I strongly agree to this statement. This approach should be introduced to encourage integration and cultural pluralism.
Singapore is always different from other country. We share our care and concern towards each other and even towards other races. We had never allowed one race to dominate the whole country. The government has strong belief we as Singaporean should stay harmoniously with no fight, no riots. However when in the past Singapore has experience riots. After all this riots, the government have even stronger belief that living harmoniously is essential. An example will be the Maria Hertorgh riot. This riot had occurred on the 11 December 1950. It happened during World War 2. Maria’s father was a sergent in the army. When the war broke out he was captured by the Japanese Army as he was a sergent in the Dutch Army. When he was being capture, Maria was put under the care of Aminah. Soon Maria was raised as a muslim. However Maria was baptized by a priest before she was being sent to Aminah to be taken care. After the war, her biological parents came to take her back, Aminah refused to let her leave with her parents. It has ended up as a court case. Aminah thought that allowing her to get married with another man will allowed her to stay with her forever. In the end, Maria’s marriage with a muslim teacher was not recognized by the court. The court had announced her to be given back to her biological parents.
Soon people were unhappy with the sentence being announced by the court. Therefore it has created social unrest. Riots started, the muslim’s thinks that they are not recoginzed by the court nor the government. They find it unfair to them. This riot has caused 18 being killed and 173 injured.
The government has realized the importance to make this nation a harmonious place for all to live in. I am sure that the government does not want any of their citizens to die just because of such riots.
Another example I would mention is the people action’s party (PAP) in Singapore. They would always make sure that the minorities in Singapore is being look into and not neglected by the citizens or the government. They would always ensure that within the members that were being elected they will be one from the minority races being elected to be part of them. I think that with this measure being implemented the nation will be happy and allow the minority to realise that they are not neglected by anyone in the country.
If without the government coming out with different approach for their citizens will Singapore be deter from all the wars and fight? The Singapore Government has made an important point to ensure all people, races and religion is being well taken care. They had shown no biasness against which ever races or religion.
Take the pledge for an example. This pledge is written by S R Rajaratnam, Our founding fathers. This pledge is within us since young. Ever since we enter school, be it the nursery school or childcare, everyone will recite this as a united nation. This is a measure that the Government implemented.
The government has safeguard the interest of the minority in Singapore, the different communities also does different things to safe guard all their interest. Within the communities they organize different events during different point of time of the year. Take the Chinese New Year’s for an example. They organise a steamboat feast for the old folks who does not have a family to enjoy this festive moment. In Singapore we not only celebrate one event but many events with many other races together. The national day is one event that all will celebrate together regardless of race, language or religion together to make this nation a harmonious country for all to stay in.
This has allowed Singapore to be deterred from all war. Being able to stay harmonious and together, this had warned the other country to think twice before they want to start a war with Singapore. The private sector has done their part to make Singapore a harmonious country. They have done their part as they contribute much to Singapore's society. Therefore this should go on and on. Let’s all make Singapore a greater and better place to live! Continue this peaceful moment together!
