SINGAPORE — Building a multiracial compact is never-ending, as Singapore can never be satisfied with what it has achieved, said Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam, who called for a “deeper, more personal multiracialism” here.

At a dialogue yesterday with youth, he observed that peaceful accommodation was possible in British and French societies when it came to the first-generation immigrants despite cultural and religious differences.

Interestingly, he said, it was the second generation that grew up in both countries who felt alienated and were vulnerable to outside influences.

“(So) however little we’ve achieved, it can tumble down quickly. Building a multiracial compact is a never-ending game, not just because of what we’re like as a people, but because of what’s happening around the world,” he said.

Noting that ethical and religious consciousness is rising, leading to global conflict, he added that Singapore must put even more effort into deepening its multiracial compact now.

“We start from young, with friendships, interactions, being in the same netball team, the same hockey team, meeting three or four times a week, being on Facebook together, being on WhatsApp together, growing up as Singaporeans together. It has to be a deeper, more personal multiracialism,” he stressed.

Mr Tharman was speaking after some race-related questions from students. One had observed that the older generation still harboured “racial sentiments”, and worried that it might cause a divide like the one in the United States.

Another participant felt that what the President of Singapore does — his actions — rather than his race is the main factor in how people related to the office. He suggested that more be done to allow Singaporeans to know what the President is doing.

To that, Senior Minister of State and MP (Jurong GRC) Desmond Lee, who was part of the panel, said that, in the first place, the candidate must meet certain criteria and have a lengthy background in the private or public sector. They should be able to explain how they can carry out the roles of the President, he noted.

As for the issue of race, he said: “When you say race doesn’t matter, we want to be there, we want to work constantly towards being truly multiracial, multicultural Singapore (but) I think we all accept that race still is a factor.”

The race issue had surfaced recently, with impending changes to the Elected Presidency that would ensure minorities get elected as President from time to time. TAN WEIZHEN