Bonding Singapore

Mustafa/ Mustapha

Arranged by Dick Leehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVvd2waitko

1:15

ReviewWhat did I learn?

SOCIAL SEGREGATION

SOCIAL SEGREGATION

DECLINING ECONOMYDECLINING ECONOMY

SOCIAL SEGREGATION

SOCIAL SEGREGATION

DECLINING ECONOMYDECLINING ECONOMY

An OverviewAn Overview

Managing different

racial groups

Managing different

racial groups

Threats from external forces

Threats from external forces

Managing different religious groups

Managing different religious groups

Building a

national identity

Building a

national identity

Developing common

space

Developing common

space

Safeguarding the interests

of the minority

Safeguarding the interests

of the minority

Economic progressEconomic progress

Security and peaceSecurity

and peace

Managing different

racial groups

Managing different

racial groups

Threats from external forces

Threats from external forces

Managing different religious groups

Managing different religious groups

Lesson Objectives

• Explain and list the challenges of a multi-ethnic society

• Give examples of historical happenings that disrupted the peace and harmony of Singapore in the past

• Give examples of strategies Singapore undertook to deal with each challenge/threat

Chinese 75.6%

Malays 13.6%

Indians 8.7%

Others 2.1%

Buddhism 51%

Christianity 14.7%

Islam 14.9%

Hinduism 4%

Other religions 0.6%

No religion 14.8%

Brainstorm!

Different races, cultures and religions

Lack of understanding can create suspicion and unhappiness amongst the different races, which can lead to outbreaks in

violence among racial groups

Lack of understanding can create suspicion and unhappiness amongst the different races, which can lead to outbreaks in

violence among racial groups

UMNO led an anti-PAP campaign

Created feelings of dissent and

discontentment among Singaporean Malays towards PAP

The PAP government called for a meeting with the Malay organizations to explain their policies

“We promise to improve your social

and economic positions through

education and training….”

“We promise to improve your social

and economic positions through

education and training….”

Video: Racial Riots Documentaryhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=TdpRINXBPwY

Clash between a Chinese policeman and some Malay participants in the celebration

July 1964: Prophet Muhammad’s birthday

July 1964: Prophet Muhammad’s birthday

Consequ

ences?

Goodwill committees formed to foster stronger bonds between people of different races & religions

Went house to house to spread message of living peacefully with one another

PAP’s efforts to calm the situation:PAP’s efforts to calm the situation:

• Need to address the views and perceptions of different racial groups appropriately and timely– Inflammatory reporting in the media helped fan racial

emotions

• Dangers of communal politics in Singapore– Communal politics: government favors one race over

the other

• Ensure that the views and interests of the minority are represented in the government

Differences in religious beliefs and practices can also be issues used to create tension

and conflict among different religious groups in Singapore

Differences in religious beliefs and practices can also be issues used to create tension

and conflict among different religious groups in Singapore

The 1950 Maria Hertogh Riots• A Dutch girl, Maria Hertogh, came under the

foster care of a Malay lady, Aminah, after their parents were imprisoned by the Japanese in the 1940s

• After the war, her parents wanted to claim her back

• This case attracted intensive media attention worldwide

• A Dutch girl, Maria Hertogh, came under the foster care of a Malay lady, Aminah, after their parents were imprisoned by the Japanese in the 1940s

• After the war, her parents wanted to claim her back

• This case attracted intensive media attention worldwide

The 1950 Maria Hertogh Riots•Photographs in newspapers of a Muslim girl

in a Catholic convent and claims that she had bowed down to the Virgin Mary affected religious sensitivities and whipped up emotions

•Photographs in newspapers of a Muslim girl in a Catholic convent and claims that she had bowed down to the Virgin Mary affected religious sensitivities and whipped up emotions

The 1950 Maria Hertogh Riots•After many court trials, the court decided to

give custody to the Hertoghs and annul her marriage to the Malay teacher

•The Muslims were angered as they felt that the welfare of Muslims was not looked into and the court and legal system were prejudiced against the Malays

•This led to an outbreak of protests and rioting by the Malays and Indian Muslims against the Eurasian community.

•After many court trials, the court decided to give custody to the Hertoghs and annul her marriage to the Malay teacher

•The Muslims were angered as they felt that the welfare of Muslims was not looked into and the court and legal system were prejudiced against the Malays

•This led to an outbreak of protests and rioting by the Malays and Indian Muslims against the Eurasian community.

The 1950 Maria Hertogh Riots•After the riots, the government placed a 24-

hr curfew for two weeks

•The British and Malayan troops, as well as the Singapore police, were called in to maintain peace

•After the riots, the government placed a 24-hr curfew for two weeks

•The British and Malayan troops, as well as the Singapore police, were called in to maintain peace

18 Killed173

Injured

Consequences?

• The need for the media to exercise greater discipline in the coverage of sensitive religious and racial issues

• The importance of understanding and being sensitive to the culture and customs of other religions

• Religious issues need to be addressed timely and appropriately to prevent hostility and distrust from festering

• Upon independence in 1965, Singapore instituted legislation against racial discrimination: offence to incite racial and religious hatred in Singapore

• The need for the media to exercise greater discipline in the coverage of sensitive religious and racial issues

• The importance of understanding and being sensitive to the culture and customs of other religions

• Religious issues need to be addressed timely and appropriately to prevent hostility and distrust from festering

• Upon independence in 1965, Singapore instituted legislation against racial discrimination: offence to incite racial and religious hatred in Singapore

The acts of violence which are global in terms of aims, organization and impact

The acts of violence which are global in terms of aims, organization and impact

In multi-ethnic societies like Singapore, race and religion

may be used to create ill feelings among the different ethnic groups, which can in

turn, threaten racial and religious harmony in SG

In multi-ethnic societies like Singapore, race and religion

may be used to create ill feelings among the different ethnic groups, which can in

turn, threaten racial and religious harmony in SG

How can it affect

Singapore?

How can it affect

Singapore?

• Militant group active in Southeast Asian countries• Fund-raising and purchase of materials to make bombs • They want to set up an Islamic state in Asia• Responsible for

•Bombing of J.W. Marriott Hotel in Jakarta on 5 Aug 2003•Bali bombings on 12 October 2002

• Militant group active in Southeast Asian countries• Fund-raising and purchase of materials to make bombs • They want to set up an Islamic state in Asia• Responsible for

•Bombing of J.W. Marriott Hotel in Jakarta on 5 Aug 2003•Bali bombings on 12 October 2002

EXAMPLE

• Targets in Singapore:• US embassy• Government buildings

• Targets in Singapore:• US embassy• Government buildings

EXAMPLE

• Internal Security ActInternal Security Act•34 JI members were arrested from 2001 to 2002• Another arrested in Apr 2005

• He was trained in handling weapons and making bombs

• Internal Security ActInternal Security Act•34 JI members were arrested from 2001 to 2002• Another arrested in Apr 2005

• He was trained in handling weapons and making bombs

Singapore is an open and cosmopolitan society that plays host to many foreign

establishments, some of which are attractive targets to

terrorists. Singapore is at times also a target because of our firm anti-terrorism stanceA quote by the Ministry of Home Affairs in Apr 2005

on terrorism

Singapore is an open and cosmopolitan society that plays host to many foreign

establishments, some of which are attractive targets to

terrorists. Singapore is at times also a target because of our firm anti-terrorism stanceA quote by the Ministry of Home Affairs in Apr 2005

on terrorism

.. Because it is a developed country and friendly to the

WestA commentary made on Radio Singaproe

International in 2003

.. Because it is a developed country and friendly to the

WestA commentary made on Radio Singaproe

International in 2003

WHYSingapore?

WHYSingapore?

1. Bombing Yishun MRT

What they

planned..2. Crashing into Changi Airport

Reactions in SG1. Calls by political and religious leaders in SG for people to remain calm and committed to racial

and religious harmony2. Muslim leaders condemned the JI

group

1. Calls by political and religious leaders in SG for people to remain calm and committed to racial

and religious harmony2. Muslim leaders condemned the JI

group

Reactions of Singaporeans

A call to stand A call to stand united..united..SM Goh says:

The Government will therefore not allow any Singaporean to discriminate against and blame our Malay/Muslim community ... We must all work together to prevent any distrust from building up..

..But non-Muslim Singaporeans must go beyond simply refraining from letting suspicion and distrust affect their relations with our Malay/Muslim community. We must pro-actively reach out to our Malay/Muslim community... This way, we will develop greater confidence, friendship and trust with each other… build a successful, multi-racial, multi-religious society.

• Ensure religion is not used as an issue to create conflict or threaten Singapore’s harmony

• Encourages Singaporeans to respect one another’s freedom of religion

• Supports the building of common space between races and religions

• Supports fostering of inter-religious communications

• Ensure religion is not used as an issue to create conflict or threaten Singapore’s harmony

• Encourages Singaporeans to respect one another’s freedom of religion

• Supports the building of common space between races and religions

• Supports fostering of inter-religious communications

Subsequently, an Inter-Religious Harmony Circle (IRHC) was formed to promote the Declaration

Subsequently, an Inter-Religious Harmony Circle (IRHC) was formed to promote the Declaration

DECLARATION ON RELIGIOUS

HARMONY

Building a

national

identity

Building a

national

identity

Safeguarding the

interests of the

minority

Safeguarding the

interests of the

minority

Developing common

space

Developing common

space

Common practiceCommon practice

Bilingualism

Bilingualism

Multi-racialism

Multi-racialism

Minority Representation

Minority Representation

Self- help groups

Self- help groups

Grassroots organizatio

n

Grassroots organizatio

n

Educational InstitutionsEducational Institutions

Common living space (public

housing)

Common living space (public

housing)

National ServiceNational Service

Inter-Racial Confidence

Circles (IRCCs) & Harmony Circles

(HCs)

Inter-Racial Confidence

Circles (IRCCs) & Harmony Circles

(HCs)

•Building a National Identity

•Creation of Common Space

•Safeguarding the interests of the

Minority

Singaporeans must have the determination to

maintain the harmonious living environment

that we have been fortunate to enjoy all

these years. The challenge is for us to create

further opportunities to nurture this spirit and

allow it to flourish..- Mr Chan Soon Sen

Minister of Community Development and Sports and Education (2004)

• MULTI-RACIALISM• COMMON PRACTICES

• BILINGUALISM

• Promotes equality among the different races• No special rights granted to any particular racial

or religious group– E.g. English, Chinese, Malay and Tamil are all recognized

as official languages in Singapore

• Everyone is a valued member of the society– Government is fair to everyone– Create a sense of belonging to the nation

• Singaporeans will see themselves as ONE people

• Inculcates loyalty to the nation and national pride

Daily flag

raisingPledge

taking

“one united people, regardless of race, language

or religion..”

• Policy introduced in 1966• Learn English and Mother Tongue

• English as the 1st language• Mother tongue used to impart values and

cultural traditions of race

-Non-native language, so no one has an advantage

over the other

- Common language to improve

communication among Singaporeans

-Non-native language, so no one has an advantage

over the other

- Common language to improve

communication among Singaporeans

Why English?

• MINORITY REPRESENTATIO

N• SELF-HELP

GROUPS

Gives minority groups a say in the governance

Safeguards the interests of the minority groups

• Consists of members from minority racial and religious

groups• Ensures that no racial or

religious group is disadvantaged as a result of

a law passed in the Parliament

• At least 1 of the candidates in the team contesting for

General Elections must come from the minority racial

communities•Ensures that the minority

racial groups are represented in the Parliament

Singapore Indian Development Association(SINDA)

Eurasian Association

Council on Education of

Muslim Children(Mendaki)

Chinese Development Association Council (CDAC)

• Important role in helping members of their community who are less fortunate to get aid in their studies or training for jobs

• Give moral support to members of their own community

• Enables Singaporeans to cope and compete with one another on equal footing

• People from minority groups can improve their social/ economic positions in the society

• Important role in helping members of their community who are less fortunate to get aid in their studies or training for jobs

• Give moral support to members of their own community

• Enables Singaporeans to cope and compete with one another on equal footing

• People from minority groups can improve their social/ economic positions in the society

Attending to the unique

needs & circumstanc

es of the respective

communities

• Joint tuition programme• Allows students from different ethnic groups to attend the same classes• Provides opportunities for interaction among youths from different ethnic groups

• OnePeople.sg • Joint effort between CDCs and the Self Help Groups• Focus efforts on race relations and champion racial harmony initiatives • Seminars and courses on different cultures and races, youth camps, library services, student care and other social assistance services

• Joint tuition programme• Allows students from different ethnic groups to attend the same classes• Provides opportunities for interaction among youths from different ethnic groups

• OnePeople.sg • Joint effort between CDCs and the Self Help Groups• Focus efforts on race relations and champion racial harmony initiatives • Seminars and courses on different cultures and races, youth camps, library services, student care and other social assistance services

• EVENTS ORGANIZED BY GRCS• OPPORTUNITIES OFFERED BY

EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS• COMMON LIVING SPACE (PUBLIC

HOUSING)• ACTIVITIES CONDUCTED BY IRCCS

AND HCS• SHARED EXPERIENCE THROUGH

NS

Time and space that people

come together

Provides opportunities for interaction

VideoThe Way We Are

• Creation of common space through wide range of activities• Creation of common space through wide range of activities

Examples:

Home stay programmes where student gets to stay with a family of another ethnic group

Racial Harmony tours, guided tours, celebrations, carnivals, interest groups

Examples:

Home stay programmes where student gets to stay with a family of another ethnic group

Racial Harmony tours, guided tours, celebrations, carnivals, interest groups

•Schools & tertiary institutions are open to every Singaporean•Singaporeans from different races and religion study together

•CCAs also promote closer bonding among youths from all races•Helps develop understanding and build teamwork•Better appreciate talents of others•Respect others as individuals

1989:1989:• Ethnic Integration Policy introduced• Puts a limit on the proportion of races in every neighbourhood and block• Ensures an even distribution of different races 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

Provides opportunities for people of

different ethnicity to interact!

Provides opportunities for people of

different ethnicity to interact!

• IRCCs introduced in 2002

• Provide common space (inter-faith and inter-ethnic themed activities) to foster greater inter-racial understanding

• Organize visits to places of worship, inter-faith talks, dialogues and religious celebrations– Thus creating opportunities for Singaporeans to

appreciate differences and develop stronger bonds

• At the workplace, such activities are carried out by the HCs

• Supports the Community Engagement Programme– Seeks to strengthen the understanding and ties

between people of different races and religions– Build up our society's skills and knowledge in coping

with emergencies

• Introduced in 1967• Requires all able-bodied men to serve in the defence of the country• Shared experiences (e.g. military training) helps to strengthen the bond among the men

• Introduced in 1967• Requires all able-bodied men to serve in the defence of the country• Shared experiences (e.g. military training) helps to strengthen the bond among the men

VIDEO: Unity in Diversityhttp://www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/resources/videos/features/2002/jul.html

VIDEO: Unity in Diversityhttp://www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/resources/videos/features/2002/jul.html

By Hu Hsuan-Tien

Security and PeacePeople feel safe and enjoy the peace and security the nation brings for its people

Creates a sense of belonging to the homeland

http://media.photobucket.com/image/racial%20harmony/evilsink/RacialHarmonyBlogPictureNEW.jpg

Attracting tourists from all around the

world

Attracting tourists from all around the

world

Attracting foreign investments as

investors’ confidence in SG is increased

Attracting foreign investments as

investors’ confidence in SG is increased

1. Need to manage racial and religious sensitivities to promote harmony in a multi-ethnic society like Singapore

2. Need to build a national identity by instilling a sense of belonging

3. Need to remain vigilant and active in identifying threats and strengthening social bonds to prevent division

THE END!