Malays in Singapore

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The Malays in Singapore constitute 13.9% of the country's population.

Contents

[edit] Origin and identity

The Malays in Singapore are generally of mixed descent. The local Malays, originally of aboriginal Orang Laut and other coastal Malay groups, have intermarried with non-Malays. Intermarriages prior to the British colonial period are largely restricted to people of Malay stock, notably the Javanese, Boyanese, Minangkabau and Bugis, as well as some Chinese and Indian traders. Such intermarriages are being more widely practised during and after the British colonial times, and intermarriages are extended to Arab traders, and to a much lesser extent, Europeans and Thai. Of late, some Malays may take in Filipino spouses due in part to racial proximity.

Such intermarriages are made possible in two main ways: First, marrying a Malay individual, regardless of sex and age, requires the bride or groom to convert to Islam. Second, the Malays stress on religious to racial affiliation between individuals.

Modern Malay Singaporeans strongly identify with their Malay ancestry, and tend to abhor whatever other ancestry the individual himself may have. This is evidenced in their speech, customs, language, and self-identity, although Malays may incorporate elements of foreign culture into Malay culture, especially Arab and Indian. It is understood that nearly all Malays, in addition to English, learn the Riau variant of Malay as their mother tongue and some Arabic during their Islamic religious classes.

Malays generally reproduce at faster rates and get significantly lower salaries compared to other racial groups in Singapore, due in no small part to their lower education levels and ancient traditions.

[edit] Religion

Virtually all Malays in Singapore are Muslims, and strictly adhere to Islamic principles. Conversion from Islam is technically difficult through social and official aspects. In spite of restrictions, a small community of Christian Malays exist in Singapore.

In response, the government has strongly discouraged the publication of the Christian bible in Malay, and strongly discourages missionaries to attempt to convert the local Malay populace. Such missionaries are especially concentrated on more unorthodox Protestant sects, notably Charismatic and Baptist, who are noted for their zealous attempts to convert non-Christians.

Malay Muslim men would attend Friday prayers at the communal mosque every week and Malay Muslims observe Ramadan yearly, which is to fast during daytime on a daily basis, one month before Hari Raya Puasa.

[edit] Culture

The Malays in Singapore share a similar culture with those in Peninsula Malaysia, being much more deeply rooted in Islamic traditions as compared to other ethnic groups of Malayan stock from Indonesia and East Malaysia.

[edit] Status of Malays in Singapore

Malays in Singapore are generally of mixed descent, but are recognised as indigenous people of Singapore by the Singapore Constitution, Part XIII, General Provisions, Minorities and special position of Malays, section 152:

The Government shall exercise its functions in such manner as to recognise the special position of the Malays, who are the indigenous people of Singapore, and accordingly it shall be the responsibility of the Government to protect, safeguard, support, foster and promote their political, educational, religious, economic, social and cultural interests and the Malay language.

[edit] Malay Contributions to National Life

[edit] Politics

  • Encik Yusof Ishak - Singapore's first President
  • Mr Ahmad Ibrahim - an early PAP cabinet minister
  • Mr Othman Wok - former Minister for Social Affairs - credited with securing inter-racial unity and Malay support during PAP conflict with UMNO
  • Dr Ahmad Mattar - former Minister for the Environmnt - credited with cleaning up the Singapore River and other waterways
  • Mr Abdullah Tarmugi - former Minister for Community Development
  • Prof Yaacob Ibrahim - Minister for Environment and Water Resources - credited with developing alternative water sources for Singapore and reducing dependance on Malaysian water

[edit] Arts & Media

  • P Ramlee - Malay film legend
  • Zubir Said - musician and composer of the Singapore National Anthem 'Majulah Singapura'
  • Iskandar Jalil - world reknowned pottery artist
  • Zuraidah Ibrahim - Political editor for the Straits Times
  • Alfian Sa'at - acclaimed poet and playwright in English and Malay
  • Nora Samosir - English language theatre and TV actress
  • Norleena Salim - popular TV actress
  • Najip Ali - musician and TV personality
  • Taufik Batisah - first winner of Singapore Idol competition
  • Hady Mizra - second winner of Singapore Idol

[edit] Sports

  • Fandi Ahmad - Singapore's most successful soccer player
  • Nazri Nasir - former captian of Singapore national soccer team

[edit] Academia

  • Lily Zubaidah Rahim - scholar of the Malay community in Singapore
  • Hussein Mutalib - NUS political science lecturer

[edit] References

[edit] External links

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