by Alfian Sa’at
(This was originally a comment on an FB thread, but it got longer and longer so I decided to post it up here as a note!)
From a Sin Chew Jit Poh report:
“I would say today, we can integrate all religions and races except Islam,” he said in “Lee Kuan Yew: Hard Truths to Keep Singapore Going,” a new book containing his typically frank views on the city-state and its future.
“I think we were progressing very nicely until the surge of Islam came and if you asked me for my observations, the other communities have easier integration — friends, intermarriages and so on…” he stated.
“I think the Muslims socially do not cause any trouble, but they are distinct and separate,” Lee added, calling on the community to “be less strict on Islamic observances.”
My response:
There is a simple reason for LKY’s comments about race in Singapore. Just across the causeway lies a country which is the source of LKY’s nightmares and neuroses. Over there, the Malays are politically dominant, and some of the more grotesque ethno-nationalists among them are very fond of calling the Chinese ‘pendatang‘, or ‘arrivals’, repeatedly emphasising their immigrant status, accusing them of being fairweather sojourners, questioning their loyalties, restricting their access to various programmes under the New Economic Policy, etc.
I don’t of course agree with the way the Chinese are being treated in Malaysia, and in spite of being Malay *Singaporean* I feel tremendous guilt that so many of my Chinese Malaysian friends are made to feel like second-class citizens.
I think LKY is aware that the situation in Malaysia is beyond his control. And I believe he is outraged, actually, that the Chinese there have to study Bahasa Malaysia as the national language, which according to his notions of racial purity, is a kind of assimilationist agenda aimed at diluting their ‘Chineseness’. During the Merger years, he had styled himself, and the PAP, somewhat messianically, as a defender of Chinese interests in Malaysia. Unfortunately the Chinese rakyat chose to recognise the MCA (Malaysian Chinese Association) instead of the PAP as their leaders, and the PAP suffered a humiliating defeat in the 1964 Malaysian general election. And with Singapore’s expulsion, LKY’s ambition of being the leader (which would mean defender, saviour, etc–a feudal concept of patronage and clientism) of the Malaysian Chinese was also extinguished. And I think he’s personally taken this as one of his life’s greatest ‘defeats’.
(then) PM Lee and Tenku Abdul Rahman during happier times. Did the Separation solidify Lee's views on race?
So what does the old man do? In a stunning display of vindictiveness, he vents out his frustrations on the Malay minority in Singapore (Lily Zubaidah succinctly calls this ‘balas dendam‘ politics; a politics of settling old scores). The Malay Malaysians questioning the loyalty of the Chinese? He’ll play tit-for-tat: similarly question Malay loyalty to Singapore, and then turn this into manpower policy in the armed forces. The Malay Malaysians calling the Chinese ‘aliens’? Well, he can’t label Malays in Singapore ‘immigrants’, so he’ll try pulling off the next worst thing: accuse them of being ‘outsiders’ in Singapore society, of not integrating enough as to be accepted as equal members of a (Chinese) Singaporean society. (The implicit message is this: you are not Malaysian Malays, you are Singaporean Malays, so you cannot become as ‘Islamic’ as them, and in fact should conform to whatever watered-down version of Islam this non-Malay state prescribes for you.)
All this explains his incredulity that poll results show that 90% of Singaporeans have no problem with having a non-Chinese PM. According to him, it’s all ‘utter rubbish’ and people are saying what is ‘politically correct’. In LKY’s universe, his ancient blood feud against Malaysia must be perpetuated by succeeding generations. If, in Malaysia, the ethno-nationalists will laugh down the very notion of having a Chinese PM, then Singaporeans are expected to do the same with a non-Chinese PM. And as much as UMNO’s raison d’etre depends largely on its stance of supposedly ‘protecting’ Malay rights and interests, the very idea of ‘Singapore’ is based on creating an enclave for SE-Asian Chinese, with the PAP as defender of Chinese rights (this might sound counter-intuitive for those who might point out the closure of Nantah and other supposed anti-Chinese gestures by the state; however we are talking about a specific species of Chinese here, namely, that of the ruling elite: the English-educated Chinese).
Hence the constant bogeying about ‘a little red dot in a sea of green’, surrounded by hostile Malay populations, as well as the doomsday warnings about a possible re-merger with Malaysia. Chinese Singaporeans are cultivated to be very conscious of their Chinese-ness, which is apparently under threat by a hegemonic Malay regional identity. The only way this Chinese-ness can be preserved and protected is by casting your lot with the likes of LKY and the PAP.
What then, to make of the 90% who would vote for a non-Chinese PM? If we dispense with LKY’s cynicism and take these results at face value, then it simply means that the citizens of Singapore are actually able to rise above the very kind of racialised society that LKY would want them to form. It means that we are not here to assuage his ego and to prolong his vendettas. His noxious ideas will hopefully die along with him. He might have succeeded in imposing some personal idiosyncratic beliefs (in eugenics, in environmental determinism, in the essentialising of race) as disastrous public policies, but no amount of social engineering can turn Singaporeans into the digits, automatons, gene pools or farm animals that LKY is so fond of comparing Singaporeans to. We are living, thinking, human beings, and what better way to assert our common humanity than to completely reject the twilight rantings of someone who over time has become less of a human being and more of a Jurassic monster. Sweet irony: in his anxiety to publish a book addressed to the youth of Singapore and to hopefully perpetuate his ‘hard truths’, LKY has only managed to reveal how obsolete and irrelevant he has become.
This essay first appeared on Alfian Sa’at’s Facebook note. As it was written off the cuff, he would like to apologize if the essay was not up to TOC’s usual high standards.
More of Lee’s views on race, culture and genes here.
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The fine line as a true muslim is to *avoid* anything that is haraam at all costs, possible when you *knew* about it as your character depends on it.
Even is the other scholars or fatwa says ok to anything that is originally haraam, it is better to be safe than sorry. If you are in doubt, ask the mursyid scholars in mosques. I mentioned scholars and not one scholar to be sure we are from the straight path. Even if you are unhappy with the local scholars, meet with those in Malaysia too for verification for Allah loves those who seeks the truth.
Those who guard their manners as a muslim, surely there will be good tidings(news) for them.
Tang Li, you dismiss the nub of my argument with the words “…….. I know the Saudi Wahabi establishment does back a few questionable people”.
The Saudis don’t just back “a few questionable people”, they have poured billions, if not trillions of dollars into promoting this 18th century version of Islam which is known for its rigidity and intolerance for deviation from its teachings, even towards other schools of Muslim thought. This Saudi backing with its money power is largely responsible for the current rigidity of Islamic thought all over the world, including in South East Asia. The vast majority of moderate Muslims appear to be powerless to speak up for fear of being branded apostates (kafirs).
Iran has joined the party with its oil money to promote its own version of Shia Islam.
Just look at Pakistan to see how Muslims are attacking other Muslims, each group claiming to be the true defender of the faith.
Violence has never solved any problems throughout history. It only begets more violence. It is facile to say that “The people who blow themselves up are people who have been oppressed beyond imagination….”. Yes people have been oppressed and solutions must be found but not by blowing themselves and others up and certainly not by being promised (brainwashed?) instant entry to heaven and 72 houris (virgins). And remember, the Koran forbids suicide.
It was extreme corruption of the Catholic church (the selling of indulgences, offices etc) that led to the Christian reformation. We need more enlightened Muslims such as Alfian to speak up against the deviations in Islamic thought today.
Fear – La’Qum’Dee’Nu’Qum’Wali’Ya’Deen.
Understand that, debate with it and come back to me when you had understood the verse and Islam as a whole. Be diligent by doing your research and do not be ignorant to not understand my sentences above.
Muhammad,
I don’t need to read “words”. If God wants to talk to me, it is direct, not through some words from ancient time.
Just answer my question, what in the world is not recycled? Explain with your wisdom.
To Muhammad, I know where you are getting at. But the issue here is not about halal or haraam food. Let us just focus on the initial topic instead of derailing to things that could further spark more fire. If there is a need to talk about halal eateries, do get into another topic. And I believe our fellow muslim brothers and sisters know what they are doing. Peace.
To Muhammad:
Brother, definitely as pointed out by Mimi Loma…I think You’re digressing from the article.
You quoted this verse: La’Qum’Dee’Nu’Qum’Wali’Ya’Deen.
(Your religion is your religion and my religion is mine.) So I don’t see the point in engaging in a debate with Fear.
There should be humility in da’wah my brother and that’s how people are drawn to the religion. And definitely there are channels for such but just not in this thread.
Anyway my two cents worth on this article,
I think there is a hint of Islamophobia. This “surge of Islam” is quite possibly talking about the post-911 Islam in which many terrorists acts are associated with the religion.
And perhaps LKY is fearing that Muslims in Singapore, especially with the JI bombing plots uncovered, that we might go to such extremes thus telling us to “be less strict” in our religious observation.
Or perhaps, because we all know of his social engineering stance when he compared the son of an educated couple to the son of a gardener, Islam is just getting in the way of such as it forbids inter-faith marriages.
I think the part about the halal and non-halal eateries was weak. I have no problems eating with my non-Muslim friends even though they might not be eating halal food. I’ve done it through the years since the days of my childhood.
Also the fear of “contamination” is baseless because if such is the case, Muslims would not even dine in at halal outlets as we have many non-Muslims patronising them and would have “contaminated” the utensils.
Dr Syed Alwi,
“Is the SDP still going to promote Singaporean Singapore or Bangsa Singapura ? Face it man – only Unity In Diversity works !
I think that the SDP better start thinking hard about Malay issues. As for the PAP – well – what is the PAP without LKY ?”
Let’s not let the term be misunderstood. Singaporean Singapore or Bangsa Singapura does not mean that everyone should shed his or her racial identity or religious belief. It simply means every citizen has a sense of belonging and acts as one in the nation’s interest.
It is no different from forging unity in diversity.
The SDP’s membership comprises Singaporeans of all the main races. We are indeed very much in touch with issues that affect the Malays as much as we are concerned with what is bothering Singaporeans of other races.
But our approach is different from that of the PAP. We do not have to set up a Malay bureau to raise Malay issues. We raise them as a party. That is why Dr Chee had been the only non Malay politician who expressed concern over the tudung issue. Naturally he was penalised for it. We also raised the madrasah issue and called on the authorities and MUIS to help solve the problem.
Good article again Afian,
our dear MM’s crushed ‘ASIAN VALUES THEORY’, if that is what you were mentioning.
hahaha.
Anyway, he is afterall a politician and a master at it. He is just infecting Singaporeans with fear, trying to breakdown the Singaporeaness in people.
I think any sane person knows, what he is saying is rubbish, in fact even he might know it too.
(However, I would strongly agree to Muslims in positions to question him on this matter).
However, the effects, they are much greater, a confusion among people.
A sudden racial identity might creep among the marjority to distinguish themselves. Trying to sow a seed of threat, that survival is at stake.
He is a beauty, when he attempts such politcal acts.
Ask any Malay Singaporean would he/she likes to migrate to Malaysia. Their answers is NO. Ask any Malay SAF soldiers would they fight if predominantly Malay Malaysian Army attacked Singapore. I dare to say they will all give answer YES!! Since the early days Singaporean Malay had worked hard just like Chinese and Indian to build what Singapore is today but now that LKY asked us to be more like free-thinker? Is this what we Singaporean Malay got for our loyalty to this wonderful country? Oh I forgot that LKY isn’t the one who had to endured the harsh training our NS pioneers had to defend Singapore!
Maybe LKY is too blinded by the past to accept the fact that we are doing better than Malaysian Malays despite without NEP or Ketuanan Melayu or many nonsense stuff projected by our neihbour up north!
WHy is LKY trying to do by issuing a book at this time? And why is the President also issuing another book at the same time? LKY is trying to get the chinese(from China) votes? LKY must be thinking… Even without the malays votes, PAP will still win… But this is going to destroy the harmony we have. While back in Spore, I live well together with Malays and other races, although I am a chinese. I dont see why must stir up this kind of unwanted issue..
And you wonder why the Thais could give Taksin Shinawatra, who is ethnically Chinese, a resounding victory at the polls for a second term; and that the Filipinos could give Nonoy Aquino, who is 1/8th Chinese, the Presidency, and that Singaporeans cannot do the same?
For a start Singapore chinese have to stop calling themselves chinese. How to be rooted in Singapore if you keep on using the foreign element. So as chinese elsewhere…they should refer to their ethnics. Only people of China have the right to be called chinese.
hmmm , I am kinda dissapointed to hear that from our first prime minister LKY : /
Why LKY love to compared between Singapore and malaysia? You should know malaysia is malay country understood! So malaysian chinese have to speak malay language! Same to indonesia too the chinese have to speak bahasa indonesia! similar to china too belong to chinese! why LKY doesn’t want to compared between Singapore and china? Can malay or indian dominate china?? can China people speak other beside chinese?? then all the chinese from china have to learn malay or indian?? Honestly why singaporean promote mandarin?? Doesn’t make any sense!! is it because LKY is chinese? if our prime minister is malay or indian, then all chinese have to speak malay or indian!! is it fair??Why not stick to English as it was former British control. in fact singapore is not chinese country it because the LKY want all chinese from china to lives in singapore!! Why not LKY take all mainland china,taiwan Hong kong everyone who are chinese come singapore then?? Singapore become Chinapore!! if LKY control saudi arabia or south american, i think all arabic and spanish people must learn speak chinese!! really stupid!!!before chinese dominate singapore, malay already dominate!! so why LKY say’everything in harmony only went muslim came’? I dun know when LKY RIP??