Chapter 5: BONDING SINGAPORE

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Chapter 5BONDING SINGAPORE
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Overview

• Singapore who are we?
• What are the challenges of a multi-ethnic
  society?
• How can ethnic diversity be managed?
• Why is it important to manage ethnic diversity?

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Singapore - who are we?

• Population Composition
• (4.68 million)
• Chinese 75.6
• Malays 13.6
• Indians 8.7
• Eurasians Others 2.1

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Religious Groups Buddhism/Taoism 51 Islam
14.9 Christianity 14.7 Hinduism 4 No
Religion 14.8 Other Religions 0.6
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Origin of Singapores Multi-Ethnicity

• Singapore was a British
• colony in 1819
• People from different
• countries were attracted
• to Singapore as it
• offered them opportunities
• a better
• life
• In the end, they made
• Singapore their home

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What is the danger of multi-ethnic country?

• Can cause CONFLICT between people of different
  races and religions

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Challenges of a multi-ethnic societyWhy do
conflicts occur?

• 1. Conflict happens when perceptions
  (viewpoints/feelings) are not properly managed
  which causes
• Misunderstanding between people of different
  races religions
• 2. Threats from external forces

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Challenges of a multi-ethnic society

1. Managing perceptions of different racial groups
2. Managing perceptions of different religious
   groups
3. Threats from external forces

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Managing perceptions of different racial
groupsCase Study 1964 Communal Riots

• In the 1960s, different political approaches of
  the State government in Singapore and Federal
  Malaysia caused a strain in their relationship
• Federal government believed in communal politics
• Singapore government believed in non-communal
  politics
• In 1964, PAP participated in the Federal Election
  of Malaysia
• This made the Malays in the United Malays
  National Organisation (UMNO) feel threatened

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• What is communal politics?
• A certain group of people are given special
  rights and privileges in a country
• What is non-communal politics?
• Everyone in the country is given equal rights
  and privileges

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• What did UMNO do then?
• anti-PAP campaign organised by UMNO leaders
• Highlighted the poverty of Malays in Singapore
• PAPs resettlement and redevelopment programme
  was portrayed as anti-Malay
• Arouse feelings of dissatisfaction among
  Singapore Malays towards the PAP

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Challenge 1 managing perception of different
racial groups

• In July 1964, during the celebration of
  Muhammads birthday, a clash between a Chinese
  policeman and a group of Malay participants,
  turned into full-blown race riots over the next
  few days and months.

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Eyewitnesses Report

• When the Muslims were marching and shouting
  God is Great, some Chinese men disturbed the
  procession by throwing water and bottles at the
  group. This incurred the Muslims wrath and some
  crude words were exchanged between the two
  races.

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Eyewitnesses Report

• When a police officer requested for some
  marchers to stick to a particular route, he was
  attacked.
• John Le Cain, Commissioner of Singapores Police
  Force, described that incident
• Instead of being obeyed, he was set upon by
  this group. Thereafter, a series of disturbances
  occurred as more groups became unruly and
  attacked passers-by and innocent bystanders.

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Managing perceptions of different religious
groupsCase Study Maria Hertogh Riots

• Riot occurred between the Muslim Christian
  community in 1950
• Over a domestic battle for custody of a young
  Dutch girl
• Legal system appeared to rule in favour of the
  Eurasians - Muslims felt they were treated
  unfairly
• Media reports escalated tensions felt between
  both camps

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• The courts decision to annul Marias marriage to
  a Malay teacher and pictures of Maria in a
  Christian convent published in the papers
  increase the unhappiness of the Muslim community
• Muslim community felt that their welfare was not
  looked into
• Results in riots
• Government placed a 24-hour curfew and called in
  the British and Malayan troops to maintain peace
• http//www.youtube.com/watch?vQ51daa9HZ-M
• http//www.youtube.com/watch?vEWlnUBIvHH0modere
  latedsearch

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Extracts of the broadcast from a Muslim leader,
Maulana Mohamad Abdul Aleem Siddiqui

• ... "With the full force at my command, I say
  that whatever is going on in the streets is quite
  contrary to the teachings of Islam."
• ... "Please, please for God's sake do not repeat
  such things. Have confidence in your leaders who
  are trying their level best to create a better
  atmosphere."

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Threats from External ForcesCase Study
Terrorism - Jemaah Islamiyah (JI)

• Transnational terrorism acts of violence which
  are global in terms of aims, organisation and
  impact
• Test the social bonds of the people in Singapore
  as race religion may be used to create ill
  feelings among different ethnic groups

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• Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) a militant group active
  in several SEA countries
• Base Indonesia Malaysia Philippines Singapore

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• In December 2001, Singapore authorities arrested
  13 JI members, eight of whom had trained in
  al-Qaida camps in Afghanistan, who planned to
  bomb the U.S. and Israeli Embassies, British and
  Australian diplomatic buildings, and U.S. and
  Singapore defense targets in Singapore.
• Since 2001, 34 JI members were arrested under the
  Internal Security Act for terrorist-related
  activities (fund-raising purchase of materials
  for bomb-making)

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Why attack Singapore?

• A country with many foreign establishments like
  US embassy
• Firm anti-terrorism stance
• Friendly to the West

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Reactions of Non-Muslim Singaporeans
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• These mixed reactions showed an urgent need to
  ensure that social cohesion is not affected by
  the JI arrests
• Different racial and religious groups in
  Singapore must still continue to live and work
  harmoniously with one another.

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Can ethnic diversity be managed?
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ETHNIC DIVERSITY CAN BE MANAGED THROUGH

• Building National Identity
• Safeguarding Interests of Minority Groups
• Developing Common Space

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BUILDING NATIONAL IDENTITY

• Multiracialism
• Equality among races
• Equal opportunities to succeed
• Ensured by the Constitution
• Creating a sense of belonging to the nation
• Common Practices
• Singing national anthem, pledge taking
• Instilling loyalty and national pride
• Bilingualism
• English as the language linking the ethnic groups
• English as a non-native language fair for all
  races
• Improving communication among Singaporeans

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SAFEGUARDING INTERESTS OF MINORITY GROUPS

• Minority Representation
• Presidential Council of Minority Rights (PCMR)
  ensures no racial or religious group is
  disadvantaged by any law passed in Parliament
• Group Representation Constituency (GRC) ensures
  the minority racial groups are represented in
  Parliament, so as to voice out the concerns and
  needs of the minority groups

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SAFEGUARDING INTERESTS OF MINORITY GROUPS

• Self-help groups
• Provide community members with aid in studies and
  training for jobs, and moral support
• To improve members social and economic positions
  in society
• Joint projects, e.g. joint tuition programme, to
  allow interaction among different ethnic groups
• E.g. Chinese Development Assistance Council
  (CDAC), Singapore Indian Development Association
  (SINDA), Mendaki, Eurasian Association

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DEVELOPING COMMON SPACE

• Refers to the time and place that people come
  together
• Allows for interaction and deeper understanding
  of the cultures of different ethnic groups
• Allows for friendships to be cultivated and
  strengthened, and closer bonds formed

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DEVELOPING COMMON SPACE

• Events and programmes organised by grassroots
  organisations
• Peoples Association (PA)
• Home visit / home stay with a host family from
  another ethnic group
• Opportunities offered by educational institutions
• Daily interaction among students of different
  races and religions
• During lessons, school activities, CCAs

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DEVELOPING COMMON SPACE

• Common living space provided by public housing
• Ethnic integration policy (1989) quota set for
  the proportion of races in every housing estate
• Activities conducted by Inter-Racial Confidence
  Circles (IRCCs) and Harmony Circles (HCs)
• Visits to places of worship, playing traditional
  games
• Shared experience through National Service
• Undergoing military training together

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Why is it important to manage ethnic diversity?
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REASONS FOR THE IMPORTANCE OF MANAGING ETHNIC
DIVERSITY

• Security and peace
• Safe to live, work and play in Singapore
• Economic progress
• Foreign investors are attracted to invest and set
  up companies in Singapore
• Boost to tourist industry