IF SINGAPORE falls prey to religious and racial bigotry, the economic crisis would become a growing cancer in society, instead of just a passing thunderstorm, Minister of State for Defence Koo Tsai Kee warned on Wednesday.

RELATED LINKS  Read Mr Koo's speech here

Speaking to Parliament, Mr Koo noted that there are a growing number of Singaporeans identifying themselves with their race and religion, which is 'nothing wrong if seen in the right perspective'. He is worried about 'small groups becoming self-righteous and intolerant of diversity.'

'This intolerance may be our downfall,' said Mr Koo, who is also MP for Tanjong Pagar GRC.

'Singapore is a multi-racial and multi-religious country which has succeeded... because of our system - our system of tolerance, meritocracy, embrace of diversity and inclusiveness.'

Most countries with such a mix of population and religions would fail, said Mr Koo, citing Sri Lanka as an example. He said that Singapore is successful for now, but it is still a young country, a long way from proving that its success in peaceful co-existence could withstand the test of time.

He also raised the example of Yugoslavia, once a relatively peaceful country with different tribes, ethnic groups and religions. Originally a role model among Third World countries, the republic suffered an ethnic cleansing, which Mr Koo said was a human tragedy which destroyed the people and state. 'Yugoslavia is past tense. It is history,' he said.

Mr Koo added that to succeed, Singapore needs be among the global cities that are most progressive and dynamic, embracing diversity and tolerance in huge doses.

'Two such cities immediately come to my mind - New York City and London,' he pointed out, adding that in those cities, nobody feels like 'an alien or a weirdo' and that there is 'sanctuary for everybody'.

'There is space for everybody to wander, explore, and be himself or herself. This is the kind of tolerant, diverse and cosmopolitan global city we should be,' said Mr Koo.

'While we focus our energies on solving this economic crisis, we should never lose sight of the long term challenge of building a tolerant, diverse and inclusive social infrastructure where everybody has a private space within the bigger common space.'