Objectivity key to bringing balanced discourse on national issues: Yaacob

SINGAPORE: Minister—in—Charge of Muslim Affairs, Dr Yaacob Ibrahim, has urged the Malay—Muslim community to be objective and rational in its discourse on Singapore’s future.

He made the call at a post—National Day Rally dialogue on Sunday attended by more than 200 grassroots leaders and representatives from mosques and Malay—Muslim organisations.

Dr Yaacob said participants raised concerns on issues such as education and perceived discrimination. These are concerns shared by other Singaporeans too, he noted.

"We may have concerns about education, national service, but these are concerns which are shared by other Singaporeans. So if we want to ensure the discourse is balanced and objective, we also have to bring in voices that are objective," he said.

There was also a lot of discussion about the values Malay—Muslims in Singapore hold and how these can be shared with the wider community, said Dr Yaacob.

— CNA/ir