SENIOR Minister Goh Chok Tong sees a potential danger arising from Singaporeans becoming more religious.

It can lead to people of the same faith mixing only with each other, which over time could result in 'compartmentalisation of our society by religion', he said.

Should this happen, there is a great possibility of religious misunderstanding and conflict, he said at a National Day dinner in Marine Parade yesterday, in a speech on the challenges facing the Singapore of tomorrow.

Mr Goh's signalling of the need for social cohesion and inter-religious harmony is the second in two days by a top government leader.

Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng did so on Saturday, citing conflicts outside Singapore such as last month's violent clashes between Uighur Muslims and Han Chinese in China's Xinjiang province.

Their messages reinforce a concern flagged in the past month by a few other members of the Cabinet.

Yesterday, Mr Goh spelt out the fundamentals that must stay un-changed for Singapore to guard against fomenting tensions.

It has a secular government which represents Singaporeans of 'all beliefs, including those without a religion'.

'Hence, as a principle, public institutions or private organisations which receive public funding are not permitted to impose or advocate any religious belief or practice.

'This must remain the foundation of our inter-religious harmony,' he stressed.

For that reason too, there are policies ensuring public housing estates and schools remain common secular spaces, 'where nobody is made to feel uncomfortable whatever his colour or beliefs'.

Mr Goh pointed out that the Government sees religion as a positive force in society, giving 'spiritual guidance to help us cope with a fast-changing world'.

However, rising religiosity may lead people, unwittingly, to form religious enclaves, unless a conscious effort is made to continue socialising with people of other faiths, he said.

If such religiosity 'encroaches on our common secular space, or worse, the practice of other religions, (it) must result in a push-back by others'.

The theme of growing religious fervour made up a substantial part of Mr Goh's speech, which made the key point that in Singapore's successes 'are embedded the seeds of new challenges'.

The economy, for one, has grown 125 times from $2 billion half a century ago to $250 billion today.

This dramatic growth has given rise to new socio-economic challenges.

Mr Goh identified 10, to be borne largely by the next generation.

They range from maintaining high economic growth to social issues such as minimising urban congestion.

He also cited other problems, such as raising the birth rate and providing affordable care and jobs for the future elderly in Singapore.

However, Mr Goh is confident that the next generation can tackle the new challenges.

They have four factors in their favour: Ample financial resources, a growing talent pool, strong political leadership and a cohesive society enjoying racial and religious harmony for four decades.

But Mr Goh warned against taking it for granted, saying 'ours is a society with inherent cracks'.

Grassroots leaders interviewed shared his concern.

However, Residents' Committee member Edward Chua, 49, cautioned against overstating it because 'religious people can be trusted to exercise their faith responsibly and for the good of society'.

On the other hand, Mr R. Kalaichelvan, treasurer of the Marine Parade Community Complex, felt 'we must send a clear message to everyone that we have a secular society, and religion can only be practised in the private space'.

The exception would be if there are opportunities where religious groups can work together, then they should be brought into the common space, said the 51-year-old.