Social Studies Revision Resource Bonding Singapore

Factors: What are the Challenges of a Multi-Ethnic Society

Managing Perceptions of Different Racial Groups
Managing Perceptions of Different Religious Groups
External Threats
Managing Perceptions of Different Racial Groups
Differences in perception among different racial groups can also affect
Singapore and cause conflict. Members of a particular racial group may
see actions taken by another racial to be damaging to them and this will
lead to anger, suspicion, hatred and conflict. Irresponsible media
reporting can also lead to the wrong conclusions by a particular racial
group and cause tension.

An example of this was the racial riots of 1964. In wanting to win the support
and votes of the Malays in Singapore, UMNO leaders began to spread
rumours which led to suspicion between the Malays and the Chinese in
Singapore. The UMNO leaders used the resettlement plans as an issue and
the Malays were led to believe that they were being discriminated and chased
out of their traditional homes by the PAP which consisted of mainly Chinese.
This resulted in a racial riot in 1964.

As a result of the racial riots, there were deaths and destruction to property,
social tension, fear and suspicion between the two racial groups and the
government had to take steps to explain the misconception and bring about
understanding between the two groups in order to restore harmony in society.

Managing Perceptions of Different Religious Groups

Internal challenges like differences in perception among different religious
groups can be a threat to Singapore as they affect social cohesion in a multiethnic society and this could lead to conflict if these perceptions are not
managed well.

Differences in perception among different religious groups can affect social

cohesion and cause conflict because members of a particular religious
group may see the actions taken by another group to be disrespectful
and insulting to their religion. When this perception is not managed and
is allowed to continue, unhappiness and anger may occur leading to
violence taken out against the group that is perceived to be insulting or
disrespectful.

An example of this is the Maria Hertogh Riots in 1950. When the court did not
give custody of Maria to her Muslim foster parent Aminah and had only taken
5 minutes to come to that decision, the Muslim community felt that the British

Miss Elodie Sng / TWSS Humanities Department

Upper Secondary Social Studies Resource
Secondary 3E/NA, 4E/NA, 5NA

legal system did not respect the beliefs of the Muslims and this led to violence
against the European community.

As a result of this violence, there was loss of deaths and destruction to

property, loss of revenue, closure of shops and an atmosphere of fear and
tension among the Muslim and European Community.

External Threats
When racial and religious issues are used as reasons for terrorist acts
committed globally as well as to create ill-feelings among the different
ethcnic groups, it can cause fear, tension and suspicion among the
people. This could lead to a breakdown of relations among the different
ethnic groups in Singapore which might lead to conflict in a multi-ethnic
society.

This can be seen in the arrests of the JI members in Singapore. As these men
were from the Malay-Muslim community, the arrests had brought about
suspicion among the different ethnic groups in Singapore towards the MalayMuslim community. In turn, the Malay Muslim community felt that they had
been unfairly targeted and this had also led to unhappiness. This incident had
shaken the racial harmony in Singapore and if it had not been properly
managed could result in conflict between the different ethnic groups in the
country.
Analysis of which Factor is Most Challenging

Managing Perceptions
of Different Racial
Groups

Managing Perceptions
of Different Religious
Groups

Internal factors are also important. We know from

our History that racial and religious differences
have caused problems in the past. The racial
riots of 1964 and the 1950 Maria Hertogh riots
demonstrated this, and showed that we cannot
take our peace and harmony for granted.
However, internal factors such as perceptions of
racial and religious differences must be a greater
threat, however, because if these internal issues
did not exist then the possibility of attacks from
outside would not have the potential for putting
our social harmony at risk.

Miss Elodie Sng / TWSS Humanities Department

Upper Secondary Social Studies Resource
Secondary 3E/NA, 4E/NA, 5NA

External Threats

External forces are the

main threat. When
Jemaah Islamiyah
members were arrested
for planning terrorist
attacks in Singapore,
political and religious
leaders were united in
condemning the plotters
because they knew how
important it is for
everyone to remain
committed to living in
harmony with each other.

Social Studies Revision Resource Bonding Singapore

Factors: Managing Ethnic Diversity
Building / Fostering a National Identity
o Policy of Multi-Racialism
o Common Practices
o Bilingualism

Safeguarding the Interests of Minority Groups

o Policy of Minority Representation
o Self-help Groups

Developing Common Space

o Events and Programmes by Grassroot Organisations
o Opportunities Offered by Educational Institutions
o Common Living Space Provided by Public Housing
o Activities Conducted by Inter-Racial Confidence Circles (IRCCs)
and Harmony Circles (HCs)
o Shared Experience through National Service (NS)

Building / Fostering a National Identity

Fostering national identity is an important measure the Singapore government
has taken to promote social cohesion. The importance of national identity
lies in its ability to help integrate peoples of various backgrounds by
creating a mindset focused on the national, rather than racial unity**. A
group of people with nothing in common cannot be a nation.
** Therefore, when assessing which factor is most successful in building /
fostering a national identity, you must assess it against this criteria.

Policy of Multi-Racialism
o One effort taken by the government to forge national identity among
Singaporeans is through the policy of multi-racialism. This policy
promotes equality among the races, with no special rights
granted to any particular racial or religious group. Favouring a
certain group of people because of their race or religion is prohibited
by the Constitution.
o In this way, the different races do not feel any discrimination
practices and biases by the government. So there will be no
resentment for other races which can build social cohesion. With
this, a fair system ensures that all can move up the economic and
social ladder with a brighter future to look forward to. Since everyone
is seen as a valued member of the Singapore society, it creates a
sense of national identity among all Singaporeans, where they

Miss Elodie Sng / TWSS Humanities Department

Upper Secondary Social Studies Resource
Secondary 3E/NA, 4E/NA, 5NA

will work together to ensure social cohesion and harmony in

Singapore.

Common Practices
o One of the efforts taken by the government to forge national identity
among Singaporeans is carrying out common practices. Common
practices are actions that Singaporeans carry out together daily.
Singing the national anthem, reciting the pledge and participating in the
flag-raising ceremony are examples of the common practices carried
out in schools.
o These common practices help to foster national identity because they
not only instill loyalty, patriotism and national pride towards Singapore
but create a sense of belonging to the country. They are powerful
symbolic links that connects all Singaporeans in place and time.
This helps Singaporeans to see themselves as one people and
this will promote social cohesion in Singapore.

Bilingualism
o Another effort taken by the government to forge national identity
among Singaporeans is through the policy of bilingualism where all
students are expected to learn English and their own Mother Tongue.
Mother tongue language is used to impart moral values and cultural
traditions of each race while English is used as a language linking the
different ethnic groups.
o As English is a non-native language for all the ethnic groups, no
one has an advantage over others. Hence, the use of English as a
common language allows for effective communication among
different races, lessens misunderstanding and fosters greater
common understanding for all races which in turn lead to greater
social cohesion and increases tolerance and understanding.

Safeguarding the Interests of Minority Groups

Safeguarding the interests of the minority groups is another important
measure the Singapore government has taken to promote social cohesion.
This is because minority racial communities such as Malays, Indians or
Eurasians in Singapore also play an important part in nation-building. By
safeguarding their rights and interests, it ensures that the minority
groups do not feel disadvantaged which would threaten social cohesion
in Singapore if they see themselves as marginalized and therefore
different from other Singaporeans.**
** Therefore, when assessing which factor is most successful in building /
fostering a national identity, you must assess it against this criteria.
Miss Elodie Sng / TWSS Humanities Department
Upper Secondary Social Studies Resource
Secondary 3E/NA, 4E/NA, 5NA

Policy of Minority Representation

o The Presidential Council of Minority Rights (PCMR) and the Group
Representation Constituency (GRC) were set up to represent the
interests of minority groups. The PCMR which consists of members
from minority racial and religious groups ensures that no racial or
religious group is disadvantaged as a result of a law that is passed in
Parliament.
o PCMR - Knowing that their rights are protected, there would be no
cause for resentment as their needs and concerns are taken of.
o GRC - Given a fair representation, the minority groups will have
more trust in the government so that the different racial groups
do not feel discriminated and not feel that they are at a
disadvantage. When the voice of the minority groups are heard,
and their wellbeing looked after, it results in social cohesion and
harmony among the different groups in Singapore.

Self-help Groups
o Another effort taken by the government to safeguard the interests of
the minority groups is the setting up of self-help groups like CDAC,
SINDA, Mendaki and the Eurasian Association to help members of
their community who are less fortunate to get aid in their studies,
training for their jobs and moral support.
o Since 2002, the different self-help groups have embarked on joint
projects which allow students from different ethnic groups to attend
tuition classes in tuition centres run by the different self-help groups.
o This provides opportunities for youths from different ethnic
groups to interact and get along with each other, thus promoting
social cohesion. In this way, when the younger population is
given the support to do better in a meritocratic society, moral
support is given to own community, encourages higher standards
from one generation to another and enables to improve their
economic and social status in the society, increasing their sense
of loyalty and commitment to the nation.

Developing Common Space

Common space refers to the time and place that people come together. This
common space provides opportunities for Singaporeans to interact.
Through this interaction, understanding among Singaporeans from the
different races can be deepened. **
** Therefore, when assessing which factor is most successful in building /
fostering a national identity, you must assess it against this criteria.
Miss Elodie Sng / TWSS Humanities Department
Upper Secondary Social Studies Resource
Secondary 3E/NA, 4E/NA, 5NA

Events and Programmes by Grassroot Organisations

o Grassroots organizations like the Peoples Associations (PA) create
common space through a wide range of activities like home visits and
home stays developed to cater to the needs and interests of all
Singaporeans.
o Participants in these programmes gain a better understanding of
the cultures and customs of other races through home visits. As
a result of this understanding, mutual respect can be cultivated
and strong friendship and cohesion can be built over time.

Opportunities Offered by Educational Institutions

o Policy of meritocracy in education provides every Singapore citizen a
chance to enter any educational institutions regardless of race,
language or religion. This provides opportunities for racial mixing
and helps to foster social cohesion and prevents the formation of
exclusive educational groups or schools.
o CCAs offered in the educational institutions and other school-based
activities like project work, field trips etc help to promote closer
bonds among youths from all races as they interact and work
together. They begin to value every member in the team
regardless of their race, religion or background.

Common Living Space Provided by Public Housing

o Developing Public Housing to provide common living space and
shared facilities is one way to develop common space. This is because
the racial groups are settled in the same housing estate or in the
same block where they get a chance to mix or meet other racial
groups and this promotes social cohesion.
o A limit on the proportion of races in every block and neighbourhood
was placed in 1989 to ensure even distribution of different races in all
housing estates. Common facilities were provided to create
opportunities for the races to come together thereby promoting
social interaction. Such facilities include community centres,
playgrounds, recreational corners etc. Bonding is created when
residents congregate in these areas to interact.

Activities Conducted by Inter-Racial Confidence Circles (IRCCs) and

Harmony Circles (HCs)
o IRCCs carry out visits to the different places of worship in order to
create opportunities to appreciate their differences and develop
strong bonds among the different ethnic and religious
communities.

Miss Elodie Sng / TWSS Humanities Department

Upper Secondary Social Studies Resource
Secondary 3E/NA, 4E/NA, 5NA

o HCs carry out activities at work to develop strong bonds among the
different ethnic and religious communities.
o The activities of IRCCs and HCs help to build confidence and
friendship among people and promote social cohesion, bonding
and a greater understanding of other races, religions and
cultures.

Shared Experience through National Service (NS)

o The shared experience of Singaporean men of various races
during military training bonds them together in their common
goal to defend Singapore.
Analysis of Measures to Manage Ethnic Diversity
Building / Fostering
National Identity

Building a national
identity is the most
important measure that
the Singapore
government has taken to
manage ethnic diversity
as it allows people to see
themselves as one. This
helps to create a sense
of belonging to the
country, knowing that
everyone has a part to
play in the country. A
strong national identity is
also needed to withstand
the divisive impact of
globalization.

Safeguarding the
Interest of Minority
Groups
Safeguarding the
Interests of Minority
Groups is important as it
helps to ensure that the
voices of the minority are
heard at government
level. This helps to
ensure that the minority
groups do not feel
marginalised. A sense of
belonging is created as
the minority groups know
that their opinion and
rights matter in the
country. However, this
measure only concerns
the minority groups. If
national identity is built
up and fostered and all
Singaporeans are one,
ethnic diversity will not
need to be managed.

Miss Elodie Sng / TWSS Humanities Department

Upper Secondary Social Studies Resource
Secondary 3E/NA, 4E/NA, 5NA

Developing Common
Space
Developing Common
Space is important as it
helps to create
opportunities for social
cohesion amongst the
different ethnic groups.
However, developing
common space through
educational institutions
and NS only focuses on
students and NS men
only while the other
methods of developing
common space do not
involve all Singaporeans
as they are mostly by
choice. Developing
Common Space is only
effective if all
Singaporeans actively
make use of the common
space to interact with
other ethnic groups and
promote bonding and
social cohesion.