新加坡马来人曾想与马来西亚或印度尼西亚联合吗？原因是什么？这个问题不像问新加坡华人是否想成为中国大陆的一部分。
The question is not akin to the same as asking a Chinese Singapore if he/she wants to be part of mainland China.
There is not just geographical distance between the 2 countries, there is also an entirety of both different histories, different political systems, culture, norms and social freedoms at stake here.
No matter how economically liberal China is now, it is still a very one-directional, top-down approach, strictly conservative country. The rich in China are finding ways to have a safety net outside the country. The mobile middle-class are now realising that too and doing the same thing.
The Singapore Chinese are very different from the PRCs. For many Chinese in Singapore, there are just as many similarities as there are differences. And many don’t feel that greatly attached to having a China identity especially since it comes with many drawbacks as well. Many Singaporeans want to balance it with the western side. Despite what is said, they still want to eat McDonald’s and not some Chinese fast food chain…(is there?).
The Singapore Malays on the other hand are not just closely related in many ways but closely linked as well. The Malays in Singapore, though of Indonesian (Javanese mainly) background or Malaysian background share not just religious links but also cultural and historical links …. and not just being side by side geographically linked through a bridge or a 30 min boat ride.
It is more akin to asking if a French or Spanish person considers himself European. The answer is Yes.
Do Malays in Singapore consider themselves Malays and part of the Malay world? The answer is a resounding YES.
So do Malays in Singapore want to unite with Malaysia or Indonesia? The answer is spiritually, socially and personally Yes.
Does it mean they will geographically want Singapore (landmass) to unite with Malaysia or Indonesia ? Actually no. They know what is at stake and they know it would never happen.
Being a minority, it will not come to pass.
And those countries in which the majority are ethnically different from their ruling elite, those countries - usually strife are always brimming.
What I think Malaysia could do and this would totally throw a spanner at Singapore… and possibly its cultural, political and economic future -> is to offer citizenship to the Singapore Malays via ethnic descent.
Which basically means that as long as you identify yourself as Malay, you can apply and may be granted a Malaysian citizenship.
Known as jus sanguinis, it is practice in some countries like Cyprus, Portugal, Armenia, India, Philippines.
So why not Malaysia ?
Why not open the door to Singaporean Malays especially educated middle-income Malays who want to study, and work in areas in which they find it hard to enter.
Quite a few Singaporeans have found success and achievement in Malaysia including my brother.
My father wants to leave Singapore and live in KL.
In the end, the Singaporean Malays want and wish to maintain close ties with Malaysia. Why not have that extension and give them the right to citizenship … if they can make a positive contribution to the country and lift up its stature and economy?
Change both the futures of both countries …
I need to be frank. As a Minangkabau Indonesian, I'm afraid if an administrative reunion with Singapore and Malaysia happens, there might be claims that Minangkabaus are ethnically the Malays, which I'd never agree with.
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