Letters | George Floyd protests: unfair to look at Singapore through an American lens

Singapore police enjoy high trust, and the country has laws to guard against racism and to ensure minority representation in parliament

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People walk through the Merlion Park in Singapore on June 11. The country has laws that empower the state to act against anyone who causes feelings of enmity between different religious groups. Photo: EPA-EFE

Published: 7:00am, 19 Jun 2020Updated: 7:00am, 19 Jun 2020

Your article linked the death of George Floyd in the United States to racial relations in Singapore (“George Floyd killing stirs Asian feelings on region’s own racial strife, from police custody deaths in Malaysia to Chinese privilege in Singapore”, June 2).

We object strongly. Mr Floyd died while being arrested. The police officers involved are being criminally charged with murder and manslaughter. This was not the first instance of police racism in the United States. Trust in the police force in many parts of the US is fractured.

In contrast, regular surveys show that the Singapore police force enjoys high trust, and a reputation for racial impartiality, from upwards of 90 per cent of Singaporeans of every race.

Race and religion are ever-present realities in human societies, particularly multiracial ones. But that does not mean that all societies are equally bedevilled by racism and religious bigotry.

Singapore was born on the founding principle of equality. We have gone to extraordinary lengths to build a meritocratic system that gives everyone a fair chance to succeed, no matter their race or religion.

Our parliament is guaranteed a minimum number of legislators from racial minorities. We ensure every racial group gets a chance to occupy the role of head of state. We have laws that empower the state to act against anyone who causes feelings of enmity between different religious groups.