“Paul Tambyah Suggests Key Amendments to the Maintenance of Racial Harmony Bill “

SINGAPORE: Dr. Paul Tambyah, chairman of the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP), has proposed several amendments to Singapore’s new Maintenance of Racial Harmony Bill, inviting the public to participate in the feedback process. In a video posted on May 9, Dr. Tambyah highlighted three primary suggestions aimed at strengthening racial harmony in Singapore.

First, he suggests allowing all children, regardless of mother tongue, to access any school in Singapore, especially those with specialized programs like the Gifted Education Program (GEP). This, he believes, would foster inclusivity and equal opportunity.

His second point addresses the Housing & Development Board’s Ethnic Integration Policy (EIP). Dr. Tambyah proposes a race-neutral approach that caps the presence of any single ethnic group at a maximum threshold, such as 85%, in a neighborhood, aiming to prevent racial enclaves.

For his third suggestion, he recommends enhancing minority representation in top government roles. He suggested a rotation system to ensure diverse representation across key appointments, like the Chief of Defence Force and Chief Justice, as well as within clusters of ministries. This, he said, would ensure representation at senior levels in government similar to what is seen during election campaigns.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is currently seeking public input on the proposed Bill, with consultations open until June 11, 2024.