Singaporeans are enjoying a good quality of life thanks to strong political and economic leadership of the past 50 years. There has been much focus on economic success but less on areas that enrich the soul of Singapore.
What is the soul of Singapore? Who is the soul of Singapore? These are questions that had me stumped for a very long time. I do know that the soul of Singapore is not in the chrome silver and glass of our skyscrapers. It is not in our fleet of Boeings nor is it in our income per capita growth.
So who is Singapore? She is kind, gracious, collaborative, cooperative, giving, united and pragmatic. She is also efficient, productive, grateful, expressive and empathic. The soul of Singapore is in her people. I have seen glimpses of the soul of Singapore over the years. I see the country’s soul in the heartland estates of Singapore, within the block communities and at family gatherings. I believe that our true beautiful Singapore soul emerges when we have no fear of losing out to others—the fear that we will have less when others have more.
CHANGING INDICATORS OF SUCCESS
Economic developments have been the backbone of our development and success. Our economic success is the main reason for our transformation from a Third World to a First World country in just one generation. As we move beyond our 50th year of independence, the time has come for Singapore’s success to be measured by a basket of indicators. We cannot and must not be measured by GDP alone.
I advocate for Singapore’s success to be measured by a basket of indicators with our GDP growth underpinning these indicators. A few of the indicators could be measuring (a) diversity in decision-making positions, (b) ethnic and racial integration, (c) social mobility, (d) income gap, (e) size of middle-class population, (f) space for civil society, (g) political and civic participation, (h) public healthcare affordability, (i) public housing affordability (j) public transportation affordability, (k) environment and energy including green common spaces for citizens and (l) equity in early childhood education.
Singaporeans’ “win-at-all-cost” mentality is the result of measuring success solely based on economic growth. When we apply this at the national level, the same mentality is also imbued in our individual consciousness. Similarly when we measure success based on the acquisition of material wealth, individually we will tend to measure our happiness by the same yardstick—in economic terms.
When we measure success using a basket of indicators, we, Singaporeans will also learn to view those who have less material possessions not as failures but in a more equitable and kinder light. We might then become happier and kinder as a nation.
MALAY-MUSLIM COMMUNITY LEADERS TO ‘SHOW UP’
Over the past 50 years, Singapore’s public policies have ensured that minorities were neither marginalised politically nor lived in ghettos. Our public policies stood resolutely against sectarian politics and majority domination. This is perhaps the single most precious aspect of our nation’s legacy but one that is the easiest to lose.
I believe Singapore needs community leaders who will speak up and step up to address sensitive issues such as those related to race and religion, issues that the Government would not be able to tackle on its own, or those that are better resolved without government intervention.
Religious and racial harmony is one of Singapore’s greatest achievements of the past 50 years. Racism and discrimination against persons on the basis of their race have ancient roots and they have led to many human tragedies. We are indeed fortunate to have enjoyed 50 years of racial peace.
As we live in a troubled world, racism continues to impact many countries including Singapore. My experience of working with grassroots organisations and feedback projects showed that Singapore is not as integrated as we think we are. There is still a lack of understanding and empathy between the ethnic communities.
Concerns about job security and affordable housing are often perceived as a race issue. This perception is unhealthy and may have spill-over effects that can create a deeper divide among ethnic communities. Upon analysis of these sentiments, I am of the opinion that this perception is more of an economic/class issue instead of one based on racial lines. We need to ensure that these socio-economic and class issues do not escalate into race or religious issues.
This is where Malay-Muslim community leaders need to step in to mitigate the sentiments and situations. Singapore needs inspired individuals and community leaders who will speak up more frequently and more immediately to build bridges between the different races and strengthen peace and harmony.
BUILDING BRIDGES BETWEEN DIFFERENT ‘TRIBES’
Just as negativity and divisiveness breed more of the same, a collective consciousness for peace makes a positive difference in our world.
I believe that when there is cross-fertilisation of cultures and values within the multi-ethnics and multicultural people of Singapore, people of different tribes and vibes will have more understanding and empathy for each other.
Professor Tommy Koh once said that the Malay culture is “more subtle, more nuanced, and more appreciative of people who are halus (refined)”. Malay culture has ‘softened’ the rough edges of Singapore culture. Its mix of ethnicity has led to unique cultural traits, which mark Singaporean Chinese and Indians, for example, as different from those that originate from China and India.
Singapore Malays should stand tall and proud over the impact they have had in softening the rough edges of the Singapore culture. We are more powerful than we think are.
At the same time I also believe that the community have become more pragmatic due to ethnic integration. This cross-fertilisation of culture is a positive evolution for the Singapore soul.
I hope to do my part in building bridges across people of different tribes and vibes with the dream of making Singapore a nation of peace and kindness. ⬛
Saleemah Ismail is a social entrepreneur and an advocate of gender equality, diversity, economic empowerment and social inclusion. She has worked globally and lived in many countries.
In 2006, she co-founded Aidha, a business school for migrants. She also co-founded New Life Stories, a non-profit organization that supports incarcerated mothers and their children, by assisting them to break the cycle of poverty through an in-home reading programme. She was one of the key drivers in addressing human trafficking in Singapore and once served on the board of Singapore Council of Women Organisations. She is presently a board director of Casa Raudha and a director of Hopes Village Fund.
