‘Singaporeans could be kinder’
Koh: Work on certain areas to create a more gracious society
MOST Singaporeans are kind, but people can still aspire to be kinder to all who share the places where they work, liveandplay, said Ambassador-at-large Tommy Koh.
There are certain areas that the public can work on to create a gracious society, he added.
For example, Singaporeans could be nicer to the elderly, the disabled, foreign workers and one another. Bosses could also be kinder to their employees by respecting work-life balance and practising profit-sharing.
Professor Koh, the rector of Tembusu College at the National University of Singapore, also called on the public to “stand up against the minority of selfish people who oppose dormitories for foreign workers, hospices, facilities for the elderly in their neighbourhood”.
“Let the voices of the majority of
Let the voices of the majority of Singaporeans who are kind, rise above those of the unkind minority. — TOMMY KOH
Singaporeans who are kind rise above those of the unkind minority,” he said.
His assessment was made during a keynote speech at the National Conference on Kindness at the Marina Mandarin Hotel on Saturday.
Prof Koh came to his conclusion after presenting evidence which supported opposing views on the question of whether Singaporeans are kind.
His speech was followed by a 45minute forum attended by about 500 people, including students and business owners.
The conference, the second held to date, was organised by the Singapore Kindness Movement (SKM) and aimed at encouraging Singaporeans to discuss and reflect on ways to help one another show simple acts of graciousness and generosity.
The questions were wide-ranging and included topics such as how to teach kindness in schools, getting Singaporeans to clear their trays in hawker centres and giving maids annual home leave. — The Straits Times / Asia News Network