I wanna do SS.

Extra Pictures

2008-09-23T23:25:00.002+08:00

Here are some extra pictures to show the importance of multi-ethnicity in Singapore.

Mixture of Indian dancers and Chinese dancers.

People in different costumes.

Students wearing their traditional costumes in school.

Indian and Malay traditional dishes.

Final Task (Q. 7&8)

2008-08-27T12:14:00.010+08:00

Final Task (Q. 7&8)

7) Why is it important to foster social cohesion?

Social cohesion is the term used in social policy, sociology and political science to describe the bonds that brings people together in society, particularly in the context of cultural diversity.

By having social cohesion, it makes people understand the cultural differences that exist between people, such as language, dress and traditions, and the way societies organize themselves, their conception of morality and religion, and the way they interact with the environment.

Social cohesion has become an important theme in British social policy in the period since the disturbances in Britain's Northern milltowns in the summer of 2001. In investigating these, academic Ted Cantle drew heavily on the concept of social cohesion, and the New Labour government, particularly then Home Minister David Blunkett, widely promoted the notion.

8) Explore other ways to foster social cohesion in Singapore.

By organising events or parties, which brings people together to celebrate during festivals like christmas and new year. We can also foster social cohesion in schools by building the teamwork among students to increase their bonds.

We can also foster social cohesion through schools and the public, by allowing the them to speak up their opinions about different races. In this way, it allows the different group of races to understand more about each other. This can help reduce conflicts among them and increase their awareness of the importance of fostering social cohesion in Singapore.

Examples like celebrating Singapore's birthday is one of the best ways to foster social cohesion, it brings all the different groups of people who feels a sense of belonging to Singapore together. It is to unite Singaporeans together as a multi racial country and this fulfills the purpose of living together in peace and harmony.

Lastly, I feel that the most important thing is, about being together as a nation. We can gather our strengths together and endorse social cohesion. So, would you like to eat Roti Prata? Or Noodles?

Final Task (Q. 5&6)

2008-08-27T12:13:00.010+08:00

Final Task (Q. 5&6)

How issues relating to transnational terrorism could divide the people.

Transnational terrorism refers to acts of violence which are global in terms of aims, organisation and impact. In multi-ethnic societies like Singapore, race and religion may be used to create ill feelings among the different ethnic groups. This can threaten the racial and religious harmony in the country.

For example, in year 2001 to 2002, Singapore faced the threat of transnational terrorism. 34 JI (Jemaah Islamiah) members were arrested for their involvement in terrorist-related activities. Some examples of terrorist-related activities include purchasing materials for making bombs.
During 2005, another JI member who was trained in handling weapons and making bombs was being arrested.

The arrests made Singaporeans realise that the war against terrorism is ongoing.

The arrests caused mixed reactions among the people in Singapore. This might be due to the lack of understanding between the different races. This just shows that communication among the people is important and that Singapore must continue to live and work harmoniously with one another to ensure that peace and stability is maintained.

What were the measures taken to foster social cohesian (unity among the people) in multi-ethnic Singapore?

Measures such as the multi-racialism policy, common practices and bilingualism were taken to foster social cohesian in multi-ethnic Singapore.

The multi-racialism policy promotes equality among the races, with no special rights granted to any particular racial or religious group. In Singapore, everyone is treated equally regardless of race or religion. Everyone has equal opportunities to succeed. The Constitution prohibits the favouring of a certain group of people because of their race or religion. Everyone is treated equally so that every member of the Singapore society has a sense of national identity as Singaporeans.

Common practices such as the singing of the national anthem, taking the pledge and attending the flag raising ceremony are carried out in schools. These practices helps to foster national identity. Being loyal towards Singapore and having national pride towards Singapore is one way to get Singaporeans to see themsleves as one united people.

The bilingualism policy was introduced in schools in the year 1966. All students are expected to learn English and their own Mother Tongue. English is a must-learn so that it is easy for everyone to communicate with each other. Mother Tongue language is also important as to continue to keep on the cultural values of each race.

All these measures taken have proved effective. With English, it is easy for the people of different races to communicate with each other and indeed, we have succeeded in creating a Singaporean identity.

Final Task (Q. 3&4)

2008-08-27T12:09:00.007+08:00

Final Task (Q. 3&4)

3.How racial issues could divide the people?

Misunderstandings among the people of different race can create doubts and also discontent among them causing riots and conflicts. This can cause outbreaks of violence among racial groups.An example was in 1964,there were outbreaks of race riots resulting in 36 deaths and 560 injured.

The relationship between the different political groups in Singapore and the Federal government worsened as the PAP wanted everyone to get equal rights and privileges. This seemed like a threat for th UMNO.This lead to an anti-PAP campaign organised by some UMNO leaders. The PAP's were seen as anti-Malays. The UMNO did resettlement projects to provoke the feelings of discontent between the Singapore Malays towards PAP.

The UMNO used the malay newspaper,UTUSAN MELAYU to spread the anti-PAP campaign.They made PAP look bad. Eventhough the government promised the Malay economic and social positions would be improved through education and training, the grounds had been set for the race riots.These had caused alot of hectic situations among the different race.

4.How religious issues could divide the people?

The differences in religious beliefs and practices created tension among the people in Singapore.This was illustrated by the Maria Hertogh riots in 1950.

An example was in 1940s, a Dutch couple was put behind bars by the Japanese. They placed their daughter, Maria Hertogh, under the care of a Malay lady,whose name was Aminah. Maria was raised as a Muslim and got married at the age of 13 with a Malay teacher.

A court trial followed when her parents demanded that Maria be returned to them. It aggravated much unhappiness among the Muslims. The court decided to give custody to the Hertoghs, after much contemplation.The Muslims felt thet the British legal system was unfair. An outburst of rage and fury was the result as rots took place.A 24-hour curfew was made for two weeks.

These shows that religious issues must be handled carefully as misunderstandings and riots may occur among the people affecting the peace and harmony that we had.

Final Task (Q. 1&2)

2008-08-27T12:07:00.008+08:00

Final Task (Q. 1&2)

1) How different are we?

Singapore is a multi-ethnic country with people from different racial, culture and religions backgrounds. Although we are from different religious background but we share a common homeland. Different racial people comes together and live in HDB flats and we becomes neighbours. It is important to know our culture and religion well as our religious background had been pass from one generations to another so that we can keep our roots.

2) What are the challenges of multi-ethnicity in Singapore?

There are quite a number of challenges of multi-ethnicity in Singapore like managing perceptions of different racial or religious groups. To ensure harmony in Singapore is maintained, issues are crucially handled. Lack of understanding among the racial groups can create suspicion and unhappiness among the people. This may lead to outbreak between the racial groups. If race riots is broken in singapore, it can illustrate how easily peace and harmony can be destroyed. Irresponsible media reporting and a trigger like the issue of race can cause suspicion, distrust, and even hostility among Singaporean.

The 5 Questions

2008-08-26T12:59:00.005+08:00

1) Why is it important to have a newspaper that is not biased in reporting of events?

It is important to have a newspaper that is not biased, if it is biased, the report will not be accurate as the contents may have been changed. The news published in the newspaper are meant to be fair and if the facts were changed, the purpose of the newspaper will be defeated.

If there were only bad points were reflected on the article, it will project a bad image and it will be unfair as the report is untrue. People will not buy the newspaper if the report is untrue, and thus, it is important to have a newspaper that is not bias.

2) How is english used as the language to link different ethnic groups? In what situation?

It is used to impart moral values and cultural traditions of reach race and no one will have advantage over others. The use of english has helped improve communications among singaporeans.

By using english as the main language, there will be lesser conflicts as different ethnic groups will be able to communicate among each other and they can solve problems by not using violent means. It is also be easier for problems to be solved and it can enhance the relationship bewteen different ethnic groups.

3) What is common space? What are the examples of common space in our school?

Common space refers to the time and place that people come together which provides opportunities for singaporeans to interact.

Some examples are the canteen and the classrooms. Schools can also conduct programmes for students to a home visit or home stay opportunity with a host family from another ethnic group. This allows students to gain a better understanding of other cultures and customs as they interact and learn about different things.

4) How similar are the sources in their views about the social bonds among residents in public housing?

Based on the sources, they are comments about the social bonds among residents in public housing.

From source C, I can tell that the people living in the housing estates are very close together. They contact frequently with each other and exchange greetings which proves that their bond is very strong.

It also proves that the neighbourhoods in Singapore are living in harmony with each other, despite the different races and different cultures. At the same time, having good relationship among one another can improve the standard of society as they get to understand each other better.

On the other hand, Source D states that it is better to live in a village as the bond among the villagers will be stronger than the citizens living among the HDB estate, because the people living in the HDB estates will have their own life to carry on their own, unlike those who live in villages have strong bonds together.

It also states that the idea of 'doing their own things' from the people living in HDB estates have lack of understanding of each other and the people are not living in harmony, unlike the villagers who work together as a team.

By proving both sources, I can tell that both Source C and Source D have different views. Source C thinks that as long as they live together, it does not matter about what they do. Unlike Source C, Source D thinks that it is more important to have a similar goal. But in the end, both sources are talking about the spirit of togetherness living together.

Done! ^0^ maomao~

Task B

2008-08-13T12:06:00.004+08:00

Racial Riots (Task B)

UMNO were from the outset opposed to Singapore's merger with Malaya as Singapore had a large number of Chinese. At first, there were extreme Malay nationalists within UMNO were also unhappy with the high profile adopted by Lee Kuan Yew immediate period after Merger.

Celebrations of certain public events such as the birthday of prophet Mohammad were held throughout Malaya and Singapore joined the procession. However, during the pocession at the Kallang area, some one threw a bottle at the procession. Tempers were frayed. Disorder quickly spread. These are some riots between the chinese and the malays during that time.In the next few days the disorder spread to the other parts of Singapore.

One of the Causes of these riots is because the secretary-general of UMNO in Malaya concluded that Malays in Singapore had not been treated equally by the PAP and he gathered the Malays to overcome this unfair treatment. Another reason is constant antagonistic public statements, of a political and personal nature. Racial sentiments still happens and arouse in various way as these are all human nature when u get too sensitive over things.

Overall, the tension of racials had heightened.

Task A

2008-08-13T11:50:00.005+08:00

Communal riots of 1964 (Task A)

On the beginning of 21 July and 2 September 1964, racial riots happened between the Malays and the Chinese. Each racial riot, took place for five days. The riots broke out after the merging of Singapore with the Federation of Malaysia causing the deaths of 22 people and leaving 461 injured.

Eversince Singapore merged with the Federation of Malaysia, the Malays in Singapore thought that they would get the benefits of having special rights like the Malays of the Federation of Malaya, when actually that was never part of the agreement.

19 July 1964
A meeting between Mr Lee Kuan Yew, Encik Othman Wok, the Minister for Social Affairs and a large number of non-political Malay leaders from other organisations took place to discuss on the issue of the special rights for the Malays.

After the meeting was held, Mr Lee promised that while the governments would train the Malays for top positions in competition with the non-malays, the malays would not be treated more highly than the others. He also made it clear that all Singapore citizens had equal rights, regardless of race.

20 July 1964
Senator Ahmad Haji Taff, the UMNO state leader claimed that the meeting was an insult to the Malays. He tried to defend his Action Comittee by claiming that Mr Lee was trying to break the good relationship between the Malays and the Chinese.

21 July 1964
The Straits Times reported that more than 25 000 Muslims in Singapore would participate in a giant rally at the Padang to celebrate Prophet Muhammad's birthday. However, a riot broke out on the eve of the massive celebrations when the Malays were being attacked with verbal insults by the Chinese bystanders during a protest demonstration. The violence which continued on for 5 days left many injured and dead. Curfews were being imposed to restore law and order.

2 September 1964
The riot occured again when a Malay trishaw rider was being stabbed to death at night. This riot continued again for another 5 days, leaving 12 people killed, 109 injured and more than 1200 people arrested for breaking the time curfew. On the 11th of September, the situation was back to normal and the curfew was therefore lifted.

Throughout Singapore's post-war history, this was the by far the worse riot. Factors such as the confrontation with the newly-formed Federation of Malaysia, gangs taking the opportunity to stir up violence and the press comtributed to the this devastating riot.
On 2 August 1964, Mr Toh Chin Chye suggested that newspapers do not publish articles offending the feelings and beliefs of the people. Furthermore, the Federal Government of Malaysia and the State Government of Singapore assured the people that everyone is apart of Malaysia, regardless of racial and religion differences.

2008-08-12T19:28:00.001+08:00

Alright, i'm finally done with all the editting!
And the tagboard's up, so start typing in your comments yea (:

Syiqin.

Photos!

2008-08-12T16:49:00.002+08:00

"Only with teamwork, the train moves at its fastest speed."

LOL!

By: Yimei!~

Responsibility of a Good Team Member

2008-08-12T12:43:00.001+08:00

Responsibility of a GOOD Team Member

♣Completing their own task on time and reporting to the time-keeper (Lisa).
♣Have good teamwork and the willingness to learn.
♣Brainstorm ideas while listen to other suggestions made by other team members.
♣Respect one another and speak politely.
♣Voice out when having discussions.
♣Help out if any of our group members encounter any problems.
♣Gets the tasks done before the deadline ends.

By: Yimei!~

Introduction

2008-08-06T12:05:00.003+08:00

The DOTs..
(Group name)

Group members:
Leader: Farah
Blog Desiginer: Syiqin
IT-Coordinator: Yimei
Time-Keeper: Lisa
Secretary: Flora

Our group leader, Farah, will be taking care of our group members and making sure everyone does their own jobs, while helping out if we encounter any problems.

Our blog designer, Syiqin, will be designing this blog in an interesting manner for easy viewing. She will also be in charged of the outline of the blogskin.

Our IT-coordinator, Yimei, will be posting up our discussions and opinions on the subject matter. Reflections after every discussions will also be recorded.

Our secretary, Flora, will be "secretly" recording all the discussions and all the important and relevant points needed to improve.

Our time keeper Lisa, will be checking the time regularly to make sure everyone is on task for this group project. She will also help to inform us about the deadlines for each task.

Thank You!^0^~~