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Some Singaporeans find racism still an issue: Survey
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Singaporeans celebrating National Day 2016. (The New Paper via The Straits Times/-)
S
ingaporeans strongly support multiracialism and meritocracy, with nearly all saying they respect people from all races and that all races should be treated equally, according to a survey.
But almost half of them recognize that racism can be a problem and are aware that there are a significant number who are at least mildly racist.
About 70 percent of respondents found that outright discrimination such as not hiring someone because of their race or religion, or insulting others because of race, was never acceptable. They also viewed such acts as racist.
The survey also found Singaporeans are comfortable interacting with people from another race but have a strong preference for a Prime Minister or President from their own race.
This preference for one's own is seen in personal relationships as well: Singaporeans would rather their family members marry someone of the same race.
They also feel more at ease sharing their personal problems with a friend from the same race.
These differing attitudes of Singaporeans towards other ethnic groups, depending on activity and setting, were among the findings of a Channel NewsAsia-Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) survey of 2,000 Singapore residents aged 21 and older.
Their racial composition and types of homes they live are reflective of the Singapore population, but an extra 500 Malays and Indians were polled so that their views were properly represented.
