Singapore's Multiracialism and International Relations

Cultural Perspectives and International Relations Studies

Abstract

Singapore's multiracial policy has been one of the most important planks in its post-Independence approach to national management. The survival of the small Chinese city-state surrounded by big Malay neighbors has always depended on its good relations with these countries. In this geo-political context, ethnic relations within Singapore, i. e., the relationship between its majority Chinese and minority Malay communities has long been linked to the island Republic's relations with the Malay world. The protection of Malay rights in the Singapore Constitution and introduction of multiracialism as an ethnic management policy to highlight equal treatment of the Chinese, Malay, Indian, Eurasian and other ethnic groups was to show that Singapore was not a pro-China state or a Third China. This concern was especially strong in the Cold War period when Southeast Asian Chinese were often perceived as agents of Chinese communist influence. The Singapore government's erosion and containment of many aspects of Chinese-ness have also been used to tone down the island's explicit Chinese character and boost its multiracial appearance. However, rapid economic development fuelled by internationalization has in effect wiped out the original consideration for Malay rights. The meritocracy system has marginalized the Malays and the social gap between the Chinese and Malays has widened. However, the island's vulnerability, including its dependence on water supply from Malaysia still looms large in Singapore's geo-political environment. The government stance towards the Malays has been coloured by the cultural deficit thesis which views Malay culture as lazy or lacking competitiveness. This has been put forward as an explanation for the Malay community's entrapment in the lower socio-economic stratum. The continuing questioning of the Malay-Singaporeans' national loyalty by senior government ministers has upset the Malays as it justifies discrimination against them in the armed forces. However, the Malay neighbors do see Singapore's Malays as brothers and often consider their own Chinese minorities as an extension of Chinese Singapore. China's emergence as an economic power from the late 1970s and the Singapore government's attempt to counter the spread of Western cultural and political values led to the introduciton of a series of ‘Sinicisation’ programs aimed at promoting aspects of Chinese culture among Chinese-Singaporeans. Although sinicisation has been carefully implemented in recognition of multiracialism and sensitive relations with Malay neighbors, the Malay and other communities have been concerned about this movement. The recent immigration of Chinese from China and elsewhere to maintain the Chinese majority has the potential of straining the delicate ethnic balance further. These new Chinese settlers and the rise of China as a dominant economic and political power have introduced a new element in Singapore's evolving international relations with countries in the region and beyond.