Ethnic relations in Singapore.

Target audiences

The target audiences will be identified as:

• The general public

• Politicians and ‘influencers’

• The media

Creative Work Plan

Ethnic relations are always diverse, complex and dynamic. In order to keep this ethnic relations and multicultural country in peace is an on-going process. Re-examining and improving ethnic relations in various domains such as politics and state management, education, work, national service, social services, media representation and sense of belonging are some areas in which ethnic relations are played out in important and critical ways.

With the rapid globalizing world and changing expectations of various segments of its population, it is time to shape up the visions and ideals of Singaporean multiracial and multicultural society that is being equal and fair but in order to improve, all need to put in concerted effort that is to play role models and take initiative within and across ethnic representation.

Evaluation and findings

According to a survey conducted by the Institute of Policy Studies in 1990 we can see a positive improvement among the ethnic relations in Singapore though some attention still need to be focus on our younger generation to encourage them on cross-cultural exchange. Here is the output of the evaluation and findings in the form of SWOT analysis:

Strengths

Singaporeans has proved to be a strong multi-racial society despite those slight issues raise within the ethnic groups. The recent SARS crisis has shown the world that we are united and are able to fight against any destruction even if there are any differences in race. With this strong national identity, these four ethnic groups are ready to protect this nation.  

Table 1        “I think of myself as Singaporean than what race I am”

Several institutions have been built up to promote multi-racialism and national identity building process:

The Housing Development Board integration policy introduced to ensure a balance mix of various ethnic groups in HDB estates and the effectiveness of this has gradually proved to be successful. (Refer to NUS Housing Research)

Self-help groups such as SINDA (for the Indians), CDAC (for the Chinese), Mendaki (for the Malays) and Eurasian Association (for the Eurasian) have been established so as to address some of the social problems by the different racial groups and to maintain an environment of ethnic harmony and tolerance. One important role played by these self help groups will be to look after their respective communities, to outreach and communicate to the individuals and in this way it is able to reinforce racial segregation.

Table 2        Ethnic Quotas and Self-Help Groups

Weaknesses

According to a survey done by the National Institute of Education it has shown that children prefers to be with someone of their own race and this proved that  not much attention have been paid on the current programmes and activities to cultivate and influence the young children and  youths. School and parents are the main influencer among the young and community development personnel too is able participant to strengthen cultural awareness among these ethnic groups.

Some examples:

School educators such as teachers and principals need cultural sensitivity and competence to educate and relate to students of diverse backgrounds. The current composition of students in some school does not provide conditions that are conducive for diverse cultural-exchange.

Parents need cultural knowledge and competence to raise their children in an increasingly multicultural world.

Community development personnel and organizers should develop some cross-cultural programmes for children and youths in local settings.

Opportunities

Opportunities have to be created and at the same time be spotted.

Some recent events which allow such opportunities to strengthen the bond of all these ethnic groups will be:

The recent National Day Rally, Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong has sliced this opportunity to urge the Malay community to keep up the good work and continue interacting with other races. This has reaffirmed the minority group that they are not being left unnoticed for the effort they put in.

The Fabric of Nation5 which is a project proposed by Channel NewsAsia to remember Singapore’s recent resilience is a national activity whereby all individuals are encouraged to contribute their own personal piece of patchwork and on the day of 23 Aug 2003 is the day whereby all these pieces of testimonies will be stitched to form a giant tapestry.

    Threats

The external global issue on Islamic Revival has brought much of attention to the world. The sign of individuals showing hostility towards the Muslims are becoming more obvious and Singaporeans Muslims too cannot run away from the fact that other racial groups has begin to segregate away from them especially after some negative events such as the September 11th tragedy and the arrests of Jemayah Islamiah as they are perceived as the negative fallout on ethnic relations. (Refer to article: Religious tolerance begins at home)

Growing careless and insensitive referencing to race, culture and religion

Theoretical Framework

Ethnicity is a pervasive reality therefore Singapore being a relatively small nation we ought to preserve the very precious asset of what we call the racial and religious harmony and in order to preserve such peace and tolerance among these racial groups there are certain factors that we need to look into such as:

The minorities should never be taken for granted and whereby the Group Representation Constituencies system is there to ensure a multi-racial Parliament and that The Presidential Council for Minority Rights is able to represent the minority group whereby its interest will be safeguarded.

Each ethnic group is allowed to preserve its heritage and develop its own character within a national framework. For example, every religious group enjoyed the freedom to respect the rights and freedom of other religious groups. Here is where the Presidential Council for Religious Harmony steps in to ensure religious tolerance was preserved. The government too will provide funds for cultural activities of the different races, the maintenance of heritage centers and support community self-help groups.

The government has to act in a firm, fair and honest manner so as to win the heart of their citizens and to reaffirm them that they will look into the interest of all individuals and willing to debate openly various sensitive issues so as to educate the people and allow grievances and views to be heard openly such as the Forum page in The Straits Times.

The government has to follow a pragmatic and non-ideological approach in solving problems. Any group must not misuse ethnic autonomy to promote chauvinism, nor should it endanger racial or religious harmony, or threaten national, political, economic or international interests.  This practical approach helped to solve many problems in a way that no group is at a disadvantaged and all are encouraged to seize equal opportunities.

It is when according to Maslow’s Hierarchy of Human Needs that the message been clearly defined and credibility is being formed it is able to maintain (Newsom, Turk, Kruckeberg 2000:204)

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Lesson learned

The brutality of the inter-ethnic war in Sri Lanka which illustrates the dangers of racial and linguistic conflicts is difficult to control once they are let loose. What Sri Lanka experience is that the initial problem over race and language need to be solved quickly, before they grow larger and more complex and become intractable. Another example will be the protracted conflict in Northern Ireland that illustrates the dangers of religious extremism.

   

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