Singapore – The End of Terrorism and Fundamentalism



Singapore is a small country of South East Asia. Its population consists of 5 million people. But it is the business and economical centre of the area. This country rises as an independent state in 1965 when its partnership comes to an end with Malaysia. Then only in 1/4th of the century period, it progressed from third world category to first world category. The behind the scenes factors of Singapore’s fastest progress and getting rid of terrorism are lessons for many of us. Let’s find out the reasons of Singapore’s success. I will also put light in this article that how in the least 46 years Singapore solved its internal, safety, security, political and economical problems.

The Singapore was facing tremendous difficulties when in 1965 it appeared as an independent state. Some of its problems were the disputes with Malaysia, its weak defense system, riots between Chinese and Malaya groups, lack of mineral and natural resources, dependence on Malaysia for its survival etc. But the first Prime Minister (Lee Kwon Yu from 1965 – 1990) of Singapore faced all these challenges and risks with his strong and foresighted leadership. Therefore, it would not be wrong saying that since 1965 the preferences of Singapore leadership have been public welfare, internal peace and economical progress.
 
Singapore, which was the weaker country in 1965 and was the victim of racial and religious anarchy, how dealt with fundamentalism? How Singapore developed multi culture and what is the reason that this country is an emblem of religious tolerance. The most important factor is foresightedness of the leadership.

When we examine the challenge of fundamentalism in Singapore, four cardinal factors come to light. Firstly, the state policy of Singapore does not provide an opportunity to fundamentalist groups, to create anarchy, crisis or fundamentalism in the society.

In order to develop religious tolerance, the law enforcement organizations and intelligence agencies have adopted a policy to isolate the fundamentalists’ groups from the society. Under this policy the Singapore government has tried that the Islamic Fundamental elements could not mix up with the Muslim population.

Secondly, the Singapore government has developed an educational system which helps in developing tolerance and brotherhood.

Thirdly, discouraged the racial and religious contradictions and encouraged the economical and business activities. Besides, their government tried its level best to provide the basic needs to the public. Government of Singapore eradicated disappointment from the society by giving priority to talent, merit and honesty.

Besides, the government used the soft power to eradicate the fundamentalism, but where it was necessary to use the hard power, didn’t hesitate in doing so.

Fourthly, the Singapore government didn’t make decisions in the scenario of majority or minority, due to which racial or religious groups couldn’t grow. The fact is that when Singapore got freedom, the Chinese majority groups proposed to make Chinese the only accepted language of the country but the Prime Minister Lee Kwon Yu didn’t agree to it because this thing was against their country’s multi-nations policy.



Therefore, there are four national languages which are English, Chinese, Malaya and Tamil. The Internal affairs department played vital role in facing the challenge of fundamentalism. This organization not only deals with the internal security issues but also supervise the activities of groups who create racial or religious anarchy.

After 11th September, 2001, the internal affairs organization of Singapore tried its level best to stop the activities of Muslim Fundamentalist group “Jamat-ul-Salamia”. In 2002, few of the people of this group who were making plans of terrorism, were arrested. During investigation it reveals that this group has strong relations with Al-Qaida. If the risk of terrorism was not dealt properly in Singapore, their circumstances would be different from now.

There government is taking actions like implementing great educational system, guidance to competent people, providence of uniform style of living and the enforcement of law so as to curb the religious and racial fundamentalism with wisdom.

The important point is the presence of good and sincere leadership. The Singapore government priority is the welfare of the public. Fundamentalism, whether, racial or religious prevails when there is social or economical contradictions and leadership fails to curb it. The Singapore government tried prevailing tolerance and brotherhood on the level of community.

According to the census of 2010, the population of Singapore was 5.8 millions, where Chinese were 75%, Malaya 13% and Indians were 9.2 %. The Muslims population is 15%. When Lee Kwon Yu becomes the Prime Minister of Singapore in 1965, its yearly income was 400 USD per person but when he left his rank in 1990, this income was reached to 22 thousands USD yearly.

Now-a-days this income has been reached to 36 thousands USD yearly. The foreign exchange deposits of Singapore are 400 Millions USD and its rate of yearly economical progress is more than 10%. The rate of education is 100% in Singapore.

In Singapore, there is no corruption because of the most severe law enforcement in this regard. It is also a fact that when in 1965, the Singapore elevated as an independent state, there were issues of anarchy. Even people were facing the problems of basic requirements of life.

Today Singapore is on the third position in the world in regard to level of human progress. The amazing progress of Singapore has been discussed in the book “World before Third World – the story of Singapore 1965-2000” written by Lee Kwon Yu. In this book he states, “We were facing many problems for our survival. Singapore was just like a body without heart.”

Singapore adopted the on-going policy against fundamentalism. The Singaporean government is very much sensitive against the fundamentalism and terrorism. Therefore, they established the world top organization there. The purpose of this organization is to research on aggravation and terrorism. This organization was established in “Nanyang Technological University” in 2007 where experts from all over the world are working against fundamentalism, terrorism and political aggravation.


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