A group of young undergraduates and postgraduates has launched the Singapore Policy Journal this month. As folks interested in Singapore policy, they noticed that students and researchers from some of the best universities in the world write analyses of Singapore policy every year. Their aim is to reintroduce such analysis into public discussion.

Their first essay, by Paul Chu from the University of Cambridge, focused on the challenge to the CMIO model in Singapore and provided four suggestions on how Singaporeans can be less xenophobic. 

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1. The CMIO model is struggling to cope with recent challenges

The Chinese-Malay-Indian-Others (CMIO) model was the chosen norm to maintain racial harmony over the years. But it is facing a challenge due to the unprecedented levels of migration since 2005.

2. Singaporean society does not understand race like the CMIO model

One major reason why CMIO racial categorization cannot cope with migrants is that it conflates race, ethnicity and culture. Singaporeans, on the other hand, seems to distinguish between the three ideas.

3. Relying on the government to solve the problem is part of the problem

When citizens are resentful about immigrants, they look to the state to solve the problem. But Singaporeans are increasingly skeptical about central authority and they may not accept the state’s solutions.

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1. Recognize that race is not the only identity marker.

Integration will not happen just because migrants share the same race as Singaporeans. Racial categories such as “Chinese” or “Indian” are complicated by class and nationality.

A broad understanding of the national identity should be encouraged, so that new migrants can also integrate.

2. Be more transparent.

Singaporeans need to take charge of integrating foreigners.

Increasing transparency around discussions about migration and ethnicity will make it easier for Singaporeans to do so. For example, if citizens were able to access public information about the non-residents living around them, Singaporeans would be more likely to own the problem than to see this as an issue that the government must solve.

3. Realize that citizenship is not just about economics.

The state needs to show that they appreciate the emotive aspect of citizenship, instead of justifying migration entirely on economic grounds and demanding compliance.

The citizenship naturalization process should be more rigorous to ensure better integration.

4. Strive for encounters, not just physical co-existence.

Different cultures and races should not just exist side by side, each in their own bubble.

That is a holdover from the colonial idea of segregation and with it the CMIO model. Instead, the goal should be to have different cultures and races interact constructively with one another.

The article is reproduced with permission from the Singapore Policy Journal.

Top photo from Lee Hsien Loong Facebook. 

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