SINGAPORE - Singaporeans have to guard the country from prejudice, and that means taking an active role in discouraging hate speech or insensitive racial comments online. It may be as straightforward as speaking up against such insensitive acts and comments, or not liking such a post.

This was the call from Mr S Iswaran, Minister of the Prime Minister's Office and Second Minister for Home Affairs and Trade and Industry, on Saturday at the Orange Ribbon Run and Walk.

In his speech, he reminded how Singapore "had its fair share of racial turmoil and conflict in our early days of independence".

"We overcame it, through strong leadership, good policies, and, most importantly, the indomitable spirit of Singaporeans, like you and me, who chose to reject prejudice and embrace our religious and cultural diversity".

But he added that "we must never make the mistake of being complacent and thinking that we have arrived. Racial harmony is a work in progress; every generation has to preserve and build on it in the face of new challenges. And, it is now up to a younger generation of Singaporeans to carry the torch handed to us by our pioneers."

More than 5,000 people gathered at Marina Bay Sands for the Orange Ribbon Run, billed as a race against racism.

For the first time, visually impaired runners and volunteers from Runninghour took part.