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Singapore will pass a new law on racial harmony called the Maintenance of Racial Harmony Act.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong made this announcement during his National Day Rally Speech on Sunday (Aug. 29).

According to PM Lee, the Act will put together the government’s powers to deal with racial issues.

It will also incorporate some "softer and gentler touches".

For example, the government will have the power to order someone who has caused an offence to stop doing so, and to make amends by learning more about the other race and mending ties with them.

"This softer approach will heal hurt, instead of leaving resentment," said PM Lee.

Similar to existing religious harmony act

According to PM Lee, the new Act is similar to Singapore's existing Maintenance of Religious Harmony Act.

Although the government has never needed to invoke any of the punishments under the Act, Lee explained that its existence has had a "salutary effect" by helping to restrain intolerance and promote religious harmony.

Similarly, the Maintenance of Racial Harmony Act will encourage moderation and tolerance between different racial groups.

"It will signal the overriding importance of racial harmony to Singapore," added Lee.

Keeping policies on race and religion up to date

Besides combating discrimination and racist attitudes, Lee emphasised that the race and religion policies in Singapore must be kept up to date.

Views and perspectives from different generations should also be accommodated.

Lee said:

"Each new generation has its own perspective on racial issues. Older Singaporeans lived through Singapore’s independence journey. They think: discussions can become disputes, disputes can become quarrels, better don’t talk about such things too much.

Younger Singaporeans didn't personally experience the racial tensions and riots of our early years. Their living experience has been largely racial peace and harmony. They believe: we are mature and stable now. We want to improve the status quo. We must talk about racial and religious issues more openly, and relook our policies and assumptions afresh.

These generational differences in views are perfectly understandable and should be accommodated."

Highly exposed to external political developments

In his speech, Lee also said that Singapore is highly exposed to external political developments, such as the Black Lives Matter in the U.S., and the violence between Israel and the Palestinians in Gaza.

"Our own circumstances and context are completely different, and these are not our quarrels, but they do affect our people," he added.

Thus, Lee reiterated that from time to time, Singapore must adjust its policies on race and religion, but it should be adjusted "based on our own needs, and not just because of trends abroad".

He added:

"We should do so with caution, because race and religion will always be highly sensitive issues. We have to take the time to discuss respectfully, make sure everybody understands, and build a consensus before we make any move."

Racial harmony did not happen spontaneously in Singapore

PM Lee said in his speech that the racial harmony that we now enjoy in Singapore did not happen spontaneously and built on the "hard work, sacrifice, and wisdom" of older generations.

He said that while the recent racist incidents highlighted how fragile our harmony is, it does not "negate" Singapore's multi-racial approach which has "worked well" for us.

Earlier in his Malay speech, PM Lee highlighted how the "give and take" approach, with mutual respect and accommodation from all communities, has contributed to the racial and religious harmony we enjoy since independence.

In his Chinese speech, while PM Lee dismissed "Chinese privilege" as baseless in Singapore's context, he highlighted incidents of minorities having more difficulties in renting a home or finding a job.

He urges all Singaporeans to uphold the principle of racial equality so as to build a more inclusive Singapore.

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Top image from Lee Hsien Loong/Twitter.