Social Cohesion Research

Nur Afiqah Murad
S10146222
T35

Question 3

According to Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean, “Singapore must remain alert to forces that could take root and disrupt social cohesion.”
Building and sustaining trust between communities in Singapore is crucial. Using an example(s) from another country, discuss just how important social cohesion is to Singapore.

1. Research on social cohesion and communal harmony and analyze the effects it has on a country’s peace and stability.

Communal meaning to belong or relate to community as a whole, different groups within a society or religious community. Harmony is the state of peace and in agreement. So communal harmony means that community of different groups, society and religion are living together

Which ensures the peace and stability in Singapore.

2. Discuss an example of another country that has faced issues of social cohesion.

Another country that is facing issues of social cohesion is Thailand. In the south of Thailand they have faced issue on social cohesion for about 10 years which has claimed 6,500 lives.

This happen during the last day of Ramadhan, which is the holy month for Muslim. There was violent clashes between the insurgent and security forces took place in Ruso the district of Narathiwat province. The conflict was mainly about the cultural identity of the ethnic Malay Muslim community that has ferociously resisted to join the Thai society. As they wanted to fight for an independent Islamic state.

In Thailand Malay Muslim community is known to be the poorest community. Their well thought out complaints or suggestions was not being addressed which has resulted to a mess in the south of Thailand. Patrolling police men were shot and well-equipped men ambushed police stations and outposts. There were also slashing to death of Buddhist monks, bombing temples, intimidating the pork vendors, as well as attacking schools, killing teachers and burning their

This lead to foster common identity and inculcate loyalty and national identity.

From the figures above shows the national anthem and the pledge. The meaning of them encourage us to be united as one despite our differences.

Main point for Safeguarding the interest of the minority groups is the minority representation. This ensures that minority has a say in the government and they are represented in the parliament such as the Presidential Council of Minority Right (PCMR) and the Group Representation Constituency (GRC). This is so that there are unbiased say from the majority and that the minority still has a voice to contribute to for the government.
Lastly Developing a Common Space where the main is seen in schools. Where there are CCAs for the students to participate in. This give them opportunity to interact with others with different ethnic groups which leads to form to strong friendship or bond.

From my perspective, Singapore is a peaceful and safe country because of all this efforts to building social cohesion and communal harmony. If we did not go through with the policies that are currently enforce we might still be at war in our own country with each