Bonding Singapore Model Essay

Which is the best policy to build a national identity for Singaporeans?

multi-racialism

bilingualism

common practices

Explain your answer.

Multi-racialism is the policy that every community is treated fairly in Singapore - the interests of the various communities are kept in balance. No community is disadvantaged or favored over another by any government policy. So, by practicing a policy of multi-racialism, racial harmony is maintained as we enjoy religious freedom. Their respect for each other’s religion has also enabled us to live harmoniously together since the 1964 racial riots. Recognizing and using four official languages has also helped to maintain racial harmony as each community can retain and develop its own language and culture.

Bilingualism was made compulsory in 1966 as the mother tongue was used to impart moral values and social traditions. The education system is heavily influenced by the need for racial cohesion and nation building as we have a multi-racial society which is vulnerable to external influences. English is used as a means of communication with the world and amongst all Singaporeans to forge a national identity, which encourages responsibility and commitment to the family, community and country.

Common practices help to build a national identity as they encourage nation-building. Policies such as flag raising, pledge taking and singing the national anthem enhance national loyalty because they are actions which Singaporeans carry out together. When Singaporeans see themselves as loyal and full of national pride, a national identity will be established. Common practices promote social stability as it gives people a sense of belonging and pride.

Multi-racialism is the most important policy as it has created citizens of equal status with no biasness or discrimination towards any racial group so that a national identity can be easily forged. This is important as the Chinese form the majority while the Malays and Indians form the minority. If any group is relegated to second class citizens, then conflict and disharmony may arise, making Singapore highly unstable.