How far do you agree that the main challenge of living in a multi-ethnic society is managing perceptions of

different religious group? Explain your answer.

Introduction
Perceptions of different religious group can be a challenge to a multi-ethnic society as in the case of
political approaches of the state government of Singapore.

(P.E.E.L alternative factor)

Managing perceptions of different religious groups can be a challenge to a multi-ethnic society. (Point)
For example, in 1940s, a Dutch couple was imprisoned by the Japanese. They placed their daughter, Maria
Hertogh, under the care of a Malay lady, Aminah. Maria was raised as a Muslim and at the age of 13, married
a Malay teacher. When her parents demanded that Maria be returned to them, it resulted in a court trial where
it received wide media coverage.(Example)

The trail provoked much unhappiness among the Muslim community. The large crowd outside the court felt
that the British legal system was unfair to Muslims. This sparked of anger towards the European and Eurasian
communities. (Explanation)

The riots showed that if religious issues are not handled carefully, hostility and distrust could occur
among the people, thus affecting the relationships among the different religious groups. (Likn)

(P.E.E.L alternative factor)

However, managing perceptions of different racial group can also be a challenge to a multi-ethnic society.
(Point)
For example, when Singapore was in Malaysia, the state government of Singapore believed in a non-
communal approach to Malaysian politics where everyone will be given equal rights and privileges. This led to
the Malays in the Federal government United Malays National Organization (UMNO) in Kuala Lumpur to feel
threatened. UMNO led an anti-PAP campaign who highlighted the poverty of Malays in Singapore. PAP’s
resettlement and redevelopment programmes were portrayed as anti-Malay. (Example)

This led to feelings of dissatisfaction among Singapore Malays towards PAP. The Malay newspaper, Utusan
Melayu was used by UMNO to spread anti-PAP campaign. It highlighted that the PAP government did not
care about the Malays in Singapore. UMNO also met with Malays and made fiery speeches which portrayed
PAP as anti Malay and this stirred anger in the Malays. Finally in July 1964, during the celebration of Prophet
Muhammad’s birthday, a clash between a Chinese policeman and a group of Malay participants caused full
blown race riots. (Explanation)

The race riots illustrated how easily the peace and harmony in Singapore can be broken.
Irresponsible media reporting and a trigger like the issue of race cause suspicion, distrust and
hostility among Singaporeans. (Link)

(P.E.E.L another alternative factor)

Threats from external forces can also be a challenge to a multi-ethnic society.(Point)
In 2001, Singapore experienced the threat of transnational terrorism. 34 Jemaah Islamiah were arrested
under the Internal Security Act for their involvement in terrorist-related activities from 2001 and 2002.
(Example)
There were mixed reactions among the people in Singapore to the various arrests. These mixed reactions
showed an urgent need to ensure that social cohesion was not affected by the JI arrests. (Link)

All three factors are a challenge to a multi-ethnic society. Lack of sensitivity to the needs of different religions
and races can lead to unhappiness and hostility among Singaporeans. These may be used by external forces
to cause a greater rift amongst Singaporeans.

Therefore it is crucial to ensure that the different racial and religious groups in Singapore continued
to live and work harmoniously with one another. In a multi-ethnic society in Singapore, race and
religion may be used to create ill feelings among the different ethnic groups by external forces.