Heightened communal sensitivities at the time of Singapore’s independence in 1965 underpinned the need to assure minority groups of the official commitment to the equal treatment of all Singaporeans regardless of race, language or religion.[1] To this end, a Constitutional Commission comprising 11 members and headed by then Chief Justice Wee Chong Jin was appointed in December 1965 to propose ways for the rights and interests of racial, linguistic and religious minorities to be safeguarded in the Constitution.[2] Public hearings were held at which the commission received and considered representations on the matter.[3]
Issued in August 1966, the final report of the commission made several recommendations with regard to fundamental liberties and freedoms of the individual. These included the creation of a Council of State, the appointment of an Ombudsman, and changes in the appointment processes of the Public Services Commission and the Judiciary.[4] However, most of these recommendations were eventually rejected except the proposal for a non-elected, advisory Council of State that was tasked to scrutinise all impending legislation to ensure that these did not discriminate against any racial or religious community in Singapore.[5] Provisions for the creation of such a body were made under the 1969 constitutional amendments.[6] The body was set up as the Presidential Council in 1970 and was renamed the Presidential Council for Minority Rights in February 1973.[7]
References
1. Chew, E., & Lee, E. (Eds.). (1991). A history of Singapore (p. 159). Singapore: Oxford University Press. Call no.: RSING 959.57 HIS-[HIS].
2. Protection of minorities. (1965, December 23). The Straits Times, p. 16. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
3. Minority rights: A call for memos. (1966, January 14). The Straits Times, p. 6. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
4. Singapore. (1966). Report of the Constitutional Commission, 1966. Singapore: Printed by Government Printer. Call no.: RCLOS 342.5957 SIN.
5. Cheah, B. K., & Yeo, T. J. (1966, December 22). Yes: ‘Watchdog’ council No: Ombudsman. The Straits Times, p. 1. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
6. ‘Watchdog’ council a guard for the minority. (1969, June 13). The Straits Times, p. 8. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
7. President Council will deal only with minority. (1973, February 17). The Straits Times, p. 11. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
The information in this article is valid as at 2013 and correct as far as we are able to ascertain from our sources. It is not intended to be an exhaustive or complete history of the subject. Please contact the Library for further reading materials on the topic.