immigration

A personal wish for my country
by
Dr Teck Khong, MB ChB LLM

Among its many attributes, Malaysia is noted for its multiracial harmony. In 1969, race and religious riots threatened to destroy that country, but its leaders responded with a reaffirmation of secular government as the means of achieving nationhood, with benefits in peace and prosperity.

As a result, Malaysia transformed into an economic powerhouse. Britain can learn from the Malaysian experience.

In Britain today, there is social unease with a rising tide of immigration and religious extremism, while at the same time the monitor of social change – freedom of speech, a highly-prized and democratic heritage – has fallen victim to political correctness.

Practical considerations of immigration, such as housing, employment, healthcare and education, are nowhere as challenging as the sociological aspects of integration, which is complex and emotive. The majority of immigrants come from politically dysfunctional countries, where social disorder is rife and where nationalism has been replaced by factionalism. Britain, by contrast, is attractive with its stable environment, social provisions and opportunities for economic improvement. Many appear to exploit or even abuse these social qualities which have been cultivated over time by generations. Unlike settlers who came from the British Commonwealth, few who arrive here today have feelings of affection for Britain. Their quest for citizenship is based on expedience. Newcomers are increasingly viewed as competitors for our territory and assailants on the mainstream way of life. There is resentment of any charitable treatment, even for genuine refugees. This is probably due to a failure of policy for integrating immigrants. Any assistance has been informal and focused on the maintenance of immigrant cultures and religions. There are now fears that this multicultural approach will engender social disintegration and ultimately damage the cultural heritage, political institutions and the legal system of Britain.

Extremes of immigration control are unreasonable, and the natural preference is to admit those with specific skills that are in demand in a mature economy. Excessive influx of immigrants will ultimately destabilise the social order, especially if admission is unstructured. Indeed, any immigrant community that demonstrates its loyalty in a religion that is hostile to the host culture risks becoming a breeding ground for fundamentalism, the antithesis of peaceful co-existence. Central to achieving durable racial harmony is the acceptance of non-white races by an essentially white and subliminally Christian country. Assurances therefore are needed on both sides to bridge the existing, and widening, divide. A pre-requisite of citizenship is the embrace of responsibilities of nationhood and the rejection of racist bigotry. Measures must be introduced to discourage isolation from the established society and newcomers must acknowledge the privatisation of religion and the secular rule of law. An inclusive socio-political agenda is crucial for the future success of Britain. The re-introduction of a national service, modernised and community based, might just provide that catalyst for national solidarity we now appear to lack.