Challenges of a multi-ethnic society

- Managing perceptions of different racial groups.
- Managing perceptions of different religious groups
- Threats from external forces


MANAGING PERCEPTIONS OF DIFFERENT RACIAL GROUPS.

The lack of understanding among the racial groups can create suspicion and unhappiness among the people. This may lead to outbreaks of violence among racial groups. In 1964, Singapore experience race riots which resulted in 36 people dead and 560 others injured.

There was an anti-PAP campaign organised by some UMNO leaders after PAP participated in the Federal Election in Malaysia. PAP called for a non-communal approach to Malaysian politics and the creation of a MAlaysia where everyone would be given equal rights and privileges. PAP's resettlement and redevelopment programme was portrayed as anti-Malay. Malay news paper, Utusan MElayu claimed that 3000 Malay families were affected by the resettlement in the area stretching from Crawford, Kampong Glam, Rochor. In reality, only 200 malay families were affected. With several meetings with Malays, UMNO managed to cost fury in the malays as they portray PAP as anti-Malay. During the celebration of Prophet Muhammad's birthday, there were tensions between the chinese and malays. This blew up into a huge racial riot and caused damage to property and lost of lives.

The race riots shows how easily peace and harmony in Singapore can be broken. Irresponsible media reporting and a trigger like the issue of race can cause suspicion, distrust, and even hostility among Singaporeans.



MANAGING PERCEPTIONS OF DIFFERENT RELIGIOUS GROUPS.

Differences in religious beliefs and practices are also issues that can be used to create tension among the people in Singapore. This was shown by the Maria Hertogh riots in 1950. The outbreak of violence left behind destruction and loss of lives.

Maria was placed under the care of a Malay lady, Aminah after her parents were imprisoned. Maria was raised as a muslim and at the age of 13, married a Malay teacher. When her parents demanded Maria to be returned to them, a court trial followed. The court decided to give custody to the Hertoghs, hence causing unhappiness among the Muslim community. The large crowd ouside the court felt that the British legal system was unfair to Muslims. This sparked off anger towards the European and Eurasian communities which resulted in the outbreak of the riots. The events throughout the court trial had a lot of media coverage in the newspapers. Muslim community were very upset and felt the welfare of Muslims was not looked into. During the riots, there was a 24 hour curfew for 2 weeks. With police forces called in to maintain peace.

This riots showed that if religious issues are not handled carefully, hostility and distrust could occur among the people, thus affecting the relationships among the different religious groups.



THREATS FROM EXTERNAL FORCES.

Transnational terrorism refers to acts of violence which are global in terms of aims, organisation and impact. These acts can test the social bonds of the people in Singapore. Singapore needs to handle this threat carefully as if can divide people. In multi-ethnic societies like Singapore, race and religion may be used to create ill feelings among the different ethnic groups, which in turn threaten racial and religious harmony in the country. In 2001, Singapore experienced the threat of transnational terrorism.

34 Jemaah Islamiyah(JI) were arrested under the Internal Security Act for their involvement in terrorist-related activities from 2001-2002. Some of the JI activities included fund-raising and the purchase of materials for making bombs. Targets in Singapore were US embassy and some government buildings such as MOE.
There were calls to political and religious leaders in Singapore for people to remain calm and be commited to living in harmony with other racial and religious groups. In a u nited voice, Muslim leaders condemned the JI group and emphasesed that it did not have the support of the Muslim community.

The mixed reaction from Singaporeans showed an urgent need to ensure that social cohesion was not affected by the JI arrests. It was crucial to ensure that the different racial and religious groups in Singapore continue to live and work harmoniously with one another.