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 multi-ethnic 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 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.
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Upper Secondary Social Studies Resource
Secondary 3E/NA, 4E/NA, 5NA
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. 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. 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.
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
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Upper Secondary Social Studies Resource
Secondary 3E/NA, 4E/NA, 5NA

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.


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 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 is one way to get Singaporeans to see
themselves as one people and this will promote social cohesion in Singapore.
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Upper Secondary Social Studies Resource
Secondary 3E/NA, 4E/NA, 5NA

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 Malay, Indian or Eurasian in Singapore also play an
important part in nation-building.

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.
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Upper Secondary Social Studies Resource
Secondary 3E/NA, 4E/NA, 5NA
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.

Events and Programmes by Grassroot Organisations
o
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.
Participants in these programmes gain a better understanding of the cultures
and customs of other races through home visits. As a results 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.
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Upper Secondary Social Studies Resource
Secondary 3E/NA, 4E/NA, 5NA


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.
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.
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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.