Hijab: Indranee Rajah on WP's position

I thought it would be wiser to for the PAP to ignore the statements the opposition parties had put out on the hijab issue, especially the WP. They should just learn to tell their story better and more persuasively. There is a time to engage the other political parties but that is not now. WP and NSP were just trying to get Malay Muslim support.

The dumbest thing the PAP keep doing is to challenge WP as an equal and able to form the government. They should mostly just ignore them, learn why people are unhappy and get on with doing a better job.

Here are some of the most 'liked' reponses to Indranee's Facebook post.

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  Yazid Idah Aiyah...wateva lah... u all will not debate equally and fairly on this issue... pap will stand by its ground of saying by not wearing hijab promotes racial harmony... what kind of a stupid reason is dat? U take us as fools is it? We are not buying it...

  Like · Reply · 37 · 12 hours ago via mobile
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  Ina Alib For me tis is a racist issue. How can the person that bring up tis matter can be an MP? Im so surprised. We take US as an example, terrorist has attacked them for more then once. But i did not heard any news that their governtment is stoping their muslim religion from wearing a hijab. So whats the matter with hijab?

  Like · Reply · 23 · 12 hours ago via mobile
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  Azhar Abdul Aziz The tudung can impact Racial integration and harmony ? We have never have issues with the Sikh community wearing the turban since their presence in Singapore and now the tudung can cause racial harmony ? I thought these men and women in white are smart and intelligent? Maybe they are, but their hands are tied .. they are boot lickers

  Like · Reply · 18 · 12 hours ago via mobile

All are Malay and I assume Muslim. If you are non Muslim and Malay you probably don't care and leave it to the government to settle this. If you are also a motorist you might be even more interested in the opening of the MCE than this i.e., until cracks appear and troubles start.

My Sikh classmate from NUS was discriminated against when we graduated and he tried to look for a job. To be practical he ended up joining the civil service. BBC did a good program on why the Sikhs wear turbans. Unlike the hijab, it's is not optional and uncontroversial.

Muslims pushing for the hijab are idealistic. They will find that the social realities and engagement will not be as rosy as they imagine if the government give in. Nevertheless I hope over time we mature, accept and give more space to the hijab. Now is not the right time. The result to our society would be a net negative, maybe worse. Really, what's the hurry? Isn't God patient in whatever religion you got to know him.

I am dismayed with the opposition parties opportunism because the electorate is disengaged and poorly informed. However they would look bad when we start to understand this better.