THE NECESSITY OF THE ETHNIC INTEGRATION POLICY TODAY

Abstract

Ensuring the racial harmony in Singapore has always been very important. Therefore, when it was noticed that there were new enclaves forming along racial lines in HDB housing estates, the Ethnic Integration Policy was implemented on 1 March 1989. The policy imposes a quota on residents staying in HDB flats to ensure a good mix of the different ethnic groups. The policy was formulated to prevent the further overconcentration of certain ethnic groups in particular estates and to encourage ethnic integration among Singaporeans. However, the policy may not be effective and it has some implications as well. The study found that racial harmony in Singapore was very healthy even before the introduction of the Ethnic Integration Policy. The main implication is that it causes financial hardship to minority races because the restrictions imposed by the policy cause the depreciation of their HDB flats' prices. The policy is also discriminatory against the minority races in Singapore and it is only a physical tool that at best controls the size of ethnic enclaves in housing estates. A survey with the Malay residents in Marine Parade estate showed that they are receptive to communal living in Singapore. It was also found that they did not intentionally seek to form racial enclaves, but their choices for housing locations were legitimate ones like staying close to work place and affordability of the flats. In addition, although advancements in communications cannot totally replace the need for physical proximity, most residents feel that there is less need to stay close to relatives and friends because of the conveniences of telecommunications. The author then suggests that the Ethnic Integration Policy be reviewed and substituted by the alternatives provided. If not, a variation to the Ethnic Integration Policy should be considered. The suggestions provided might be better ways to improve ethnic integration than a housing policy because race considerations should not figure in housing policies.