Singapore, literature and identity

Abstract

Ever since Singapore was abruptly ejected from the Federation of Malaysia in August, 1965, the leaders of the island state have been quick to offer metaphors and slogans as to its identity. Terms such as a 'rugged society', the 'regional hub', an 'electronic entrepot for East Asia', 'the Boston of the East', even 'a city where dreams can be met' come readily to mind. Such pithy terms have a point. From a problem-plagued port and immigrant frontier just over a generation ago, Singapore's status as the world’s premier city-state is hard-earned but assured. It is the purpose of this paper, however, to consider definitions of Singapore other than those offered by the governing elite, and specifically those offered by Singapore’s burgeoning literary community. It is, of course, acknowledged that the State provides a decisive role in the formulation of all public policy in contemporary Singapore, and further that creative writing in Singapore is subject to a very significant amount of self-censorship (by both authors and publishers), within the 'OB' (out of bounds) criteria established but the State. Nevertheless, it is also assumed for the purpose of this analysis that there is a degree of civil society in contemporary Singapore, i.e. there is some space between State and society, in this case for creative authors, and that several prominent creative writers do give voice to issues of civil society in that country.