On the rising tensions between religious groups and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender activists, SMU Associate Professor of Law and Nominated MP Eugene Tan said that neither camp represented broad swathes of the population, and observed that the government had stayed neutral. "What will be a problem is if the government is perceived to be partial in the contestation, and there is no doubting that both sides seek to have the government and the middle ground on their side," Associate Prof Tan said. "So the government has to tread the tight-rope delicately and assure the conflicting groups that their values and interests are secure."