Curry dispute (2011): Difference between revisions

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On 8 August 2011, local newspaper TODAY reported on a Community Mediation Centre case that involved a Chinese and Indian family.<ref>Moore, Malcolm. “Singapore's 'anti-Chinese curry war’”. ''The Telegraph.'' August 16, 2011. Accessed on 13 February 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/singapore/8704107/Singapores-anti-Chinese-curry-war.html</ref> The Community Mediation Centre is a body under the Ministry of Law in Singapore.<ref>Kaifong. “Shanmugam clarifies ‘curry issue’”. ''YahooNews.'' August 17, 2011. Accessed on 13 February 2019. Retrieved from: https://sg.news.yahoo.com/blogs/singaporescene/shanmugam-clarifies-curry-issue-050053270.html</ref> The two families were allegedly neighbours. The Chinese family had filed a complaint against the Indian family due to their aversion to the smell of the curry which the Indian family cooked on a regular basis. The mediator concluded the case by ruling that the Indian family could only cook curry when the Chinese family was not at home.<ref>Moore, Malcolm. “Singapore's 'anti-Chinese curry war’”. ''The Telegraph.'' August 16, 2011. Accessed on 13 February 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/singapore/8704107/Singapores-anti-Chinese-curry-war.html</ref> In return, the Chinese family promised to try the dish. The conclusion of the case sparked reactions from the Singaporean online community wherein many were unsatisfied.
On 8 August 2011, TODAY reported on a Community Mediation Centre (CMC) case that involved a Chinese and an Indian family.<ref>Moore, Malcolm. “[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/singapore/8704107/Singapores-anti-Chinese-curry-war.html Singapore's 'anti-Chinese curry war’]”. ''The Telegraph.'' August 16, 2011. Accessed on 13 February 2019.</ref> The CMC is a body under the Ministry of Law in Singapore.<ref>Kaifong. “[https://sg.news.yahoo.com/blogs/singaporescene/shanmugam-clarifies-curry-issue-050053270.html Shanmugam clarifies ‘curry issue’]”. ''YahooNews.'' August 17, 2011. Accessed on 13 February 2019.</ref> The Chinese family had filed a complaint against their Indian neighbours over the smell of curry. According to the Chinese family, the Indian family cooked curry regularly. The mediator ruled that the Indian family could only cook curry when the Chinese family was not at home.<ref>Moore, Malcolm. “[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/singapore/8704107/Singapores-anti-Chinese-curry-war.html Singapore's 'anti-Chinese curry war’]”. ''The Telegraph.'' August 16, 2011. Accessed on 13 February 2019.</ref> This ruling sparked reactions from the Singaporean online community where many were unsatisfied.


==Details of the incident==
==Details of the incident==
In the TODAY report titled 'WHEN NEIGHBOURS DISAGREE', it was revealed that the Chinese family had recently migrated to Singapore from mainland China.<ref>Quek, Carolyn. “WHEN NEIGHBOURS DISAGREE”. ''TODAY.'' August 8, 2011. Accessed on 13 February 2019. Retrieved from: http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/today20110808-1.2.23.2</ref> They were not accustomed to the smell of Indian curry and had found it unpleasant. They then reported their issue to the Community Mediation Centre (CMC). According to the CMC website, their mission is "To provide an attractive, practical and convenient solution for social and community disputes in Singapore".<ref>"Mission and Logo". Community Mediation Centre. Accessed on 29 May 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.mlaw.gov.sg/content/cmc/en/About_Us/Mission_and_Logo.html</ref> The TODAY report also stated that the Indian family were already aware of the Chinese family’s complaints and had taken active measures to minimise the smell.<ref>Quek, Carolyn. “WHEN NEIGHBOURS DISAGREE”. ''TODAY.'' August 8, 2011. Accessed on 13 February 2019. Retrieved from: http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/today20110808-1.2.23.2</ref> These measures included closing their windows and doors whenever they cooked the dish.  
[[File:Today Curry Report 2011.jpg|thumb|''The curry case (pictured in the coloured section) was reported as part of a [https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Page/today20110808-1.1.18 larger report] in 2011.'']]


===TODAY report===
In the 2011 TODAY report by Carolyn Quek, it was revealed that the Chinese family had recently migrated to Singapore from mainland China.<ref>Quek, Carolyn. “[http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/today20110808-1.2.23.2 WHEN NEIGHBOURS DISAGREE]”. ''TODAY.'' August 8, 2011. Accessed on 13 February 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.</ref> They were not accustomed to the smell of Indian curry and found it unpleasant. They then reported their issue to the CMC whose mission is:
"To provide an attractive, practical and convenient solution for social and community disputes in Singapore".<ref>"[https://www.mlaw.gov.sg/content/cmc/en/About_Us/Mission_and_Logo.html Mission and Logo]". Community Mediation Centre. Accessed on 29 May 2019.</ref>
The TODAY report also stated that the Indian family were already aware of the Chinese family’s complaints and had taken active measures to minimise the smell.<ref>Quek, Carolyn. “[http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/today20110808-1.2.23.2 WHEN NEIGHBOURS DISAGREE]”. ''TODAY.'' August 8, 2011. Accessed on 13 February 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.</ref> These measures included closing their windows and doors whenever they cooked the dish.


However, these measures were insufficient in solving the issue as the Chinese family had asked the Indian family to not cook or eat the curry at all.<ref>Quek, Carolyn. “WHEN NEIGHBOURS DISAGREE”. ''TODAY.'' August 8, 2011. Accessed on 13 February 2019. Retrieved from: http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/today20110808-1.2.23.2</ref> The requests were met with disagreement by the Indian family and the case was concluded through the mediator’s ruling.<ref>Quek, Carolyn. “WHEN NEIGHBOURS DISAGREE”. ''TODAY.'' August 8, 2011. Accessed on 13 February 2019. Retrieved from: http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/today20110808-1.2.23.2</ref> The settlement reached was that the Indian family would only cook curry when the Chinese family was not at home. In return, the Chinese family were expected to try the dish.
===CMC mediator's ruling===
However, these measures were reportedly insufficient in solving the issue. The Chinese family had asked the Indian family to not cook or eat the curry at all.<ref>Quek, Carolyn. “[http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/today20110808-1.2.23.2 WHEN NEIGHBOURS DISAGREE]”. ''TODAY.'' August 8, 2011. Accessed on 13 February 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.</ref> The Indian family disagreed with these requests and the case was concluded through the mediator’s ruling.<ref>Quek, Carolyn. “[http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/today20110808-1.2.23.2 WHEN NEIGHBOURS DISAGREE]”. ''TODAY.'' August 8, 2011. Accessed on 13 February 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.</ref>  


==Responses==
[[File:Curry FB Page screen grab.jpg|thumb|''Screengrab of the 2011 Cook and Share a Pot of Curry FB page. Photo from YAHOO! News.'']]


The settlement reached was that the Indian family could only cook curry when the Chinese family was not at home. In return, the Chinese family was expected to try the dish.<ref>Quek, Carolyn. “[http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/today20110808-1.2.23.2 WHEN NEIGHBOURS DISAGREE]”. ''TODAY.'' August 8, 2011. Accessed on 13 February 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.</ref>
==Clarifications==
As the event unfolded, it was revealed that the curry dispute case occurred seven years ago in 2004.<ref>Kaifong. “[https://sg.news.yahoo.com/blogs/singaporescene/shanmugam-clarifies-curry-issue-050053270.html Shanmugam clarifies ‘curry issue’]”. ''YahooNews.'' August 17, 2011. Accessed on 13 February 2019.</ref> The following players spoke up to clarify the issue: Then Minister for Law K Shanmugam, the Editor of TODAY Walter Fernandez and the CMC.
{| class="wikitable"
!Players
!Clarification(s)
!Refs.
!Conclusion
|-
|K Shanmugam
|The incident occurred in 2004 and not in 2011.
|<ref>Kaifong. “[https://sg.news.yahoo.com/blogs/singaporescene/shanmugam-clarifies-curry-issue-050053270.html Shanmugam clarifies ‘curry issue’]”. ''YahooNews.'' August 17, 2011. Accessed on 13 February 2019.</ref>
| rowspan="3" |The 2004 curry dispute was mistakenly reported as a recent incident in 2011, causing discontent among netizens at the time.
|-
|Water Fernandez
|The 2004 curry dispute reported by TODAY in 2011 was meant to be an example of the cases handled by CMC.
|<ref>Ng, Jing Yng. “[http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/today20110817-2.2.5.8?ST=1&AT=search&k=Shanmugam%20clears%20up%20%E2%80%98curry%20issue%E2%80%99,%20praises%20unity%20and%20identity%20shown&QT=shanmugam,clears,up,curry,issue,praises,unity,and,ide Shanmugam clears up 'curry issue', praises unity and identity shown]”. ''TODAY.'' August 17, 2011. Accessed on 13 February 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.</ref>
|-
|Community Mediation Centre (CMC)
|
*In 2004, the mediator was completely non-partisan and unbiased.
*The final resolution was accepted by both families.
*The final ruling was based on suggestions by both parties.
|<ref>Kaifong. “[https://sg.news.yahoo.com/blogs/singaporescene/shanmugam-clarifies-curry-issue-050053270.html Shanmugam clarifies ‘curry issue’]”. ''YahooNews.'' August 17, 2011. Accessed on 13 February 2019.</ref>
|}
==Public responses==
===Netizens===
===Netizens===
The final conclusion drew flak from Singapore's online community. Netizens believed that the settlement was skewed towards the Chinese family and promoted intolerance towards respecting the cultural practices of other ethnic groups in Singapore.<ref>Moore, Malcolm. “Singapore's 'anti-Chinese curry war’”. ''The Telegraph.'' August 16, 2011. Accessed on 13 February 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/singapore/8704107/Singapores-anti-Chinese-curry-war.html</ref> Some netizens expressed that since the Chinese family were foreigners, they should have have been the ones to adapt.<ref>Moore, Malcolm. “Singapore's 'anti-Chinese curry war’”. ''The Telegraph.'' August 16, 2011. Accessed on 13 February 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/singapore/8704107/Singapores-anti-Chinese-curry-war.html</ref>
[[File:Curry Dispute 2011 YouTube Rant.jpg|thumb|''Michelle Teo (pictured) uploaded a YouTube video in response to the curry incident, openly berating the Chinese family. Screengrab from [https://www.smu.edu.sg/sites/default/files/smu/news_room/smu_in_the_news/2011/sources/TNP_20110817_1.pdf source].'']]
The CMC ruling drew flak from Singapore's online community. Netizens believed that the settlement was skewed towards the Chinese family and promoted cultural intolerance.<ref>Moore, Malcolm. “[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/singapore/8704107/Singapores-anti-Chinese-curry-war.html Singapore's 'anti-Chinese curry war’]”. ''The Telegraph.'' August 16, 2011. Accessed on 13 February 2019.</ref> Some netizens expressed that since the Chinese family were foreigners, they should have been the ones to adapt.<ref>Moore, Malcolm. “[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/singapore/8704107/Singapores-anti-Chinese-curry-war.html Singapore's 'anti-Chinese curry war’]”. ''The Telegraph.'' August 16, 2011. Accessed on 13 February 2019.</ref>




On 14 August 2011, netizen Michelle Teo uploaded a 3-minute long video on YouTube titled ‘Please Respect Curry’. In her video, she criticised the Chinese family for being intolerant of their Indian neighbours’ cultural practices.<ref>Lim, Alvin. “Online video further stirs hot 'curry' issue”. ''The New Paper.'' August 17, 2011. Accessed on 13 February 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.smu.edu.sg/sites/default/files/smu/news_room/smu_in_the_news/2011/sources/TNP_20110817_1.pdf</ref> The video gained 9,000 views, 375 likes and 34 dislikes in the span of 3 days. The video ([https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P637VRorhQY YouTube video]) had been reposted by YouTube user Alexandria School of Science on 14 August 2014.
On 14 August 2011, netizen Michelle Teo uploaded a 3-minute long video on YouTube titled ‘Please Respect Curry’. In her video, she criticised the Chinese family for being intolerant of their Indian neighbours’ cultural practices.<ref>Lim, Alvin. “[https://www.smu.edu.sg/sites/default/files/smu/news_room/smu_in_the_news/2011/sources/TNP_20110817_1.pdf Online video further stirs hot 'curry' issue]”. ''The New Paper.'' August 17, 2011. Accessed on 13 February 2019.</ref> The video garnered 9,000 views, 375 likes and 34 dislikes in three days. The video ([https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P637VRorhQY YouTube video]) had been reposted by YouTube user Alexandria School of Science on 14 August 2014.




On the other hand, some netizens urged Singaporeans and foreigners to display mutual respect for one another and encouraged Singaporeans to be less xenophobic.<ref>Suhartono, Harry. “Singaporeans' culinary anti-immigration protest: curry”. ''Reuters.'' August 22, 2011. Accessed on 13 February 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-singapore-curry-idUSLNE77L01020110822</ref>
On the other hand, some netizens urged Singaporeans and foreigners to display mutual respect and encouraged Singaporeans to be less xenophobic.<ref>Suhartono, Harry. “[https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-singapore-curry-idUSLNE77L01020110822 Singaporeans' culinary anti-immigration protest: curry]”. ''Reuters.'' August 22, 2011. Accessed on 13 February 2019.</ref>


===‘Cook and Share a Pot of Curry’ campaign===
===‘Cook and Share a Pot of Curry’ campaign===
On 11 August 2011, netizen Florence Leow created the Facebook page called ‘Cook and Share a Pot of Curry’ in response to the incident.<ref>Suhartono, Harry. “Singaporeans' culinary anti-immigration protest: curry”. ''Reuters.'' August 22, 2011. Accessed on 13 February 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-singapore-curry-idUSLNE77L01020110822</ref> The page had aimed to get Singaporeans to cook curry at home on 21 August 2011 and to invite foreigners to try the local dish. The page garnered over 57,600 members in 2011.<ref>Suhartono, Harry. “Singaporeans' culinary anti-immigration protest: curry”. ''Reuters.'' August 22, 2011. Accessed on 13 February 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-singapore-curry-idUSLNE77L01020110822</ref> On 21 August 2011, the organiser Florence Leow prepared Peranakan style chicken curry, Indian vegetable curry and Japanese curry for visitors to enjoy. 11 people were invited to her home in Toa Payoh East to share the curry, some of whom were newly arrived migrants.<ref>“United over curry”. ''The Straits Times.'' August 22, 2011.</ref>
[[File:Curry FB Page screen grab.jpg|thumb|''Screengrab of the 2011 Cook and Share a Pot of Curry FB page. Photo from YAHOO! News.'']]On 11 August 2011, netizen Florence Leow created the Facebook page ‘Cook and Share a Pot of Curry’.<ref>Suhartono, Harry. “[https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-singapore-curry-idUSLNE77L01020110822 Singaporeans' culinary anti-immigration protest: curry]”. ''Reuters.'' August 22, 2011. Accessed on 13 February 2019.</ref> The page rallied Singaporeans to cook curry on 21 August 2011, garnering over 57,600 members in 2011.<ref>Suhartono, Harry. “[https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-singapore-curry-idUSLNE77L01020110822 Singaporeans' culinary anti-immigration protest: curry]”. ''Reuters.'' August 22, 2011. Accessed on 13 February 2019.</ref> On the day of the campaign, Florence prepared Peranakan style chicken curry, Indian vegetable curry and Japanese curry. Eleven people were invited to her home in Toa Payoh East to share the curry, some of whom were newly-arrived migrants.<ref>“United over curry”. ''The Straits Times.'' August 22, 2011. Accessed on 13 January 2020. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.</ref>
 


Three presidential candidates for the 2011 presidential elections, Dr Tan Cheng Bock, Mr Tan Jee Say and Dr Tony Tan also joined in the campaign.<ref>“United over curry”. ''The Straits Times.'' August 22, 2011. Accessed on 13 January 2020. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.</ref> Dr Tan Cheng Bock expressed his views towards the incident, stating that when one chooses to come to Singapore, they essentially also choose a "multiracial lifestyle".<ref>“United over curry”. ''The Straits Times.'' August 22, 2011. Accessed on 13 January 2020. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.</ref>


Three presidential candidates for the 2011 presidential elections, Dr Tan Cheng Bock, Mr Tan Jee Say and Dr Tony Tan also joined the ‘Cook and Share a Pot of Curry’ campaign.<ref>“United over curry”. ''The Straits Times.'' August 22, 2011.</ref> They participated in the nationwide curry cooking event in various constituencies on 21 August 2011. Dr Tan Cheng Bock also explained his views towards the incident stating that when one chooses to come to Singapore, they essentially also choose a "multiracial lifestyle".<ref>“United over curry”. ''The Straits Times.'' August 22, 2011.</ref>
==Legacies==


===Community Mediation Centre (CMC) & Minister for Law K Shanmugam===
===''One Hour to Daylight'' (2016)===
On 11 August 2011, the CMC explained in a press release that the mediator was completely non-partisan and unbiased. They clarified that the final resolution had been accepted by both families and the ruling was based on suggestions by both parties involved in the dispute.<ref>Kaifong. “Shanmugam clarifies ‘curry issue’”. ''YahooNews.'' August 17, 2011. Accessed on 13 February 2019. Retrieved from: https://sg.news.yahoo.com/blogs/singaporescene/shanmugam-clarifies-curry-issue-050053270.html</ref>
The local film ‘One Hour to Daylight’ was released in 2016. The film was partly inspired by the curry dispute. The film's first scene featured a Chinese lady scolding her Indian neighbours for cooking curry.<ref>Lui, John. “[https://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/entertainment/curry-dispute-inspires-film Curry dispute and Singapore writing inspires film One Hour To Daylight]”. ''The Straits Times.'' September 15, 2016. Accessed on 13 February 2019.</ref>  




[[File:One Hour to Daylight movie.jpg|thumb|''A 2018 promotional poster for a screening of the 2016 film One Hour to Daylight that was partly inspired by the Curry Dispute.'']]
The film’s creative producer Nicholas Chee stated that the curry incident sparked "discussion of xenophobia and racism" which fit in with the overarching theme of the film.<ref>Lui, John. “[https://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/entertainment/curry-dispute-inspires-film Curry dispute and Singapore writing inspires film One Hour To Daylight]”. ''The Straits Times.'' September 15, 2016. Accessed on 13 February 2019.</ref> ‘One Hour to Daylight’ was a part of the Singapore Writers Festival’s 2016 programme. It was screened at Golden Village's Suntec City theatres on 19 and 25 September 2016.<ref>Lui, John. “[https://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/entertainment/curry-dispute-inspires-film Curry dispute and Singapore writing inspires film One Hour To Daylight]”. ''The Straits Times.'' September 15, 2016. Accessed on 13 February 2019.</ref>
During a press conference on 16 August 2011, Minister for Law K Shanmugam clarified that the actual curry dispute case had occurred 7 years ago in 2004.<ref>Kaifong. “Shanmugam clarifies ‘curry issue’”. ''YahooNews.'' August 17, 2011. Accessed on 13 February 2019. Retrieved from: https://sg.news.yahoo.com/blogs/singaporescene/shanmugam-clarifies-curry-issue-050053270.html</ref> He noted that it was important for Singaporeans not to view the issue in isolation and should acknowledge that "these sorts of differences exist between Singaporeans, among foreigners, between foreigners and Singaporeans".<ref>Kaifong. “Shanmugam clarifies ‘curry issue’”. ''YahooNews.'' August 17, 2011. Accessed on 13 February 2019. Retrieved from: https://sg.news.yahoo.com/blogs/singaporescene/shanmugam-clarifies-curry-issue-050053270.html</ref> He also added that such differences do not just exist in Singapore. Minister for Law K Shanmugam urged Singaporeans to refrain from launching "xenophobic attacks" from this one incident.
===TODAY===
On 17 August 2011, TODAY published an article to address the misrepresentation of the mediator in the curry dispute. The editor of TODAY, Walter Fernandez clarified that the 2004 dispute had been used as an example of the cases handled by the Community Mediation Centre.<ref>Ng, Jing Yng. “Shanmugam clears up 'curry issue', praises unity and identity shown”. ''TODAY.'' August 17, 2011. Accessed on 13 February 2019. Retrieved from: http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/today20110817-2.2.5.8?ST=1&AT=search&k=Shanmugam%20clears%20up%20%E2%80%98curry%20issue%E2%80%99,%20praises%20unity%20and%20identity%20shown&QT=shanmugam,clears,up,curry,issue,praises,unity,and,identity,shown&oref=article</ref> The case had been offered to the newspaper by the mediator during an interview. TODAY acknowledged its mistakes in terms of inaccurately portraying the incident.<ref>Ng, Jing Yng. “Shanmugam clears up 'curry issue', praises unity and identity shown”. ''TODAY.'' August 17, 2011. Accessed on 13 February 2019. Retrieved from: http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/today20110817-2.2.5.8?ST=1&AT=search&k=Shanmugam%20clears%20up%20%E2%80%98curry%20issue%E2%80%99,%20praises%20unity%20and%20identity%20shown&QT=shanmugam,clears,up,curry,issue,praises,unity,and,identity,shown&oref=article</ref>


=='One Hour to Daylight' local film==
===Curry Carnival (2016)===
In 2016, the local film ‘One Hour to Daylight’ was released. The film was partly inspired by the curry dispute and the first scene featured a Chinese lady scolding her Indian neighbours for cooking curry.<ref>Lui, John. “Curry dispute and Singapore writing inspires film One Hour To Daylight”. ''The Straits Times.'' September 15, 2016. Accessed on 13 February 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/entertainment/curry-dispute-inspires-film</ref> The film’s creative producer Nicholas Chee stated that the curry incident "brought up unspoken, unaddressed issues and raised the discussion of xenophobia and racism" which fit in with the overarching theme of the film.<ref>Lui, John. “Curry dispute and Singapore writing inspires film One Hour To Daylight”. ''The Straits Times.'' September 15, 2016. Accessed on 13 February 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/entertainment/curry-dispute-inspires-film</ref> ‘One Hour to Daylight’ was part of the Singapore Writers Festival’s Utter 2016 programme and was screened at Golden Village Suntec City theatres on 19 and 25 September 2016.<ref>Lui, John. “Curry dispute and Singapore writing inspires film One Hour To Daylight”. ''The Straits Times.'' September 15, 2016. Accessed on 13 February 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/entertainment/curry-dispute-inspires-film</ref>
In 2016, a group of ITE College West students initiated a neighbourhood curry-cooking competition under the Housing Development Board's Good Neighbour Project. The event was well-received with approximately 300 attendees.<ref>Yeo Sam Jo. "[https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/housing/curry-carnival-brings-residents-together Curry carnival brings residents together]". ''The Straits Times''. June 30, 2016. Accessed on 13 January 2020.</ref>


==References / Citations==
==References / Citations==
[[Category:Newsworthy Incidents]]
[[Category:Newsworthy Incidents]]
<references />
<references />

Latest revision as of 17:39, 13 January 2020

On 8 August 2011, TODAY reported on a Community Mediation Centre (CMC) case that involved a Chinese and an Indian family.[1] The CMC is a body under the Ministry of Law in Singapore.[2] The Chinese family had filed a complaint against their Indian neighbours over the smell of curry. According to the Chinese family, the Indian family cooked curry regularly. The mediator ruled that the Indian family could only cook curry when the Chinese family was not at home.[3] This ruling sparked reactions from the Singaporean online community where many were unsatisfied.

Details of the incident

The curry case (pictured in the coloured section) was reported as part of a larger report in 2011.

TODAY report

In the 2011 TODAY report by Carolyn Quek, it was revealed that the Chinese family had recently migrated to Singapore from mainland China.[4] They were not accustomed to the smell of Indian curry and found it unpleasant. They then reported their issue to the CMC whose mission is: 

"To provide an attractive, practical and convenient solution for social and community disputes in Singapore".[5]

The TODAY report also stated that the Indian family were already aware of the Chinese family’s complaints and had taken active measures to minimise the smell.[6] These measures included closing their windows and doors whenever they cooked the dish.

CMC mediator's ruling

However, these measures were reportedly insufficient in solving the issue. The Chinese family had asked the Indian family to not cook or eat the curry at all.[7] The Indian family disagreed with these requests and the case was concluded through the mediator’s ruling.[8]


The settlement reached was that the Indian family could only cook curry when the Chinese family was not at home. In return, the Chinese family was expected to try the dish.[9]

Clarifications

As the event unfolded, it was revealed that the curry dispute case occurred seven years ago in 2004.[10] The following players spoke up to clarify the issue: Then Minister for Law K Shanmugam, the Editor of TODAY Walter Fernandez and the CMC.

Players Clarification(s) Refs. Conclusion
K Shanmugam The incident occurred in 2004 and not in 2011. [11] The 2004 curry dispute was mistakenly reported as a recent incident in 2011, causing discontent among netizens at the time.
Water Fernandez The 2004 curry dispute reported by TODAY in 2011 was meant to be an example of the cases handled by CMC. [12]
Community Mediation Centre (CMC)
  • In 2004, the mediator was completely non-partisan and unbiased.
  • The final resolution was accepted by both families.
  • The final ruling was based on suggestions by both parties.
 [13]

Public responses

Netizens

Michelle Teo (pictured) uploaded a YouTube video in response to the curry incident, openly berating the Chinese family. Screengrab from source.

The CMC ruling drew flak from Singapore's online community. Netizens believed that the settlement was skewed towards the Chinese family and promoted cultural intolerance.[14] Some netizens expressed that since the Chinese family were foreigners, they should have been the ones to adapt.[15]


On 14 August 2011, netizen Michelle Teo uploaded a 3-minute long video on YouTube titled ‘Please Respect Curry’. In her video, she criticised the Chinese family for being intolerant of their Indian neighbours’ cultural practices.[16] The video garnered 9,000 views, 375 likes and 34 dislikes in three days. The video (YouTube video) had been reposted by YouTube user Alexandria School of Science on 14 August 2014.


On the other hand, some netizens urged Singaporeans and foreigners to display mutual respect and encouraged Singaporeans to be less xenophobic.[17]

‘Cook and Share a Pot of Curry’ campaign

Screengrab of the 2011 Cook and Share a Pot of Curry FB page. Photo from YAHOO! News.

On 11 August 2011, netizen Florence Leow created the Facebook page ‘Cook and Share a Pot of Curry’.[18] The page rallied Singaporeans to cook curry on 21 August 2011, garnering over 57,600 members in 2011.[19] On the day of the campaign, Florence prepared Peranakan style chicken curry, Indian vegetable curry and Japanese curry. Eleven people were invited to her home in Toa Payoh East to share the curry, some of whom were newly-arrived migrants.[20]


Three presidential candidates for the 2011 presidential elections, Dr Tan Cheng Bock, Mr Tan Jee Say and Dr Tony Tan also joined in the campaign.[21] Dr Tan Cheng Bock expressed his views towards the incident, stating that when one chooses to come to Singapore, they essentially also choose a "multiracial lifestyle".[22]

Legacies

One Hour to Daylight (2016)

The local film ‘One Hour to Daylight’ was released in 2016. The film was partly inspired by the curry dispute. The film's first scene featured a Chinese lady scolding her Indian neighbours for cooking curry.[23]


The film’s creative producer Nicholas Chee stated that the curry incident sparked "discussion of xenophobia and racism" which fit in with the overarching theme of the film.[24] ‘One Hour to Daylight’ was a part of the Singapore Writers Festival’s 2016 programme. It was screened at Golden Village's Suntec City theatres on 19 and 25 September 2016.[25]

Curry Carnival (2016)

In 2016, a group of ITE College West students initiated a neighbourhood curry-cooking competition under the Housing Development Board's Good Neighbour Project. The event was well-received with approximately 300 attendees.[26]

References / Citations

  1. ↑ Moore, Malcolm. “Singapore's 'anti-Chinese curry war’”. The Telegraph. August 16, 2011. Accessed on 13 February 2019.
  2. ↑ Kaifong. “Shanmugam clarifies ‘curry issue’”. YahooNews. August 17, 2011. Accessed on 13 February 2019.
  3. ↑ Moore, Malcolm. “Singapore's 'anti-Chinese curry war’”. The Telegraph. August 16, 2011. Accessed on 13 February 2019.
  4. ↑ Quek, Carolyn. “WHEN NEIGHBOURS DISAGREE”. TODAY. August 8, 2011. Accessed on 13 February 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  5. ↑ "Mission and Logo". Community Mediation Centre. Accessed on 29 May 2019.
  6. ↑ Quek, Carolyn. “WHEN NEIGHBOURS DISAGREE”. TODAY. August 8, 2011. Accessed on 13 February 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  7. ↑ Quek, Carolyn. “WHEN NEIGHBOURS DISAGREE”. TODAY. August 8, 2011. Accessed on 13 February 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  8. ↑ Quek, Carolyn. “WHEN NEIGHBOURS DISAGREE”. TODAY. August 8, 2011. Accessed on 13 February 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  9. ↑ Quek, Carolyn. “WHEN NEIGHBOURS DISAGREE”. TODAY. August 8, 2011. Accessed on 13 February 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  10. ↑ Kaifong. “Shanmugam clarifies ‘curry issue’”. YahooNews. August 17, 2011. Accessed on 13 February 2019.
  11. ↑ Kaifong. “Shanmugam clarifies ‘curry issue’”. YahooNews. August 17, 2011. Accessed on 13 February 2019.
  12. ↑ Ng, Jing Yng. “Shanmugam clears up 'curry issue', praises unity and identity shown”. TODAY. August 17, 2011. Accessed on 13 February 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  13. ↑ Kaifong. “Shanmugam clarifies ‘curry issue’”. YahooNews. August 17, 2011. Accessed on 13 February 2019.
  14. ↑ Moore, Malcolm. “Singapore's 'anti-Chinese curry war’”. The Telegraph. August 16, 2011. Accessed on 13 February 2019.
  15. ↑ Moore, Malcolm. “Singapore's 'anti-Chinese curry war’”. The Telegraph. August 16, 2011. Accessed on 13 February 2019.
  16. ↑ Lim, Alvin. “Online video further stirs hot 'curry' issue”. The New Paper. August 17, 2011. Accessed on 13 February 2019.
  17. ↑ Suhartono, Harry. “Singaporeans' culinary anti-immigration protest: curry”. Reuters. August 22, 2011. Accessed on 13 February 2019.
  18. ↑ Suhartono, Harry. “Singaporeans' culinary anti-immigration protest: curry”. Reuters. August 22, 2011. Accessed on 13 February 2019.
  19. ↑ Suhartono, Harry. “Singaporeans' culinary anti-immigration protest: curry”. Reuters. August 22, 2011. Accessed on 13 February 2019.
  20. ↑ “United over curry”. The Straits Times. August 22, 2011. Accessed on 13 January 2020. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  21. ↑ “United over curry”. The Straits Times. August 22, 2011. Accessed on 13 January 2020. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  22. ↑ “United over curry”. The Straits Times. August 22, 2011. Accessed on 13 January 2020. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  23. ↑ Lui, John. “Curry dispute and Singapore writing inspires film One Hour To Daylight”. The Straits Times. September 15, 2016. Accessed on 13 February 2019.
  24. ↑ Lui, John. “Curry dispute and Singapore writing inspires film One Hour To Daylight”. The Straits Times. September 15, 2016. Accessed on 13 February 2019.
  25. ↑ Lui, John. “Curry dispute and Singapore writing inspires film One Hour To Daylight”. The Straits Times. September 15, 2016. Accessed on 13 February 2019.
  26. ↑ Yeo Sam Jo. "Curry carnival brings residents together". The Straits Times. June 30, 2016. Accessed on 13 January 2020.
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