THREE PRINCIPLES THAT ENSURE
SOCIAL HARMONY IN SINGAPORE
Multiculturalism: Singapore’s different ethnic groups coming together as one united people, without giving up their cultural heritage or beliefs. At the same time, our common national identity takes precedence over our ethnic or religious identities.
Secularism: Backed by the rule of law, the State is secular, but not against religion. Everyone has the right to practise their religion freely. While religious organisations are consulted in policy matters that may have an impact on their community, the Government reserves the right to make the final decision.
Meritocracy: Opportunities are bestowed based on individual merit and performance, without bias to any race, creed or social-economic background. While this may not result in equal outcomes, it guarantees that all Singaporeans have a fair chance to succeed according to their own talent and effort.
THE PEOPLE’S ASSOCIATION
AND THE COMMUNITY CENTRES
The policy of the Government is to build many modest, small and medium-sized Community Centres costing about $15,000 each, and to have one at every thickly populated area to provide the escape value for the recreation of children in the day, and adults in the evening.
– Mr Lee Kuan Yew, then Prime Minister,
at the launch of Minto Road Community Centre,
9 January 1960
Soon after being appointed the first Prime Minister of Singapore in 1959, Mr Lee Kuan Yew mooted the idea of a place where people could come together, get to know one another and be part of a larger community. If people could learn skills or share common experiences together, interaction would be more spontaneous and meaningful.
In 1960, the People’s Association (PA) was established with one main aim: to cultivate social cohesion and nurture a sense of community. It is a mission that endures to this day.
PA inherited 28 Community Centres (CCs), set up by the colonial government, where people would gather to play games, go on excursions or seek help. At first, people were drawn to the CCs for functional reasons. For example, farmers would bring their livestock to the CCs to be inoculated, or came to attend courses to improve their fishing and farming methods. Children would immerse themselves in the books from the mobile library or try their hands at basketball or carom. Since many were illiterate at the time, it was not uncommon for residents to bring letters to the CCs, seeking help from the staff to read them. Since households rarely had their own phone lines in those days, CC staff also doubled as phone operators during emergencies, taking calls on behalf of kampong residents. One of them recalled:
A caller would ask to speak to someone living in the kampong. The person would then hang up while I went to fetch that someone. Both of us would then wait at the CC for the call to come through again. 3
The CCs became one of the first places during
Singapore’s early nationhood where many races could
come together, no matter their background or social
status. During the racial riots of 1964, the CCs were
regarded as safe havens and places of refuge
True to its mission to bring people together, PA has spared no effort in making sure that all Singaporeans feel welcome in its CCs, which have become hubs for all community activities, recreation and neighbourly camaraderie.
Because the CCs were built within the communities, they became a convenient venue to hold communal events such as New Year get-togethers and National Day celebrations. Some were even used to send off young men due to enlist in National Service. In later years, residents would visit the CCs at the end of a day’s work to watch television in the communal halls. Activities and classes held at these centres were either free of charge or kept very affordable to encourage participation. They were also places where grassroots leaders could be groomed before being deployed to their communities to serve residents.
Today, PA manages over 100 CCs and more than 37,000 grassroots volunteers. Working with an extensive network of partners, including grassroots organisations and the Community Development Councils, PA organises a wide range of activities from block parties and the celebration of various festivals, to soccer friendlies, excursions and cooking classes – creating opportunities for Singaporeans of different ethnic and social backgrounds to mingle.
THE IMPORTANCE OF A
SECULAR GOVERNMENT
Reaffirming the Government’s commitment to secularism
in his 1987 National Day Rally, then Prime Minister
Lee Kuan Yew called on all religious leaders to “take off
their clerical robes” before they assumed any economic
or political roles in Singapore. On their part, Singapore’s
religious organisations have stayed responsibly clear of
political affairs, devoting their public efforts to social
and charitable works.
Amid a worldwide trend of rising religiosity, a survey conducted by the Institute of Policy Studies in 2014 found 66% of respondents agreeing that Singaporeans enjoyed healthy levels of religious harmony. 9 The same survey also saw respondents supporting government’s policies on religion and its role as an arbiter of disputes in times of conflict. 10 About 70% agreed that the Government is responsible for maintaining racial and religious harmony in Singapore while two-thirds of the respondents considered it important to report any infractions that might threaten religious or racial harmony to the authorities.
LIVING IN HARMONY
From schools to public housing and National Service, we have infused our public institutions with opportunities for Singaporeans of different backgrounds to come together, understand one another and respect our society’s rich diversity.
A SENSE OF HOME
Born in Bandung, Indonesia, Mr Na Sin An came to Singapore on an NUS-ASEAN postgraduate scholarship in 1999. Upon completing his studies in 2001, he found a job and became a Permanent Resident. With his career on track, he married in 2002 and brought his wife, also from Bandung, to Singapore. In 2004, the couple had their first child, who was born in Singapore.
Originally, Mr Na had intended to work in Singapore, and return to his birthplace in Indonesia after his retirement. Returning regularly to visit his relatives, Mr Na soon realised that he was feeling less and less acquainted with the environment in Indonesia – his idea of “home” had changed.
In 2010, after much pondering and soul-searching, Mr Na and his wife took up Singapore citizenship. They have never looked back.
Expressing his attachment to his adopted country, 37-year-old Mr Na explains: “When I was a student here in Singapore, the best feeling for me was to be in a cab, on my way to Changi Airport. But today, the best feeling for me is when I have landed at Changi Airport. My home is in Clementi.”
But we all know that building an inclusive society is not just about Government redistributing resources to help the poor. It is about building a society where at its heart, people retain a deep sense of responsibility for their families and seek every opportunity to improve themselves and do better.
Where employers treat workers with respect, value their contributions and reward them fairly. Where the more successful step forward to help others in the community, because they feel for their fellow citizens.
And where Singaporeans actively participate in causes that will make this a better society. An inclusive society will only blossom if we grow this spirit of responsibility and community.
– Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Deputy Prime Minister, 17 February 2012 14