The AMLA Amendments - Association of Muslim Professionals

Issues / Community
Is Singapore Ready for a Non-Chinese PM
KARYAWAN
Singaporeans do the right thing and ignore the skin
colour of a future prime minister” The paper quoted
analysts giving contrasting views. The Straits Times
also focused on the issue, publishing in its forum
pages over a few days letters from its readers.
Interestingly, the dominant voices in this debate were
from the majority community – Chinese Singaporeans
– with a sprinkling of views from Indian Singaporeans.
Unmistakably, the excitement over the Obama effect
was unprecedented, even surprising. It was not usual
for Chinese Singaporeans to express their readiness to
accept a non-Chinese PM, though I suspect, there are
many more who would think otherwise.
Yet, surprisingly too – or perhaps not – the Malay voice
was noticeably absent. The silence was deafening. Why,
I asked myself.
The PM would also be the most appropriate person to
provide some insights. It has been two decades since he
last made a statement of profound significance to the
Malay/Muslim community. His remark in the 1980s about
Malays in the armed forces became a defining issue for
some time. It brought to the surface a long-standing
undercurrent of unease over restrictive policies towards
the community. Surely the Singapore of 20 years ago
cannot be the same as the Singapore of today.
What Does the PM Think
Now that he is Prime Minister, what does he think about
the Malay/Muslim community Would restrictions be in
the way of a Malay/Muslim becoming prime minister,
should somebody with such calibre emerge one day
The opportunity to raise these issues directly with
PM Lee Hsien Loong presented itself on 7 November
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Over time, the Malay/Muslim community too will have produced leaders who
could rise to be prime minister – and Singaporean society would have gelled well
enough to be accepting of one. Come such a time, the community will want to feel
assured that there will be no glass ceiling above its Obama-like leader.
Is not the possibility of a minority PM an issue that
concerned the Malays in Singapore Do they not care
about it Do they not feel part of the mainstream
enough that it matters little to them Or do they
regard such an idea as preposterous as it is unrealistic
Most importantly, what does the PM himself have to
say Does he think it possible to have a minority PM
in Singapore
For me, the “Obama question” in Singapore was
fundamental to nation-building. It was an issue that had
its own moment and timing. Rarely do Singaporeans
get to ask about who they can or cannot have, or
should or should not have, as their leader. Surely, the
PM must have a view on this. And surely, in this age of
openness, somebody must be able to ask the Prime
Minister what he thinks, in view of the unprecedented
interest in Singapore.
2008 – within days of Obama being elected as the
next president of the US. There was a dialogue with
him organised by Mesra, the grassroots movement
linked to the People’s Association. I was there as one
of the guests, representing the Association of Muslim
Professionals (AMP).
In his opening remarks, PM Lee sketched the backdrop
with an assessment of the challenges facing Singapore,
amid the unfolding global economic uncertainty. The
audience responded eagerly to his presence, with the
first few questions being, understandably, grassrootsoriented.
After all, this was their dialogue with the PM.
Nonetheless, after four or five such questions, I was
beginning to feel uneasy that the opportunity to engage
the PM on more fundamental issues, including the Obama
question, might slip by. So at the opportune time, I put my