SINGAPORE: Changing mindsets, breaking down cliques, and reducing negative tension seen in the media between locals and new immigrants were some challenges raised by the People's Association Integration Council at its first work-plan session on Saturday.
The Council was formed in July, to give greater focus and strategic direction in integrating Singapore's new immigrants.
Having a buddy
system for neighbours comprising new immigrants and local Singaporeans
was among suggestions raised by the Integration Council to reduce
cliques in the community.
Associate Professor Fatimah Lateef,
advisor, People's Association Integration Council, said: "Humans, by
nature, actually want to clique together according to their
similarities. So you'll find sometimes the Chinese may clique together,
the Indians may clique together because it gives them comfort and
security. To break that clique, you have to make them comfortable."
Other
ideas include highlighting good examples of new immigrants and locals
in the media, recruiting new citizens as volunteers, and having heritage
activities.
Over the next six months, the Integration Council
will hold a series of meetings to discuss how to develop the suggestions
raised at this work plan seminar into more concrete plans.
Once
this is decided, the Council will recommend a series of action plans to
the Integration and Naturalisation Champions in all 87 constituencies.
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong had, in his National Day Rally speech, expressed concern over anti-foreigner sentiments.
The Council said tackling this is a two-way process.
David
Tay, chairman, People's Association Integration Council, said: "For
example, certain races speak quite loudly in their home. And when they
came here they didn't know it's a different society. We have got to
slowly integrate and get these norms over to them... I believe that can
be overcome and we can integrate them... We Singaporeans can be a bit
more gracious, show our kindness."
The Council feels this will go a long way in integrating new citizens to Singapore.
Separately,
on Law Minister K Shanmugam's recent Facebook post suggesting a legal
framework to deal with social nuisance, Associate Professor Fatimah said
where minor matters are concerned, it's best to deal with it on a
personal level.
"What I believe is that if we have these minor
ones, some very personal ones we can approach them personally, talk to
them, try to understand what is it they have as a bias," said Associate
Professor Fatimah.
"But to actually enact a law officially and
formally against social nuisances, it depends. I think because there is a
whole spectrum we have to deal with. I think we should think about this
carefully," she added.
- CNA/cc