Social Studies Chapter 5

Bonding Singapore

Causes of Racial and Religious Conflict

Difference 1. Members of a particular racial group may see actions taken by another racial to be damaging to
in them and this will lead to anger, suspicion, hatred and conflict.
perceptions 2. An example of this was the racial riots of 1964. In wanting to win the support and votes of the
of racial Malays in Singapore, UMNO leaders make use of the resettlement plans to make the Malays
groups 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.
3. As a result of the racial riots, there were deaths and destruction to property, social tension, fear
and suspicion between the two racial groups.
4. 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.
Difference 1. This can be a threat to Singapore as they affect social cohesion in a multi-ethnic society and this
in could lead to conflict if these perceptions are not managed well.
perceptions 2. Members of a particular religious group may see the actions taken by another group to be
of religious disrespectful and insulting to their religion. When this perception is not managed and is allowed to
groups continue, unhappiness and anger may occur leading to violence taken out against the group that is
perceived to be insulting or disrespectful.
3. 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, the Muslim community felt that the British legal system
did not respect the beliefs of the Muslims and this led to violence against the European
community.
4. As a result of this violence, there was loss of deaths and destruction to property, and an
atmosphere of fear and tension among the Muslim and European Community.
External 1. When racial and religious issues are used as reasons for terrorist acts committed globally as well
Threats as to create ill-feelings among the different ethnic 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.
2. This can be seen in the arrests of the JI members in Singapore. These men were ordinary citizens
of the country that embarked on terrorist acts that can put Singapore in danger. As these men
were from the Malay-Muslim community, the arrests had brought about suspicion among the
different ethnic groups in Singapore towards the Malay-Muslim community.
3. 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.

Measures to Manage Ethnic Diversity

Developing Common Spaces: They are places where Singaporeans of all races come together. These places
provide opportunities for Singaporeans to interact with each other, allowing the different races to know and
understand more about each other better, creating a prosperous and harmonious multi-racial society.
National All males must enter NS at 18 to help contribute to The different races get to
Service Singapores defence interact, communicate and
Males go through tough military training together which help strengthen the bond
strengthen the bond between them between them, thus
In addition, men cultivate a sense of belonging to the Each race will know more
country though conscription. about the other races,
reducing chances of conflict in
future.
Opportunities Schools in Singapore are open to every Singaporean, The daily interaction that
offered by regardless of race or religion. In addition, CCAs and Racial takes place between students
Education Harmony Day is celebrated in schools every year allow allows friendships between
Institutions more forms of interaction between the races. the different races to be
The celebration of Racial Harmony Day highlights the cultivated / strengthened,
importance and commitment of Singaporeans towards creating a prosperous and
religious harmony. harmonious multi-racial
Activities conducted during CCAs promote skills like society.
teamwork, allowing students to know and understand
each other better.
Common Optional: In the past, many people from 1 race often live Living together in the same

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 Social Studies Chapter 5
Bonding Singapore

Living together, reducing chances for social interaction, therefore neighbourhood allows the
Spaces the government decided to do something about it. different races to interact
Every HDB housing estate now has an ethnic quota to together, creating a
ensure that there is a distribution of races in all housing prosperous and
estates. harmonious multi-racial
Rebuttal: It created some difficulties for people who want to society.
buy or sell flats, but the measures had to be put in place to
protect racial harmony.
National Identity: The representation of a country as a whole, containing its culture, traditions, language, and politics.
(dictionary.com)
Multi - This policy of multi-racialism ensures As everyone is treated fairly, there is no conflict
Racialism that every race is treated fairly with between each race or religion.
no special rights given to any Everyone is seen as a valued member to society,
particular group. and no one is left out, thus a sense of national
Everyone regardless of race or religion identity is created between Singaporeans.
is given equal opportunities to As no race is favoured or discriminated against
succeed. another race, thus it allows Singapore to manage
Favouring or Discriminating a ethnic diversity well due to the lack of riots.
particular race is prohibited by the
Constitution.
Bilingualism It refers to the ability to use 2 As every group is expected to know English, no
languages fluently, and able to race has an advantage over another race.
translate from one to another. The use of English, a common language have
Students are expected to learn English improved communication between races and thus
as a primary language for reduced misunderstandings between the different
communication between the different races, building a sense of national identity among
races and Chinese as a secondary the different races.
language to pass information about the Therefore, Bilingualism has helped to build a
culture and traditions of each race into sense of belonging among Singaporeans and had
Singaporeans. played a part in managing ethnic diversity in
Singapore.
Common Common practices such as singing the Therefore, common practices has helped build a
Practices national anthem and taking the pledge national sense of belonging and managed ethnic
allow people to identify themselves as diversity in Singapore.
Singaporeans.
These practices can help foster
national identity. In addition, inculcating
loyalty and national pride towards
Singapore is one way to get
Singaporeans to see themselves as
one people, one nation, one Singapore

Safeguarding the Interests of the Minority Groups

Minority This policy gives minority groups a say in
Groups government.
This ensures that the concerns and
needs of the minority groups are made
known to the government so that the
government can make changes to solve
their concerns.
Self Help Like the CDAC and SINDA help the less-
Groups fortunate members in their community in
terms of studies and job training.
Give moral support to the respective
races, help Singaporeans cope and
compete on equal footing, which improve
their social and economic positions in
their society.
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The participation of the minority groups in policy
making ensures that their views is taken into
policy making, simultaneously ensuring that no
law passed by Parliament disadvantages a
particular group and that is fair and equal to every
group.
These measures therefore ensure that the
minority groups do not feel discriminated,
neglected or left out by the government therefore
help to safeguard the interests of the minority
groups.
The different groups have worked together on
projects like joint tuition provided for all races
which provide opportunities for youths to interact
and get along with each other. The social
interaction between them allow everyone to be
understand each other better, leading to a
prosperous and harmonious multi-racial society!
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 Social Studies Chapter 5
Bonding Singapore
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.
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Analysis of Measures to Manage Ethnic Diversity
Safeguarding the Interest of Developing Common Space
Minority Groups
Safeguarding the Interests of Minority Developing Common Space is important as it
Groups is important as it helps to helps to create opportunities for social
ensure that the voices of the minority cohesion amongst the different ethnic
are heard at government level. This groups. However, developing common space
helps to ensure that the minority through educational institutions and NS only
groups do not feel marginalised. A focuses on students and NS men only
sense of belonging is created as the while the other methods of developing
minority groups know that their common space do not involve all
opinion and rights matter in the Singaporeans as they are mostly by choice.
country. However, this measure Developing Common Space is only
only concerns the minority groups. effective if all Singaporeans actively make
If national identity is built up and use of the common space to interact with
fostered and all Singaporeans are other ethnic groups and promote bonding
one, ethnic diversity will not need and social cohesion.
to be managed.
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