In Singapore, how Malay is Malay?
The Lion City’s constitution mandates an ethnic leader at least once every 30 years, but the top contenders in an upcoming election all have less than ideal genealogies for the post
The September election for the ceremonial role had already proven to be a political lightning rod, with public opinion split over constitutional amendments last November that disqualify other ethnic groups, including the majority Chinese, from running this time round.
The ruling People’s Action Party (PAP), which said it pushed through the changes to broaden minority political representation, was forced to repel criticism that the new rules were against the city state’s vaunted meritocratic ethos.
The changes courted further controversy as the PAP was accused of tabling them to block the candidacy of Tan Cheng Bock, an ethnic Chinese ex-MP turned critic who lost to President Tony Tan Keng Yam by a razor thin margin in 2011. PAP leaders led by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong vigorously dismissed those claims.
Now, weeks ahead of the election, Lee and his government are facing a fresh headache from a squabble within the Malay community on whether those who have stepped up to run in the polls are of Melayu Asli (Original Malay) stock.
Observers say the debate could hurt harmony within the Malay community, which makes up 13.4 per cent of the Lion City’s resident population of 3.93 million people.