Former Senior Minister Advocates for a Dynamic and Unified Singaporean Identity
SINGAPORE: Former Senior Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam received warm applause as he made his first public appearance since stepping down from government, speaking at the Sheng Gong Cultural and Folklore Beliefs Festival’s fifth anniversary at Zhen Ren Gong Temple in Redhill Close. Tharman shared his vision for a “strong Singapore culture,” encouraging Singapore’s various cultural groups to not only coexist but to grow and evolve by learning from one another.
He emphasized that a unified Singaporean identity should be grounded in mutual respect, highlighted by the phrase “xiang hu jing zhong,” meaning “respect for all.” He noted that while it’s easy to view Singapore as a mosaic of separate cultures, true strength lies in each culture’s openness to adopting and sharing values. He cited the Bao Gong, Bao Sheng, and Sheng Gong traditions, celebrated at the festival, as examples of Singapore’s inclusive spirit and dedication to societal welfare.
Tharman underscored that cultural evolution is essential to building a robust national identity, cautioning against static cultural separations. “We cannot just keep separate cultures exactly as they are. We must keep evolving,” he remarked, envisioning a Singapore where mutual respect and adaptability form the core of its vibrant, collective identity.
