This sort of patronising smugness stops us from being more reflective and self-aware of systemic racism in Singapore. The very act of patting ourselves on the back for a job well done shows just how blinded by majority privilege Chinese Singaporeans can be.
“When necessary, the community has made important compromises to protect Singapore’s values of multiculturalism and multiracialism,” said Mr Ong in Mandarin, as the House entered Day Two of the debate on proposed changes to the elected presidency.
One example of the community compromising was when it agreed to have English as the state’s working language, he added.
This is why he believes the community will understand the need to safeguard minority representation in the president’s office.
“All races need to have the chance of being elected president. This is the only way that our president can be a symbol of multiracial Singapore,” he said.
Source: Kirsten Han and www.straitstimes.com
