Pauline Hanson used to run a restaurant in Queensland serving fish and chips, a favourite meal of Australians. But she was not contented with just that and her ambition drove her to start a political party.
As the name of her One Nation party suggests, it is anti-aborigines and anti-immigrants. In a country that practices parliamentary democracy, she is walking a political tightrope by openly advocating racism.
Australia had implemented a “white Australians” policy in the past. The emergence of the One Nation party is a backward step and an attempt to revive an outdated practice. While it is more like a storm in a teacup now as Hanson and her party do not have the political influence to wreak havoc, the grave potential danger cannot be dismissed off-hand.
With the advance in information technology, the trend towards a global village is emerging. Some may think that since Singapore and Australia are far apart - a flight to Perth which is nearest to us takes five hours - racist acts by the One Nation party may not have any negative impact on us.
The reality is more complex. Singapore and Australia are both members of the Commonwealth, we are trading partners and we enjoy good ties. Besides, Australia is one of the favourite holiday destinations of Singaporeans and quite a number of Singaporeans have settled there. We should not take signs of racism rearing its ugly head there again lightly.
We are a multiracial and immigrant society which welcomes talented professionals from other countries to work and live here. We are concerned that the emergence of an anti-immigrant racist political party in Australia, which has close links with us, will undermine investor confidence.
While Chinese are the majority in Singapore, the constitution states clearly that all ethnic groups are equal and none shall enjoy any privileges. A sense of superiority by one group over another is not tolerated. Besides, while the constitution allows the formation of a political group by people from the same race, advocacy of racism, discrimination against other ethnic groups, and prejudice against immigrants are prohibited.
We had been through unfortunate communal clashes and paid a heavy price for them before we embarked on the formidable task of nation-building. Just look around and we can see what unending ethnic and sectarian violence is costing our neighbouring countries . Should we not value and protect what we have at the moment？ We certainly do not want the tragic part of our history to repeat itself.
It is encouraging to note that in recent dialogue sessions with government leaders, Malay representatives from all levels had brought up and discussed frankly problems of concern to them. Such exchanges will enhance understanding and trust among different groups and contribute to a more cohesive society.
Grassroots organisations in Eunos have responded to Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew's call at the dialogue session by setting up a special committee to promote racial harmony and unity.
Racial harmony is the foundation on which we have prospered and made progress. It is a “heartware-building” process that can only be achieved in the long term. Any damage to it or threat to its continuity must be addressed immediately - the onus is on all Singaporeans to preserve it.
（The writer is a retiree. Translated by Yap Gee Poh.）
不容種族優(yōu)越感萌芽生根
陳石凌
波琳。漢森,在澳洲昆士蘭州一個(gè)市鎮(zhèn),經(jīng)營(yíng)一間小食店,專賣澳洲人愛吃的炸薯?xiàng)l魚。她不甘寂寞,成立了一個(gè)政黨,叫做一族黨。
顧名思義,這是澳洲白人至上,反土著反移民,公然在一個(gè)實(shí)施民主議會(huì)制度的國(guó)家,明目張膽地鼓吹種族主義,走高度危險(xiǎn)的政治鋼索。
波琳。漢森
澳洲過去曾實(shí)施白澳政策,現(xiàn)在又出現(xiàn)一族黨,企圖促使開倒車的政策借尸還魂。盡管現(xiàn)階段在政海起落浮沉,但潛伏著很大的危險(xiǎn)性。
世界各國(guó)的地理位置是永恒不變的,然而資訊科技的日進(jìn)千里,地球村的趨勢(shì)已經(jīng)逐漸形成,盡管新澳兩國(guó)迢迢千里相隔,最接近我們的柏斯,也須5小時(shí)的行程,一族黨的胡作非為,對(duì)新加坡未必能產(chǎn)生不利的負(fù)面影響。
其實(shí)不然,新澳都是共和聯(lián)邦國(guó)家成員,兩國(guó)雙邊關(guān)系良好,它更是我們貿(mào)易伙伴,何況澳洲是國(guó)人熱愛的旅游點(diǎn),還有不少人在那里定居,對(duì)白澳種族政策又出現(xiàn)死灰復(fù)燃的跡象,我們豈可等閑視之。
新加坡是一個(gè)多元種族的移民國(guó)家,開放門戶,歡迎各國(guó)有一技之長(zhǎng)的專業(yè)人士,前來工作,定居落戶。我們十分關(guān)注和新加坡有著緊密貿(mào)易關(guān)系的澳洲,出現(xiàn)了反移民的種族性政黨,將影響到投資者的信心。
新加坡的人口結(jié)構(gòu),華族占了大多數(shù),不過,憲法明文規(guī)定,各民族自由平等,政府也不容許種族優(yōu)越感在這片土地萌芽生根。憲法雖然允許單一族群的政黨成立,但絕不允許鼓吹種族主義,排斥其他族群和歧視移民。
我們?cè)?jīng)歷過不幸的種族沖突事件,付出了血淚的慘重代價(jià),好不容易才把家園重建。再看看我們的鄰國(guó),種族、宗教*難以平息,哀鴻遍野,血雨腥風(fēng),令人膽寒,我們又怎能不珍惜和保護(hù)現(xiàn)在所擁有的一切？當(dāng)然,我們更不希望悲劇會(huì)重演。
令人感到十分鼓舞的是,最近,馬來族群的代表和政府高層領(lǐng)導(dǎo)人在座談會(huì)面對(duì)面的、坦誠的對(duì)切身問題進(jìn)行討論,這對(duì)于增進(jìn)各族群之間的了解與諒解,互信互愛,加強(qiáng)團(tuán)結(jié)愛國(guó)的凝聚力,都是有很大的推動(dòng)力的。
友諾士基層已經(jīng)響應(yīng)李光耀資政在對(duì)話會(huì)的呼吁,成立特委會(huì)促進(jìn)各族和諧團(tuán)結(jié)。
種族和諧,是新加坡共和國(guó)繁榮進(jìn)步,國(guó)運(yùn)昌隆的泉源。種族和諧也是十年樹木,百年樹人,浩大的心件工程千秋大業(yè)。如果發(fā)覺出現(xiàn)裂痕或斷層,就必須立刻進(jìn)行搶修補(bǔ)救,而這項(xiàng)重大的神圣的任務(wù),就落在所有新加坡人的身上。
As the name of her One Nation party suggests, it is anti-aborigines and anti-immigrants. In a country that practices parliamentary democracy, she is walking a political tightrope by openly advocating racism.
Australia had implemented a “white Australians” policy in the past. The emergence of the One Nation party is a backward step and an attempt to revive an outdated practice. While it is more like a storm in a teacup now as Hanson and her party do not have the political influence to wreak havoc, the grave potential danger cannot be dismissed off-hand.
With the advance in information technology, the trend towards a global village is emerging. Some may think that since Singapore and Australia are far apart - a flight to Perth which is nearest to us takes five hours - racist acts by the One Nation party may not have any negative impact on us.
The reality is more complex. Singapore and Australia are both members of the Commonwealth, we are trading partners and we enjoy good ties. Besides, Australia is one of the favourite holiday destinations of Singaporeans and quite a number of Singaporeans have settled there. We should not take signs of racism rearing its ugly head there again lightly.
We are a multiracial and immigrant society which welcomes talented professionals from other countries to work and live here. We are concerned that the emergence of an anti-immigrant racist political party in Australia, which has close links with us, will undermine investor confidence.
While Chinese are the majority in Singapore, the constitution states clearly that all ethnic groups are equal and none shall enjoy any privileges. A sense of superiority by one group over another is not tolerated. Besides, while the constitution allows the formation of a political group by people from the same race, advocacy of racism, discrimination against other ethnic groups, and prejudice against immigrants are prohibited.
We had been through unfortunate communal clashes and paid a heavy price for them before we embarked on the formidable task of nation-building. Just look around and we can see what unending ethnic and sectarian violence is costing our neighbouring countries . Should we not value and protect what we have at the moment？ We certainly do not want the tragic part of our history to repeat itself.
It is encouraging to note that in recent dialogue sessions with government leaders, Malay representatives from all levels had brought up and discussed frankly problems of concern to them. Such exchanges will enhance understanding and trust among different groups and contribute to a more cohesive society.
Grassroots organisations in Eunos have responded to Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew's call at the dialogue session by setting up a special committee to promote racial harmony and unity.
Racial harmony is the foundation on which we have prospered and made progress. It is a “heartware-building” process that can only be achieved in the long term. Any damage to it or threat to its continuity must be addressed immediately - the onus is on all Singaporeans to preserve it.
（The writer is a retiree. Translated by Yap Gee Poh.）
不容種族優(yōu)越感萌芽生根
陳石凌
波琳。漢森,在澳洲昆士蘭州一個(gè)市鎮(zhèn),經(jīng)營(yíng)一間小食店,專賣澳洲人愛吃的炸薯?xiàng)l魚。她不甘寂寞,成立了一個(gè)政黨,叫做一族黨。
顧名思義,這是澳洲白人至上,反土著反移民,公然在一個(gè)實(shí)施民主議會(huì)制度的國(guó)家,明目張膽地鼓吹種族主義,走高度危險(xiǎn)的政治鋼索。
波琳。漢森
澳洲過去曾實(shí)施白澳政策,現(xiàn)在又出現(xiàn)一族黨,企圖促使開倒車的政策借尸還魂。盡管現(xiàn)階段在政海起落浮沉,但潛伏著很大的危險(xiǎn)性。
世界各國(guó)的地理位置是永恒不變的,然而資訊科技的日進(jìn)千里,地球村的趨勢(shì)已經(jīng)逐漸形成,盡管新澳兩國(guó)迢迢千里相隔,最接近我們的柏斯,也須5小時(shí)的行程,一族黨的胡作非為,對(duì)新加坡未必能產(chǎn)生不利的負(fù)面影響。
其實(shí)不然,新澳都是共和聯(lián)邦國(guó)家成員,兩國(guó)雙邊關(guān)系良好,它更是我們貿(mào)易伙伴,何況澳洲是國(guó)人熱愛的旅游點(diǎn),還有不少人在那里定居,對(duì)白澳種族政策又出現(xiàn)死灰復(fù)燃的跡象,我們豈可等閑視之。
新加坡是一個(gè)多元種族的移民國(guó)家,開放門戶,歡迎各國(guó)有一技之長(zhǎng)的專業(yè)人士,前來工作,定居落戶。我們十分關(guān)注和新加坡有著緊密貿(mào)易關(guān)系的澳洲,出現(xiàn)了反移民的種族性政黨,將影響到投資者的信心。
新加坡的人口結(jié)構(gòu),華族占了大多數(shù),不過,憲法明文規(guī)定,各民族自由平等,政府也不容許種族優(yōu)越感在這片土地萌芽生根。憲法雖然允許單一族群的政黨成立,但絕不允許鼓吹種族主義,排斥其他族群和歧視移民。
我們?cè)?jīng)歷過不幸的種族沖突事件,付出了血淚的慘重代價(jià),好不容易才把家園重建。再看看我們的鄰國(guó),種族、宗教*難以平息,哀鴻遍野,血雨腥風(fēng),令人膽寒,我們又怎能不珍惜和保護(hù)現(xiàn)在所擁有的一切？當(dāng)然,我們更不希望悲劇會(huì)重演。
令人感到十分鼓舞的是,最近,馬來族群的代表和政府高層領(lǐng)導(dǎo)人在座談會(huì)面對(duì)面的、坦誠的對(duì)切身問題進(jìn)行討論,這對(duì)于增進(jìn)各族群之間的了解與諒解,互信互愛,加強(qiáng)團(tuán)結(jié)愛國(guó)的凝聚力,都是有很大的推動(dòng)力的。
友諾士基層已經(jīng)響應(yīng)李光耀資政在對(duì)話會(huì)的呼吁,成立特委會(huì)促進(jìn)各族和諧團(tuán)結(jié)。
種族和諧,是新加坡共和國(guó)繁榮進(jìn)步,國(guó)運(yùn)昌隆的泉源。種族和諧也是十年樹木,百年樹人,浩大的心件工程千秋大業(yè)。如果發(fā)覺出現(xiàn)裂痕或斷層,就必須立刻進(jìn)行搶修補(bǔ)救,而這項(xiàng)重大的神圣的任務(wù),就落在所有新加坡人的身上。