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Senior Parliamentary Secretary (Home Affairs) Mr Chin Harn Tong

explains how individual freedom has to be defined in terms of the social
constraints which govern us in society. There is no room for absolute
freedom especially in Singapore, given our heavy dependence on attracting
foreign investments and the tourist dollar, as well as the nature of our multi-
racial society.

Nonetheless, this does not mean to say that Singaporeans do not have access
to freedom. The freedom we enjoy has many facets such as in the form of
voting rights, the freedom of speech and the freedom of press; and the fact
that we have had established such a workable and successful relationship
between the individual and society shows how effectively we have made use
of our unique social conditions and environment in driving the progress of
Singapore.

As Singaporeans, we should fully know our situation and our principles at

stake when talking about issues regarding individual freedom and human
rights. With a firm stand on what is right, we would then be able to face with
confidence the future and the problems it may bring.

SPEECH BY MR CHIN HARN TONG, SENIOR PARLIAMENT

SECRETARY (HOME AFFAIRS), AT THE NATIONAL EDUCATION
SEMINAR FOR GRASSROOTS LEADERS IN ALJUNIED
CONSTITUENCY AT THE ALJUNIED COMMUNITY CENTRE ON
SUNDAY, 27 SEPTEMBER 1987 AT 9.00AM

1. This National Education Seminar organised by the grassroots

organisations of Aljunied Constituency on social and educational issues on the
national level is of great significance. These are the issues we often come across,
hear about and ponder over in our daily life. This Seminar provides us with an
opportunity to voice our feelings and thoughts on these issues. We, as
participants, will benefit considerably from this exchange of views among
ourselves.

2. The relationship between the individual and society is highly subjective.

The freedom of individual, if broadly defined, is synonymous with 'human
rights' which has been so much talked about in Singapore and in many other
countries. I would like to seize this opportunity to discuss this topic with you all.

3. In my opinion, it is utterly meaningless to talk about individual freedom

independently of its social context. Consequently, to discuss individual freedom
in society without referring to the unique conditions prevailing in any society is
equally frivolous.

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4. We all live in society except for the hermits who shun human company.
Our freedom has to be defined in terms of the social constraints which govern us
in society. In other words, the freedom we enjoy is not absolute. Freedom does
not mean we can do absolutely as we please without any regard for other people.
Freedom without any regulation or order is meaningless and chaotic. It is like a
mob during a riot, a lot of noise and action resulting in confusion and no
progress. This type of freedom is not only undesirable but should also be
prevented by law. For instance, to hell-riders freedom means the right to race on
public thoroughfares regardless of the disturbance they cause with their noisy
machines or the danger they pose to other road-users with their dangerous
driving. This type of freedom is obviously against the interest of the public and
should be stemmed out.

5. Some people strongly advocate the kind of individual freedom they

fancy to prevail in the West, under the delusion that westerners can totally
ignore law and order and consequently lead a life of absolute freedom. This is
not true. Perhaps what they have heard, seen or read are highly publicised stories
about a group of dissipated westerners. In reality, the westerners are generally
law-abiding citizens. Their respect for law and order is the main reason for the
social harmony and economic progress of the West.

6. To allow any group of Singaporeans to behave as wantonly and

outrageously as they like is a luxury Singapore cannot afford. Singapore is a
small island country without natural resources. All those who live and work in
Singapore must be enabled to do so for Singapore to progress. We must,
therefore, have an environment which is politically stable and socially
harmonious. In addition, we must also have highly qualified and enlightened
management personnel and committed workers able to co-operate with each
other. In this way, we will be able to attract the foreign investment that is needed
to expedite our economic growth and raise the living standard of our people.
What we have achieved in the last 20 years are concrete manifestations of our
sound policy and constructive efforts. Our responsibility in the years to come is
to consolidate what we have achieved and to stride forward into a new era,
making use of the experiences we inherited to meet new changes and challenges.
The vision we set forth for Singapore in 1990's must be materialised.

7. As we have seen, individual freedom is always relative, depending on

the circumstances of each country. It is true for the West, more so for Singapore.
To insist foolishly and blindly on an absolute concept of freedom is plainly
suicidal. For example, even western countries with all their vast resources and
accumulated wealth, cannot withstand the repercussion of recurring work
stoppages and civil unrest demonstrations. These stoppages and demonstrations
will effectively destroy Singapore. Singapore is one of the very few countries in

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the world which are completely dependent on whatever services their people can
give. If tourists and investors are kept away by unrest and strikes, Singapore
may as well put up its shutters.

8. Therefore, we can never allow communist ideology to take root in

Singapore because it foments and fosters violence and bloodshed. It also
advocates class struggle. It will bring us disasters and impede our social
development. For the same reason we must also clamp down on extreme racism.
This is because it deliberately seeks to promote ill-will and ill-feeling between
the different races with its constant harping on the alleged discrimination of one
race in comparison with others. In our multi-racial society, any distrust and
suspicion between two races will adversely affect Singapore's progress.

9. Nevertheless, this does not mean that Singaporeans, living in unique

social conditions and environment, do not have freedom. On the contrary, the
freedom our people enjoy has many facets. We all know that the Government is
elected by the people and the people choose their own Members of Parliament.
Besides, they also enjoy freedom of speech and freedom of the press, as long as
the public interest is safeguarded. Tourists coming to Singapore after often taken
by surprise that Singapore has transformed itself into a beautiful garden city in
such a short time and her people are so highly self-disciplined and effectively
efficient. All this shows how adequately we have made use of our unique social
conditions and environment to establish a workable and successful relationship
between the individual and society.

10. Being Singaporeans, we should full know our situation, our problems,
our strength and weaknesses and what we are striving for. When we talk about
issues regarding individual freedom and human rights, we must know and
understand what are the principles at stake so that we can take a firm stand on
what we believe to be right. In so doing, we will be able to face with confidence
the future and the problems it may bring. To progress we must have the
confidence to overcome future problems.

11. Finally, let me declare this National Education Seminar officially open
and wish it a great success.

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