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May 3, 2010
Isn't GRC system affirmative action?
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I REFER to last Thursday's report, 'Foreign Ministry responds to UN expert's comments'. On the sensitive issue of race, Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted that United Nations Special Rapporteur Githu Muigai appears to advocate some form of 'affirmative action' to help the Malays progress in the area of education.
This approach, according to the ministry, 'has been tried by many countries without notable success'.
Even the president of the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis) told Mr Muigai that the Malays in Singapore do not need any affirmative action policy because 'the Malay community had a deep sense of pride in its own ability to achieve steady progress under the national system of meritocracy'.
If affirmative action is frowned on by minorities themselves, why does the Government insist on keeping the group representation constituency (GRC) system in the political landscape? The GRC system, as propagated by the Government, ensures minority representation. Thus it is an affirmative action policy.
Does it make sense that the minorities in Singapore need affirmative action only to protect their political rights and everything else can be based on meritocracy?
The minorities have spoken. They have the ability to achieve progress under the national system of meritocracy. The Government should recognise that and abolish the GRC system.
We are no longer living in the past. The tumultuous period of our early years can only serve as a lesson for all ethnic groups to maintain racial harmony at all costs. The past should not impede the desire of our multiracial populace to achieve the goal of becoming one nation, one people.
The GRC system, as an affirmative action policy, can take our nation only one step forward in theory and three steps backward in nation-building.
Png Eng Huat
http://www.wp.sg/hgcc/profiles/pngeh.htm
Png Eng Huat
Born: 1961
Eng Huat is a manager of both his own business and partnership businesses.
He graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Science in Radio-TV-Film and his work experience encompasses public service TV production, multimedia designing & programming, data broadcasting, and business development.
Eng Huat believes political diversity is one of the key building blocks of any vibrant first world country and Singapore is no exception. He hopes to contribute his part in growing the WP and in building a diverse, mature, and vibrant political landscape in Singapore.
His hobbies include art, music, social work and family time.
Isn't GRC system affirmative action?
<!-- by line --><!-- end by line -->
<!-- end left side bar --><!-- story content : start -->
I REFER to last Thursday's report, 'Foreign Ministry responds to UN expert's comments'. On the sensitive issue of race, Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted that United Nations Special Rapporteur Githu Muigai appears to advocate some form of 'affirmative action' to help the Malays progress in the area of education.
This approach, according to the ministry, 'has been tried by many countries without notable success'.
Even the president of the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis) told Mr Muigai that the Malays in Singapore do not need any affirmative action policy because 'the Malay community had a deep sense of pride in its own ability to achieve steady progress under the national system of meritocracy'.
If affirmative action is frowned on by minorities themselves, why does the Government insist on keeping the group representation constituency (GRC) system in the political landscape? The GRC system, as propagated by the Government, ensures minority representation. Thus it is an affirmative action policy.
Does it make sense that the minorities in Singapore need affirmative action only to protect their political rights and everything else can be based on meritocracy?
The minorities have spoken. They have the ability to achieve progress under the national system of meritocracy. The Government should recognise that and abolish the GRC system.
We are no longer living in the past. The tumultuous period of our early years can only serve as a lesson for all ethnic groups to maintain racial harmony at all costs. The past should not impede the desire of our multiracial populace to achieve the goal of becoming one nation, one people.
The GRC system, as an affirmative action policy, can take our nation only one step forward in theory and three steps backward in nation-building.
Png Eng Huat
http://www.wp.sg/hgcc/profiles/pngeh.htm
Png Eng Huat
Born: 1961
Eng Huat is a manager of both his own business and partnership businesses.
He graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Science in Radio-TV-Film and his work experience encompasses public service TV production, multimedia designing & programming, data broadcasting, and business development.
Eng Huat believes political diversity is one of the key building blocks of any vibrant first world country and Singapore is no exception. He hopes to contribute his part in growing the WP and in building a diverse, mature, and vibrant political landscape in Singapore.
His hobbies include art, music, social work and family time.
