S3 SS Slides - Bonding Singapore

In This Chapter (pg 129)
!  Introduction
!  Who we are
!  Challenges of a multi-ethnic society
!  Managing ethnic diversity
!  The importance of managing ethnic
diversity

Singapore (pg 130)
!  A multi-ethnic,
multi-racial,
multi-religious country
!  Due to SG’s history as
a British colony since
1819

Singapore has enjoyed
peace since 1960s…
Bud-den!!!
!  The ethnic composition can become a
potential source of conflict if it’s not
managed effectively!

Our current population
composition is very different
from the 1960s…
What are some of the similar but
new challenges we face today?
Ponder ponder…
Xenophobia
(irrational dislike or fear of
people from other countries)

Chinese ,
75.60%
Malays ,
13.60%
Indians, 8.70% Eurasians and people
of other descent,
2.10%
Racial composition

! Lack of understanding among racial
groups can create suspicion and
unhappiness among Singaporeans.
!  This may lead to outbreaks of violence
(ie. race riots)
!  Example: Racial riots in 1964 in
Singapore and Malaysia
#1 Managing different
RACIAL groups

!  Little India Riot
was NOT a
racial riot!!

!  Riots occurred because Singapore &
Malaysia could not see eye-to-eye on
politics
Ø Singapore: PAP wanted non-communal
approach (ie. equal rights & privileges
for everyone)
Ø Malaysia: UMNO wanted special
privileges for Malays
Example: 1964 Race Riots

!  What kind of special privileges?
Ø Education
Ø Land
Ø Business

!  How did UMNO leaders react to
PAP’s requests?
Ø They highlighted the poverty of
the Malays in Singapore.
Ø They portrayed the PAP’s
resettlement and redevelopment
programme as anti-Malay.

!  Why did UMNO leaders do that?
Ø They wanted to arouse feelings of
dissatisfaction among Singapore
Malays towards the PAP.

!  Riots finally happened during
celebration of Prophet Muhammad’s
birthday.
Ø Clash between a Chinese policeman
and a group of Malays turned into full-
blown race riots over the next
few days.

Think about what we have discussed,
what you see in the video,
and how you feel about it.
!  Days of Rage 1964 Race Riots – YouTube
(3.24)
Video Time

!  Goodwill committees were set up to
help restore harmony and peace
between the Malays and the Chinese by
addressing the concerns of the
residents.
How was the racial
unhappiness managed?

Buddhism/
Taoism
51%
Christianity
15%
Islam
15%
Hinduism
4%
Other religions
0%
No religion
15%
Religious composition

!  Lack of understanding of the religious
beliefs and practices of different
religious groups may be a source of
tension and hostility among
Singaporeans.
!  Example: Maria Hertogh riots in 1950
#2 Managing different
RELIGIOUS groups

!  Maria grew up under the care of a Malay
lady. She was raised as a Muslim.
Ø But her biological parents were Dutch
and they were Catholics.
!  Maria’s Dutch parents (the Hertoghs)
went to court demanding that Maria be
returned to them.
Example:
Maria’s custody battle

!  What did the court say?
Ø The court decided to give
the custody to the Hertoghs.
Ø The court annulled
Maria’s marriage to a Malay teacher.
Ø Pictures of Maria in a
Catholic convent were
published.
Example:
Maria’s custody battle

!  Reactions towards the court trial
Ø The crowd felt that the British legal system
was unfair to the Muslims.
Ø This sparked off anger
towards the European
& Eurasian communities.
Ø The outbreak of riots.
Led to Maria Hertogh Riots

The height of the riots Riot squad rushing to quell
the fighting
Led to Maria Hertogh Riots

!  Maria Hertogh Riots.wmv - YouTube
(3.22)
Video Time

!  Religious issues must be handled
carefully otherwise hostility and
distrust will occur which may
affect social cohesion and racial
harmony.
!  This may eventually lead to
violence and chaos.
Lessons learnt

!   Acts of transnational terrorism can test the
social bonds within Singapore.
!   In an open and cosmopolitan society like
Singapore, we are open to many foreigners.
–  The spread of different racial, religious,
political and ideological beliefs can be used
to create ill feelings among different groups
of people in Singapore.
#3 Threats from
EXTERNAL FORCES

!  Who is the JI?
Ø A militant group active in SEA
Ø Wants to set up
an Islamic state
in Asia.
Example: Jemaah Islamiyah

!  What’s up?
Ø 34 JI members were arrested under the
Internal Security Act for their involvement
in terrorist-related activities from 2001 to
2002.
Ø Their targets in Singapore included the US
embassy and some government buildings
such as MOE.
Example: Jemaah Islamiyah
Caused mixed reactions
among Singaporeans

!  Terrorist Target Singapore – YouTube
(3.48)
Video Time

!  Urgent need to ensure that social
cohesion was not affected by the JI
arrests.
!  Crucial to ensure that the different
racial and religious groups continue to
live and work harmoniously.
Lessons learnt

!  Political and religious leaders called for
people to remain calm and be committed
to living in harmony with other religious
and racial groups.
!  Muslim leaders condemned JI and
emphasised that it did not have the
support of the Muslim community.
How was the
external threat managed?

!  Declaration on Religious Harmony was
introduced in 2003
How was the
external threat managed?

!  SG is an open and cosmopolitan society
that plays host to many foreign
establishments.
!  SG is strict on its anti-terrorism stance.
!  SG is a developed country that is
friendly to the West which the Muslim
terrorists see as their enemy.
EXTERNAL THREAT:
Of all countries, why target SG??

Re cap !!
Managing:
1.  Perceptions of
diff racial groups
2.  Perceptions of
diff religious groups
3.  External threats
(terrorism)

Divide
Singaporeans
:((
Re cap !!
Lack of understanding
Distrust, tension, hostility, riots

SG’s
cohesion
Race
Religion
External
threat
Which threat is most
difficult to manage?

Divide
Singaporeans
Bond
Singapore
:))

MANAGING ETHNIC DIVERSITY
Developing
Common
Spaces
Safeguarding
the Interests
of the
Minority
Groups
Building a
National
Identity

Fostering a sense of belonging
and pride towards Singapore
Identifying one’s self as
belonging to singapore
1. Building a
NATIONAL IDENTITY

(a) Policy of Multi-racialism:
–  No special rights is given to any particular
racial group
1. Building a
NATIONAL IDENTITY
Everyone is seen as a
valued member of
SG & have equal
opportunities to
succeed regardless
of their race
Help people see
themselves first as
Singaporeans, then
as a member of
their racial group
This establishes
unity, social
cohesion &
stability in SG

(b) Carrying out common practices:
–  Actions that Singaporeans carry out together
–  Eg. pledge taking, singing of national anthem
Inculcate loyalty &
national pride
towards Singapore
Help to foster
national identity
in Singaporeans
Help
Singaporeans
see themselves
as one people
1. Building a
NATIONAL IDENTITY

(c) Bilingualism policy:
–  Singaporean students expected to learn
English & their own Mother Tongue
English:
a linking language
between the diff
ethnic groups.
Improves
communication
among
Singaporeans &
help them undst
each other
Establishes unity
& social
cohesion among
Singaporeans
1. Building a
NATIONAL IDENTITY

(c) Bilingualism policy:
–  English: common language for
communication between the diff ethnic grps
–  Mother Tongue: to impart moral values &
cultural traditions of each race
–  Third Language: communicate better with
other nationalities and ethnic groups
1. Building a
NATIONAL IDENTITY

(a)  Policy of Multi-racialism
(b)  Carrying out Common Practices
(c) Bilingualism policy
What the
policy is
about
Intended
outcomes
Build national
identity
+
Bond Singaporeans
1. Building a
NATIONAL IDENTITY

(a)  Policy of Multi-racialism
(b)  Carrying out Common Practices
(c) Bilingualism policy
1. Building a
NATIONAL IDENTITY
Have these measures been
effective promoting social
cohesion in Singapore?

Compare the videos:
how you would evaluate the
effectiveness of bilingualism policy
in managing ethnic diversity.
!   Why bilingualism is important (MM LeeDunman
High Pt 2) – YouTube (2.49)
!   Are Singaporeans really Bilingual – YouTube
(1.35)
Video Time

2. Safeguard the interests
of MINORITY GROUPS
(a) Minority representation:
–  Gives minority groups a say in governance
–  Achieving representation of minority groups:
• Presidential Council of Minority Rights (PCMR)
• Group Representation Constituency (GRC)

(a)  Minority representation:
–  Gives minority groups a say in governance
of MINORITY GROUPS
Make known the
needs & concerns
of minority races
to the govt.
Look after their
interests
Prevents
discontentment.
Promotes
understanding &
mutual care.
This establishes
social cohesion
& stability in SG

(b) Self-help groups:
–  Organisations that help the less fortunate in
their community:
• Chinese Development Assistance Council (CDAC)
• Singapore Indian Development Association
(SINDA)
• Mendaki
• Eurasian Association
of MINORITY GROUPS

of MINORITY GROUPS

–  These organisations help their community
get aid in studies and training for their jobs
of MINORITY GROUPS
Help Singaporeans
compete on equal
footing. Improve
their economic &
social position.
Prevent
negative feelings
among races that
their community
is lagging behind
Creates a sense
of belonging &
establish social
cohesion

Think about what we just went through.
How you would evaluate the
measure of safeguarding the interests
of minority groups in managing ethnic
diversity?
!   Self-help groups still relevant (Wong Kan
Sengs speech Pt 5) – YouTube (3.31)
Video Time

3. Developing
COMMON SPACE
!  What is a common space?
Refers to
the time
and place
that people
come
together
Common spaces
provides
opportunities for
Singaporeans to
interact
Through this
interaction,
understanding among
Singaporeans from
the different races
can be deepened
So, it’s not merely a physical space!

Now,
it’s your turn to
teach your
classmates

In your column of friends,
work on one of the following:
!  Activities organized by PA
!  Opportunities offered by educational
institutions
!  Activities conducted by IRCCs & HCs
!  Shared experience through NS
! Providing common living space
Teaching yourselves,
teaching your friends

Refer to your textbook to answer the
following qns:
!  What is it about & provide examples
!  How it promotes bonding & social
cohesion
!  Whether it is effective in managing
ethnic diversity, bonding Singaporeans
& promoting social cohesion

Your group is encouraged to present your
research as creatively & engagingly as
possible (eg. powerpoint, mindmap, flow
diagrams, cartoon etc).
By _:__am,
you MUST BE READY to ‘teach’ the rest
of your classmates! HAVE FUNNNNN : ))

Today,
it’s your turn to
teach your
classmates

3. Developing
COMMON SPACE
(c) Providing common living space :
–  In 1980s, there were too many people from
the same racial group living in the same
housing estate
• à this hindered social bonding among
people from the different races.

3. Developing
COMMON SPACE
–  In 1989, the ethnic integration policy was
introduced to put a limit on the proportion
of races in every neighbourhood & block
This ensures
even
distribution of
the different
races in each
housing estate
Living together in the
same neighbourhood
increases interaction &
contact between the
diff ethnic groups
Promotes
understanding
& helps help
create closer
bonds

3. Developing
COMMON SPACE
–  Public housing (HDB flats) has become a
key player in the nation-building of
Singapore as HDB ‘support[s] national
objectives such as maintaining racial
harmony and stronger family ties’
(HDB InfoWEB, 16 October 2010)

3. Developing
COMMON SPACE
–  “They all were different races, majority of
them Chinese then a couple of Indian
friends and Malay friends as well. So it was
a nice mixture. We never saw each other
as Malays or Indians…we were just
friends. Just friends, no racial barrier at
all. That’s the beauty of it,” says Mr Brian
Richmond

3. Developing
COMMON SPACE
(d) Activities organised by IRCC &
HCs:
–  These organisations help their community
get aid in studies and training for their jobs

MANAGING ETHNIC DIVERSITY
Developing
Common
Space
Safeguarding
the Interests
of the
Minority
Groups
Building a
National
Identity

Bond
Singapore
Policy + Intended outcomes
Foster social cohesion & bonding
Effectiveness?

Social cohesion
A cohesive society that works towards
the well-being of all its members,
fights exclusion and marginalisation,
creates a sense of belonging,
promotes trust, and
offers its members the opportunity
of upward mobility

Why it is important to manage ethnic diversity
1 To achieve
security and peace
2 To achieve
economic progress
people’s lives, families, property etc will
not be be damaged/come under threat
people will feel safe
where they live & work
people can concentrate on their work
Improve overall productivity
Creates jobs,
sustain incomes,
increase SOL
Tourist influx +
Tourism revenue
Inflow of foreign
investments

1 To achieve
security and peace
2 To achieve
economic progress
people’s lives, families, property etc will
not be be damaged/come under threat
people will feel safe
where they live & work
people can concentrate on their work
Improve overall productivity
Creates jobs,
sustain incomes,
increase SOL
Tourist influx +
Tourism revenue
Inflow of foreign
investments
Individual level
National level
Why it is important to manage ethnic diversity

S3 SS Slides - Bonding Singapore

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