SINGAPORE. PART 1. SMALL CHINA OR MULTI-ETHNIC LAB?
A quick introduction to the country.
In August 2015, a voice proclaiming Singapore's independence rang out over the radio. At exactly 9 a.m. on August 9, 2015, just as on August 9, 1965, the declaration commemorating Singapore's independence was once again heard throughout the small city-state of Singapore in the voice of the late Lee Kuan Yew (1). I remember it like it was yesterday: the whole family was in the living room. August 2015 was a very significant month in Singapore's history. It was the expected significance of the 50th anniversary of the country's independence from the Malay Federation and its birth as a new nation. For those who don't know, Singapore is a city-state at the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula in Southeast Asia, almost as big as Seoul, with just under 6 million inhabitants (2). It has experienced unprecedented growth. At the time of independence in 1965, Singapore's GDP per capita was $516, and by 2023, its nominal GDP per capita was $84,714, making it the country with the highest GDP per capita in Asia (3) and a member of the world's top 5. Singapore, often referred to as one of Asia's four little dragons (4), is a success story that no one can deny. Many believe that the key to Singapore's successful economic growth and wealth creation lies largely in the country's geographical location, its transit trade and exports, and its efficient system of government. Meanwhile, opinions on Singapore's development as an Asian success story are divided, with some vehemently claiming that "controlled" social governance is behind the country's economic growth, including dictatorship, fines and flogging.Of course, both perspectives are not far from the truth, and are assertions that can be based on sufficient evidence to support them (5).Before going any further, it's worth noting that Singapore is a multi-ethnic, multicultural nation where civil society is organized according to the racial categorization system known as CMIO (Chinese-Malay-Indian-Other) (6). Although Malays are recognized as the country's indigenous community (7), 75.9% of citizens and permanent resident visa holders are of Chinese origin, with Malays and Indians accounting for 15% and 7.5% respectively.Together, the three largest ethnic groups account for 98.4% of the citizen population.The remaining 1.6% includes members of the so-called "Other" races, which largely comprise Eurasians like myself (8). Despite a long-term residence permit, Singapore excludes 29% of the population as non-residents for statistical purposes.
Obtaining Singaporean citizenship is extremely complex. You can become a Singapore citizen by marrying a citizen, working in the country or setting up a business.You must be a permanent resident or married to a citizen for at least two years.Students applying for citizenship must have lived in Singapore for more than three years and passed at least one national examination or program.But in reality, it's much more complex. The country seeks to maintain its ethnic and religious harmony and doesn't give away the Singpass (9) so easily. As the country does not recognize dual citizenship, you will need to provide proof that you have renounced your original citizenship, a step that the vast majority of potential future citizens refuse to take (10). Officially, mixed-race Singaporeans are often considered to be of their father's race. However, racial categorization, for example on an individual's identity card, can also reflect the parents' two ethnicities, or if the parents have several origins recognized by the CMIO system, register their offspring in the race of their choice (11). Finally, being a Singaporean citizen offers you tons of privileges, from housing and mortgages to car registration and education. And believe me, these are great privileges (12).
Religions.
Singapore is the most religiously diverse country in the world (13). But, as with many things, Singapore is no joke! You are free to practice your religion in private at home, in public at your place of worship, to organize processions, to wear distinctive signs even at work. A Muslim can pray during his breaks in a free room at his employer's, ask to practice Friday prayers at the mosque, but you won't find anyone praying in the street as happens in some Western streets. Under the aegis of the IRO (14), the state maintains a "benevolent" neutrality on religious issues, prohibits proselytizing and imposes interfaith equality, allowing everyone to practice their own faith. There will be no foreign-trained religious leaders, and anti-confessional or anti-religious speech is severely punished (15). A Christian may not insult or criticize a Muslim, and a Muslim may not insult or criticize a Hindu. The law also forbids the imposition of a religion or dress code. A person wishing to become an atheist is protected by law. So is someone wishing to change their religion. In fact, 20% of the country's inhabitants claim to have no religion (16).
To understand, Singapore is an immigrant society. Different races have their own languages, cultures, religions, and values, forming a multiracial family, a rare pluralistic society and a great colorful religious garden. Singapore brings together all kinds of people from all over the world. In addition to Buddhism, Taoism, Islam, Christianity, Hinduism, Jainism and Sikhism, Singapore also has followers of Judaism and Zoroastrianism. The many religions have created a diversity of religious beliefs among Singaporeans. In many countries and regions of the world, disputes and conflicts between different religions have led to frequent conflicts and bloody wars. The situation in Singapore, however, is different. Since independence in 1965, Singapore has experienced virtually no religious conflict, and groups respect each other and live in harmony under the constraints of the law! What's interesting is that different religions and cultures are merging. For example, the Jade Emperor and Lord Bao may live on the same altar dedicated to the Patriarch; Bodhidharma, the Monkey King, Jigong and Bao Gong also have temples. The Malays believe in Islam, but some of them worship the ancient god Datuk. There is also the Putian Trinity Church, which combines the three religions of "Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism", and the De Church, which combines the five religions of "Confucianism, Taoism, Buddhism, Christianity and Hui". Tolerance and harmony are the hallmarks of religious relations in Singapore.
A quick tour of religions in Singapore.
Taoism.
Founded by Lao Zi around the same time as Confucianism, some 2,500 years ago. In addition to the concepts of path and virtue, the two main ideas are the absence of action (wu-wei) and the return of things to their origin. Here, man must listen to the rhythms of the universe and live in complete harmony with nature.
Confucianism.
Founded in China by Confucius some 2,500 years ago, Confucianism has had (and still has) major repercussions on the civilization, culture and mentalities of both mainland and non-mainland Chinese. Few know it, but its influences are felt not only in China, but also in other Asian countries such as Vietnam, South Korea, and Japan. The basis of this doctrine is a form of morality. Human, social, and political ethics are based on respect for a moral code of conduct (Li), which provides a framework within which people can express their personalities. Among the essential points of Confucianism are the following:
- Humanity (ren). This is the set of behaviors you must respect in human relations. It includes the inseparable bonds between father and son, loyalty between master and subject, discrimination between man and woman, respect for elders, and trust between friends.
- Relationships (guanxi). This term refers both to your network and to each of the people in it. We'll describe it in more detail in the chapter on the Chinese world, but it's necessary to stress the importance of the network right now.
- Face. This is both social prestige (mianzi) and society's confidence in an individual's moral and social integrity (lian). We can also highlight the following rules that flow from these principles:
- The country's leaders must be the most competent.
- Each member of society plays a role which, if fulfilled properly, leads to a more just society.
- Personal success is subordinate to that of the group.
Buddhism.
To summarize a philosophy or religion shared by billions of human beings is inconceivable. Buddhism has many variants and is today enjoying strong growth in the West. Here are the elements of Buddhism to grasp:
- Impermanence. While the Judeo-Christian and Arab-Muslim worlds live in a world of permanence (something that is true today will also be true tomorrow), Buddhism strives to show the impermanence of the world.
- Suffering. Our life is suffering, essentially because we are in attachment, which is mainly caused by the denial of impermanence.
- Emptiness. For Buddhism, things and living beings have no intrinsic existence, but exist only through and in interaction with others and the rest of the universe. This partly explains the importance of the group in Asia (with the influence of Confucianism).
Hinduism and other Indian religions.
Hinduism is by far the most widespread religion in India, but it is also found in countries with an Indian presence, such as Singapore and Malaysia. Hinduism is also present in Indonesia, particularly in Bali, the only part of the country where this religion is in the majority, the rest of the country being Muslim. I love the vision of Hinduism, which I studied for a long time without converting. The following characteristics of Hinduism can be highlighted:
- Individual responsibility. Each person comes to life with a dharma to fulfill, a mission on earth. Each person accepts the givens of his or her destiny and does the best he or she can within the framework offered by his or her birth. This in no way prevents us from striving for family, social and economic success. This point goes a long way towards explaining one of the major misunderstandings among Westerners, who are in the habit of saying that Hindus are fatalistic. This is not the case; Hindus simply seek to be realistic.
- Karma. Every significant act in our lives carries karma (karma means act, good or bad), and karmic imprints shape our future lives. It should be pointed out that Western ideas are based on Christianity, and reincarnation is identical to Christ, in person. Not so in Hinduism, where only the principle of consciousness survives, melts into the universal current of life and later takes on a new form, having already taken on the karmic seeds (samskara) that will enable it to relive a new life experience as a consequence of what has gone before. It follows from this vision that each individual is responsible for himself and for what he does during his lifetime.
- Tolerance of others. Hinduism is a very tolerant religion, and proselytizing is forbidden. Jesus, for example, is considered by Hindus to be one of the ten principal avatars of the god Vishnu. In any case, he is at least seen as a holy man and a spirit-dwelling prophet.
- God worship. That is, the form of the Divine closest to one's temperament. In Hinduism, creation, preservation, and transformation through destruction are divine functions performed by the Great Gods (or Divine Forces) Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva respectively. These divine acts are not performed once and for all. The process is cyclical, but of infinitely long duration. Creation is not acting ex nihilo. Between two cycles, the universe resorbs into Pralaya (undifferentiated primordial waters). When the Universe manages to manifest itself, is by a process that goes from the most subtle to the grossest. In other words, the visible, material universe is only the last stage. Although they are the Great Gods, Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva (the Trimora) constitute the Supreme Reality only for their respective devotees (this applies especially to Vishnu and Shiva, as Brahma is not really worshipped).
- Respect for ancestors. This is a fundamental element. Teaching is paramount, and those who hold religious knowledge are the object of great respect from all believers.
There are officially 24 Hindu temples in Singapore. Other religions originate from India, and you may come across Jains or Sikhs (seven Neral temples).
Islam.
According to 2020 census statistics, around 15.6% of Singapore's population is Muslim, with nearly 99% Malay (equivalent to 442,368 of the 447,747 Malays) accounting for 82% of Muslims in the country. In fact, of Singapore's overall Muslim population of 15.6%, there is a sizeable Indian Muslim community that accounts for 13% of the local Muslim make-up. The remaining 5% is also practiced by a number of other ethnic groups from the Chinese, Serani, Arab, Siamese and English communities. Malay Muslims follow the Sunni Shafi'i legal tradition, the only one recognized by the country's authorities.
Christian movements.
Christian movements are increasingly present in Singapore, as a result of conversions. While Catholics are well represented and remain the oldest ideology of the Christian churches present in the country, evangelicals are more numerous (17) and remain the country's most dynamic religion. Singapore has 30 Catholic churches and 20 Christian schools, 17 of which are secondary schools.
Chinese culture.
Chinese identity.
It's a fact of life in the country, and it's no exaggeration to say that Singapore, where the Chinese make up almost 80% of the total population, has had an "inseparable" relationship with China since the country's birth. The history of Chinese Singaporean immigration began in the mid-19th century, with large numbers of Chinese living in Fujian, Guangdong and Hainan provinces immigrating to Singapore, including Southeast Asia (18). There is a significant number of people who can speak or understand the Chinese dialect used by immigrants. This is close to the Beijing dialect and is called Huayu. In addition to Chinese Singaporeans with Singaporean citizenship, there are many Chinese immigrants from China living in Singapore. If we roughly estimate the non-Singaporean Chinese population living in Singapore, excluding Singapore, we can say that the "Chinese" currently residing in Singapore are around 80%. Although specific statistical data have not been released, if we examine Singapore's permanent residents by country of origin, it is estimated that people from Malaysia (many Chinese-Malaysians) and China occupy first and second place. Although the essence has changed somewhat as a result of the "new immigration" phenomenon that has persisted since antiquity, the traditional relationship between China, the country of origin of immigrants for over a hundred years, and Singapore, the host country, has been maintained.
As such, it is undeniable that the majority of the population that makes up Singapore, and the group that "dominates" Singapore to this day, are Chinese. This immigration flow reaffirms the fact that the two countries continue to enjoy close relations with each other (19). China" exerts both direct and indirect influence on Singapore. This is an absolute truth (20). What's more, while the political and economic dynamics have changed somewhat due to China's economic development, its influence is likely to be maintained or increased. For a long time, Singapore was China's "model". In fact, Deng Xiaoping's reform and opening-up in 1978 was one of the driving forces behind Singapore's economic development and desire for openness (21), since when various leaders of Chinese origin, such as our founding father the Hon. Lee Kuan Yew (22) have promoted the country's reform and opening-up in Asia. So, it is Singapore, with just over 0.4% of China's total population and half the size of Shanghai's Pudong district, that has been used as a "model" for China. The "Singapore model" has given China tacit support, even confidence, in its political system as well as its economy. This is based on the belief that a political system run by a "single party" can serve as a basis for maintaining and extending the power of the Chinese Communist Party. In this way, the effectiveness of Singapore's "authoritarian state capitalism" was very attractive to the Chinese leadership (23).
Lee Kuan Yew, the "father of the nation", has visited China 33 times since 1976, when he led Singapore, and relations between Singapore and China were quite close, with the Singapore government hosting the first China-Taiwan summit in 1992, and being credited with achieving the "9.2 Consensus" reached in 1992 between the Chinese Communist government and the Taiwan Nationalist Party government (24). Here again, the Singapore government's efforts have helped maintain mutual exchanges between China and Taiwan over the past 30 years. In this respect, the Chinese leadership still greatly appreciates Mr. Lee Kuan Yew's long-standing role as mediator in Sino-Taiwanese relations (25).
Beyond heritage.
As I mentioned earlier, the Singaporean government, where the Chinese population accounts for over three-quarters of the total population, does not regard China simply as the country of its ancestors or in the numerical sense of the "majority". The fact that several Singaporean leaders have sought a privileged relationship with China is reflected not only in their diplomatic relations, but also in the transmission of the Singaporean model. At the same time, China could have indirectly realized its dream of economic revival through a small city-state called "Singapore". This "Chinese dream" manifests itself directly or indirectly in the "use of Singapore as a model". Even before China's rise to power became visible, Singapore was working on a project to cooperate with the Chinese government, or more precisely, to "transfer" Singapore's experience to the Chinese government. The desire of both governments to build a "Singaporean model" in China is well embodied in the China-Singapore Industrial Park in Suzhou, which began in the early 1990s. It's no exaggeration to say that the Suzhou China-Singapore Industrial Park was a project launched to test the effectiveness and efficiency of Singapore's method of economic development (26). In other words, the strengths of the Singapore model - efficient administrative management, world-class infrastructure and a stable business environment - have been "transplanted" to the Chinese government through intergovernmental cooperation. Many Singaporean economic experts have criticized the Singaporean government for failing to achieve results in relation to the efforts and funds it has invested in transferring its technology to China, but Singapore, a very small city-state with a population of less than 6 million, is in competition with China. It became the driving force behind maintaining relatively equal economic and diplomatic relations, and this project became a "model" that many countries wanted to try out with China. In other words, this project can be seen as an example of how intergovernmental cooperation is a form of new development strategy. Mr. Zhuang Guotu (27) said that Chinese leaders should learn about Singapore's effective social systems and economic policies, such as governance, housing, healthcare, and welfare, under the slogan "Learn from Singapore" and "manage well". Hence the gradual implementation of "honest democracy" or "benevolent dictatorship".
The Singapore-China relationship, its "uniqueness".
Mr. Tony Tan, former President of Singapore, had said that the relationship between Singapore and China was very close and special, and that the two countries had infinite possibilities for new cooperation. This "special" relationship between the two countries is not only reflected in the large Chinese population, immigrants, or Mr. Lee Kuan Yew's vision of Singapore, but is also envisioned by Singaporeans today. The truth is simpler. We're like a two-way street. We learn a lot from China, and China learns a lot from us. It's not a question of China catching up with us, because I think they are definitely catching up with Singapore, and then it will surpass it in many ways because of its talent and resources.
Tony Tan had suggested that China had in the past accepted and developed the Singapore model as a way of escaping the Communist model unsuitable for long-term national management, while at the same time predicting China's infinite development potential and emphasizing cooperation between Singapore and China. Undeniably, these two entities are linked, and Singapore is far more Chinese than Malaysian.
Embun DH.
Notes and references.
1 : he died 6 months earlier.
4 : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_Asian_Tigers
5 : https://sso.agc.gov.sg/Act-Rev/PC1871/Published/20211231?DocDate=20081130
6 : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Race_in_Singapore
7: "Constitution of the Republic of Singapore". Attorney-General's Chambers of Singapore website. Part XIII Section 152(2) sur https://sso.agc.gov.sg/act/cons1963?ProvIds=P113-#pr152-
8 : https://www.singstat.gov.sg/-/media/files/publications/cop2020/sr1/cop2020sr1.pdf
9 : it's an identifier held by the country's citizens and used for many purposes, such as opening a bank account, obtaining a passport or a driver's license. See : https://www.singpass.gov.sg/home/ui/login
10 : my own father gave up his French nationality by declaration to obtain Singaporean citizenship. https://www.immigration.interieur.gouv.fr/fr/Integration-et-Acces-a-la-nationalite/La-nationalite-francaise/La-perte-volontaire-de-la-nationalite-francaise
11 : Personally, I'm biologically 2/5 Caucasian, 2/5 Chinese (all ethnic groups) and 1/5 Malay. But my parents registered me at birth as Chinese, which makes more sense than half-breed or Eurasian, because of my Guangxi peasant face. https://6611a6877e7c2.site123.me/blog/%E5%B1%A5%E5%8E%86%E7%89%87-l%C7%9A-l%C3%AC-pi%C3%A0n-curriculum-vitae-et-%C3%A0-propos
13 : https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2014/04/04/global-religious-diversity/
14 : https://iro.sg/about-iro/
With the exception of Christianity, Singapore's other religions are founded by the state on race. Consequently, the Singapore government believes that multi-ethnicity leads to multi-religion, that racial conflict will deepen religious divides, and that racial harmony can promote religious harmony. The government has designated July 21 each year as Racial Harmony Day, and passed the "Multi-Racial Conference Bill" in January 1988, officially advocating the establishment of a multiracial, multicultural and multi-religious society as the basis for justice and stability, i.e. the implementation of a pluralist and integrated racial policy to maintain racial harmony and balance. In practical terms, the Singapore government recognizes the existence of multiple races and accords equal status to each race, but also emphasizes the existence of several races in the "Singapore nation". The Singaporean government has long regarded the promotion of racial harmony as an important element and fundamental objective of government work. According to a survey conducted by Singaporean academics, all Chinese, Malays and Indians consider themselves Singaporeans.
15 : https://www.theatlantic.com/news/archive/2016/09/singapore-blogger-religious/502262/
The "Religious Harmony Maintenance Act", formulated in 1990, provides guidelines for the management of religion. Its main contents are as follows:
Respect and maintain the characteristics of each religion implemented, promote equality, mutual respect and harmony.
- Coexistence of all religions, so that the traditional culture of each religion has free space to develop. The bill lays down strict provisions and delimits the relationship between religion and politics, between religions, within religions and between religion and society.
- An authoritative body has been created: the "Presidential Council for Religious Harmony", whose function is "to consider and report to the Minister for Home Affairs on matters referred to the Council by the Minister for Home Affairs or Parliament which affect religious harmony" in Singapore.
- Giving the Minister of the Interior the power to issue a prohibition order if he determines that members of a religious group or institution, priests, monks, imams, etc. have committed or attempted to commit the following acts: "provoking hostility, hatred or ill will between different religious groups; Propaganda and belief in a religion to carry out activities to promote political causes or political party causes to stimulate dissatisfaction with the President or Chairman; Government of Singapore, and it is found that certain persons are attempting to use religion to endanger social security, racial and religious harmony". Prohibition order may be issued to restrict the person's words and actions. May be punished by district court with imprisonment not exceeding 2 years and a fine not exceeding $10,000. Repeat offenders may be sentenced to a term of imprisonment not exceeding 3 years and a fine not exceeding $20,000.
- The Harmony Act establishes a mechanism that serves as a warning and prevention mechanism and promotes religious harmony in Singapore. In the 15 years since the Act was enacted, no prohibition orders have been issued and only two warnings have been issued. Under the Harmonious Religious Laws, religious circles in Singapore engage in religious affairs and conduct religious activities consciously within the framework of national laws, with strict management and standardized operations. All religions and places of religious activities in Singapore must apply for registration with the Ministry of Home Affairs' Registrar of Societies and conduct activities in accordance with the charter.
16 : https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/census-2020-more-residents-no-religion-1966701
17 : the author of this article is herself a practicing Baptist Christian. To find out more about the country's Christians : https://www.sgplanking.com/article/764850
18 : Malaysia, officially a Malay-Muslim country, has a strong Chinese-Christian or Confucian community, with Chinese-Malaysians making up over 26% of the population. Read "Encyclopedia of Malaysia. Languages and Literature" du professeur Asmah H. Omar aux éditions Didier Millet, 2004, (ISBN 981-3018-52-6).
19 : one example among many. https://www.ica.gov.sg/news-and-publications/newsroom/media-release/mutual-30-day-visa-exemption-arrangement-between-singapore-and-the-people-s-republic-of-china
20 : Although English is the official language of government communication and in everyday life between citizens speaking different mother tongues, Chinese remains the common language at work and in the street. All Singaporeans are at least bilingual (their mother tongue and English), but being trilingual (mother tongue + English + modern Beijing Chinese) is essential to having a wider social life and becoming a company executive. This is also true on the Malaysian side.
21 : https://thediplomat.com/2023/12/looking-back-on-deng-xiaopings-landmark-visit-to-singapore/
22 : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lee_Kuan_Yew
23 : For those who don't know, Singapore is not a democracy, and we live it very well. Democracy is a Western concept with its roots in ancient Greece. It is neither an exportable civilizational model, nor even a non-binding political system, as many outside the West believe. Take, for example, what Westerners proudly call freedom of expression. At best, it's a subtle art of censorship, with a mixture of temporary authorization, legal constraints against a backdrop of various apologies, polarized struggles and where the many prohibitions of free expression are tinged with explanations under the guise of activism and justice, and where, in the end, freedom of expression is reduced to what is authorized. As in a non-democratic regime.
24 : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1992_Consensus
25 : https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202107/1228843.shtml
26 : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suzhou_Industrial_Park?oldid=1170864054
27: Zhuang Guotu is Director of the Center for Southeast Asian Studies at Xiamen University.
