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Keeping fear and loathing out of Singapore’s politics

The coming election season is a good moment to acknowledge Singapore’s civil political culture – and to redouble efforts to keep it that way.

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The coming political high season is the right moment to acknowledge Singapore’s low polarisation – and to redouble efforts to keep it that way.

The coming political high season is the right moment to acknowledge Singapore’s low polarisation – and to redouble efforts to keep it that way.

PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO

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In 2008, while campaigning against Mr Barack Obama in the United States presidential election, Republican candidate John McCain felt compelled to take the microphone from a supporter who claimed she couldn’t trust his Democratic rival because he was “an Arab”.

The late Mr McCain’s response was one to remember: “No ma’am... He’s a decent family man, a citizen, who I just happen to have disagreements with.”

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