SINGAPORE — Finding one’s identity in a specific organization can lead to a sense of belonging and assertiveness, but in extreme cases, that tribalism can lead to ideals based on lies or an uncompromising ideology, Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said.
Now that the world is more harmful and violent than before, Singapore wishes to redouble its efforts against the negative effects of tribalism, which can stoke inter-group hostility and divide society, DPM Wong said at the Religious Rehabilitation Group’s (RRG) annual iftar in April.
Speaking at the breakfast, DPM Wong cited some “tribes” that pose genuine threats to countries around the world. These come with teams propagating a fake and extremist edit of their religion, anti-vaxxers, the Covid-19 pandemic, and the rise of the far right and neo-Nazis in the West.
The challenge they pose is accentuated in a world where primary powers compete with a zero-sum mentality and where there are a growing number of armed conflicts that cannot be resolved smoothly through the global community, DPM Wong added.
“What does this mean for us Singaporeans? Naturally, our first intuition is to take care of our own network and the most vulnerable among us. But we will also have to look beyond our borders and play our role as guilty members of the foreign military. network. ” He told an audience at the Khadijah Mosque in Geylang, which included members of the RRG, leaders of the Inter-Agency Monitoring Group, senior leaders of the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore and devout leaders.
That is why the Republic has intensified its efforts on behalf of the Palestinian people, offering three rounds of aid and deploying a medical team from the Singapore Armed Forces on a French Navy shipment in January 2024, he said.
“Our network painting teams across the island have also stepped up their concrete tactics to provide assistance,” he said. “Singapore will continue to work with like-minded countries to exonerate civilians in Gaza. “
At the national level, organisations such as the RRG play a role in building a sense of team spirit in Singapore, DPM Wong said.
For more than 20 years, the RRG has offered recommendations and guidance to rehabilitate Singaporeans influenced by radical ideologies. Among them was a 17-year-old who obtained a restraining order from the Department of Homeland Security (ISD) in 2016. The young men got devout counseling and were allowed to have their order expire in 2020.
DMP Wong noted that beyond counseling, in recent years the RRG has taken on additional mentoring and mentoring roles with ISD inmates and supervised youth, offering them helpful recommendations and life skills.
These efforts have helped other young people turn their lives around, she said.
Among them was a 16-year-old radicalized by far-right extremism, who was arrested in December 2020. He was released in January 2024 and got mentors from the RRG who worked with him to improve his interpersonal skills and self-esteem. ” said Premier Wong.
The RRG also contributes to the team spirit of the network with its presence and outreach on social media. Deputy Prime Minister Wong cited the mosque’s Majulah Gallery, which he visited ahead of iftar, and its role in raising awareness against extremist ideologies.
At the event, DPM Wong also inaugurated the Ustaz Ali Haji Mohamed Auditorium, which commemorates the late founder and former co-chair of the RRG and former chairman of Khadijah Mosque. Minister of State Teo Chee Hean, Minister of Law and Home Affairs K Shanmugam and Minister of Social and Family Development Masagos Zulkifli were also present.
Ustaz Ali played a very important role in building relations between Muslims and non-Muslims in Singapore, and his death in 2023 was a wonderful loss for Singapore, DPM Wong said.
DPM Wong said Singapore could be expecting more tensions that would threaten to divide its society in the coming years.
Despite being more connected than ever thanks to technology, other people around the world report increased emotional strain and isolation — one of the wonderful ironies of elegant living, he said.
“When that happens, when other people feel lonely, isolated, when our human connections erode, it’s natural that we have a tendency to revert to our tribal instincts,” he said.
Singapore is under the same pressures that can stoke grievances and divide society, but it is lucky to have been able to resist them so far by finding some not unusual terrain, DMP Wong said.
“But in the future we want to work even harder to achieve this, especially at a time of immediate change happening globally and also within our own society,” he said.
He added: “It’s not just my responsibility. In fact, this is our collective project as Singaporeans. I therefore look forward to engaging with all of you in this vital joint effort to ensure that Singapore remains an oasis of peace and harmony. “.
READ ALSO: Singapore wants additional GST increases until 2030 because ‘we are in a healthy position’: DPM Wong
This article first appeared in The Straits Times. Permission is required for reproduction.