PRESIDENT S R Nathan stressed the need for social harmony and community trust in his address at the opening of the second session of the Eleventh Parliament on Monday night.
He cited two incidents - the escape and recent recapture of wanted terrorist Mas Selamat Kastari and the recent Association of Women for Action and Research (Aware) saga - as examples of how building trust and respect are vital in building a future Singapore in an 'uncertain world'.
Mr Nathan said that the Mas Selamat episode underscores the threat of extremist terrorism, not only to Singapore's security but also to the nation's racial and religious harmony.
The arrest of the Singapore Jemaah Islamiaah (JI) leader in Johor Baru on April 1 by Malaysian Special Branch, more than a year after his escape from a detention centre in Singapore on Feb 27 last year, 'is not the end of the terrorism threat', said the President in his wide-ranging address outlining the priorities, policies and programmes of the Government for the rest of its term.
'This episode is a sharp reminder of the cost of complacency and the need for constant vigilance,' he said at Parliament House.
'But it also reminds us to continue building trust and confidence between the different communities.'
Turning to the Aware saga arising from the association's leadership tussle, President Nathan said it highlighted another aspect of social harmony - the need for all groups to practise tolerance, restraint and mutual respect to live peacefully in a multi-racial, multi-religious society.
'This applies not just to religious groups venturing into the secular domain, but also to secular groups which want to strongly push their views and change our social norms,' he added.
Underlining why Singapore cannot 'just be a collection of different communities', he stressed: 'Our diversity is what make our society lively, outward looking and innovative. Our diversity also helps us to get on with people from all round the world, and make us uniquely suited to being a global hub.
'We must remain cohesive and continue to build our common Singaporean identity with each new generation. Then we can become a more vibrant and cosmopolitan city, while strengthening our unique Singaporean values and character.'
