For subscribers

Commentary

Please keep religion out of partisan politics

Singapore must remember the quiet discipline that has kept its multi-religious compact intact.

Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox

ST20200622_202034250020/pixpoll24/Jason Quah

EMBARGOED UNTIL 23 JUNE 6PM

Photo illustration of general election polling station set-up and equipment for safe voting

5. Voter drops ballot paper into ballot box

Foreign influence that plays on these identities should be rejected, and coded appeals that stokes communal sentiment have no place in responsible politics.

PHOTO: ST FILE

Mathew Mathews and Melvin Tay

Follow topic:

Singapore’s success in managing the complexities of a multi-religious society rests on a clear commitment: the secular state protects freedom of religion, while keeping partisan politics free of sectarian mobilisation.

This commitment is not abstract. It is a practical guardrail that prevents political competition from becoming a religious or ethnic tug-of-war. It also warrants reaffirming, especially after the recent general election where

questions of religious identity surfaced

and reminded us why the secular foundations of our politics must remain firm.

See more on