We, just like America, are a country of immigrants, but unlike the Americans where their national identity is freedom, ours is the Singaporean national identity of Singlish, of our way of life, of our concerns, and our racial harmony. These are the things I feel make us Singaporean. (also a national identity that we used to take pride in is our efficiency and up-righteousness)
However, in recent times, this national identity is being threatened by many policies our Government has made.
The South Koreans, the Japanese and the Han Chinese are known for their sense of national pride, leading to many cultural habits that the world looks up to (namely the Japanese resilience in disaster, how they have a deep love for their country and identity and how they are gracious due to their loyalty to the nation).
Singapore, on the other hand, does not have a deep cultural or ethnic root, as mentioned, we are a land of immigrants (the colonial-era immigrants of Malays, Chinese, Indians and Eurasians). So how can we establish a deep sense of national identity and pride? We will have to unite the colonial-era Singaporeans as a single race but with different cultural backgrounds that will be cherished and preserved.
Like for example, instead of our IC showing "Nationality:Singaporean, Race: Javanese" we can have it Nationality: Singaporean, Race: Singaporean (Javanese). This will be so that in the future, we can identify our own people.
The government of the future, be it the PAP or other parties, will recognise the Singaporean race as the rightful people in this land and provide the Singaporean race with benefits like free education. In order not to take this nationalism to the extreme (or we might end up like Nazi Germany), we will accept the new immigrants into our society but not as the rightful owner of the land, we will embrace them for the sake of the economy but socially and culturally, we should be prioritised over them.
Currently, the PAP has its mission "To build a fair and just society where the benefits of progress are spread widely to all." and hence, it will not be possible for Singapore to embrace Nationalism. For us to one day embrace nationalism, we will need the PAP to take some serious reforms or another party that is strong enough to lead Singapore and embraces this ideology to take over.
Why is Nationalism important? Singapore has many policies and rules, like National Service or enforcing students to sing the anthem and pledge, which cannot continue to exist in a society where such nationalistic policies and rules are contradicted by the government doings...
As a Singaporean I feel that I am at a disadvantage having to do all these for my country without the leaders of the country acknowledging my effort.
THW
TRS Contributor