http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking+News/Singapore/Story/STIStory_376730.html
Govt will step in if...
Deputy Prime Minister and Home Affairs Minister Wong Kan Seng (left) said, 'We can articulate our views passionately without denigrating others.' --PHOTO: AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
AS SINGAPORE opens up more space for the people to express alternative views, more tussles over differing viewpoints will become common. But the government will not condone unbridled activism.
Deputy Prime Minister and Home Affairs Minister Wong Kan Seng said this on Thursday in response to questions from The Straits Times on the recent Association for Women in Action and Research (Aware) saga.
The Aware controversy began when it was revealed that at least four of the nine new faces leading the secular organisation were from the same church. The new guard, as they came to be known, were accused of having an anti-homosexuality agenda.
It also emerged that Aware's sexuality education programme, which was taught at some schools, appeared to promote homosexuality. This sparked off a fiery debate between pro-family and liberal groups.
Asked to comment on the danger from the Aware episode, Mr Wong said: 'Many different communities share this tiny island. If our diversity is not to become a source of weakness, we must manage such disagreements in a responsible and balanced manner.
'We can articulate our views passionately without denigrating others; we can agree to disagree without being disagreeable.
'The government has to maintain order, and hold the ring impartially. It encourages the development of civil society, and gradual widening of the OB markers.
'But it will not stand by and watch when intemperate activism threatens our social fabric.'
The saga led to a showdown on May 2 attended by over 3,000 members, and ended with the new guard being voted off in a highly-charged, seven-hour extraordinary general meeting.
'The Aware episode showed clearly how passions and emotions naturally run high when it concerns an issue or cause salient to people's beliefs or interests,' said Mr Wong.
'The EOGM was an emotional meeting with many heated exchanges. It was not a model of calm deliberation and patient consensus building.'
He called on both sides to 'calm down and move on'.
Read also:
Govt stand on homosexuality clear
Don't mix religion and politics
Q&A with DPM on Aware saga
Govt will step in if...
Deputy Prime Minister and Home Affairs Minister Wong Kan Seng (left) said, 'We can articulate our views passionately without denigrating others.' --PHOTO: AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
AS SINGAPORE opens up more space for the people to express alternative views, more tussles over differing viewpoints will become common. But the government will not condone unbridled activism.
Deputy Prime Minister and Home Affairs Minister Wong Kan Seng said this on Thursday in response to questions from The Straits Times on the recent Association for Women in Action and Research (Aware) saga.
The Aware controversy began when it was revealed that at least four of the nine new faces leading the secular organisation were from the same church. The new guard, as they came to be known, were accused of having an anti-homosexuality agenda.
It also emerged that Aware's sexuality education programme, which was taught at some schools, appeared to promote homosexuality. This sparked off a fiery debate between pro-family and liberal groups.
Asked to comment on the danger from the Aware episode, Mr Wong said: 'Many different communities share this tiny island. If our diversity is not to become a source of weakness, we must manage such disagreements in a responsible and balanced manner.
'We can articulate our views passionately without denigrating others; we can agree to disagree without being disagreeable.
'The government has to maintain order, and hold the ring impartially. It encourages the development of civil society, and gradual widening of the OB markers.
'But it will not stand by and watch when intemperate activism threatens our social fabric.'
The saga led to a showdown on May 2 attended by over 3,000 members, and ended with the new guard being voted off in a highly-charged, seven-hour extraordinary general meeting.
'The Aware episode showed clearly how passions and emotions naturally run high when it concerns an issue or cause salient to people's beliefs or interests,' said Mr Wong.
'The EOGM was an emotional meeting with many heated exchanges. It was not a model of calm deliberation and patient consensus building.'
He called on both sides to 'calm down and move on'.
Read also:
Govt stand on homosexuality clear
Don't mix religion and politics
Q&A with DPM on Aware saga
