SINGAPORE — Among the challenges faced by an independent Singapore, reeling from the sudden exit from Malaysia 50 years ago, was the presence of Chinese chauvinist groups.

The then-Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew had declared that the English, Mandarin, Malay and Tamil languages would be enshrined in the Constitution of the newly formed Republic.

“Chinese groups had gone on to ask the Government to guarantee the status of Chinese and have that written into the Constitution of the new Republic,” recounted Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong yesterday (Oct 4).

“Mr Lee reminded them (that he) would like to hear the end of all this. Language, culture, religion — they are not political issues.”

The late Mr Lee further told these groups: “To all those who want to be language heroes, just pipe down. We had better calculate very carefully before they say these things. And if they don’t know what it’s all about, better leave these things to those who know.”

Their actions, he had said, would jeopardise the efforts of other Chinese communities “fighting for a fair place for their language” in South-east Asia. Singapore, which was founded on the premise of equality for all races, would be a model society in this region, he decided.

“Right from the beginning, we set the ideals. We policed the norms. We built this society,” said PM Lee.