Look, persistently questioning Malay loyalty cannot lead to any good for any of us in Singapore.
I sincerely hope policymakers and their supporters realise how increasingly indefensible the current approach is. From a purely pragmatic perspective too.
For a while now we’ve seen the pull of transnational ethnic/religious identities competing with our national one; one which aspires to be “regardless of race, language, or religion”.
The CCP’s active attempts to revive ethnic pride in the Chinese diaspora is one such example, among others, from around the world. You think it hasn’t reached Singapore? Don’t take my word for it – read more here.
Just as the public narrative of split loyalties does not – rightfully, I must emphasise – include many citizens of China-origin, we should ditch this narrative of questioning Malay loyalty.
If you assumed I’m referring to recently minted citizens of China-origin, then pause and wonder why. What makes a citizen, “new”? Are not many Chinese Singaporeans today just one or two generations removed from China? How long have the Malays been here? Compare demographic trends and birth-rates in the past decades while you’re at it. What inherent blind spots do you have about nationality, loyalty, belonging?
At this point, if you wonder whether I overstepped a boundary by raising the “citizens of China-origin” point, and feel uncomfortable, then perhaps you might have a small sense of how so many of our Malay friends have felt for a long, long time. If you feel anger, again, that’s just a small measure. It sucks to have your loyalty questioned, persistently.
(Bonus question: Ask yourself if you ever felt as uncomfortable reading similar views about Malays here. Then ask yourself why or why not.)
While we’re at it, you think the Indian community will be spared? At the height of anti-China sentiments last year cos of covid, I don’t recall any attacks on the Chinese in Singapore. Do you? But we’ve already seen one reported attack on an Indian lady here. Thankfully our leaders have taken a firm stance with many ministers speaking out strongly.
With the rise of hindu-nationalism in India, do you not think some influence might reach Singapore? No community is immune from such external pressures. Hence, to focus on one community is questionable at best. To me, it’s racist, plain and simple.
Given today’s geopolitical climate, to question Malay loyalty is to inevitably invite questions of Chinese loyalty to Singapore. It’s to question Indian loyalty to Singapore. I vehemently disagree with all of it. Not just on principle, but even on a purely pragmatic level.
To doubt any community like this is cancerous. Doubt will grow and eat away out our social cohesion, infecting us limb by limb, community to community, slowly but surely.
Either we believe in one another, or believe in no one. That’s how it works.
(P.S Given the recent fiasco over SMRT Feedback’s comments on the Malay/Muslim community and loyalty to Singapore, I thought it’s a good time to reflect on our approach to this issue. Not trying to stir shit.)