Of kopi susu, sari and cheongsum...

Categories: Singapore
The Government is launching a Community Engagement Program and held a no-holds barred dialogues with community leaders, grassroot leaders and students a few days ago. From press reports it was clear that frank and difficult questions were asked and equally frank answers given. I would like to share my thoughts on bridging the racial divide.

As the PM had said, it is impossible for Singapore to become a "kopi susu" society simply because we are different. There is no point in pretending that we are the same. But we must create conditions that reduce and blur these differences. I had mentioned in my previous blog about how a Chinese can go through every day life without coming into any meaningful contact with those from the minority group.

The Government had introduced Racial Harmony Day in schools and visits to various places of worships. This is a good start but for me it is too superficial. Examples given by the Education Minister of how SAP school organises football matches with neighbourhood school in promoting racial integration is also too superficial. This is because once these events are over, the children will drift back to their comfort zone and the social contacts ceased. Anyway, in the mist of the competition, albeit friendly no doubt, the main intention of the event can be easily lost.

What I feel is more important is the role of the media. The majority of Singaporeans watch TV and listen to the radio. Like I said in previous blog, if you watch the national TV, you can easily forget that Singapore is a multiracial country. This is because Chinese channels have purely Chinese programs, with Malay and Tamil channels almost purely Malay and Tamil programs respectively. Channel News Asia fare slightly better because some of the programs do highlight the minority issue, personality and reports.

What I propose is for the national TV to slot in short clips about each ethic groups. This I feel will make each ethnic group aware of the other's practice, cultures and taboos. How many Singaporean know the difference between Hari Raya Haji and Hari Raya Puasa? How many Singaporean know about Thaipusam? By having short clips, say 30 seconds, such occasions will make the society appreciate the other festivities. Knowing Singaporean is an overworked lot, they are unlikely to actively seek out their neighbours once they are at home and therefore, the role of national TV. This may be equivalent to the 'push' technology of Blackberry PDA! You are reminded even if you chose not too!

The recent insanity triggered by the publication of Prophet Mohammad caricature by a Danish newspaper demonstrated the importance of understanding and respect of each other's culture. I feel that if the majority of the Danish people understand more of the Muslim faith, the caricatures may never had been printed and the aftermath insanity could have been prevented.

Maybe the cost of production of such clips is high, but the cost of rupture of the social fabric may be higher.