Multiple Races Recognized in Singapore

Children in Singapore can now select multiple races on their identification cards (i.e. Chinese-Malay, Indian-Chinese, etc.)

In Singapore, this has received mixed reviews as those of mixed racial backgrounds can have their ethnic identities legally declared. However, the 'dominant' race must still be selected. Others have sited the fact that racial identity determines the amount of subsidies a family receives, and has potential to be abused.

For mixed bloods in general, this comes as a relief, as many have criticized the "Choose one" instructions encountered when selecting race on most documents.
(This criticism has also been levied on the US Census Bureau)

Race option for kids
Jan 13, 2010
By Kor Kian Beng

INDIAN-CHINESE, Malay-Indian, Chinese-Malay or Eurasian-Chinese?
Parents from different races can soon pick these 'double-barrelled' race classifications for their newborns, said Senior Minister of State Ho Peng Kee in Parliament on Tuesday.
But in making the choice, they have to decide which of the two races is to come first when registering
This is to help the child identify better and be 'culturalised' with a particular race, he added.
He said the ICA will give more details of the proposed change in due course, as well as when it will take effect. He announced the change in his reply to Mr Hri Kumar Nair (Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC), who had asked whether the Government would let parents of different races reflect both races on their children's identity cards.

Copyright The Straits Times
www.straitstimes.com the child's birth at the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA), said Associate Professor Ho, of the Law and Home Affairs ministries.