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1) Examine the claim that more needs to be done to mitigate the challenges of an increasing aging population in your society.
2) To what extent is the government solely responsible to meet the needs of the elderly?
3) ‘The retirement years are the golden years.’ Is this true of your society?

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1. Is true inclusiveness an achievable goal in your society?
2. Are the rights of the minority in your society always protected?
3. How effectively is diversity managed in your society?

[You can use the articles/links from the Prejudice & Discrimination Column as well]

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1) To what extent are criminals given the opportunity to make amends for their crimes in your society?
2) The death penalty has no place in a civilized society. To what extent is this true of your society?

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1. ‘Young people are not ready for the real world.’ How far is this true of your society?
2.‘Young people today lack entrepreneurship.’ How far is this true in your society?
3. ‘Young people today lack creativity.’ Is this true of your society?
4. Should parents in your society let their children take risks today?
5. Does family still matter in your society?

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1) ‘Economically rich, but culturally poor.’ How far is this true of Singapore?
2) ‘Rich in things and poor in spirit.’  Is this true of your society today?
3) ‘The main purpose of a good government is to ensure economic well-being.’ Do you agree?
4)  Does a country’s economic progress guarantee quality of life?

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1. Can your society do without the elite?
2. ‘Examinations are outdated in view of today’s educational aims.’ To what extent is this true in your society?
3. ‘Education should be concerned with development rather than achievement.’ Is this true of your society?
4. ‘The education system has failed to teach values.’ To what extent is this true of your society?

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1)  ‘These days sport is only for monetary returns.’ How far is this true in the context of your society?

2) To what extent should countries invest in sports?

3) Examine the view that today’s athlete is more of a celebrity than a sportsman.

For the global (not specifically "in your society" questions, you are free to bring in other examples from other countries but do include an example or two from SG as well.

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1) ‘Governments today have it tougher than ever.’ How far do you agree?

2) ‘There is significantly less power in the hands of the government.’ How true is this statement in the context of your society today?

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1) Do you agree that Singapore cannot afford to protect the environment?
2) Do you agree that environmental issues are largely ignored in Singapore?

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1) How important are the arts to your country’s identity?
2)  Can your society do without the Arts?
3) Should young people in your society pursue a career in the arts?
4) How important is a sense of heritage in your society?

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1)  'The media has great influence in shaping people’s lives.’ How true is this in your society?
2) 'Our quality of thought is being destroyed by social media.' How true is this in your society?
3) Should there be more regulation of the media in your society?

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1. To what extent has new technology made living easier in your society?
2. Examine the claim that modern technology satisfy our wants rather than our needs in the context of your society.

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1.  ‘Money spent on military defence in Singapore could be better spent elsewhere.’ Do you agree?

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Where does Singapore stand on race relations? | Regardless Of Race | Full Episode

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Where does Singapore stand on race relations? | Regardless Of Race | Full Episode

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Singapore’s harmonious race relations has often been cited as one of its most remarkable achievements. But where do we really stand on race relations ? Janil Puthucheary, chairperson of Onepeople.sg, the body that promotes racial harmony in Singapore, goes on a journey to find out what Singaporeans think.

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Where does Singapore stand on race relations? | Regardless Of Race | Full Episode

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Is true inclusiveness an achievable goal on your society? [Sample Body Paragraph]

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Is true inclusiveness an achievable goal on your society? [Sample Body Paragraph]

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Inclusivity is an ideal situation for any society in this tumultuous world we live in, though hard to emulate, it's possible to create in the society of Singapore. In our society, inclusiveness is deeply enshrined in our lives through our political, economical and social systems such as the Presidential Council of Minority Rights (PCMR) which enforces laws that protect the interests of minorities in Singapore. It creates the platform for minority groups to be vocal about their personal issues and struggles in multi-racial Singapore. In our social settings, we have the Ethnic Integration Policy where there is ethnic quotas placed on public housing which mandates the number of families coming from different races. This fosters a social setting whereby everybody gets to interact and understand other cultures better, therefore building this inclusive atmosphere that contributes to the growth of our country.Through these various programs, Singapore has successfully achieved a society that caters to minority groups, ultimately evolving into a more inclusive society.

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Recent incidents have shown that despite being more educated, Singapore society is ill-equipped to have conversations on racism.  

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Recent incidents have shown that despite being more educated, Singapore society is ill-equipped to have conversations on racism.  

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It is important to identify people's biases and stereotypes and understand where they come from and how they link to the various fears, anxieties, suspicions, frustrations that people have.  Such conversations become even more important in the age of social media where tensions are inflamed easily.

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SINGAPORE: When former national sprinter Canagasabai Kunalan and his wife, Madam Chong Yoong Yin, both 79, saw the viral video of a polytechnic lecturer making racist remarks to an interracial couple two weeks ago, they couldn't believe their eyes.

The video evoked memories of 1964, when the couple were given the ultimatum by their families to end their relationship or leave their homes - because one of them was Indian and the other was Chinese - amid the racial tensions that were gripping Singapore.

"Singaporeans now are so educated ... how can we still think like this?" said Mr Kunalan.

The racial riots between the Malays and Chinese in Singapore following its merger with Malaysia in 1963 plunged the country into nationwide violence. Houses were burnt down, the police were deployed to enforce curfews and people were beaten and killed.

Yet, even in the most uncertain of times, there were also people of different ethnic groups standing together regardless of race.

Older generations of Singaporeans recounted how people stepped up in solidarity when emotive racial conflicts shattered the peace.

Mr Kunalan, who was then a 22-year-old sprinter preparing for the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, said: "The riots were happening in different areas in Singapore. Surprisingly, in my kampung (village), it was peaceful. There were no tensions at all. Or maybe we just didn't know what was happening on the other side."

Mr Lionel de Souza, 78, a former police officer who worked as a community liaison officer in Geylang during the 1964 racial riots, recalled how Singaporeans volunteered in droves for "goodwill committees" as well as the Vigilante Corps to help keep the peace in volatile areas during curfew hours.

Comprising an equal number of Chinese and Malay volunteers, they and Mr de Souza would patrol their beat in Kampung Kim Hong and talk to residents in coffee shops and town halls to help dispel suspicion between the different Chinese and Malay groups that were then segregated in different villages.

"There were allegations that people on one side were shooting fire arrows at the other, and rumours were flying everywhere," said Mr de Souza of the situation then.

Singapore has since come a long way from those dark days of violent racial conflict, having taken early steps as a newly independent nation to abandon colonial-era race-based policies, and pledging to not let racial fault lines divide society.

Following its independence, the young Republic embarked on a unique path among nations of the time as a multiracial and multicultural country, one that affirms its ethnic diversity as a strength and recognises the rights of minorities.

Dr Janil Puthucheary, Senior Minister of State for Communications and Information, said in an interview with TODAY: "Many societies have had to wrestle with (race, racism and multiculturalism) around the world, but the place that multiculturalism has in our aspirations as a people is quite special. It is fundamentally why we became an independent country."

Because of Singapore's diverse society and the dynamics among the major cultural and ethnic groups, the topic of race is present in every discussion, every issue, and every policy.

"You need to then understand our social context, our historical context and our future in order to have a dialogue about race productively in Singapore," said Dr Janil.

Yet, the topic of racism has returned to the fore once again following recent events, including the street confrontation between the Ngee Ann Polytechnic lecturer and an inter-ethnic couple as well as other viral videos of racially-charged encounters.

Commenting on the video, Law and Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam had said in a Facebook post: "I used to believe that Singapore was moving in the right direction on racial tolerance and harmony. Based on recent events, I am not so sure anymore."

Activists, community organisers and academics spoken to agree that the conversations of race need to move forward productively in the age of social media where tensions are inflamed easily.

And when the heat surrounding the recent incidents fades away, some good may emerge from these episodes if Singaporeans can understand the experiences of others and engage with each other in good faith, several said.

Associate Professor Chong Ja Ian, a political scientist from the National University of Singapore (NUS), said: "It is important, in my opinion, to identify these biases and stereotypes and understand where they come from and how they link to the various fears, anxieties, suspicions, frustrations that people have.

"Some of this will look ugly, but if we can start addressing them bit by bit, with understanding, there is a good chance we can move forward."

Pondering about what the recent racist incidents say about the state and direction of Singapore's hard-won racial harmony, older Singaporeans such as Mr Kunalan and Mr de Souza know that the stakes are high.

"We never want that (racial riots) to happen again, which is why we should all feel strongly about protecting our racial harmony," said Mr de Souza.
(Can we have conversations about race and diversity and how do we take on views of younger Singaporeans who may want a more open discussion? Experts discuss this on CNA's Heart of the Matter podcast.) WHAT IS RACISM?
The Oxford English Dictionary today defines racism as acts of prejudice, discrimination and antagonism by a person, community or institution against a person or people based on their race and ethnic identity.

And by this definition, racism is usually experienced by people from minority racial groups that are subjected to such acts of discrimination.

But as contributing writer Ben Zimmer for The Atlantic magazine wrote, even dictionaries had to revise their definitions about racism.

Before 2020, the Merriam-Webster Dictionary primarily defined racism as "a belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race".

It was also defined as "a doctrine or political program based on the assumption of racism and designed to execute its principles". This secondary definition was refined to "the systemic oppression of a racial group to the social, economic, and political advantage of another", following the Black Lives Matter protests in the United States last year.

Mr Mohamed Imran Mohamed Taib, founding board member of the Centre for Interfaith Understanding (CIFU) in Singapore, said that racism is essentially formed from two components - that a race has essential traits and characteristics, and whether these are behind the inequalities and disparities between the races in society.

"Therefore, racism is any act, system or policy that appeals to or reinforces 'essentialised' perceptions of racial groups that strengthens the political, economic or cultural inequalities between the races in society," he said.

Regardless of which definition is best, the debate of what racism is, and what makes an action or speech racist, has also emerged in Singapore in recent days.

In May, an Indian woman was called racial slurs and kicked in the chest by a Chinese man while brisk-walking along Choa Chu Kang Drive. He had insisted she wear a mask even though she was exercising.

A month later, Ngee Ann Polytechnic lecturer Tan Boon Lee was seen in a viral video confronting and making racist remarks towards an inter-ethnic couple, while proclaiming to be a racist himself.

Allegations by a former student that he had made Islamophobic remarks in class surfaced a week later. The polytechnic has since said it would sack Mr Tan, after completing investigations into the two matters.

Another video was uploaded the same week of a Chinese woman hitting a small gong repeatedly while an Indian man was ringing a prayer bell outside his public housing flat as part of his daily prayers.

But the debate about what constitutes racism grew loudest online in the case of Ms Sarah Bagharib, who had called out the People's Association for using a cutout of her wedding photo - sans the couple's faces - as part of Hari Raya decorations without her permission.

Netizens were split on the issue. Some claimed that the matter is not a case of racism but one of cultural insensitivity. Others were wont to point out that racism does not exist in Singapore, which prides itself on its multiracial society.

Another viewpoint was that the blunder was made because of a lack of understanding of the Malay culture that had stemmed from ignorance that needed to be dismantled.

As Dr Nazry Bahrawi, a senior lecturer at the Singapore University of Technology and Design, put it, two narratives have emerged about the state of race relations here - one says Singapore is racially harmonious, and another says that it is still not quite there.

"The first has been the official position reproduced on many occasions and in many spheres, while the latter is a position that has received less airing because it is perceived to be less valid, making those who raise it seem like they are troublemakers or have an agenda to divide society," said Dr Nazry.

For race discourse to be productive, Singaporeans from all walks of life must first be able to establish that racist acts are not condoned by society.

"Because, if so, then it would be considered outlandish that people who call out racism are seen as playing the race card," he said, adding that these people might be commenting from a position of privilege as they may not have experienced racism.

Asked about this, Dr Janil, who is also the chairperson of the non-profit OnePeople.sg (OPSG), said it is not a bad thing that there are people who state that they have never experienced racism or have never seen it happen.

The turning point is when they find out that because not everyone shares this view, they may be "energised" to improve the experiences of others, he said.

"The uncharitable view is to say 'hello, wake up, you don't know what's going on and you don't recognise (racism)... But the glass half-full version is, aren't we lucky that there are some people who have actually had this experience in Singapore, it's a sign ... that maybe we've made some progress."

Such views are also heard among people who participate in OPSG's initiatives on race as well, especially among younger participants who have been "blessed with a positive experience about race", but also could learn about the negative experiences of others, Dr Janil added.

The Singapore Government has taken the approach that racism exists here, he emphasised.

"What we want to be sure of is that our policies, our systems, our approach, is to understand that there is racism, and we must always push against it," said Dr Janil.

Comparing indicators of racial and religious harmony from 2013 and 2018, a study by the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) and OPSG in 2019 found that while racism exists, it is not widespread in Singapore.

Lead researcher Dr Mathew Mathews said about 10 per cent of Chinese respondents in the study and around 20 per cent of minorities said that they had experienced racial tension in the 2018 study. There was little change from the results of the 2013 findings.

"When asked about specific incidents, most cited they had felt insulted at how perhaps social/mainstream media had portrayed their race or cultural practices - so there is certainly some racism here, but it is not rampant," said Dr Mathews.
WHY SOME STILL CONSIDER IT TABOO
On the other hand, some people felt that the recent spate of racist incidents is an indication that racism in Singapore not only exists but has been gathering speed for some time, though hidden from view because of a lack of discourse and the difficulty in detecting unintentional and unconscious forms of racism.

Dr Peter Chew, a senior lecturer of psychology at the James Cook University, explained that overt racism tends to be low in Singapore due to the function of laws that protect racial harmony here, such as the Sedition Act.

The Act makes it illegal for anyone in Singapore to promote feelings of ill-will and hostility between different races or classes of the population.

Laws like these do well to keep overt racism in check but also have an effect of quieting discourse about race, he said.

"This reluctance could be due to a misunderstanding of what constitutes racism.

Anecdotally, some individuals think that talking about race or pointing out racist incidents is, by their very nature, racist," said Dr Chew.

A 2016 CNA and IPS study, which was also led by Dr Mathews, found that two-thirds of respondents felt that discussions of race could lead to tension.

Raising such issues may be deemed "too sensitive", and so issues about race and culture tend to be thought of as private matters rather than meant for broader conversations, said the researcher.

Agreeing, Mr Gosteloa Spencer, founder of community group Not OK SG, said this could be due to generations of Singaporeans suppressing talk of racism, discrimination, and racial inequality for fear of creating rifts among the different ethnic communities.

He believes it is this inhibition that led to casual racism, where people make jokes, off-handed comments, or exclusionary body language based on race. These acts also often go unnoticed and unaddressed.

"Just because it's casual, does it make it okay to pass a racist comment?" he added. "Racism is racism, no matter what form it takes."

Mr Sharvesh Leatchmanan, co-founder and editor of Minority Voices, which serves as a platform for minorities who have faced discrimination to come forth and share their experiences, said the concept of racial tolerance that is entrenched in the Singapore identity has also been problematic.

"Over time, this tolerance runs out ... as can be seen from the recent acts of racism on social media. We need to move away from tolerance to acceptance and celebration."

But while Singaporeans may have held back on talking about race in the past, some said that this is rapidly changing in the age of social media, where racially charged incidents can be quickly shared online and go viral.

And these incidents also encourage others to speak up and to call out racist acts publicly.

Mr Sharvesh, 24, said he received more than a hundred submissions from people sharing their stories of discrimination over the past week.

Ms Priyahnisha, who goes by one name, is the founder of non-profit organisation Mental ACT, which champions mental health services in the Indian community.

She noted the overwhelming response recently to any content on racism that she or her organisation put up on social media.

The 29-year-old full-time professional counsellor at a social service agency added: "As soon as we post, the likes, comments and shares really escalate and it has actually been way off the charts as compared to any of the other content we have put up in the past couple of months".

The problem is that when people talk about race, their past inexperience means they lack the language and protocols needed to discuss it in a constructive manner, said those interviewed.

NUS' Assoc Prof Chong said: "Singaporeans are not the best-equipped to handle such discussions because we have put them aside for so long."

"But there are opportunities to learn ... What is important is to not hastily conclude that the other side has bad faith, especially if the other party is engaging from a position of relative weakness and vulnerability," he added. "It is through such engagement that we develop a vocabulary and approach suitable for our society."
'SAFE AND BRAVE' SPACES ... NOT JUST BEHIND CLOSED DOORS
Earlier this month, Mr Jose Raymond started the Call It Out SG movement with three others to raise awareness of issues pertaining to race following the slew of racist incidents here. "This is simply a case of minorities saying that enough is enough and that racism is inexcusable," he said.

"Perhaps in the past, when minorities faced racism, we didn't have the tools to articulate ourselves properly or the courage to call it out. Now we do," added the former Singapore People's Party chairman.

The movement urges people to call out instances of racism that they see, and has gained momentum in the light of the recent incidents.

On the flipside, while the process of publicly calling for accountability and boycotting if nothing else seems to work, has become an important tool of social justice, Mr Spencer said it is difficult to control the extent of it and make sure things do not go out of hand.

Associate Professor Daniel Goh, an NUS sociologist specialising in race relations, noted that it is people's "duty to call out racism when we see it".

"The question is how we do it," he said.

"We should do it in a respectful way that seeks to educate each other and deepen intercultural understanding, and the large part of the burden should not fall on the victims or members of ethnic minorities to do so, members of the ethnic majority should do so too."

For more severe forms of discrimination, such as getting fired from a job, physical violence, or the shaming of ethnic minorities in a classroom setting, for example, victims should call for institutional and legal redress, said the former Workers' Party (WP) Non-Constituency Member of Parliament (NCMP).

"The key calculus for me is how to balance education with redress, and my hope is that the victim is not alone in calculating this and can depend on witnesses and friends, especially those from the ethnic majority, for help and support," said Assoc Prof Goh, who had stepped down from WP's leadership due to health reasons but remains a party member.

Referring to the parliamentary replies to MP Faisal Manap (WP-Aljunied) earlier this year on the issue of the tudung, Assoc Prof Goh said the authorities rely on "back channels" for discussions and resolutions, and to manage racial relations in a pragmatic and careful way.

Mr Faisal had asked in Parliament whether the Government would relook allowing Muslim women in uniformed services to don the tudung. In response, Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Masagos Zulkifli said the topics that involve racial and religious insensitivities have to be discussed away from the glare of the public.

Mr Masagos said this is because "public aggressive pressure" can only make compromise harder and any government concession to religious pressure would also cause other groups to adopt similarly aggressive postures.

Assoc Prof Goh highlighted examples of safe spaces where such issues could be discussed, such as the Inter-Racial and Religious Confidence Circles.

"A space is safe when all participants can come to speak confidently and freely of their experiences with the expectation that everyone will listen and seek deeper understanding as equals and peers, all in a respectful manner without fear of discrimination, harassment, criticism or emotional violence," said Assoc Prof Goh.

But the Government would have to adapt to changing trends in internet culture, social media and social justice. He noted that for younger generations of Singaporeans, the internet and social media make up "the natural space for their articulation (on issues of concern) ... not back channels".

Mr Raymond agreed, stating that racism does not hide behind closed doors.

Responding, Dr Janil, who is from the ruling People's Action Party, said there will always be a need for both public discussions and private dialogues.

"It is not an either-or. Race is a multifaceted issue," he said.

OPSG, for example, has moved its activities online in the course of the pandemic. Despite the usual people-to-people nature of its engagements, it has been able to maintain participation rates and in some cases, reach out to new spaces for people to be involved in.

Outside of the non-profit, Dr Janil observed that in the last five years, there are already increasing numbers of Singaporeans engaging in the online space to push back against extreme views.

"(They are) basically saying, 'hey look, here's the middle ground, let's find a way to bring peace to this'. So in that sense I guess they are trying to create some safe space online and it's tough because the online space is often dominated by extreme views," said Dr Janil.

Aside from safe spaces, CIFU's Mr Imran also urged the creation of "brave spaces" for people to confront their own views while listening to the experience of those at the receiving ends of racism.

"A brave space involves the willingness to interrogate our own assumptions and take a stand to correct our inability to see privilege and other blindspots that we have. A safe space opens up the conversation. But a brave space ensures that the conversation becomes transformative and not a mere exchange of stories," he said.
POLICIES WHICH SHAPED SOCIETY
In its history, Singapore has relied on a panoply of policies to maintain a harmonious state, and to ensure minority representation in the highest echelons of governance.

The Housing and Development Board's Ethnic Integration Policy, for example, helps to ensure a balanced mix of various ethnic communities in public housing estates and prevent the formation of racial enclaves.

The four self-help groups - the Chinese Development Assistance Council, Eurasian Association, Singapore Indian Development Association and Yayasan Mendaki - were also conceived to build resilient communities.

The Group Representation Constituency (GRC) scheme, along with the reserved presidential election, was implemented to enshrine minority representation in leadership positions and Parliament.

These policies and laws are part of what builds a brand of "active and inclusive multiculturalism", as described by then Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam in 2017.

Such an approach is distinct from the "live and let live" mindset in many other countries, which has resulted in communities elsewhere that are living apart and also growing apart, he said.

The key is not to dilute or weaken the various cultures in the hope of developing a single, common culture, nor is it to strengthen each separate culture. The former will likely create a confused cultural identity, while the latter will not foster a strong national identity, Mr Tharman had said.

But following the recent spate of racist incidents, some people have also questioned whether it was still useful to retain the traditional Chinese, Malay, Indian and Others (CMIO) framework, the foundation on which many policies have been based upon.

Speaking in a webinar organised by Academia.sg website last week, Dr Lai Ah-Eng, an adjunct senior fellow associate at NUS' University Scholars Programme, said the CMIO model imposes a racialised lens and tends to ignore "hybridities" such as mixed marriages.

"Do we throw out this CMIO framework as some people have argued for, or should we do a more reduced and careful referencing by ethnicity, bearing in mind that some groups at least still want their ethnic identities as part of a larger range of multiple identities," said Dr Lai.

Associate Professor Anju Mary Paul, an international migration scholar from the Yale-NUS College, said in the webinar that the CMIO model serves as a neat and a simple model which helps people go about their daily lives.

"But as Singapore society becomes increasingly complex, this model is showing some strain," she said.

As of 2018, more than one in five couples who tie the knot are in mixed marriages, according to official statistics.

Dr Nazry said it is important to understand that racism is not "natural" because race itself is a social construct, as many scholars have said.

"Now, this does not mean that the sense of belonging to an ethnic community is not real - this is influenced by our context, family, society and personal experiences.

"I think we can begin with the acknowledgement that diversity exists within our own ethnic community ... This sounds simple, but it is not as practised as it should be," Dr Nazry said.

Dr Janil said that the CMIO framework is a policy tool and should not be conflated with the goals of multiculturalism in Singapore. Any social policy or social intervention that is based on a racial categorisation will need such a framework, he added.

"You can remove racial categorisation from your (NRIC), but that is not going to prevent someone knowing what you look like when you sit across from them at an interview table or pass them on the street," he said.

Experts said what is needed is a keener interest in each other's cultures, which is something that has to be established from young.

Mr Mohamed Irshad, former Nominated MP and founder of interfaith group Roses of Peace, highlighted the importance of cultural education as a possible way to move forward in the race discourse.

"We know about all the different public holidays of various races and religious groups ... Beyond that do people know the various non-public holiday events and occasions that the different racial and religious groups observe?" said Mr Irshad, 31.

"As a country, we can do a lot more in educating people about the various cultural nuances across various ethnic groups."

Such engagement must be a constant effort in schools and workplaces, and not just something done on Racial Harmony Day, he added.

ROLE MODEL SOCIETY NEEDS TO FIND ITS OWN WAY, AGAIN
Singapore may have come a long way from the 1964 riots to build a multiracial and multicultural society, but it is clear that this is always a work-in-progress for the country, said people interviewed.

Former national sprinter Mr Kunalan said he was thankful that even interracial marriages like his are celebrated now, despite the noise.

Though he believes this racial progress will continue, he is worried that recent cases of racism may fuel anger among Singaporeans.

"Because there was a lot of anger and when you have anger, there is always a danger that something might explode," he added, speaking from his experiences back in the day.

CIFU's Mr Imran reiterated that the stakes for Singapore are high: "We cannot allow racism to fester and divide society. Striving for racial equality even if it cannot be fully realised, is crucial. The national pledge that says 'regardless of race, language or religion to build a democratic society' should continue to be our guiding principle."

With racial tensions flaring up in many countries today, there are also few positive examples of multiculturalism that Singapore can learn from.

Dr Janil said: "We took that unprecedented step in 1965 when we set out on this path ... There is no one else with our unique history, and there's no one else that has gone down this road before. But we have been down this road for many decades and we should learn our own lessons first."

In 2013, former Chief Justice Chan Sek Keong gave a lecture to the Singapore Academy of Law on the growth of multiculturalism in Singapore. He said that if demography is destiny, then Singapore's destiny is to be a multicultural state.

"If its citizens are unable to share a common space suffused with shared values, the people will forever be unable to forge a nation that can survive and prosper," Mr Chan said then.

In an email to TODAY, Mr Chan, 83, agreed that the recent racist incidents have highlighted how racism is innate in Singapore's society. Positive dialogue is sorely needed to move the topic forward constructively, he said.

After decades of being held up around the world as a role model society for multiculturalism and multiracialism, Singapore seems to be at a crossroads - and it now needs to find its own way again, having blazed the trail for others.

Surely though, it is doing so from a position of strength, said several academics interviewed.

While some believe that the recent incidents reveal deeper issues that need to be addressed, there is little doubt that inter-racial ties in Singapore are built on a solid foundation, and Singaporeans also need to be careful to ensure that societal fault lines are not exploited by nefarious forces within and outside the country.

Looking back, media consultant Ian de Cotta, 62, attributed this foundation to the kampung spirit which had its heyday in the aftermath of the 1964 racial riots.

"Our neighbours' doors were always open, even at night, and people would just walk in to chit chat and have coffee," he said. "This kampung spirit that was so deeply rooted in our people was something that worked in Singapore's favour."

Agreeing, Mr Kunalan added: "To live harmoniously like in the kampung ... there must be understanding and there must be forgiveness."

With Singapore's kampung days long gone, the younger generations would do well to remember the adage as they find their own way forward.

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The Big Read: High time to talk about racism, but Singapore society ill-equipped after decades of treating it as taboo

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Activists, community organisers and academics agree that the conversations of race need to move forward productively in the age of social media where tensions are inflamed easily.

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Specific EG: Former polytechnic lecturer Tan Boon Lee has issued a formal apology for his racist outburst against an interracial couple, which was caught on video in July 2021

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Specific EG: Former polytechnic lecturer Tan Boon Lee has issued a formal apology for his racist outburst against an interracial couple, which was caught on video in July 2021

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SINGAPORE - Former polytechnic lecturer Tan Boon Lee has issued a formal apology for his racist outburst against an interracial couple, which was caught on video last month.

In a letter issued on Friday (July 9) by his lawyers from Eugene Thuraisingam LLP, the 60-year-old acknowledged that his words were unacceptable and said he was deeply sorry for them.

The incident was "out of character", he said, adding that he had been struggling with a personal matter that had caused him grief and pain.

"Nevertheless, my personal problems are no excuse for my actions," he wrote. "I realise now that although I spoke from a place of deep personal pain, my words were bigoted, discriminatory, and insensitive."

Mr Tan, who used to teach at Ngee Ann Polytechnic, has since been dismissed.

In the letter, he said he had apologised to Mr Dave Parkash and his girlfriend, Ms Jacqueline Ho, as well as their respective families. The video had captured Mr Tan making racist remarks to Mr Parkash and his girlfriend along Orchard Road.

The Straits Times understands that police investigations into the incident are still ongoing.

"I now wish to apologise to those in the wider Singaporean community whom I have hurt and offended with my words," he wrote.

He added that the incident has prompted him to "dig deep" and reflect on his own behaviour and motivations.

"I recognise my shortcomings and wish to learn from this incident," Mr Tan said, adding that he will work on his flaws to ensure that he will not make the same mistakes again.

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'My words were bigoted': Ex-Ngee Ann Poly lecturer in racist incident apologises to couple, S'poreans

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SINGAPORE - Former polytechnic lecturer Tan Boon Lee has issued a formal apology for his racist outburst against an interracial couple, which was caught on video last month. In a letter issued on Friday (July 9) by his lawyers from Eugene Thuraisingam LLP, the 60-year-old acknowledged that his words were unacceptable and said he was deeply sorry for them.

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Specific EG: An Indian woman was allegedly attacked and insulted with a racial slur by Chinese male while walking along Choa Chu Kang Drive (May 2021). 

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Specific EG: An Indian woman was allegedly attacked and insulted with a racial slur by Chinese male while walking along Choa Chu Kang Drive (May 2021). 

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SINGAPORE: A 30-year-old man has been arrested after a 55-year-old woman was allegedly assaulted and subjected to racial slurs while walking along Choa Chu Kang Drive last week.

The man, who is of Chinese ethnicity, was arrested "for public nuisance, uttering words with intent to wound the racial feelings of others and voluntarily causing hurt", the Singapore Police Force (SPF) said on Tuesday (May 11).

The woman, who is of Indian ethnicity, was walking along a walkway at Choa Chu Kang Drive at about 8.45am on May 7 when she was confronted by a Chinese couple to wear her mask properly, the SPF said in a news release.

"She purportedly got into a verbal exchange with the man. The man allegedly uttered an offensive racial remark and assaulted her, causing her to fall to the ground," the police said.

The couple then left the scene and the woman was assisted by a member of the public.

Investigations are ongoing, said the police.

The case had prompted comments on Facebook from Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and several other ministers on Monday. Minister for Law and Home Affairs K Shanmugam also spoke in Parliament on Tuesday about the incident.

If found guilty of public nuisance, the man could be jailed for up to three months, fined up to S$2,000, or both.

For uttering words with deliberate intent to wound the racial feelings of any person, the punishment is an imprisonment term of up to three years, a fine, or both.

The offence of voluntary causing hurt carries an imprisonment term of up to three years, a fine of up to S$5,000, or both.

"The police take a serious view of such acts that have the potential to damage racial harmony in Singapore," said SPF.

"Any person who makes remarks or takes action that can cause ill-will and hostility between the different races will be dealt with swiftly and in accordance with the law," it added.

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Police arrest man who allegedly used racial slurs, kicked woman in Choa Chu Kang

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SINGAPORE: A 30-year-old man has been arrested after a 55-year-old woman was allegedly assaulted and subjected to racial slurs while walking along Choa Chu Kang Drive last week. The man, who is of Chinese ethnicity, was arrested "for public nuisance, uttering words with intent to wound the rac

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Can racial harmony be fostered by law? SG introduces the Maintenance of Racial Harmony Act 

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Can racial harmony be fostered by law? SG introduces the Maintenance of Racial Harmony Act 

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The new Maintenance of Racial Harmony Act will consolidate all existing laws dealing with racial issues, which are currently scattered under various pieces of legislation, such as the Penal Code.

Apart from providing for punishments to deal with racial offences, the new law will also incorporate "softer and gentler touches" that focus on persuasion and rehabilitation.

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NDR 2021: New law to deal with racial offences, promote harmony through softer approach

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The law will also incorporate “gentler touches” that focus on persuasion and rehabilitation.
. Read more at straitstimes.com.

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When do we need to start building racial harmony in SG? Is the school the only and best place to do so? What are the other influencing factors? 

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When do we need to start building racial harmony in SG? Is the school the only and best place to do so? What are the other influencing factors? 

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CONTEXT: The world today is characterised by heterogeneity and the ability to build and sustain working relationships with people from different communities is a key 21st century skill. It is critical that children are able to spend time with each other in a way that is respectful and harmonious even as the world becomes more fragmented and even more deeply fractured.
Social scientists, have thus, underscored the need for young children to be prepared to engage with diversity in a positive and proactive manner.

Apart from schools, parents and caregivers also play an important role in nurturing in children a welcoming and embracing mind-set towards the differences they observe around them and to build conversations around values and empathy.

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Last, empathy is a critical skill for young children to build.

The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines empathy as "the action of understanding, being aware of, being sensitive to, and vicariously experiencing the feelings, thoughts, and experience of another of either the past or present". It foregrounds the need to comprehend another's thinking and emotional response by first accepting a person for who they are and respecting their experience of an event or phenomenon.

Empathy invites dialogue and is a stepping stone towards a healthy understanding of identity, by emphasising that there are many ways of being and doing. For children to master it however, requires it to be demonstrated and reinforced by adults and older peers that the child has frequent contact with.

Practice is also key, for children to be able to relate to anyone. A basic understanding of empathy already exists, and just needs to be built upon and extended to a conversation on diversity. For instance, children who soothe their peer when he or she falls down are already demonstrating an ability to put themselves in another's shoes.

To build on this, parents can get them to articulate how a character may be feeling or thinking when reading stories or watching television programmes together, for instance. This way, children cultivate a habit of understanding events and people from multiple perspectives.

As we help our children make sense of the world, perhaps we too would be reminded of Singapore's strength in diversity and how to care for one another as an inclusive society.

After all, this is one lesson we will never stop learning.
Dr Mercy Karuniah Jesuvadian is a lecturer at the Early Childhood and Special Needs Education Academic Group at the National Institute of Education at the Nanyang Technological University. This is the eighth commentary in Channel NewsAsia's series on learning and education. ​Read the first commentary on whether Singapore schools should adopt digital textbooks here. Read the second commentary on how Singapore teachers should manage issues on race in the classroom here. Read the third commentary on whether our young need expensive enrichment classes here. Read the fourth commentary on the struggle parents face in choosing a good school for their child here. Read the fifth commentary on the role parents must play in their child's pre-school years here. Read the sixth commentary on whether passion and patience are sufficient qualities of an ideal pre-school teacher here. Read the seventh commentary on whether private higher education is a 'second chance' option in Singapore here.

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Commentary: Building racial harmony in Singapore must start from an early age

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Last, empathy is a critical skill for young children to build. The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines empathy as "the action of understanding, being aware of, being sensitive to, and vicariously experiencing the feelings, thoughts, and experience of another of either the past or present".

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What do SG's youth feel about race and religion? 

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What do SG's youth feel about race and religion? 

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Amongst 18- to 35-year-old respondents, over four in 10 had personally experienced racism. Minorities were more likely to have had such experiences, with over six in 10 Malays and Indians agreeing with the statement.

These responses add to findings on racism from the World Values Survey (WVS) that the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) administered in Singapore in 2020, which indicate higher awareness of racist behaviour amongst younger respondents compared to their older counterparts.

Overall, the attitudes of young Singaporeans are clear: There is racism in Singapore, and many have personal experiences to recount.

More importantly, Singaporean youth are very aware of the potential pitfalls of the mismanagement of such racist incidents. A 2018 IPS survey on race, religion, and language found that almost three-fifths of 18- to 25-year-olds believed anger among and against communities would occur if race issues were mismanaged. In comparison, only two-fifths of older respondents aged above 65 felt the same way.

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Understanding how Singapore’s youth feel about race and religion

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Every generation tends to view those younger than them as less resilient, more playful, or weaker. The term “strawberry generation” was coined for this exact purpose, for older generations to describe those born in the 1980s and later as fragile and easily hurt, referencing the fruit’s easily-bruise…

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Does the concept of “Chinese privilege” exist in SG? If so, how is it observed and how shall we address it? Also consider, if it is a useful/ healthy "label"? 

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Does the concept of “Chinese privilege” exist in SG? If so, how is it observed and how shall we address it? Also consider, if it is a useful/ healthy "label"? 

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Panellists at a forum said the concept of privilege for a racial community is an important discussion point

It helps young Singaporeans talk about their lived realities

However, it must also be contextualised correctly for Singapore

Some older Singaporeans do not necessarily feel they have any privilege, for example

SINGAPORE - Discussions about the privileges of the majority race might be a concept originating from the west, but they are useful as a baseline for Singaporeans to discuss their lived realities, academics at a forum said.

However, the trouble lies when notions such as Chinese privilege are not adapted enough for a local context and are thrown around as a blanket term, one of the panellists said.

At the Forum on Race and Racism in Singapore, held on Friday (June 25) by the Institute of Policy Studies and the S Rajaratnam School of International Studies, the panellists were Associate Professor Elmie Nekmat and Associate Professor Daniel Goh from National University of Singapore (NUS), Dr Laavanya Kathiravelu from Nanyang Technological University (NTU), and Mr Goh Sin Teck, editor of the Chinese newspaper Lianhe Zaobao.

Assoc Prof Elmie is from the department of communications and new media at NUS, Assoc Prof Goh is from the department of sociology at NUS and Dr Laavanya is from NTU's School of Social Sciences.

The discussion's moderator Paulin Straughan, a professor of sociology at the Singapore Management University's School of Social Sciences, noted that people in Singapore borrow plenty of labels from societies abroad - Black Lives Matter, #MeToo and white privilege - and asked what were the dangers of importing these ideas and changing the labels to suit Singapore's needs, such as the concept of "Chinese privilege".

Both Dr Laavanya and Assoc Prof Goh pointed out that this phenomena is not new and gave examples of how the concepts of meritocracy or even terms such as "garden city" came from the United Kingdom. They were, however, contextualised for Singapore.

On whether the notion of privilege is relevant for Singapore, Dr Laavanya believes that it is.

"It has resonated among young people here because people are struggling for a language to talk about their social reality," she said. "So these ideas or these concepts are useful to express particular feelings."

Still, context matters, Assoc Prof Goh said.

"My objection to the term 'Chinese privilege'... is that we are not adapting it enough," he said. "We are borrowing without contextualising it and without putting it in a proper kind of institutional perspective."

He explained that any form of privilege does not exist independently of institutions, which include social organisations such as families or work places, and they must be included in any critique.

"To use it (labels such as 'Chinese privilege') as a blanket term will be to revert to the same kind of racism and racialisation that we do not want," Assoc Prof Goh said.

He added that telling the majority of the population that "you have privilege, you don't realise it, (therefore) you are complicit in racism" is not helpful, because it puts everyone into a defensive posture and cuts off conversation.

Instead, he suggested that people share their encounters of racism with each other.

"Let's open up the space for conversation... The question of privilege is important and it has to be discussed."
REJECTING IDEAS OF PRIVILEGE
Offering an explanation for why some Chinese reject the idea of racial privilege, Mr Goh of Lianhe Zaobao said that they may be feeling marginalised themselves.

This group tends to be the older "silent majority" who cannot speak English and this language inadequacy causes them to "face frustrations and marginalisation", Mr Goh said.

He added that he feels sorry for them when they say they do not believe they have any privileges, only to have it misinterpreted to mean that they do not believe racism exists, when that is not the case at all.

"They are just saying that, 'As a Chinese-speaking individual, I do not see myself enjoying any privilege at all'."

That is why the term "Chinese privilege" is not helpful in forging understanding between people but divides them instead, Mr Goh said.

In response, Professor Straughan said that this is why conversations are needed, as they help distil misunderstandings and clarify "the very complex thoughts that go into very simple statements".

"Race relations are very hard to articulate, particularly if you're trying to talk about lived experiences," she said.

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'Chinese privilege' a borrowed label but important to discuss and set in Singapore's context, experts say

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SINGAPORE - Discussions about the privileges of the majority race might be a concept originating from the west, but they are useful as a baseline for Singaporeans to discuss their lived realities, academics at a forum said.

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https://sg.news.yahoo.com/harder-minority-than-majority-multi-racial-society-lawrence-wong-120752554.html

Finance minister Lawrence Wong said “It is hard to be a minority than a majority in a multi-cultural society”, evident that everyone is respected.  We have many different cultural holidays. When those of different races are discriminated on, their actions are slated, and they would face legal actions. With the diverse culture in Singapore, it is highly unlikely to be a minority, but they still protect the cultures. HDB ratio, to prevent racial discrimination.

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SINGAPORE - It is important for the majority community in Singapore to do its part and be sensitive to the needs of minorities, Finance Minister Lawrence Wong said on Friday (25 June).

Delivering a speech on "multiracialism and faultlines", Wong said in any multi-racial society everywhere in the world, it is harder to be a minority than a majority.

Wong cited some challenges faced by certain racial groups in Singapore such as job discrimination, landlords specifying exclusion of potential tenants based on race, and comments about racial stereotypes.

"And when they do happen, they cause real hurt, which is not erased by lightly dismissing them as casual remarks or jokes," said Wong, who was speaking at a forum on race and racism in Singapore jointly organised by the Institute of Policy Studies and S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies.

Wong noted there have been several "worrying" incidents recently including a Chinese man who kicked an Indian woman while uttering racial slurs, a Chinese man who confronted an inter-racial couple, a Chinese woman who hit a gong to disrupt an Indian neighbour from carrying out a prayer ritual, and a Malay woman who was jailed for hurling racist insults at an Indian bus commuter.

"These racist acts are unacceptable. I feel the hurt caused. Like all of you, I wish these incidents had not happened."

Wong said he believed people who are from the majority community in Singapore understand the issues faced by the minority community, and urged them to do more to make their minority friends, neighbours, co-workers feel comfortable. At the same time, minorities have recognised that the majority community has legitimate needs and concerns, he added.

Singapore must continue with its approach of mutual accommodation, trust and compromise, Wong said.

Singaporeans should be upfront about the "racialised experiences" that various groups feel, and be prepared to have "uncomfortable" and "civilised" discussions.

"But we should not insist on maximum entitlements and rights for our respective groups; construe every compromise as an injustice that needs to be condemned; or put the worst interpretation on every perceived slight or insensitivity," Wong said.

If one group were to jostle "aggressively" to assert its identity and rights over others, other groups might also start to jostle back, he added.

As such, Wong expressed hope that all groups calling for change will be conscious about their approach, and called for expansion of space for agreement and deepening of cross-cultural understanding.

On its part, the government will continue to update its policies on race, and other policies that help to strengthen racial harmony in Singapore.

"To conclude, this government will never waver in our commitment to promote harmony among all races, and ensure that all Singaporeans enjoy full and equal opportunities in life," Wong said.
Stay in the know on-the-go: Join Yahoo Singapore's Telegram channel at More Singapore stories: 15 of 20 new COVID cases in Singapore in community COVID guidelines for larger settings such as dine-in on track: Lawrence Wong No cases of COVID Delta plus variant found in Singapore: MOH Singapore targets two-thirds of population to be fully vaccinated by National Day http://t.me/YahooSingapore

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Harder to be a minority than a majority in multi-racial society: Lawrence Wong

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It is important for the majority community in Singapore to do its part and be sensitive to the needs of minorities, Finance Minister Lawrence Wong said on Friday (25 June).

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https://www.mas.gov.sg/development/why-singapore#:~:text=Singapore%20is%20located%20at%20the,markets%20of%20the%20partner%20countries.

Singapore has establish over 25 FTAs with different countries over the world

Singapore also maintains diplomatic relations with 188 UN member countries. The exceptions are Burundi, Central African Republic, Monaco and South Sudan.

Why is this important?
Singapore is a tiny-island nation that does not have many resources. Hence, the resources that she requires to grow has to be imported from other countries. Diplomatic relations become important as Singapore essentially needs to request other countries for their materials.

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Singapore is located at the heart of Southeast Asia and provides excellent global connectivity to serve the fast-growing markets of the Asia-Pacific region and beyond.

Singapore has over 25 FTAs which provide access to the markets of the partner countries. We also have over 90 DTAs which are advantageous to financial institutions (FIs) using Singapore as its regional or global hub.

In addition, Singapore is building linkages, including Bilateral Investment Treaties and FinTech Cooperation Agreements, with emerging economies including in the Middle East, Africa and South America.

FIs in Singapore trade around-the-clock with Asia-Pacific centres, as well as European and American centres. This makes Singapore a hub for 24-hour trading in foreign exchange and securities.

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Find out more about Singapore's key strengths as a leading international financial centre.

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https://www.mha.gov.sg/mediaroom/press-releases/findings-from-recent-studies-on-the-death-penalty-in-singapore/

In IPS 2020, 74% of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that the death penalty is justified for the most serious of crimes.

78.2% of respondents believed that the death penalty serves as a deterrent for serious crimes in general.

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https://www.pmo.gov.sg/Newsroom/PM-Lee-Hsien-Loong-at-the-Singapore-Ageing-Issues-and-Challenges-Ahead-Book-Launch#:~:text=In%202010%2C%20about%201%20in,in%204%20Singaporeans%20over%2065.

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Dr Vasoo, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, a very good afternoon to everybody.

I am delighted to join you today to launch the book 'Singapore Ageing - Issues and Challenges Ahead' by Dr Vasoo, Professor Bilveer Singh, and Professor Srinivasan.

Dr Vasoo has been deeply involved with social issues in Singapore for many decades. He is passionate about social work, and dedicates his time and effort to make a difference on the ground, including as a Member of Parliament for over 15 years. He and I entered Parliament in the same year in 1984. Even after retiring as MP, he remains actively involved in the community in so many ways. Dr Vasoo has also written several books and contributed much to the discourse on social issues in Singapore.

I am very glad that he has teamed up with Professor Bilveer and Professor Srinivasan for his latest project, to share their thoughts and insights on this very important topic of "ageing".

Countries all over the world are facing the problem of ageing populations. Singapore is one of them. In fact, we have one of the world's lowest fertility rates. And at the same time, one of the world's longest life expectancies.

Our population is not just ageing, but ageing rapidly. In 2010, about 1 in 10 Singaporeans were aged 65 and above. A decade later, in 2020, it has risen to about 1 in 6. By 2030, another 10 years later, it would be almost 1 in 4 Singaporeans over 65.

This is a massive change for our society. We see it in our daily lives - at our workplaces and communities, we interact with many more seniors today.

Our built environment looks different too, having evolved to adapt to the needs of seniors. For example, we see more active ageing centres in the HDB void decks, more senior-friendly exercise machines in fitness corners. Also increased barrier free access across our neighbourhoods, lifts on every floor in nearly all HDB blocks, and safety grab bars installed in bathrooms and toilets.

But the impact goes far beyond that. An ageing population will totally change the way our society works. From our economy, to our healthcare system, to planning for retirement adequacy. It also changes how we look after and engage our seniors, so that they can remain active and healthy, continue to contribute to society, and live out the full span of their lives with purpose and dignity.

It is not so straightforward to address the challenges of an ageing population. For example, in European countries, in EU, on average more than one quarter of the population are pensioners, and they are mostly receiving state pensions, and the state spends on average 13% of their GDP on old-age pensions. You think about that - our entire Government's spending is about 17% of GDP in Singapore. Without far reaching reforms, pension spending will continue to rise in Europe as their population ages.

But implementing such reforms is very hard. The French government, specifically President Macron, is raising the pension age from 62 to 64 years old, but this has led to huge resistance and even civil unrest. That is in Europe.

Japan's population is not just ageing, but is also shrinking. Beyond rising healthcare spending, this has resulted in the depopulation of rural areas and many empty, abandoned villages. Some of them will offer you empty houses for free. You just have to go and live there and be prepared to pay the property tax, but the house is free. Some Singaporeans take them up as holiday houses.

China is also anxious about this problem. In 2020, over 260 million Chinese were over 60 years old. 60 because that is their current retirement age for men. For women, it is even lower. By 2040, this is expected to rise to 400 million seniors. So the Chinese Government too is looking very hard at this issue.

In their book, Vasoo and Bilveer present one possible scenario reflecting the grim reality of an ageing population - escalating healthcare costs burdening the economy; societal fractures from competing needs across different demographic groups.

In Singapore, we are determined not to go in this direction. But avoiding it will take a whole of society effort, and everyone having the right mindset. Individuals must embrace ageing positively - you cannot help your hair from growing greyer or sparser, but you can stay open to change, keep learning and remain productive for as long as we can.

At home, families need to connect and engage with seniors, and encourage them throughout their ageing journey. At the workplace too, employers need to support their older workers and tap on the experience and value that they bring.

And as a society, we must strengthen the culture of respect towards seniors - show that we understand and value one another, and avoid thinking in stereotypes that are hurtful and self-limiting. Many of those in their 70s and beyond are still physically and mentally robust. They are an important asset to both the workplace and society. Some are still writing books, like Dr Vasoo. Many others too, including the former MPs whom I am very happy to see here with us this afternoon, remain active - in business, in professional careers, in community work - keeping in touch with things and contributing to our society.

The Government will take the lead to push things in the right direction. Let me briefly highlight three key areas.

First, raising the retirement and re-employment ages in step with demographic changes. Many older Singaporeans want to keep active and continue working and contributing. Last July, we raised the retirement age to 63 and the re-employment age to 68. By 2030 we will increase them further - 65 to retire, re-employment until 70. This will assure people that they can continue working in their golden years so long they are able and keen to do so.

Second, ensuring retirement adequacy. We have been regularly updating our CPF schemes so that they remain fit for purpose, in line with rising life expectancy and changing needs. For example, in 2009, we introduced CPF LIFE to provide members with the assurance of a monthly income for life. The scheme is now operating and people are starting to receive CPF LIFE payments. This year, we announced changes to raise the CPF monthly salary ceiling for all members, and CPF contribution rates for senior workers.

We also complement the CPF with schemes like Workfare to provide additional and targeted assistance for lower-wage workers, and Silver Support which provides cash payouts to seniors who had low or no incomes during their working years.

Third, we are strengthening our healthcare system to meet increasing demand from an ageing population. With Healthier SG, we are shifting decisively towards preventive care to reduce the disease burden for Singaporeans. If Singaporeans can stay healthier for longer, it will help to lighten the load on our healthcare system.

Meanwhile, we continue to invest heavily in building new healthcare infrastructure and upgrading existing ones - hospitals, community hospitals, senior care facilities - to ensure high quality yet affordable care for all, especially our seniors.

We are also expanding the range of social and long-term care services in the community to meet our seniors' desire to age in place. For example, setting up more active ageing centres to provide a wider range of activities to keep our seniors healthy and engaged.

All these require significant resources, and we have taken steps, including difficult but necessary moves like raising the GST, in order to fund the increased spending to meet the needs of an ageing population. In other words, the needs of you and me, all of us.

If we can do all these things right, if all of us - individuals, families, employers, society and government - can come together with the right mindsets and strategies to tackle ageing in our society, and we can follow this through, come up with policies, implement them, make things happen on the ground, then we stand a good chance of realising the alternative scenario also presented in the book - where seniors are healthy, savvy, actively engaged in productive and meaningful activities, and well-respected, and society benefits from their collective wisdom and experience.

I hope this book will stimulate more constructive conversations around ageing. It is important that we continue to discuss and debate such important issues in society to provide fresh perspectives, improve our solutions, and make a difference to hundreds of thousands of senior Singaporeans, who will one day include all of us.

Let me once again congratulate the authors and contributors on the successful launch of the new book. May it sell well and may it have an impact on policy in Singapore. Thank you.

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PM Lee Hsien Loong at the 'Singapore Ageing: Issues and Challenges Ahead' Book Launch

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Speech by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the book launch of ‘Singapore Ageing: Issues and Challenges Ahead’ on 11 April 2023.

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https://adelphipsych.sg/the-truth-about-social-media-and-depression-in-singapore/#:~:text=Statistics%20show%20that%20teenagers%20and,and%20sadness%20than%20young%20men.

social media increases the risk of people feeling a sense of alienation and negativity. the article states a positive correlation between social media usage and being susceptible to feelings of despair and sadness. with the constant bombardment of glamorous content on social media, it cultivate a sense of inferiority in other users as well as low self esteem. as a result, constant comparison with all the glitz and glamour online with our bleak reality would heavily jeopardise the mental health of people today. all in all, social media negatively affects the way people think, in the way where people are constantly unhappy about their current lifestyles, and constantly chasing for an even better one, stripping off happiness from their lives.

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According to Hashmeta.com, seven out of ten Singaporeans are active social media users, more than double the global average. Furthermore, age doesn't seem to be a significant factor: 82% of Singaporeans over the age of 55 use social media, just 14% less than the under 25's.

While social media is a positive experience for most users, it can also have negative consequences for some. A study by .

Statistics show that teenagers and young adults are especially likely to experience symptoms of depression linked to social media usage, and that young women are more prone to feelings of despair and sadness than young men.

There are good reasons why social media usage can sometimes lead to depression. Cyberbullies, fault-finders, and show-offs can lead you into thinking and feeling that you're not as attractive as others, or that you're less successful. You may even be persuaded to believe that you're unworthy of love and respect.

Social media show-offs

These are people who use social media to brag and show-off.

If you believe the pics and messages these people post, they always have perfect hair and only wear brand-name clothes. They holiday on New Zealand's South Island and shop in Hong Kong. They dine out in the most expensive restaurants. Their best friends drive Pagani Zonda's.

Comparing your own life with these show-offs can leave you feeling unattractive and unsuccessful. If you use social media excessively, you may even have low self-esteem and suffer from depression.

But what if it's all an illusion? Nobody's life is perfect. Just like you, show-offs have days when their hair is greasy and they wear sweatpants while eating fast food from McDonald's.

The show-off just doesn't want you to see that side of their lives.

Consider this meme from ballmemes.com: "Social media has created jealous behaviour over illusions. Sadly, some are envious of things, relationships, and lifestyles that don't even exist."

Even though you may know that you're comparing yourself to an illusion, it may still be challenging to overcome low self-esteem and depression without professional help. If this is your situation, it may be best to get help from a psychiatrist in Singapore. Psychiatrists are qualified mental health professionals who can help you refresh your mental health.

Social media fault-finders

These are people who use social media to point out your faults, real or imagined.
Julie Tan, the actress, admitted that she was so harshly body-shamed by social media fault-finders that she sought treatment for the depression it caused.
Julie Tan is not alone; more and more celebrities are removing themselves from social media because they are bombarded with negative comments day after day. The social media experience for many of these celebrities leaves them with a poor self-image, and they seek treatment for the depression they suffer as a result.

Fault-finders will respond negatively to even your most innocent posts and pics. Post a pic of your new shoes, and they'll tell you that they're the wrong colour. Tell your followers that you're excited about your new job and the fault-finder will respond that you're unlikely to succeed for some or other reason.

But it can get even worse: you may bare your inner soul about your fears and joys, or your loves and dreams, and the fault-finder will shoot down every one of your emotions, even ridiculing them.

Cornelius Lindsay, the Christian pastor, said, "Social media is a dangerous place to seek affirmation, acceptance, identity, and security."

If you regularly expose yourself to constant criticism, you may eventually doubt your self-worth. You may believe yourself to be unlovable, or stupid, or ugly. These are all signs that you may be depressed.

Social media cyberbullies

These are people who use social media to hurt, harass, embarrass and intimidate others.

Cyberbullies often create fake profiles to remain anonymous. This gives them the power to say nasty things without any consequences.

If someone is sending you mean texts, or posting hurtful things about you on social media, you're the victim of a cyberbully.

Cyberbullies use many tools in their quest to hurt and humiliate. They often start false rumours or spread malicious gossip. They may mock you in an online group chat, or share an embarrassing video of you without your permission.

Worst of all, a cyberbully may threaten physical harm to you and your loved ones to intimidate you.

The best thing to do with a cyberbully is to block them from your social media platforms. Of course, they can just create another fake online profile and keep going, so take care who you accept as a social media friend.

Cyberbullying can leave you feeling anxious fearful, helpless, and depressed. If you have symptoms of depression, it's time to get professional help to regain control of your life instead of giving power to the cyberbully.

Last thoughts...

Social media is a useful and fun way to stay in contact with family and friends who live far and near. You can also educate yourself on social media, and be inspired by the achievements of others. You can promote yourself on social media and boost your career and job opportunities. You can make new friends.

Those are the positive things.

But there are also negatives. Comparing yourself to the illusory lifestyles of the show-offs, believing the negative criticisms of the fault-finders, and giving the power to cyberbullies, can result in depression and despair.

Also, spending an excessive amount of time on social media can result in social anxiety when you're faced with real people in a physical setting. Or you may feel a sense of isolation because your only contact is with people on social media.

Use social media, but also get out into the real world: meet friends for a meal or a movie, go for a walk in the park, or join a volunteer group and give back to your community.

Two out of three Singaporeans admit that they're addicted to social media. If you think you are, or you're suffering from depression as a result of social media show-offs, fault-finders, and cyberbullies, let the experienced and caring clinicians at Adelphi Psych Medicine Clinic in Singapore guide you to improved mental wellness and bring back the joy in your life.
News Feed from Adelphi Psych Medicine Clinic

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The Truth About Social Media and Depression in Singapore | Adelphi Psych Med

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A study by CS Tang and YY Koh from the National University of Singapore found that 21% of students in Singapore that are addicted to social media also suffer from depression.

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https://cityofgood.sg/articles/arts-and-heritage-in-singapore/

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https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/singapore-passes-laws-decriminalise-gay-sex-protect-definition-marriage-against-legal-challenge-3108996

Singapore allows more freedom for gay people by legalising gay sex. But keeps the ban of gay marriage to protect the tradition definition of marriage, this protects the majority of the people in sg’s society. This helps the minority and also protects majority

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SINGAPORE: Singapore will decriminalise gay sex and protect the definition of marriage against legal challenge, after Parliament approved changes to two Bills on Tuesday (Nov 29).

A repeal of the colonial-era Section 377A in the Penal Code was passed with a majority of 93 to three votes.

Workers' Party (WP) Members of Parliament (MPs) Dennis Tan (WP-Hougang) and Gerald Giam (WP-Aljunied), as well as Nominated Member of Parliament (NMP) Hoon Hian Teck, had stated in their speeches over a two-day debate that they would not support the repeal.

All People's Action Party (PAP) MPs present voted for the Bills. The party did not lift its whip, which meant its MPs had to vote according to the party's position.

A constitutional amendment to protect the definition of marriage against legal challenge was passed with a majority of 85 to two votes.

Two MPs - Ms Sylvia Lim (WP-Aljunied) and Ms He Ting Ru (WP-Sengkang) - abstained from the vote.

Non-Constituency MP (NCMP) Hazel Poa had earlier stated that she and her Progress Singapore Party (PSP) NCMP Leong Mun Wai would vote against the proposed amendment, because they believe the definition of marriage should be determined by a national referendum.

CONCERNS OVER TRADITIONAL FAMILY VALUES

During the two-day concurrent debate on both Bills, nearly 40 MPs from both sides of the House rose to speak, with several raising concerns about protecting traditional family structures and values, as well as social policies.

Others stressed the need to prevent discrimination against those who believe in the definition of marriage as union between a man and a woman.

On the other hand, some also urged the Government not to discriminate against those outside the traditional institution of marriage, such as people who are single, divorced or widowed.

In his wrap-up speech on Tuesday, Law and Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam reiterated that the constitutional change would protect the heterosexual definition of marriage along with laws and policies based on that.

"Just as we have been clear about repealing 377A - we took a clear position - we are equally clear, and this government is very clear, that we will protect the heterosexual marriage as a key institution in our society," he said.

He also accused the WP of not wanting to take a stand on the matter, and slammed their reasons for lifting the whip as "factually untrue".

"The Workers' Party MPs could have made all the speeches they made, even with the whip in place." said Mr Shanmugam. "MPs are always entitled to state their honest views, they can agree they can disagree, they can say what they think, you can express your views whatever they are, without having to lift the whip."

"The whip does not and has not prevented MPs from speaking their minds," he said. "The whip is relevant for voting, not speaking, and the whip sets out the party's position."

In his speech, the minister also noted that there were a "small" number of individuals who were convicted between 1988 and 2007 for consensual and private homosexual acts between adults. He said he had instructed his ministry to consider how their records could be rendered spent or removed.

Mr Shanmugam told the House that there was no plan to let individuals remove their registered sex from their NRIC or passport.

He reiterated that the law ministry was looking at ways to deal with the harm caused by cancel culture, because "people really ought to be free to stand by their beliefs, express their views, with due respect for the feelings of others" without fear.

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Singapore passes laws to decriminalise gay sex, protect definition of marriage against legal challenge

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SINGAPORE: Singapore will decriminalise gay sex and protect the definition of marriage against legal challenge, after Parliament approved changes to two Bills on Tuesday (Nov 29). A repeal of the colonial-era Section 377A in the Penal Code was passed with a majority of 93 to three votes.

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Qn 3
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/commentary/uni-student-grades-exam-job-cv-experience-employer-2828756

So the article emphasises that since students are taught the importance of grades since primary school, furthermore, having to take a national exam at the age of 12, naturally, there will be an high emphasis on grades.
Many Singapore leaders believe that the value of grades needs to be reduced as employers are expanding their hiring criteria to beyond grades. Ironically, the Singapore leader also believes that meritocracy should continue to exist. However, they acknowledge that the definition of meritocracy should be expanded. THANKYOU!!!

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Pre-schools, for instance, are now seen as a necessity rather than an option. While early childhood education can lead to better academic performance and interpersonal development later on, securing one could become an arms race where parents fork out more to afford the very best for their children .

Fast forward to when a child enters primary school, into an environment of high stress and anxiety. While the Primary School Leaving Examination scoring model has changed to reduce fine differentiation at a young age, students still need to achieve a certain grade to get into choice secondary schools.

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Commentary: What would it take to snap Singapore out of its obsession with grades?

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Pre-schools, for instance, are now seen as a necessity rather than an option. While early childhood education can lead to better academic performance and interpersonal development later on, securing one could become an arms race where parents fork out more to afford the very best for their children .

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https://mothership.sg/2023/02/lawrence-wong-family-offices-income-inequality-singapore/

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The government has been tracking income inequality "closely" and it has not seen evidence of the growth of family offices having an impact on income inequality in Singapore, Finance Minister Lawrence Wong said in a written reply on Feb. 23.

Wong, who is also Deputy Prime Minister, was responding to a question posed by Member of Parliament Yip Hon Weng about the recent surge of wealthy foreign investors establishing family offices in Singapore.

Yip asked about the projected impact of such a phenomenon on Singapore's income gap, whether there are any ongoing assessments of inequality and the widening income gap, and the government's plan to strike a balance being remaining attractive for foreign investors looking to invest here, while ensuring that low-income Singaporeans benefit from such investments.

Wong: Family offices enhance Singapore's attractiveness to foreign investors

In response, Wong explained that family offices are set up primarily to invest their own families' funds.

Such entities, he added, have come to Singapore to access investment opportunities in the broader Asian region, not unlike other asset management entities, such as institutional fund managers, sovereign wealth funds and pension funds.

Family offices add to Singapore's role as a regional asset and wealth management centre, and enhance the country's attractiveness as a destination for foreign investments, Wong wrote.

Together with other management entities, these offices contribute to Singapore's economy and create jobs "for our people", he pointed out.

Wong: Income inequality in Singapore "steadily" declining

As for income inequality in Singapore, Wong noted that it has been "steadily declining" over the past decade, as measured by the Gini coefficient.

According to the minister, the Gini coefficient declined from 0.478 in 2012 to 0.437 in 2022.

In addition, if the effects of redistribution through taxes and transfers are included, Singapore's Gini coefficient in 2022 would further decline to 0.378, down from 0.432 in 2012, Wong added.

Income growth at the 20th percentile has also been rising faster than median income, the minister highlighted.

The real annualised income growth for full-time employed resident workers at the 20th percentile was 3.5 per cent per annum from 2012 to 2022, higher than the income growth at the median, which was 2.6 per cent per annum, he wrote.

Lower-wage worker incomes uplifted through Workfare and Progressive Wage Model

Wong also highlighted that the government was working further on narrowing the wage gap through initiatives, such as Workfare and the Progressive Wage Model.

The government will also focus on ensuring Singapore's overall system of tax and transfer remains "fair and progressive", with the better off contributing more and the vulnerable benefitting more, he concluded.
Top photo by Mike Enerio via Unsplash

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Lawrence Wong: Income inequality in S'pore 'steadily declining' over past decade despite influx of wealthy family offices

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Wong also highlighted how family offices enhance Singapore's attractiveness to foreign investors.

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Income inequality is improving in singpaore, which is reflected by a steady decrease in GINI coefficient, an indicator of income gap. Government also put in efforts to reduce income inequality by Workfare and Progressive Wage Model.

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https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/pm-lee-why-arts-and-culture-are-an-integral-part-of-singapore
https://www.dailyartmagazine.com/thai-dance/

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PM Lee: Why arts and culture are an integral part of Singapore

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SINGAPORE - THE arts and culture are an integral part of Singapore which the country must continue to nurture because "Man does not live by bread alone'', said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Wednesday. Read more at straitstimes.com.