘Tolerance’, ‘Harmony’ And ‘Extremism’

    Walid J. Abdullah: Singapore Needs To Re-Examine Ideas Of ‘Tolerance’, ‘Harmony’ And ‘Extremism’

    We really need to think through the idea of ‘tolerance’ and ‘harmony’, and ‘extremism’.

    Is a person intolerant because (s)he refuses to say merry christmas to someone else? Does one turn into an extremist for having the belief that religious practices should be exclusive to one’s own faith? And if we start here, i wonder where do we draw the line: what do we make of a person who refuses to marry outside his/her faith? Is that person an ‘extremist’?

    Personally, i know of a couple of elderly Muslims who do not attend events at churches or temples (it’s a personal preference, as they would mostly acknowledge), but no one in the right mind would ever make the claim that they are ‘distant’ or ‘intolerant’: they are probably some of the nicest neighbours one could have. They give food to their neighbours (yes, non-Muslims too), always strike a conversation with strangers in the block, and never fail to smile at anyone.

    At the same time, i have many non-Muslim neighbours who have never wished me ‘Selamat Hari Raya’ or ‘Eid Mubarak’ (for whatever reasons): but of course, no one bats an eyelid when that happens. When a Muslim does/does not do the same thing, it is suddenly problematic. Unfortunately, Islam is always on trial.

    One of the ways that we should not make a community feel ‘distant’, is to stop viewing the world in false binaries. We should not be too quick to accuse and ‘advise’ a particular group, based on our own worldviews and understandings of the world.

     

    Source: Walid J. Abdullah

  • Father Of Boy Who Fell To Death In Yishun Says Contractor Must Share Blame

    Father Of Boy Who Fell To Death In Yishun Says Contractor Must Share Blame

    Tragedy struck the Z family less than a week after moving into their flat at Block 165 Yishun Ring Road.

    Their four-year-old son died after he fell nine storeys from the master bedroom window, which did not have window grilles installed.

    Although the father, who wanted to be known only as Mr Z, 40, acknowledges that he shouldn’t leave his child alone at home, he also partly blames their contractor, who did not install the grilles in time.

    When The New Paper visited the family yesterday, there were grilles in all the room windows. The boy’s father said they were installed two or three days ago.

    Mr Z admitted he could not escape blame for his son’s death and it was “negligence on his part”.

    He declined to use his full name as he wants to protect his remaining children, aged two to 10, and hopes to help his family move on from the tragedy.

    Said the security officer: “That day, we all made the ‘fast’ decision (to leave the youngest two at home alone), which was the wrong decision. And we have paid for it with my son’s death. I can take that blame, it is our fault.

    “But the grille thing had a part to play too. The contractor played a part in this by not fulfilling his contract.”

    Yesterday, MP for Nee Soon GRC and Minister for Home Affairs and Law K Shanmugam wrote in a Facebook post that he would help the family seek legal recourse against the contractor.

    Tragedy that could have been avoided——————–On 6 Oct 2015, a 4 year-old boy fell to his death in Yishun….

    Posted by K Shanmugam Sc on Wednesday, 14 October 2015

    When contacted, the contractor that there was no “set date” as to when the company had to complete the installation of the grilles.

     

    Source: www.tnp.sg

  • K Shanmugam: Boy’s Death From Fall Was A Tragedy That Could’ve Been Averted, Contractors Need To Be Held Accountable

    K Shanmugam: Boy’s Death From Fall Was A Tragedy That Could’ve Been Averted, Contractors Need To Be Held Accountable

    Tragedy that could have been avoided
    ——————–
    On 6 Oct 2015, a 4 year-old boy fell to his death in Yishun. He apparently fell from an open window in his flat. It was a tragic accident. It could have been prevented if there had been window grilles.

    The family had just moved into the flat. The father of the child says that the contractor was supposed to do a number of works, including installing the window grilles.

    The family’s move-in date had already been delayed for eight days by the contractor. When the family moved in, some of the agreed items had not been installed, including the window grilles.

    Attempts to contact the contractor were not successful.

    The father was particularly concerned about the window grilles as he had young children. He told the contractor this, and exchanged WhatsApp messages with the contractor. The contractor had removed the previous grilles but did not install new ones!.

    According to the father, when he finally suggested to terminate the contract, the contractor asked to meet him, but did not turn up at the agreed date and time!

    After a few days, the contractor contacted him to say that his company will send a cancellation letter. The letter never arrived.

    The window grilles were not installed and the tragedy happened.

    The father attempted to contact the contractor, sent him the news reports of his son’s death – and no response from the contractor. No apology, no visit, and the father thinks the contractor has even blocked him, from messaging the contractor.

    If these facts are true, then the conduct is shameful, irresponsible and has contributed to the tragedy.

    One can understand the parents’ anger, anguish. To lose a child like this. Because someone has not done what he is supposed to have done. And the conduct after the tragedy is shocking.

    When I visited the family, the parents were stoic. They recounted the story without rancour. I was quite upset.

    There must be steps taken against such contractors – if what the father says is correct. We must help the family to get legal recourse. It wont bring back the child, but there has to be some justice done. I have told we will help find a lawyer for the family.

    http://news.asiaone.com/news/singapore/boy-4-falls-death-yishun-flat

     

    Source: K Shanmugam Sc

  • K Shanmugam Rebukes Jusuf Kalla Over Shocking Statements

    K Shanmugam Rebukes Jusuf Kalla Over Shocking Statements

    The ongoing haze crisis, which has affected the lives of millions across Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore, has started to draw strong comments from leaders here.

    Foreign and Law Minister K. Shanmugam, in a Facebook post on Thursday night, expressed his unhappiness at what he referred to as “shocking statements made, at senior levels, from Indonesia, with a complete disregard for our people, and their own”.

    “How is it possible for senior people in government to issue such statements, without any regard for their people, or ours, and without any embarrassment, or sense of responsibility?” wrote the minister.

    Mr Shanmugam did not name any of his Indonesian counterparts or elaborate on the statement in question at the time.

    His post on social media came after Indonesian Vice-President Jusuf Kalla had reiterated that Indonesia need not apologise to its neighbours over the haze.

    Speaking at a dialogue at the Indonesian Consulate-General in New York on Thursday, Mr Kalla said Indonesia needs only to ensure that forest fires that cause haze do not recur, Kompas daily reported yesterday.

    “Look at how long they have enjoyed fresh air from our green environment and forests when there were no fires,” said Mr Kalla.

    “Could be months. Are they grateful? But when forest fires occur, a month at the most, haze pollutes their regions. So why should there be an apology?”

    He also accused “companies from neighbouring countries” of paying locals to clear lands using the slash-and-burn technique, which have led to the blaze.

    Mr Kalla had made similar remarks in previous years.

    The most recent occasion was in March this year, when he rapped neighbouring countries for complaining about the haze, asking them to be grateful instead for the clean air they enjoy for the rest of the year.

    “For 11 months, they enjoyed nice air from Indonesia and they never thanked us,” he said at the time. “They have suffered because of the haze for one month and they get upset.”

    Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong yesterday wrote a post on Facebook directed at Indonesia and the haze crisis.

    “Merlion is mythical like the Garuda and will not be affected by the haze. But we humans will be, not just now but also in the long term if haze continues year after year,” he said. The Merlion and Garuda are associated with Singapore and Indonesia respectively.

    “If Indonesia can stamp out illegal burning, they will gain investor confidence in their abilities to tackle other complex challenges. The haze is their litmus test for effective administration and regional leadership. We all see it, breathe it; and there is no hiding.”

     

    Source: www.straitstimes.com