Sleepwalking to disharmony

• Main Author: EUGENE, Tan K. B.
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Institutional Knowledge at Singapore Management University 2013
• Subjects: Asian Studies; Public Affairs, Public Policy and Public Administration
• Online Access: https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/sol_research/3756; https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/context/sol_research/article/5714/viewcontent/today_20130913_1.pdf
• Institution: Singapore Management University

In a commentary on racial relations in Singapore, SMU Associate Professor of Law and NMP Eugene Tan pointed out that the findings of the Indicators of Racial and Religious Harmony survey jointly conducted by the Institute of Policy Studies and OnePeople.sg demonstrated that we did well where it involved a strong public sphere/space element. However, we did not do as well in indicators that had a closer nexus to the private sphere and how we viewed Singaporeans of other races. Associate Prof Tan opined that the four indicators where we did not fare as well (but were still positive overall) suggested a lack of meaningful engagement or interest in colour-blindness, inter-cultural understanding and interaction. He is concerned that if our harmony is built on tolerance only, then our ethnic relations are fragile and might not withstand severe stresses, such as in the event of a terrorist attack. In view of this, he felt that there is a need for us to be concerned about the minority perception of exclusion and discrimination in our society.