SINGAPORE, Sept 10 — Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong said yesterday that while Singapore’s national identity has grown stronger 60 years since its independence, it may not be the most important identity for many Singaporeans.

He noted that race, religion and other aspects often form key parts of people’s lives, Singapore-based news agency CNA reported today.

“For many people, being Singaporean is important, but it may not be the most important part of your identity, and we have to accept that’s the way people are,” Lee was quoted as saying at the annual Kent Ridge Ministerial Forum.

The country celebrated its independence anniversary on August 9.

The dialogue at the National University of Singapore was attended by about 800 students and staff from various local universities and pre-tertiary institutions.

The former prime minister of 20 years cited an Institute of Policy Studies survey showing that while nationality consistently ranks high, more Singaporeans are now viewing religion as a central part of their lives.

He stressed that national identity must be understood as layered, with differences in race, language, political views and sexual orientation shaping how people see themselves.

“So, these are all other aspects that we must know that we are one people but we are not all identical and there are fault lines which we have to guard.” 

Lee warned that globalisation and “powerful external forces” will continue to pull Singapore in different directions.

“Our job is to resist that and to remember: ‘Yes, I am Muslim, or I’m Chinese, or I’m Indian, but I’m also Singaporean,” he was quoted as saying.

He added that being Singaporean has always been a matter of “choice and conviction,” a principle first set out by founding foreign minister S Rajaratnam.

Lee urged young Singaporeans to play their part in strengthening the country’s identity by contributing to society through initiatives such as Forward Singapore.

He also emphasised that acknowledging differences, rather than pretending they do not exist, is vital to building a strong and distinctive Singaporean identity.