Question for Singapore Malays

last SG · 2004-09-15T13:08:53+00:00

Now i know why 2004 Mitsubishi LANCER 1.6 litre inside got no chip or any computer aid to drive the car.. Cause the computer system inside...all malfunction...

burntan SG

I read from other threads in this forum and find out that people talking about primary school fee.....it is not actually absolutely equal in Singapore right? Correct me if I am wrong.

Chin Eng SG

Originally posted by burntan:
I read from other threads in this forum and find out that people talking about primary school fee.....it is not actually [b]absolutely equal in Singapore right? Correct me if I am wrong.[/b]

As someone had stated in an earlier note, has got to do with some historical event. Could also be at one point, the Malays were seen to be financially needy, therefore the school fee is lower. Why is it not changed? Probably a sensitive issue. May also be a way to remember the fact that Malays are seen to be the original race of Singapura.
There will always be those living below the poverty line, not just Malays. Some Malay homes I've been to looked like palaces.

Chin Eng SG

Also consider the fact that Malay is the national language and our national anthem is in Malay.... one can see how much we value the Malay culture and historical linkages.
At the end of the day, it is meritocracy that works. We want something? We work for it the traditional way - we work for it. No handouts, no sympathy.

Qitai SG

Singapore Malay gets free education from primary school right up to university.

Other races in Singapore pay fees from secondary school onwards.

I do not know how you are going to read this. Care to comment?

Chin Eng SG

I am thinking that this ruling may be sensible sometime in the past, but right now, it doesn't really make sense.
However I do not think the gov will do anything about it. If anything is to be done, it will have to come out from the Malay MPs who can now decide that the Malay race is now good and capable to pay school fees.
Still with the current climate of increasing suspicion on Islamic radicals, it is probable that the school fees issue will remain status quo.

Qitai SG

Hee hee, asking burntan, not you. Razz

TidalWave333 SG

Burntan

There are no NEP-style affirmative programmes which favour one race over another in Singapore.
The success of the Singaporean Malay over his counterparts in the region is evident, whether you look at it from education, occupation, wealth, integration with the rest of Singaporeans (of other races) etc. This was pointed out by Singapore a few years ago, and the published statistics caused a diplomatic fracas with Malaysia.
Perhaps it may strike you as uncommon if you have lived in Malaysia for a long time, but by and large, no one actually gives much thought to the other person's skin colour in our daily lives. We compete for the same jobs, attend the same schools, go to the same food courts.
In fact, I am meeting a group of friends later for dinner, one of whom is Malay Muslim. We intend to eat at the same table (gasp!) but we have not decided on which film to catch yet. Very Happy

Chin Eng SG

Very Happy oops okay...

burntan SG

I see it as racist and unfair to other race.

If Singapore govt wish to support the poor, they should support them base on income group, NOT race!

Chin Eng SG

Originally posted by burntan:

I see it as racist and unfair to other race.

If Singapore govt wish to support the poor, they should support them base on income group, [b]NOT race![/b]

Like I'd said previously, it was due to some historical occurence and the recognition and emphasis the country places on the founding race of this country.

When I was younger, I cannot comprehend why we sing the National Anthem in Malay. I never understood it at all. I still don't.
The gov does support the poor, each needy student has various avenues for him to go to for handouts. Plus each school has a recycle programme for poor students to reuse old books and good conditioned old uniform.

I get letters each year for my children from my constituency asking me if I needed help with their school fees. My children's scholastic results apparently qualified them for special assistance, assuming I needed them, which I don't.

The Malay school fees thing, is a very unique situation, not to be confused with helping the needy. I believe ALL Malays (rich or poor) have this privilege.

pikamaster SG

Originally posted by TidalWave333:
Pikamaster writes

Some issues are open for feedback. Issues like foreign policy and defence are [b]not. Were any other ethnic groups consulted for that matter? Besides, the SAF's involvement was not in direct combat.

Terrorist issues in the past few years have demonstrated that Singapore is more pragmatic than anything else. Sensitivity is essential of course, but sometimes, one is left with little choice in realpolitik.

I am not a supporter of the invasion and occupation by the way. But close military ties with the US, sensitivity towards two large Muslim neighbours, national interests make a tricky balance.

Were you hoping the govt would consult and gather feedback from the Malay community BEFORE arresting the 30+ JI members planning to attack here: videotaping Yishun MRT, and preparing maps, and even English voiceovers?

Did you think the Malaysian govt consulted its Malay citizens before they arrested JI members across the border for that matter!?

[/b]

TIdalwave,

There's no need to sound so emotional.

alright, call it youthful idealism if you wish, *yes*, I was hoping for that. THough, of course, I didn't expect that. I mean, our govt isn't very consultative on political issues, believing that such consultation slows down their prized efficiency.

nope, I don't think so. As Experts point out, M'sia is an even mroe authoritarian backwater than SIngapore; backwater in politics, not in economics. But then, as our government likes to say, we don't need to blindly copy other countries around us in any matter. besides, arresting JI Members is different from declaring war against a Muslim Country, just like detaining rebels is different from bankrupting opposition parties through defamation suits.

always gald to be in-conversation,
the Pikamaster

burntan SG

~~-deleted~~-

Qitai SG

Originally posted by burntan:

I see it as racist and unfair to other race.

If Singapore govt wish to support the poor, they should support them base on income group, [b]NOT race![/b]

But this is no different from Malaysia, where the Malays in Malaysia gets preferred treatment as well.

burntan SG

Malaysia govt provide free education from primary to secondary for all races. In University, all races pay the same fee.

BTW, I don't mean that Malaysia is better than Singapore, I just answer your question.

Malaysia give special concessions to Malay thru NEP.

TidalWave333 SG

pikamaster writes

There's no need to sound so emotional.
alright, call it youthful idealism if you wish, *yes*, I was hoping for that. THough, of course, I didn't expect that. I mean, our govt isn't very consultative on political issues, believing that such consultation slows down their prized efficiency.

Actually, it never occurred to me my remarks sounded emotional. I am not prone to making emotive sentences; in fact I prize reason, intellect and calm above all in public forums. It makes easier and more interesting reading, compared to the flaming, rambling and ill-informed responses one finds in such a medium.

I disagree that Malaysia is authoritarian or a politcal backwater. It's too drastic a generalisation for me, although I will not explain my opinion on this subject here.

Of course the arrest of JI members, and the war in Iraq are different issues ultimately. But as I pointed out earlier, matters of defence, foreign policy and security are really incompatible with public feedback sessions. Both issues (JI and Iraq) belong to one (or all) of the categories. No country conducts a national referendum or consultation session before deciding to take military action. That would eliminate the element of surprise, so crucial in military strategy besides being politically and socially untenable.

fymk SG

Farhanisha has put his/her view down as a singaporean muslim malay . So people, let’s let burntan surmise his views towards it instead of trying to justify this and that.

Chin Eng SG

Shocked actually I agree with you, TW.... there weren' t that much emotion in your note, just some relatively objective comments... hmmm????

BaByBoY SG

I must say this is very well written.
I must emphasize how important not given `special consessions` is to be treated `fairly` rather than to be treated `poorly`

paperchicken SG

If all things are equal the rich and poor will pay the same amount of tax. Rolling Eyes

burntan SG

But to be rich or poor is up to an individual......you can't change your race, you are born to be...

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