Presidential Council for Religious Harmony is formed

The establishment of the Presidential Council for Religious Harmony (PCRH) was provided under the Maintenance of Religious Harmony Act passed on 9 November 1990.^[1] The act was introduced "to prevent religious tensions and conflict caused by insensitive and provocative acts, and to promote understanding, moderation, tolerance and respect for other religions”.^[2]

In line with these objectives, the PCRH was formed as an advisory body to consider and report on matters affecting the maintenance of religious harmony referred to it by the Minister of Home Affairs or parliament.^[3] The council will also make recommendations on restraining orders against any leader or member of any religious group or institution who incite inter-religious strife or who conduct political or subversive activities under the pretext of propagating or practising any religious belief.^[4]

The council comprises a chairman and between 6 and 15 other members. Members are representatives of the major religions in Singapore as well as Singapore citizens who have distinguished themselves in public service and community relations.^[5] The first council was appointed on 1 August 1992 after the Maintenance of Religious Harmony Act came into effect on 31 March that year.^[6]

References
1. Republic of Singapore. Government Gazette. Acts Supplement. (1991, January 25). Maintenance of Religious Harmony Act 1990. (Act 26 of 1990). Singapore: Govt. Print. Off. Call no.: RSING 348.5957 SGGAS.
2. The need for the Maintenance of Religious Harmony Act (1992). (p. 4). Singapore: Resource Centre, Publicity Division, Ministry of Information and the Arts. Call no.: RSING 322.1 SIN.
3. Government Gazette. Acts Supplement, 25 Jan 1991, Maintenance of Religious Harmony Act 1990 (Act 26 of 1990), p. 176.
4. Government Gazette. Acts Supplement, 25 Jan 1991, Maintenance of Religious Harmony Act 1990 (Act 26 of 1990), p. 177.
5. Government Gazette. Acts Supplement, 25 Jan 1991, Maintenance of Religious Harmony Act 1990 (Act 26 of 1990), pp. 174–175.
6. Religious harmony act to take effect from Tuesday. (1992, March 28). The Straits Times, p. 26. Retrieved from NewspaperSG; First religious harmony body appointed. (1992, August 2). The Straits Times, p. 1. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.