THE protest against the plan to hold a Philippine Independence Day event in Orchard Road is worrying ("Organisers of Philippine event targeted"; April 17). Not only does it show that Singapore society is becoming more intolerant, but it may also signal a shift towards the far right.
On many websites and social media platforms, one often comes across vitriolic and nasty comments whenever the word "foreigner" is brought up. In many cases, foreigners become convenient scapegoats for societal problems and issues.
It appears that a culture of xenophobia is starting to manifest itself among certain segments of society. This is dangerous as it may lead to the rise of far-right sentiments in Singapore.
The far right of the political spectrum often advocates intolerance towards immigration and features extreme xenophobic views. Such ideologies often come to the fore when local populations feel threatened by immigration or are in a state of economic malaise.
Nations the world over are grappling with similar problems.
While people are entitled to their beliefs, the far right has the potential to hurt Singapore's social fabric, raising tensions between locals and foreigners.
Singaporeans have been brought up with the belief that racial harmony is crucial for ensuring a stable society. As our society becomes more cosmopolitan, the need to maintain stability and harmony becomes all the more important. Even as we expect foreigners to integrate into our society, we must also be sensitive to their needs.
We must stem this tide of xenophobia by addressing the insecurities felt by some Singaporeans over the influx of foreigners. If we can assure Singaporeans that their livelihoods or cultural practices will not be compromised as a result of the foreigners in their midst, they will be more confident of the future and less willing to subscribe to hardline views.
Let us nip xenophobia in the bud before it becomes entrenched in the Singapore psyche.
Ng Qi Siang
*Article first appeared on ST Forums (2 May 2014)