Social Studies

Our Social Studies Blog .

Challenges of Multi-Ethnicity in Singapore

The 1964 Race Riots were a series of riots that took place in Singapore during two separate periods in July and September between Chinese and Malay racial groups . The first incident occurred on 21 July during a Malay procession marking the Prophet's birthday . In order to manage different perceptions if different racial groups , there must not be lack of understanding or communications as it can cause outbreaks of violence . Example , is the 1964 Race Riots in Singapore . The riots exposed serious racial tension between the two racial groups , Chinese and Malays . Goodwill committees were set up made up of community leaders from different racial groups . Their jobs were to help restore peace and harmony between the two racial groups . It was known to be caused by the People's Action Party ( PAP ) and the UMNO relations were severely strained after the PAP challenges the UMNO in the March federal election in 1964 . Therefore , the UMNO portrayed PAP as anti-Malays and carried out untrue articles int he Utusan Malaya and it led to Singapore unable to maintain harmony within the country .

The Maria Hertogh riots in 1950 is an example of the challenges faced in managing different perceptions of different religion groups in Singapore . The Maria Hertogh Riots between ethnic Malays and the European and Eurasian communities in Singapore occurred on 11 December 1950 . It was sparked by the controversial custody battle between Maria's adoptive Malay family and her Eurasian parents . The riots highlighted the insensitive way the media handled religious and racial issues in Singapore . The British colonial authorities also failed to defuse an explosive situation when emotional reports appeared in the local press of the custody battle accompanied by sensational media photographs of a Muslim girl in a Catholic convent . The mainly Malay Police Force appeared to sympathise with the Muslim rioters and displayed some measure of deliberate inaction and defection during the riots . As a result of this historic event , the Government of Singapore , upon independence in 1965 , instituted legislation against racial discrimination . It became an offence to incite racial and religious hatred in Singapore . The local media exercised greater discipline in the coverage of sensitive issues . National integration and nation-building took top priority in the formulation of government policies .

Transnational terrorism can divide the people ; threaten racial and religion , harmony . After the arrests of 34 Jemaah Islamiyan members in 2001 , this out Singaporeans on high alert against terrorism . As Singapore is a open and cosmopolitan society hosting foreign establishments , it became target for the terrorists . And to prevent this to happen , Singapore improve security , alertness, organizations voiced and continue to ensure social cohesion .