Race

Relevance of CMIO model in SG

Relevance of racism in SG

Are there equal opportunities (eg. Education, employment) for different races in Singapore?

Relevant

  • SG is a multi-racial and multi-cultural country
  • Important to be aware of the relevance of racism in SG so that one does not condone such behaviours.
  • Still instances of racial discrimination within the society

E.g. Tan Boon Lee, 61, a former Ngee Ann Poly lecturer made racist remarks towards a interracial couple. The male was Filipino-Indian while the female was Chinese-Thai.

  • Felt that interracial relationships were "taboo", "predatory" and something that "no Chinese parents would want for their daughters".
  • 'Racist' for Indian males to pursue girls of lighter skin tone and they were deliberately inciting social disharmony by doing so.
  • "such a disgrace, Indian man with a Chinese girl".
  • Racism is detrimental to the peace and stability of our country, where it can divide our society and cause racial disputes

E.g. The racial riots between the Malays and Chinese in Singapore following its merger with Malaysia in 1963 plunged the country into nationwide violence. Houses were burnt down, the police were deployed to enforce curfews and people were beaten and killed.

  • Understand racism can actually develop national identity where Singaporeans nurture a shared identity and sense of belonging to the country regardless of race
  • Serves as a neat and a simple model which helps people go about their daily lives.
  • Imposes a racialised lens and tends to ignore “hybridities” such as mixed marriages.
  • Race-based policies are meant to ensure everyone of different races in Singapore will be able to feel that they do not have to give up their particular culture, their language, what they feel is valuable to them
  • The whole intent of the CMIO model, it is not to separate people, but to make sure that different groups will be properly respected, their rights will be preserved

What is CMIO?

Singapore's Chinese-Malay-Indian-Others (CMIO) system of ethnic classification is essentially an administrative tool for the Government to manage policies around race, which remains a key element of people's identity.

  • One example is the Ethnic Integration Policy (EIP), which sets quotas for public housing flats owned by each racial group in a block or precinct.
  • A majority of Singapore residents feel that racism remains an important problem today, and those who feel this way tend to be younger and more highly educated, according to a recent survey in 2022.
  • About 56.2 per cent of those polled think that racism remains an important problem, higher than the 46.3 per cent of respondents who felt this way in a 2016 edition of the survey.

Education

Employment

  • All races are given equal opportunities and easy access to quality education, giving every student a chance to learn and develop themselves
  • Class include different races to foster multiracial bonds between students
  • Programmes and initiative to promote racial integration in schools such as assembly talks and CCE lessons, teaching students the importance of condoning racist acts
  • Singapore is known to be a meritocratic country - encourage employers to employ workers solely based on their abilities and competencies

E.g. The Tripartite Alliance for Fair and Progressive Employment Practices (TAFEP) was set up in 2006 by the tripartite partners (Ministry of Manpower, National Trades Union Congress, and Singapore National Employers Federation), to promote the adoption of fair, responsible and progressive employment practices.

  • Actively promotes fair employment - eliminates work related discrimination and gives individuals of different races equal chances

Employers are encouraged to evaluate job candidates based on their skills, qualifications, and performance, rather than their race or ethnicity.