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Straits Times
5 days ago
- Business
- Straits Times
Businesses have a role to promote multiculturalism and cohesion, say panellists at S'pore conference
(From right) Venerable Napan Thawornbanjob, Banyan Group founder Ho Kwon Ping and Minister of State Dinesh Vasu Dash at a plenary session during the International Conference on Cohesive Societies on June 26. The panel was moderated by Professor Mona Siddiqui. ST PHOTO: GIN TAY Businesses have a role to promote multiculturalism and cohesion, say panellists at S'pore conference SINGAPORE - Businesses have a role to play in promoting multiculturalism and this cannot be the responsibility of the Government alone, said panellists on June 26, the last day of the International Conference on Cohesive Societies. Mr Ho Kwon Ping, founder and executive chairman of hospitality company Banyan Group, cited how US businesses dropped DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) policies after US President Donald Trump issued executive orders limiting such programmes within federal agencies and among contractors. Speaking during a plenary session on the third and final day of the conference held at Raffles City Convention Centre, Mr Ho questioned how many businesses in Singapore would still promote multiculturalism if the government of the day does not take the lead on it. 'Multiculturalism must be a value that we deeply believe in,' he said, adding that the onus falls on the majority race or culture to promote true multiculturalism which goes beyond co-existence. Mr Ho said Banyan Group employs 15,000 associates of 96 nationalities across 25 countries. He said the company sends diverse groups of people, or 'task forces', to the opening of a new hotel. 'We go out of our way to put task forces that are there not just because of their different skills, but because of their different cultural, ethnic and religious backgrounds.' He said consumers should keep companies accountable to their DEI policies, which should be taught in business schools. Fellow speaker Dinesh Vasu Dash, Minister of State for Culture, Community and Youth and Manpower, cited the Singapore Government's three main pillars to ensure a multicultural society: the Ethnic Integration Policy in public housing, the use of the English language as a lingua franca alongside mother tongue languages, as well as national service. Agreeing with Mr Ho, he said multiculturalism should be a goal that businesses and civil society, including religious organisations, take on. He cited how religious leaders from the Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist and Sikh communities banded together after the stabbing of a priest at St Joseph's Church in Bukit Timah in November 2024, condemning the violence and expressing solidarity with the Catholic community here. Mr Dinesh said Singapore should double its efforts in promoting multiculturalism, as cohesion is important for a small country like Singapore. 'Naturally, there will be many forces that will pull us apart, perhaps now more than ever, given what's happening in the West, given the influence of social media; and therefore, we should double our efforts,' he said. There are initial signs of unity in Singapore, he added, but divisive forces could potentially pull apart people if differences in race, religion, language and culture are triggered and not managed well. Mr Ho also raised the growing issue of class divides. He has seen income inequality widen and the 'social ethos' shift in a 'worrying' direction in Singapore, with many young tycoons here flaunting their wealth, he said. 'I don't think any of us believe in a communist society where everyone has equal wealth and equal income, but we must be a society that does not promote the flaunting of that social divisiveness,' he said. Similarly, Mr Dinesh said Singapore should pay attention to tackling inequality as the nation grows as a financial hub, attracting money from different parts of the world. 'If that is not balanced sufficiently, if society reacts in a certain way, then it will be an issue of haves versus have-nots,' he said. Speaking to the media after the plenary session, Mr Dinesh said external forces such as the 'rivalry among the great powers leading to inflation and higher cost of living' could exacerbate economic differences within countries. 'We should address those issues by policy levers to make sure that income divides within Singapore are kept to a reasonable amount,' he said. He added that more should be done to engage young people who 'increasingly feel disconnected' and may not have the benefit of hindsight. Deliberate steps need to be taken to address their concerns about housing affordability and job security in the age of artificial intelligence, he said. The panel's moderator, Professor Mona Siddiqui, professor of Islamic and Interreligious Studies at the University of Edinburgh, asked why people are not more committed to multiculturalism. Mr Ho said one hurdle is the fear of the unknown. He suggested that travelling to neighbouring countries can help young Singaporeans who are typically more familiar with Western cultures understand Asean cultures better. The panel's third speaker, Venerable Napan Thawornbanjob, chair of the Institute of Buddhist Management for Happiness and Peace and secretary-general of Religions for Peace Thailand, said interfaith dialogues allow people to act on their curiosity and learn about other cultures. He highlighted the importance of forging friendships between religions, and of reaching out to educate people on religions through the media. He also emphasised the need for open-mindedness to reject the hate speech that broke out after conflicts in Thailand's southern border, citing his opportunities to interact with Muslim religious leaders and politicians. 'If we want to win this war, we need to adjust our way of thinking, our way of communication and our way of action, and especially how we collaborate.' Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
GE2025: New polyclinic, state-of-the-art sports centre coming to Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC
Follow our live coverage here. SINGAPORE - Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC residents can look forward to a bigger polyclinic, a state-of-the-art regional sports centre and more barrier-free and sheltered amenities soon, said Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat. He will also push to get a hawker centre up and running in Bishan, he added. Speaking at a rally at Bishan Stadium on April 30, he also spoke about completed projects, including estate upgrading. Mr Chee said that in the last five years, there have been many improvements in the estate, with input from residents. For instance, facilities for residents to stay active and healthy have been beefed up, such as the ActiveSG Gym in front of the Toa Payoh West Market. Future plans, he added, include the completion of the Toa Payoh Integrated Development (TPID) by 2030 or 'one or two years earlier if possible'. It will be built on the site of the former Toa Payoh Sport Centre, which closed on Oct 31, 2023. TPID will be home to the public library and town park, apart from the polyclinic and regional sports centre. Mr Chee said the new polyclinic will also offer women and children's health services. He added that when the library moves over to the new development, the existing library site and surrounding area, including the open air carpark, can be redeveloped. He said: 'We have an opportunity with this move to work with the government agencies to reimagine and rejuvenate this area in Toa Payoh Central. And I hope it can bring more vibrancy and better services for all our residents.' At the general election on May 3, Mr Chee will helm the PAP team which also comprises Mr Saktiandi Supaat, Ms Elysa Chen and Mr Cai Yinzhou against the Singapore People's Party. In his speech, Mr Chee paid tribute to Dr Ng Eng Hen and Mr Chong Kee Hiong – both of whom were Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC MPs. He said: 'I'm very grateful to Dr Ng for his mentorship, and for his guidance since I joined politics 10 years ago in 2015. 'I would also like to thank my colleague Mr Chong Kee Hiong. Kee Hiong is retiring from politics after 10 years of service. And I want to thank him for his service and his contributions to Bishan-Toa Payoh residents, especially those who stay in his division, Bishan East-Sin Ming.' Mr Chee added that he hopes to follow in Dr Ng's footsteps and serve in Bishan-Toa Payoh until he retires. If elected, he and his team will be on the ground starting next week, and Meet-the-People Sessions will start on May 6, he said. In his rally speech, Mr Saktiandi, who was first elected to Parliament in 2015, said that apart from his work in the estate, he has also raised residents' concerns in the House. He said: 'From pushing for anti-discrimination laws in employment, to advocating for retirement adequacy, support for single parents, clarifications on the Ethnic Integration Policy for HDB sales for minorities and other issues, I made sure your voices were heard.' The two new faces in the team – Ms Chen and Mr Cai – spoke about their experiences in the social sector and how they would serve Bishan-Toa Payoh residents if they get elected. Mr Cai said that for 10 years now, he has given free haircuts and helped seniors in Dakota Crescent with relocation to rebuild social ties, and has managed several active ageing centres, including one in Bishan. If elected, he said he will work with schools on intergenerational projects, get volunteers to teach seniors digital skills, and work with businesses to provide health screenings, workshops and events pro bono or at low cost. Ms Chen – executive director of the CampusImpact charity that helps disadvantaged youth – said she may be new to Bishan-Toa Payoh, but she is not new to working with youth and families. Her plans include a focus on residents whose needs may not be easily identified, including middle-income families that are sandwiched between taking care of the needs of young children as well as their elderly parents. Minister of State for Manpower and Education Gan Siow Huang, who will contest the Marymount single seat against PSP candidate Jeffrey Khoo, said her team has helped residents struggling with day-to-day issues, including organising 11 jobs and skills fairs in Marymount in the last five years. Ms Gan, who entered politics at the 2020 polls, has also been helping residents with mental health conditions and disabilities, including working with social enterprises like Bizlink to provide more tailored support for jobs and training. 'Whether you're starting out, mid-career or exploring a change, I hope to support that journey,' she said. Wrapping up the rally, Mr Chee also touched on challenges facing Singapore, including how the global environment is getting more difficult, uncertain and turbulent. He said: 'This is not the first crisis that we are facing as a nation, and with your support, we can overcome this crisis again. 'We have the experience, we have the know-how to chart a course for the way forward. A way forward through choppy waters, because we know how to tackle challenges with real solutions. 'With the support of Singaporeans, we get things done, we look after our people, we improve lives, and we will build a better future for you and your family.' Source: The Straits Times © SPH Media Limited. Permission required for reproduction Discover how to enjoy other premium articles here
