Religion, race & rights

1,340 debates and bills about religion, race & rights

15 Oct 2012

Blocking Online Access to "Innocence of Muslims" Film Trailer

The government requested Google to block access to the "Innocence of Muslims" film trailer in Singapore as a pre-emptive measure to prevent potential social unrest and protect inter-racial and inter-religious harmony, citing escalating violence in neighboring countries.
Officials emphasized that while the public responded calmly, the decision was based on the principle that freedom of expression does not extend to insulting others' religions, and such actions reinforce laws against incitement to hatred.
The debate highlighted the government's ongoing challenge in balancing online freedom with social stability, noting that each case is assessed on content and potential impact, but the trailer block was an exception due to its global inflammatory nature.
Concerns were raised about whether this approach weakens Singapore's ability to handle future hate speech, especially from foreign sources, but the government affirmed that decisive action reassures the public and maintains social peace.
The discussion also touched on integrating new citizens and residents into Singapore's culture of tolerance, with officials stressing that education and modeling behavior are key to upholding shared values in a multi-racial society.

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15 Oct 2012

Policy on Keeping Religion and Politics Separate

The Deputy Prime Minister reaffirmed that Singapore maintains a clear separation between religion and politics to preserve social harmony in a multi-religious society, emphasizing that policies must serve all citizens equally without favoring any religious group.
He highlighted the Maintenance of Religious Harmony Act and the Presidential Council for Religious Harmony as key mechanisms to prevent religious groups from engaging in politics or being used for political agendas, while acknowledging their positive social contributions.
Laurence Lien and others questioned whether religion could be a resource for the common good, but the DPM clarified that while individual religious beliefs may influence personal political views, religious organizations as entities must remain separate from political activities to avoid conflict and division.

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11 Sep 2012

Extension of Consultation Period for Voluntary Sterilization Act

Denise Phua asked whether the Ministry would extend the four-week public consultation period for the Voluntary Sterilization Act amendments or conduct focus group discussions with key stakeholders, including families and advocacy groups for the vulnerable.
Health Minister Gan Kim Yong explained that the Ministry already sought inputs from the public and interested parties between May and July 2012 via websites and media, and met with various groups including medical practitioners.
The Minister stated that feedback was generally supportive of the amendments, which aim to return autonomy to persons with mental capacity, and that the consultation period was not extended as feedback channels remain open.
He noted that feedback was used to refine the proposed amendments, including strengthening protections for vulnerable members of society.
The amendments are part of a bill introduced in Parliament and also facilitate Singapore’s accession to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

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11 Sep 2012

Disbursement of Community Integration Fund (CIF)

The Community Integration Fund (CIF) has disbursed $5.1 million since its inception in September 2009, supporting around 220 projects across 150 organisations, with an additional $3.1 million committed to ongoing initiatives.
Projects are evaluated using various KPIs, such as participation rates and participant profiles, and the NIC has introduced flexibility for multi-year programmes to sustain integration efforts.
The government plans to continue enhancing the CIF by raising awareness, providing more resources, and maintaining support for ground-up integration initiatives to foster social cohesion.

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11 Sep 2012

Preventing Employment Discrimination against Disabled Persons

Christopher de Souza asked if there are regulations to prevent employment discrimination against disabled persons, whether the Employment Act could be extended to explicitly cover them, and what other fair employment measures the Ministry has taken.
Tan Chuan-Jin stated that discrimination based on disability has no place in Singapore and that addressing it requires education and awareness, with the Tripartite Alliance for Fair Employment Practices (TAFEP) promoting fair hiring practices through workshops and engagement.
TAFEP’s efforts have led to initiatives like the Enabling Employers Network, which has secured over 600 employment opportunities for disabled persons across 160 companies, demonstrating progress toward fair hiring.
The Employment Act already applies to all employees, including those with disabilities, and provides them with the same level of protection as other employees.
The Ministry and its tripartite partners plan to continue promoting fair and merit-based employment practices to eliminate discrimination against persons with physical disabilities.

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11 Sep 2012

Support for Employment of Disabled Persons

Christopher de Souza proposed expanding financial support, extending special employment credits to non-SPED graduates, and reviewing the Open Door Fund for workplace modifications and training.
Acting Minister Chan Chun Sing responded that current initiatives like the Workfare Income Supplement and Special Employment Credit are being prioritized and evaluated, with flexibility in applying credits to non-SPED graduates, alongside efforts to improve vocational training and job redesign.
Denise Phua asked for formal inclusion of non-SPED graduates in the Employment Credit Scheme, to which the Minister agreed to consider while emphasizing employer partnerships and job redesign.
Lily Neo raised concerns about transport accessibility for disabled persons, prompting the Minister to outline dual approaches: specialized vehicles by VWOs and new public transport options via recently completed proposals.
The debate highlighted ongoing government efforts to support disabled employment through financial incentives, training, job redesign, and improved accessibility, with a commitment to collaborate with disability sectors and employers.

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10 Sep 2012

Diagnosis of Asperger's Syndrome amongst National Servicemen

Mr. Zainal Sapari asked for the number of National Servicemen diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome, their PES classification, historical enlistment data, and the support provided for their training.
There are currently 41 full-time and 61 operationally-ready National Servicemen with Asperger’s Syndrome, all assigned to PES C or lower based on their social and vocational abilities.
From 2007 to 2011, 55 pre-enlistees with Asperger’s Syndrome were enlisted, with yearly numbers ranging from five to 15.
The SAF provides professional support through psychiatrists, psychologists, and counsellors who collaborate with commanders to develop interpersonal and vocational skills for these servicemen.

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10 Sep 2012

Funding Sources for Malay/Muslim Organisations

The primary funding for Malay/Muslim organisations (MMOs) comes from the Mosque Building and Mendaki Fund (MBMF) collected via CPF, with specific allocations to Mendaki, AMP, and other MMOs, and the remaining funds supporting mosque building and madrasah education.
The government provides dollar-for-dollar matching grants for donations raised by MMOs, capped at $4 million annually, with the funds managed through the Malay/Muslim Community Development Fund (MMCDF) to support projects in education, youth, family, and employability.
A review of the funding policy, which has been in place since 2001, will be conducted to ensure funds align with evolving community priorities, with project proposals reviewed by a committee to ensure alignment with Mendaki's objectives.
Beyond funding, MMOs are supported through policy forums for information sharing and training programmes, such as a youth counsellor training initiative, while leadership renewal is encouraged through long-term planning and attracting young talent.
The Minister emphasized that MMOs are independent, and while the government cannot dictate leadership renewal, it encourages these organisations to foster continuous leadership development in line with societal trends.

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