Ss presentation

Importance of managing Singapore’s ethnic diversity

Our composition by race…

Department of Statistics, Singapore

Our composition by religion…

Department of Statistics, Singapore

Importance of managing Singapore’s ethnic diversity

Singapore is a multi-racial, multi-cultural and multi-ethnic societyPrevent history from repeating itself Security & peace for its citizens

Economic progress and prosperityForeign investments

The Periodisation

Phase 1(1965-79) 4 official languages English as the neutral lingua franca-> Bilingual Policy Presidential Council for Minority Rights (PCMR)

Phase 2(1979-90) SAP schools Speak Mandarin campaign Mendaki

Phase 3(1990-99) Presidential Council for Religious Harmony (PCRH) Other self-help groups(SINDA, CDAC & Eurasian Association)

Phase 4(2000-present) Developing of common space Rendering support to other races for the develop of cultural

elites

Managing Singapore’s ethnic diversity

3 KEY aspects

Building a national identity by instilling a sense of belonging

Safeguarding the interests of minority groups

Developing common space

Building A National IdentityMulti-racialism Policy

Common Practices

Multi-racialisman ideology that promotes a society consisted of various

races, while accepting the different cultural background

written into the Constitution in 1965 upon independence

embedded as the core rationale for many public policies

social cultural differences were simplified into the 3 main racial group plus one residual (CMIO)

Phase 1

Why Multi-racialism?ensures that every race is treated fairly with no

special rights given to any particular group self-help groups

celebrate the identity of everyone in Singapore where all can coexist in harmonyRacial Harmony Day

maintain and strengthen the cultural identities unique to each raceposters of National Day with the inclusion of

representatives from each ethnic groupPhase 1

Multi-racialism

Disadvantages

Individuals coming from mixed heritage to identify themselves with their father’s or mother’s

racial group or bothBilingual Policy

Phase 1

Common Practices

Cultivating loyalty and national pride

Implemented in 25th

August 1966Was formally introduced on 3rd December 1959

Phase 1

Safeguarding the interests of minority groupMinority representation policy

Self- Help Groups

• Gives minority groups a say in the

governance

• Safeguard the interests of the minority

groups

Self-Help Group

Minority Representation

Group Representati

on Constituency

(GRC)

Presid

ential

Council fo

r

Religious

Harmony

(PCRH)

Single RacedMulti

Raced

Presidential

Council for

Minority Rights

(PCMR)

http://a2o.nas.sg/a2o/public/html/etc/07_const.htm (Taken from National Archive of Singapore )

http://www.parliament.gov.sg/list-former-speakers The late Mr. Edmund William Barker



Presidential Council for Minority Rights(PCMR)

Group Representati

on Constituency

(GRC)

Presid

ential

Council fo

r

Religious

Harmony

(PCRH)

19701988

1992

Scrutinise legislation passed by Parliament to ensure that there would be no discrimination against minority communities.


Phase 1

Presidential Council for Minority Rights (PCMR)

- Non-elected government body established in 1970.

- Consists of members from minority racial and religious group

- Ensure that no racial or religious group is disadvantaged as a result of a law passed in the Parliament.

Presidential Council

for Minority Rights

1970

Phase 1

http://www.pmo.gov.sg/content/pmosite/mediacentre/inthenews/primeminister/2012/July/new_faces_on_presidentialcouncilforminorityrights.html


for Minority Rights

1970

Phase 1

To scrutinize most of the bills passed by Parliament to ensure that they do not discriminate against any racial or religious community.

Excludes


for Minority Rights

1970

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Presidential_Council_for_Minority_Rights

Phase 1

As at 2011http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Presidential_Council_for_Minority_Rights

While the President may block certain appointments to the Council, he cannot remove a permanent member from his seat.


for Minority Rights

1970

Phase 1


Every political party contesting the election in a GRC must field at least one candidate from the minority communities. http://a2o.nas.sg/a2o/public/html/etc/07_const.htm (Taken from National Archive of

Singapore )

Group Representati

on Constituency

(GRC)

Presid

ential

Council fo

r

Religious

Harmony

(PCRH)

Presidential

Council for

Minority Rights

(PCMR)

1970

19881992


Phase 2

Group Representation Constituency (GRC)

-At least 1 of the candidates in the team contesting for General Elections must come from the minority racial communities

- Ensure that the minority racial groups are represented in the Parliament.

-Get around the problem of voting along racial lines

Group Representati

on Constituency

1988

Phase 2

Group Representatio

n Constituency

1988

- Another perspective of regrouping…

- Original intent faded, voter’s decision is over shadowed by the material benefits of Town Councils (1989) and Community Development Councils (1997).

Phase 2



Every political party contesting the election in a GRC must field at least one candidate from the minority communities. http://a2o.nas.sg/a2o/public/html/etc/07_const.htm (Taken from National Archive of

Singapore )

PCMR's advisory role largely lies within the legislative process, while the PCRH renders advice on the exercise of executive power - restraining order.

Group Representati

on Constituency

(GRC)

Presid

ential

Council fo

r

Religious

Harmony

(PCRH)

Presidential

Council for

Minority Rights

(PCMR)

19701988

1992

• Resolve any potential religious conflicts.

• All leaders of the major religious groups in Singapore are represented in this Council.

Phase 3

Source: MICAPresident S R Nathan with members of the Presidential Council for Religious Harmony at the Istana, 1999.


for Religious Harmony

1992

Phase 3

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maintenance_of_Religious_Harmony_Act



1992

Phase 3

http://statutes.agc.gov.sg/aol/search/display/view.w3p;page=0;query=Id%3A%22546aa4b9-fa79-4dce-bdeb-590ecd9a1409%22%20Status%3Ainforce;rec=0#pr4-ps4-.

Maintenance of Religious Harmony Act(CHAPTER 167A)



1992

Phase 3

Nature and effect of restraining orders

A restraining order made against officials or members of religious group or institution under section 8(1) may be made for the following reasons:[10]

(a) from addressing orally or in writing any congregation, parish or group of worshippers or members of any religious group or institution on any subject, topic or theme as may be specified in the order without the prior permission of the Minister;

(b) from printing, publishing, editing, distributing or in any way assisting or contributing to any publication produced by any religious group without the prior permission of the Minister; or

(c) from holding office in an editorial board or a committee of a publication of any religious group without the prior permission of the Minister. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maintenance_of_Religious_Harmony

_Act

Criminal sanctions may be imposed in the event of a breach of a restraining order.

Sedition Act criminalizes any act that has a seditious tendency publication of seditious materials the utterance of seditious words, and the importing of seditious material. a tendency to promote feelings of ill will and hostility between

different races or classes of the population of Singapore

Internal Security Act allows the Singapore government to investigate security threats

like international terrorism, foreign subversion, espionage and acts of violence or hatred using race or religion.

confers on the government the right to arrest and preventively detain individuals without trial for up to two years at a time in certain defined circumstances under Section 8(1)(a) of the ISA.

controversial because some regard it as a draconian law that curbs civil liberties

Proponents of the law argue that the ISA is necessary for the city-state to pre-emptively thwart serious security threats

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sedition_Act_(Singapore)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internal_Security_Act_(Singapore)

Self-Help Group

Single Raced Multi Raced

Government backed, race based

Intra-racial emotional rapport & support was more effective than a neutral non-racial national approach

Improve social and economic position in the society

Help less fortunate members of their community to get aid in their studies or training for jobs

Help Singaporeans to cope and compete with one another on equal footing

19921919

19901984

Single Raced

Single Raced

Single Raced

Single Raced

Single Raced

Single Raced

Single Raced

Single Raced

PM Goh, 2002b on Self Help Groups

Should remain focused on remedial classes and programmes to improve the academic standards of their students

Resist pressures to extend their activities to areas which are more appropriately addressed by other community and social service organizations

Principle of partnerships should be applied to all services where there is no particular need for them to be provided along racial lines.

Self-Help Group

Single Raced Multi Raced

C I

M O

Create common space (PM Goh, 1999)

Common playing field for all and a separate playing field for community

C I

M O

Phase 4

Nurture a harmonious society through cross-cultural education and further contribute to the success of multi-racial Singapore

Joint effort between community development councils and the Self Help Groups

Race relations and champion racial harmony initiatives

Multi Raced

Phase 4

http://www.onepeople.sg/about-us/our-history

Multi Raced

Phase 4

http://www.onepeople.sg/about-us/our-history

Multi Raced

Phase 4

Multi Raced

Phase 4

PM Goh, 1999c

Not in Government’s policy to have four overlapped circles merged into one

Singapore is unique because of its multiracial and multireligious character

Should preserve this valuable attribute

http://www.pmo.gov.sg/content/pmosite/mediacentre/inthenews/primeminister/2012/October/race-based_self-helpgroupsstillhaveimportantrolesayspmlee.m.html

Multi Raced

Developing Common SpaceSingapore’s Education SystemHDBInter Racial and Religious Confidence CirclesPeople’s AssociationNational Service

Background – in the 1950s and 60s

Diverse collection of peopledifferent languages and cultures.

Widespread student unrest in Chinese schools

First locally elected government formed an All-Party Committee in 1956 to look into the problem of Chinese education

Report by the All-party Committee

Emphasized the importance of bilingual education, and inter-mingling of students from different language medium schools.

Most of the recommendations from this report were incorporated into the 1956 White Paper on Education Policy.

Singapore Education System, taken from http://libguides.nl.sg/content.php?

pid=57257&sid=460807

Introduced Bilingualism Policy in 1965

English is the first language

Purposes of Education in SingaporeEconomic necessityIntegrate the new nation together

Forges national identity and links the different ethnic groups

Phase 1

Bilingualism policy

Mother tongue language is used to impart moral values and cultural traditions of each race

Phase 1

Creation of SAP schools in 1979

Reason:

There are many advantages to English being the language of instruction. Nevertheless, this has also weakened a new generation of Singaporeans' command of their mother tongue and unavoidably, their identification with their own culture.

Phase 2

Speak Good Mandarin Campaign in 1979Make Mandarin the main

language amongst the heterogeneous dialect-speaking Chinese community

The use of dialects in local media is still largely banned, and films and videos in dialects are not allowed unless they are dubbed over in Mandarin.

Phase 2

Character and Citizenship Education

Various key programmes such as:

Civics and Moral Education (CME, 1992),

National Education (NE, 1997),

Community Involvement Programme (CIP, 1997)

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL, 2005)

Phase 3 – Phase 4

National Education must be a vital component of our education process…. It is an exercise to develop instincts that become part of the psyche of every child. It must engender a shared sense of nationhood, an understanding of how our past is relevant to our present and future. It must appeal to both heart and mind.

8 September 1996 during the Teachers’ Day rally

Phase 3

Launch of National Education in 1997Objectives: Develop national cohesionRaise awareness of

Singapore’s recent history as well as the challenges to and constraints on the country’s development,

Cultivate in students the instincts for survival

Instill in them confidence in the future of the country

Phase 3

6 key NE messages

Singapore is our homeland; this is where we belong.

We must preserve racial and religious harmony.

We must uphold meritocracy and incorruptibility.

No one owes Singapore a living.

We must ourselves defend Singapore.

We have confidence in our future.

Phase 3

Phase 4

Opportunities Offered by Educational Institutions

CCAs in schools encourages teamwork and build better bonds

Policy of meritocracyEvery child, regardless

of race or religion, can study in schools and tertiary institutions.

Opportunities Offered by Educational Institutions

Is there really meritocracy in Singapore?

In year 2010…

The implementation of meritocracy in Singapore had not been as equitable as it should have been.

Taken from ‘Singapore Malays: Being Ethnic Minority and Muslim in a Global City-State’

Compulsory Religious Knowledge

In 1982, the government introduced compulsory religious knowledge classes for upper secondary students.

This was to ensure Singaporean students did not lose their values in the face of westernisation and hedonism.

There were 6 options: Bible Knowledge, Buddhist Studies, Confucian Ethics, Hindu Studies, Islamic Religious Studies and Sikh Studies.

Phase 2

Compulsory Religious Knowledge

Within 5 years, the government realised that the program was detrimental to ethnic relations.

The program emphasised differences and encouraged interaction only within the same faith.

It also contributed to religion revivalism in Singapore.

The program was abruptly terminated in 1990 and replaced with Civics and Moral Education.

Phase 2

Madrasahs

Madrasah is an Arabic word which means "school".

However, in the present context a madrasah means an Islamic Religious school.

Historically, the madrasah started like other forms of Islamic education; the learning of the Quran and Hadith from individual ulama or the studies of Islam conducted in mosques.

Its main purpose was to educate an individual on Islamic religion or various aspects of the religion.

Phase 2

Madrasahs

What law does the madrasahs come under?All the madrasahs come under the Education Act. Under section 87 and 88 of the Administration of Muslim Law Act, the control of Muslim Religious Schools shall be vested in MUIS.

What are the objectives of the madrasahs?The madrasahs are intended to produce the religious elites to lead the community on religious matters. The mosque madrasahs provide basic Islamic education i.e. fardhu ain to students who attend government schools.

How many madrasahs are there in Singapore?There are 6 full time madrasahs and 27 part time mosque madrasahs.

Phase 2

Madrasahs

What subjects are taught at the madrasahs?

Madrasahs :The students are taught the various subjects in Islamic Education and Arabic Language. Academic subjects such as English, Maths and Malay Language are also taught in the madrasahs.

Mosque Madrasahs :The students are taught basic religious subjects only. Students start to attend one year after they start secular school.

Phase 2

HDB

1989:1989:•Ethnic Integration Policy introduced•Puts a limit on the proportion of races in every neighbourhood and block•Ensures a proportionate distribution of ethnic groups in the housing estates

1980s:1980s:• People had the freedom to buy and sell their flats• Resulted in a higher concentration of people of the same race in particular housing estates

Phase 2

The percentage for Indians and Others were raised by 2% in March 2010 to better reflect the population profile of Singapore

HDB

Phase 2

●The SPR quota (5 Mar 2010) will be set at 5% and 8% at the neighbourhood and block levels respectively.

Malaysian PRs are excluded from the quota due to "close cultural and historical similarities".

HDB

Phase 4

Inter-Racial and Religious Confidence Circles

Phase 3

Inter-Racial and Religious Confidence Circles

● Each circle represents one community.

● The intention is not for the circles to overlap completely but to maximise the overlapping of the circles.

● Where the circles overlap, there is a shared common playing field. Where they do no overlap, there is a playing field individual to each community.

● This helps to build a harmonious nation out of diversity.

PM Goh (1999)

Phase 3

Community Engagement Program

Phase 4

A network of people to help prevent racial & religious conflict

The Community Engagement Programme (CEP) seeks to strengthen the understanding and ties between people of different races and religions, and build up our society's skills and knowledge in coping with emergencies.

Response plans to cope with the shock of a terrorist incident

Through the Community Engagement Programme, the community will be involved in response plans that will be activated when a crisis, e.g. a terrorist incident, does occur. These plans aim to help Singaporeans cope with the shock and to stay calm and resilient. This will ensure that our society stays together, and we can continue with our daily lives as quickly as possible.


Phase 4


Phase 4

Developing common spaces

People’s Association (PA) 1 July 1960 to promote racial harmony and social

cohesion in Singapore Umbrella network of 1800 GROs which includes CCCs,

550 RCs, over 100 NCs (neighbourhood committees) 106 community clubs, 5 CDCs, National Youth Council, National Community Leadership Institute, Outward Bound Singapore and Water Venture

Phase 1

Events & programmes by People’s Association (PA) SoundWaves PA Talent Season Gentarasa Chingay


Phase 4

Events & programmes by People’s Association (PA)

National Orange Ribbon Celebration CDC (functions as a local administration of its District,

promotes community bonding and social cohesion) Ethnic bonding home-stay programme (North East CDC) "Saturday! Series” (South West CDC)


Phase 4

National Integration Council (NIC) set up in April 2009 to promote and foster social

integration among Singaporeans and new immigrants. Community Integration Fund (CIF) Singapore Citizenship (SC) Journey

E-Journey Singapore Experiential Tour Community Sharing Session


Phase 4

Nparks Community in Bloom

Launched in May 2005

Avenue for residents to create beautiful roadside gardens to spruce up their estates

can be found in both public and private housing estates, schools as well as other organisations, such as hospitals and welfare homes.)


Phase 4

Shared experiences through National Service (NS) Compulsory NS introduced in 1967 All able-bodied men upon reaching the age of 18 required

to serve NS Dual purpose: National defence & promoting interethnic

solidarity Strengthening of bonds, camaraderie & friendship

amongst people of different cultures, races, religions and walks of life

“sensitive” jobs within SAF closed to Malays VS meritocracy

They say that in NS, everyone… whether Chinese, Malay, Indian or Eurasian, is of the same colour…deep sun burnt brown!

When they have undergone tough military training together, they build enduring friendships that last – SM Goh, 2002


Phase 1

“We must never put the person in a situation where he may face a conflict of loyalties. I said in answer to a question some nearly 2 years ago that it is a difficult matter to put a Malay-Muslim of deeply religious family background in charge of a machine-gun. We should never have to ask this of anyone. For nearly every job, a person’s race and religion are irrelevant. But in the security services, because of our contact, we cannot ignore race and religion in deciding suitability”.

In conclusion…

3 key aspects to manage ethnic diversity in Singapore Building a national identity by instilling a sense of

belonging Safeguarding the interests of minority groups Developing common space

The issue of ethnicity in Singapore… akin to a time-bomb or nuclear power generator?

A worst case scenario…

But if managed well…

How to develop a more sustainable & meaningful

multiracialism…Greater effort towards building a Singaporean

national identity Reduce countervailing pulls of race, culture & religion

Commitment of ethnic Chinese to multiracialism Need to reach out to the other races

How to develop a more sustainable & meaningful

multiracialism…Concerted effort to reduce role of ethnic self-help

groups in socio-economic life. Think national, not ethnic!

Emphasis on civic education & promotion of sustained, genuine interaction between races

Minimize focus on Malay-Muslim Singaporeans’ loyalty

Phase 1(1965-79) 4 official languages English as the neutral lingua franca-> Bilingual Policy Presidential Council for Minority Rights (PCMR)

Phase 2(1979-90) SAP schools Speak Mandarin campaign Mendaki

Phase 3(1990-99) Presidential Council for Religious Harmony (PCRH) Other self-help groups(SINDA, CDAC & Eurasian Association)

Phase 4(2000-present) Developing of common space Rendering support to other races for the develop of cultural elites

In what ways has the government’s management of ethnic diversity changed or remained the same since 1959?

THANK YOU!

Documents

Ss presentation