Malay/Muslim community can be proud of its achievements: SM Lee

He praises its role in maintaining racial, religious harmony; impact of its leaders

- Wong Pei Ting

The Malay/Muslim community has achieved much to be proud of, said Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong. He highlighted progress made in education and jobs, the community's role in maintaining racial and religious harmony, and the impact its leaders have had.

He also shared his hope that the community will continue to progress, fostering "a strong spirit of unity and citizenry" as it does so. This means helping one another through difficulties and celebrating successes together, he said in Malay.

SM Lee was speaking on Sept 20 at a dinner hosted by community self-help group Mendaki and other Malay/Muslim organisations. Held in a ballroom at the Singapore Expo, the dinner was to thank him for having served the nation with honour and distinction as prime minister from 2004 to 2024.

More than 600 guests from the Malay/Muslim community attended the event, including serving and retired MPs, as well as leaders from community, religious and youth groups.

In his speech, SM Lee highlighted several "sensitive and important" issues he had worked with the community to tackle. These include the wearing of the tudung for nurses, the repeal of Section 377A of the Penal Code, and the Israel-Hamas conflict.

"The Malay/Muslim community has handled these issues with maturity. You upheld your values and viewpoints, while acknowledging and respecting others who hold differing opinions," he said.

He added that he treasured the privilege of working on such issues with Malay/Muslim leaders, with many "direct, candid and heart-to-heart discussions" often taking place behind closed doors. These "helped us greatly in managing the issues, and built mutual trust and confidence between the community, its leaders and the Government", he said.