Chapter 5:Chapter 5:

BONDING BONDING SINGAPORESINGAPORE

Singapore – who are we?Singapore – who are we?What are the challenges of a multi-What are the challenges of a multi-

ethnic society?ethnic society?How can ethnic diversity be managed?How can ethnic diversity be managed?Why is it important to manage ethnic Why is it important to manage ethnic

diversity? diversity?

Population Composition Population Composition

(4.68 million)(4.68 million)

Chinese – 75.6%Chinese – 75.6%

Malays – 13.6%Malays – 13.6%

Indians – 8.7%Indians – 8.7%

Eurasians & Others – 2.1%Eurasians & Others – 2.1%

Religious GroupsReligious Groups

Buddhism/Taoism – 51%Buddhism/Taoism – 51%Islam – 14.9%Islam – 14.9%Christianity – 14.7%Christianity – 14.7%Hinduism – 4% Hinduism – 4% No Religion – 14.8%No Religion – 14.8%Other Religions – 0.6%Other Religions – 0.6%

Origin of Singapore’s Origin of Singapore’s Multi-EthnicityMulti-Ethnicity

Singapore was a British Singapore was a British colony in 1819colony in 1819

People from different People from different countries were attractedcountries were attractedto Singapore as itto Singapore as itoffered them opportunities offered them opportunities & a better& a betterlifelife

In the end, they made In the end, they made Singapore their homeSingapore their home

What is the What is the danger of multi-danger of multi-ethnic country?ethnic country?

Can cause CONFLICT between people Can cause CONFLICT between people of different races and religionsof different races and religions

Challenges of a multi-ethnic Challenges of a multi-ethnic society:society:Why do conflicts occur?Why do conflicts occur?

1. Conflict happens when perceptions 1. Conflict happens when perceptions (viewpoints/feelings) are not properly (viewpoints/feelings) are not properly managed which causes:managed which causes:

Misunderstanding between people of Misunderstanding between people of different races & religionsdifferent races & religions

2. Threats from external forces2. Threats from external forces

Challenges of a multi-ethnic Challenges of a multi-ethnic society:society:

1.1. Managing perceptions of different Managing perceptions of different racial groupsracial groups

2.2. Managing perceptions of different Managing perceptions of different religious groupsreligious groups

3.3. Threats from external forcesThreats from external forces

Managing perceptions of different Managing perceptions of different racial groupsracial groups

Case Study: 1964 Communal RiotsCase Study: 1964 Communal Riots In the 1960s, different political approaches of the In the 1960s, different political approaches of the

State government in Singapore and Federal Malaysia State government in Singapore and Federal Malaysia caused a strain in their relationshipcaused a strain in their relationship Federal government believed in communal politicsFederal government believed in communal politics Singapore government believed in non-communal politicsSingapore government believed in non-communal politics

In 1964, PAP participated in the Federal Election of In 1964, PAP participated in the Federal Election of MalaysiaMalaysia

This made the Malays in the United Malays National This made the Malays in the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) feel threatenedOrganisation (UMNO) feel threatened

What is communal politics?What is communal politics?

A certain group of people are given special A certain group of people are given special rights and privileges in a countryrights and privileges in a country

What is non-communal politics?What is non-communal politics?

Everyone in the country is given equal rights Everyone in the country is given equal rights and privilegesand privileges

What did UMNO do then?What did UMNO do then?

anti-PAP campaign organised by anti-PAP campaign organised by UMNO leadersUMNO leaders

Highlighted the poverty of Malays in Highlighted the poverty of Malays in SingaporeSingapore

PAP’s resettlement and PAP’s resettlement and redevelopment programme was redevelopment programme was portrayed as anti-Malayportrayed as anti-Malay

Arouse feelings of dissatisfaction Arouse feelings of dissatisfaction among Singapore Malays towards the among Singapore Malays towards the PAPPAP

Challenge 1Challenge 1 managing perception of different racial groupsmanaging perception of different racial groups

In July 1964, during the celebration of In July 1964, during the celebration of Muhammad’s birthday, a clash between a Muhammad’s birthday, a clash between a Chinese policeman and a group of Malay Chinese policeman and a group of Malay

participants, turned into full-blown race riots participants, turned into full-blown race riots over the next few days and months.over the next few days and months.

Eyewitnesses ReportEyewitnesses Report

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

Eyewitnesses ReportEyewitnesses ReportWhen a police officer requested for some When a police officer requested for some marchers to stick to a particular route, he was marchers to stick to a particular route, he was attacked. attacked.

John Le Cain, Commissioner of Singapore’s John Le Cain, Commissioner of Singapore’s Police Force, described that incident:Police Force, described that incident:

““IInstead of being obeyed, he was set upon by nstead of being obeyed, he was set upon by this group. Thereafter, a series of disturbances this group. Thereafter, a series of disturbances occurred as more groups became unruly and occurred as more groups became unruly and attacked passers-by and innocent attacked passers-by and innocent bystanders.”bystanders.”

Managing perceptions of different Managing perceptions of different religious groupsreligious groups

Case Study: Maria Hertogh RiotsCase Study: Maria Hertogh Riots Riot occurred between the Muslim & Christian Riot occurred between the Muslim & Christian

community in 1950community in 1950 Over a domestic battle for custody of a young Over a domestic battle for custody of a young

Dutch girlDutch girl Legal system appeared to rule in favour of the Legal system appeared to rule in favour of the

Eurasians - Muslims felt they were treated unfairlyEurasians - Muslims felt they were treated unfairly Media reports escalated tensions felt between both Media reports escalated tensions felt between both

campscamps

The court’s decision to annul Maria’s marriage to a The court’s decision to annul Maria’s marriage to a Malay teacher and pictures of Maria in a Christian Malay teacher and pictures of Maria in a Christian convent published in the papers increase the convent published in the papers increase the unhappiness of the Muslim communityunhappiness of the Muslim community

Muslim community felt that their welfare was not Muslim community felt that their welfare was not looked intolooked into

Results in riots Results in riots Government placed a 24-hour curfew and called in the Government placed a 24-hour curfew and called in the

British and Malayan troops to maintain peaceBritish and Malayan troops to maintain peace http://http://www.youtube.com/watch?vwww.youtube.com/watch?v=Q51daa9HZ-M=Q51daa9HZ-M http://http://www.youtube.com/watch?vwww.youtube.com/watch?v

=EWlnUBIvHH0&mode==EWlnUBIvHH0&mode=related&searchrelated&search

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

... "With the full force at my command, ... "With the full force at my command, I say that whatever is going on in the I say that whatever is going on in the streets is quite contrary to the streets is quite contrary to the teachings of Islam."teachings of Islam."

... "Please, please for God's sake do ... "Please, please for God's sake do not repeat such things. Have not repeat such things. Have confidence in your leaders who are confidence in your leaders who are trying their level best to create a better trying their level best to create a better atmosphere."atmosphere."

Threats from External ForcesThreats from External Forces

Case Study: Case Study: Terrorism - Jemaah Islamiyah (JI)Terrorism - Jemaah Islamiyah (JI)

Transnational terrorism – acts of violence Transnational terrorism – acts of violence which are global in terms of aims, organisation which are global in terms of aims, organisation and impactand impact

Test the social bonds of the people in Test the social bonds of the people in Singapore as race & religion may be used to Singapore as race & religion may be used to create ill feelings among different ethnic create ill feelings among different ethnic groupsgroups

Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) – a militant group active in Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) – a militant group active in several SEA countriesseveral SEA countries

Base: Indonesia; Malaysia; Philippines; SingaporeBase: Indonesia; Malaysia; Philippines; Singapore

In December 2001, Singapore authorities In December 2001, Singapore authorities arrested 13 JI members, eight of whom had arrested 13 JI members, eight of whom had trained in al-Qaida camps in Afghanistan, trained in al-Qaida camps in Afghanistan, who planned to bomb the U.S. and Israeli who planned to bomb the U.S. and Israeli Embassies, British and Australian diplomatic Embassies, British and Australian diplomatic buildings, and U.S. and Singapore defense buildings, and U.S. and Singapore defense targets in Singapore. targets in Singapore.

Since 2001, 34 JI members were arrested Since 2001, 34 JI members were arrested under the Internal Security Act for terrorist-under the Internal Security Act for terrorist-related activities (fund-raising & purchase of related activities (fund-raising & purchase of materials for bomb-making)materials for bomb-making)

A country with many foreign establishments A country with many foreign establishments like US embassylike US embassy

Firm anti-terrorism stanceFirm anti-terrorism stance Friendly to the WestFriendly to the West

Why attack Singapore?Why attack Singapore?

Reactions of Non-Reactions of Non-Muslim SingaporeansMuslim Singaporeans

These mixed reactions showed an urgent These mixed reactions showed an urgent need to ensure that social cohesion is not need to ensure that social cohesion is not affected by the JI arrestsaffected by the JI arrests

Different racial and religious groups in Different racial and religious groups in Singapore must still continue to live and Singapore must still continue to live and work harmoniously with one another.work harmoniously with one another.

Can ethnic diversity be Can ethnic diversity be managed?managed?

Building National IdentityBuilding National Identity Safeguarding Interests of Minority Safeguarding Interests of Minority

GroupsGroups Developing Common SpaceDeveloping Common Space

ETHNIC DIVERSITY CAN BE ETHNIC DIVERSITY CAN BE MANAGED THROUGH:MANAGED THROUGH:

BUILDING NATIONAL IDENTITYBUILDING NATIONAL IDENTITY MultiracialismMultiracialism

Equality among racesEquality among races Equal opportunities to succeedEqual opportunities to succeed Ensured by the ConstitutionEnsured by the Constitution Creating a sense of belonging to the nationCreating a sense of belonging to the nation

Common PracticesCommon Practices Singing national anthem, pledge takingSinging national anthem, pledge taking Instilling loyalty and national pride Instilling loyalty and national pride

BilingualismBilingualism English as the language linking the ethnic groupsEnglish as the language linking the ethnic groups English as a non-native language – fair for all racesEnglish as a non-native language – fair for all races Improving communication among SingaporeansImproving communication among Singaporeans

Minority RepresentationMinority Representation Presidential Council of Minority Rights (PCMR) Presidential Council of Minority Rights (PCMR)

– ensures no racial or religious group is – ensures no racial or religious group is disadvantaged by any law passed in disadvantaged by any law passed in ParliamentParliament

Group Representation Constituency (GRC) – Group Representation Constituency (GRC) – ensures the minority racial groups are ensures the minority racial groups are represented in Parliament, so as to voice out represented in Parliament, so as to voice out the concerns and needs of the minority groups the concerns and needs of the minority groups

SAFEGUARDING INTERESTS OF SAFEGUARDING INTERESTS OF MINORITY GROUPSMINORITY GROUPS

Self-help groupsSelf-help groups Provide community members with aid in studies and Provide community members with aid in studies and

training for jobs, and moral supporttraining for jobs, and moral support To improve members’ social and economic positions To improve members’ social and economic positions

in societyin society Joint projects, e.g. joint tuition programme, to allow Joint projects, e.g. joint tuition programme, to allow

interaction among different ethnic groups interaction among different ethnic groups E.g. Chinese Development Assistance Council E.g. Chinese Development Assistance Council

(CDAC), Singapore Indian Development Association (CDAC), Singapore Indian Development Association (SINDA), Mendaki, Eurasian Association(SINDA), Mendaki, Eurasian Association

SAFEGUARDING INTERESTS OF SAFEGUARDING INTERESTS OF MINORITY GROUPSMINORITY GROUPS

Refers to the time and place that people Refers to the time and place that people come togethercome together

Allows for interaction and deeper Allows for interaction and deeper understanding of the cultures of different understanding of the cultures of different ethnic groupsethnic groups

Allows for friendships to be cultivated and Allows for friendships to be cultivated and strengthened, and closer bonds formedstrengthened, and closer bonds formed

DEVELOPING COMMON SPACEDEVELOPING COMMON SPACE

Events and programmes organised by Events and programmes organised by grassroots organisationsgrassroots organisations People’s Association (PA)People’s Association (PA) Home visit / home stay with a host family from Home visit / home stay with a host family from

another ethnic groupanother ethnic group

Opportunities offered by educational institutionsOpportunities offered by educational institutions Daily interaction among students of different races Daily interaction among students of different races

and religionsand religions During lessons, school activities, CCAsDuring lessons, school activities, CCAs

DEVELOPING COMMON SPACEDEVELOPING COMMON SPACE

Common living space provided by public housingCommon living space provided by public housing Ethnic integration policy (1989) – quota set for the proportion of Ethnic integration policy (1989) – quota set for the proportion of

races in every housing estate races in every housing estate

Activities conducted by Inter-Racial Confidence Circles Activities conducted by Inter-Racial Confidence Circles (IRCCs) and Harmony Circles (HCs)(IRCCs) and Harmony Circles (HCs) Visits to places of worship, playing traditional games Visits to places of worship, playing traditional games

Shared experience through National ServiceShared experience through National Service Undergoing military training together Undergoing military training together

DEVELOPING COMMON SPACEDEVELOPING COMMON SPACE

Why is it important to Why is it important to manage ethnic manage ethnic

diversity?diversity?

Security and peaceSecurity and peace Safe to live, work and play in SingaporeSafe to live, work and play in Singapore

Economic progressEconomic progress Foreign investors are attracted to invest and Foreign investors are attracted to invest and

set up companies in Singapore set up companies in Singapore Boost to tourist industryBoost to tourist industry

REASONS FOR THE IMPORTANCE OF REASONS FOR THE IMPORTANCE OF MANAGING ETHNIC DIVERSITYMANAGING ETHNIC DIVERSITY