During our conversation, I mentioned that the Singapore Constitution states that there are four official languages and that Malay is the national language.

To my surprise and dismay, she said she did not know this. This officer, who was in her 20s, told me she was never taught this fact in school.

I have found among certain quarters in Singapore society and among some recently arrived immigrants, there seems to be a diminished appreciation of the importance of the languages of our minority races, namely, Malay and Tamil.

This is an ominous sign of their lack of understanding of the multiracial nature of Singapore society and the delicate balance and harmony between the various races.

Language is a very sensitive issue in Singapore society.

I urge the authorities to ensure that students and immigrants alike are well aware of the need to respect the four official languages of Chinese, Malay, English and Tamil, and also the national language of Malay as enshrined in the Constitution.

There is also a need to emphasise this on public signs, for example, HDB neighbourhood centres and food centres.

Where there is a need to add to English - the language of administration - the three other official languages should be given equal importance.

Philip Chan Soo Siang