Retired Supreme Court judge Choo Han Teck to chair new Presidential Council for Racial and Religious Harmony
Retired Supreme Court Judge Choo Han Teck will chair the new Presidential Council for Racial and Religious Harmony (PCRRH) from Sept 15, the President's Office announced on Monday (Sept 14).The Council replaces the Presidential Council for Religious Harmony, as the new Maintenance of Racial Harmony Act comes into effect, also on Tuesday.The new law empowers the authorities to issue restraining orders against individuals involved in making content that harms or threatens Singapore’s racial harmony.It also introduces a community remedial initiative, allowing those who have committed less serious race-related offences a chance to mend community ties in lieu of prosecution.Safeguards against foreign interference will also be introduced, with some 300 clans and business associations here expected to be designated as "race-based entities".This prohibits them from accepting donations from foreign principals or anonymous donors.