Is it possible to have a mature discussion on racial bias in the
SAF? I sure hope so....
There are NO Malays in Armour. There are Indians and Chinese and
ahem... "others" 
I was
surprised that some Armour camps didnt even serve Muslim food at
the cookhouse. Now if anything, THAT should be a big indicator that
there is simply no need to cater for Muslims' (no matter the race)
dietary prejudices, because if you're a DECLARED Chinese-Muslim or
Indian-Muslim, you will NOT get sent to Armour. Or Military
Intelligence. Or etc...
We really should not brush this issue under some rug. Most people
are aware of the need for security, especially with respect to the
largely Muslim population of the neighbouring countries. The
possibility of the Muslims within the SAF turning into some sort of
fifth column in the event of a conflict is one that most people, no
matter the race, would scoff at. However, the racial restrictions
still remain, and people should be aware of them. If you are a
Muslim in the SAF, you will NOT be treated the same as
others.
Is this really so bad though? Many countries practice negative
discrimination based on security reasons, for entry into some
branches of the security services. On the other hand, there is also
the phenomenon of positive discrimination, so you see, for example,
women getting favourable treatment and lower standards. Such things
happen in many countries, not just Singapore.
One thing that many Muslims dont like to acknowledge is that Islam
preaches a universality of brotherhood, so in theory, a Muslim in
one country should not take up arms against another. In practice,
the fairly recent phenomenon of nationalism has succeeded pretty
well in making such a value one of theory alone. Of course, the
more ancient ideology of tribalism did not prevent Muslims (and
other adherents of universal type religions/ ideologies) from
merrily hacking each other to death. But is this a risk national
leaders would be willing to accept? That there would be those among
their own armed forces that would be swayed more by religion than
by nationalism? After all the Abrahamic religions, and many others
besides, claim to supercede all other callings including
nationalism.
Sorry for the hijack... but I just dont like it when some people
act as if racial bias in the SAF either does not exist or should
not be discussed.
