Opinions

Towards the end of last week and the weekend, there was debate on the issue of stereotypes and microagressions against the minority communities in Singapore. If you don't remember, a hijab-donning lady working at Google was thought to be working at the canteen by the PHV driver that she hired. The driver had no ill-intentions. He tried to make conversation but it was off the mark.

Now for some better news for tolerance, race and religious harmony in Singapore.

On 5 April 2019, an Ustaz named 'Zahid Zin' shared how his family went to a funeral wake of a non-Muslim member of his extended family. You see, the Ustaz's wife has an aunt who married a convert whom they address as 'Uncle Adi'. It was Uncle Adi's mother who passed away recently. It was her wake that Ustaz Zahid Zin and family attended, to pay their last respects. 

The Ustaz reminded us that we live in Singapore in a multicultural society where we must respect other people's cultures and beliefs.

R-E-S-P-E-C-T.

That's what it is all about. 

This is a timely reminder for us Singaporeans. It seems that as our country gets older, the more divided Singaporeans have become. While our religious and cultural beliefs may be different, it does not mean that we disrespect them and mock them.

It is not a case of people from totally different ethnic backgrounds. Even among the Chinese community, there are groups of Christians, Taoists, and atheists, who have very little tolerance of what each group practices.

We can be much better with it.

Thank you Ustaz Zahid Zin for the wonderful gesture and reminder.

The internet is abuzz with discussions and arguments involving a local Malay/Muslim lady who goes by the name of 'Atikah Amalina' on Facebook. Atikah dons a hijab/tudung (go and find out what that is if you still don't know what it is), and also goes by the Instgram handle @thetudungtraveller. She is an employee of Google and works at its local office.

Apparently this was too difficult/impossible to understand by some. On one of her trips from work using a private hire vehicle service, she met with a most unpleasant experience. The driver, thinking of building rapport with her, casually asked if she worked at the canteen at Google.

So, microagression in action.

Unsurprisingly, there have been many messages of support and commiserations for Atikah. Some felt that she was being overly sensitive. There were also those who chided her for her double standards, and haughtiness in looking down on canteen operators.

To be fair , Atikah did opine that there is nothing wrong in being a canteen operator or to work in a canteen.

No one is free from having their own conceptions of others that may not be entirely accurate or based mostly of stereotypes perpetuated in popular culture, the media, and their immediapte social networks. In fact, many people love a joke based on stereotypes. They are accessible and relatable.

Nevertheless, one has to be aware that these are stereotypes and not consume them believeing them to be facts, and then more appallingly, convey them as facts to others.

This should not happen anywhere. There must be no space for this in the schools, offices, at churches, temples, mosques, or any other places of worship or community.

Perhaps, Atikah is indeed carrying some misgivings on being thought of as a canteen stallholder. Afterall, she is a local university graduate.

That said, one wonders how many non-Malays/Muslims would have found themselves in the same situation, facing a misguided driver. One suspects, not many. The fact that she reacted to it the way she did does not mean that she was sensitive. You don't come from a minority community so you don't have the right to tell them what to think or how to react in such a situation. Perhaps, you have not heard of majority privilege.

It must be trying. It must be tiring. Atikah seemed tired of the cumulative microagressions that she has had to endure, regardless of whether these microagressions were delivered with a smile, a hearty laugh, and a pat on her back.

We need to reflect.

Our country will be better for it.

Malaysia is dragging its feet on another cross-border project - the Rapid Transit System (RTS). The RTS line was supposed to link Bukit Chagar in Johor Baru to Woodlands North in Singapore.

Malaysia has asked for a six-month extension to the deadline and to review the parameters of the project.

Like the High Speed Rail project, this RTS development was meant to enhance connectivity between the two countries to develop the economic and social relationships further. Both projects are now up in the air. 

What's the Malaysian government's objective in deferring these projects? Yes, there is a lot of money involved but such infrastructure is absolutely necessary for the future. Businesses and people can be better connected, opening up markets, and communities to more opportunities to interact.

Instead, the Malaysian government (or maybe just PM Mahathir) keeps focusing on other issues like water, maritime territorial boundaries, and airspace.

Then there is also the grand idea of building crooked bridges to link the two countries.

When will Mahathir move on?

The Singapore government cannot just sit by and wait for Malaysia/Mahathir to decide what they want to do in order to get the most political mileage from their actions. We must show that we mean businesses. If contracts and agreements are sacred, then Malaysia needs to know that it must abide by the agreements. If they don't abide to the agreements, then they must be penalised for it.

We have been bending over backwards to play the good, accommodating neighbour. We should not do so at the expense of our developments and plans for growth.

Minister K Shanmugam made a video on 2nd April 2019 clarifying the new fake news bill as well as whether the Government is the final 'arbiter of truth'. In his 2 minutes 8 seconds long video, he explains that the bill only covers false statements of fact. It does not cover opinions. In his words, 'if you say government is incompetent, if you say government doesn't know what it's doing, it's elitist, cost of living is too high, free speech is not allowed, human rights curtailed, or if you say protests are not allowed' are opinions and are not covered by the bill. 

He also claims that the Government is not the final arbiter of truth. The courts are the ultimate arbiters of truth.

He explains that the Government will come in and ask for corrections if it is a matter of public interest and if it is false. However, if the person who puts it up insist on it being true, they can bring it up in court and let the ultimate arbiters of truth (the courts) decide.

Now, does he think that we will simply believe his words? Do you trust that they are not in control of the courts? Also he has merely given us two examples. We shall wait for the day when they decide to flip their egg prata and take down people.

Of course this are just my opinions. Not fake news hor! OPINIONS.

The Trade and Industry Minister, Chan Chun Sing, announced a slew of developments that are in theory, set to be a boon for the tourism sector in Singapore. The whole project that will cost about $9 billion dollars, will lead to the expansion of the two integrated resorts, MBS, and Resorts World Sentosa (RWS). According the a joint-statements by the Ministries of Finance, Home Affairs, and Social and Family Development, these projects will eventually lead to the creation of some 5,000 jobs in Singapore.

The establishments of the two IRs were debated in Singapore, including in the Parliament, before they were eventually given the approvals. These debates were primarily centred on the potential social and religious impacts that they may have, in comparison to the economic and financial benefits that they may bring.

These debates are still relevant now. 

Gambling addiction is a real social ill that not only affects the gambler, but also the family and their networks that are close to them. Lives and families are destroyed and broken apart because of the stresses from the financial pressure that they face.

Is it worth it?

Will the safeguards be sufficient protection against the degradation of the family? There are already alternatives to gambling in Singapore. Some prefer to go to gamble on cruise ships. Others go to casinos in neighbouring countries. This should not stop the relevant authorities from putting in place better and safer safeguards.

Economics cannot be prioritised at the expense of our social compact.

The eyes of the world are on Brunei due to its plans to implement strict punishments based on the sharia law. When implemented, Brunei will be the first country in Southeast Asia to do so at a national level, ahead of more populous, Muslim-dominated neighbours like Malaysia and Indonesia.

Among a slew of new measures, gay sex will be punishable by stoning. Understandably, this development has captured global attention. The United Nations have criticised the move, while celebrities like Elton John and George Clooney have called for the boycott of hotels owned by the country.

Earlier today, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah also declared his wish to see a strengthening of Islamic teachings in the country.

Historically, Brunei has been a moderate country that has stayed largely neutral in regional and global affairs. It has been a close partner of Singapore. This begs the question of the impetus for this drastic change in how the country is governed.

A country like Indonesia, the largest Muslim country in the world in terms of population size, has preserved the secular space while allowing for the different religions to flourish. It is not perfect. It is inclusive nonetheless.

What will happen to the LGBT community in Brunei? One does not deserve to be persecuted because of one's gender preferences.

Singapore cannot stand silent on this matter. As part of the Asean community, the Singapore government must call out Brunei for what it is doing, and ensure that there no particular community is being discriminated.

The writer, Faith, believes in the good in people.