Recalibrating racial minority policy in Singapore

There is no denying that racial harmony is imperative for multi-racial Singapore. This study suggests that the young nation has achieved a forced sense of racial tolerance through laws that restrict freedom of expression, but this lack of public discourse in turn impedes racial harmony. In an attempt to find out the causal relationship between racial harmony and public discourse in Singapore, as well as gain greater insight into their views on race and racism, Singaporean young adults were engaged in a mixed-methodology experiment and interview. The findings proved that public discourse must be encouraged for intolerance to be publicly refuted and for Singaporeans to be engaged in open discussions. Moving forward, theoretical and practical recommendations were proposed, including that of amendments to the Sedition Act and Public Order Act. It is hopeful that this increase in freedom of expression will help Singapore achieve and maintain racial harmony.Bachelor of Art