September 9, 2021

Can racial harmony in Singapore be fostered by law?

On 29 August 2021, during the National Day Rally, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announced the Maintenance of Racial Harmony Act. This new law aims to tackle offenses related to racism in a targeted manner and emphasises the importance of racial harmony in Singapore. It will consolidate all existing laws dealing with racist issues, and include non-punitive measures that centre on persuasion and rehabilitation. Associate Professor Tan Ern Ser (NUS Department of Sociology) commented on the proposed new law in ‘Can racial harmony in Singapore be fostered by law?’ (The Straits Times, September 2021).

In Singapore, race and religion are often associated with one another, as both are sensitive issues that concern many people. However, there are several differences that set both concepts apart which accentuate the need for a new law targeted specifically at fostering racial harmony. For instance, people may change their religion, but they are not able to change their race. Because Singapore is a secular state, most Singaporeans accept that religion should not be directly involved in politics and policy. On the other hand, race-based policies and programmes such as the Group Representative Constituency Scheme and the Ethnic Integration Policy have had a role in shaping the nation’s policies since independence.

The new law will be modelled after the existing Maintenance of Religious Harmony Act (MRHA), which was enacted in 1990 to safeguard the separation of religion and politics and  moderate religious influence in Singapore. Like the existing MHRA, the law will include provisions for a softer approach to offences. A/P Tan remarks that this is important, as putting a culprit in jail may do nothing to change a person’s view about a particular race. Furthermore, the less punitive approach may not necessarily be the easier path for an individual to take, considering how the offender is still held accountable for his actions, and has to make a conscious effort to make up for the damage caused to victims and communities.

As part of this gentler approach, offenders are given the chance to change their views without facing criminal prosecution. They may learn more about the communities they have negatively affected and mend ties with them. A/P Tan reiterated that since the objective of the new law is to protect and promote harmony, punishment should not be the only method to enforce change. While punishment may serve as a form of deterrence, it does not allow for healing and mutual understanding, and fails to address the root of the problem.

The new law should not be seen as a measure of last resort, but a nudge to people to internalise the values and norms conducive for racial harmony. In order for real change to happen, a societal effort will be needed to determine whether Singapore can ultimately be cohesive enough to withstand the effects of those who attempt to cause racial division within the population.

Read the article here.