Copyright tnp
A TikTok user known for sharing her journey of learning Malay and marrying into a Malay family in Singapore asked on Oct 26: "Does cultural appropriation exist in Singapore?" In the 11-second clip, user @angmohmakcik sits at the back of a bus with a puzzled expression as the question appears on screen. She wrote in the caption: "I ask because when I wear baju kurung, no one bats an eyelid. And during national holidays here, children are asked to wear each other's ethnic clothing to celebrate and appreciate each other's ethnicities." She added: "Is it just a Western concept?" The post has garnered more than 34,000 views and 1,100 likes at press time. Netizens say the intention matters Several commenters suggested that the intention behind wearing another culture's traditional clothing matters. "As long as it's worn respectfully, what's the issue?" one wrote. "It's the intention, I feel," another added. "If you are someone who has been racist towards a race or looks down on them, but wears their traditional outfits for occasions like Racial Harmony Day, then it's appropriation. Wearing without respect for the people." "I love seeing other cultures wearing my ethnic clothing," another user said. Some said Singapore's multicultural upbringing has made such practices normal. Others suggested that wearing another culture's clothing can show respect and appreciation rather than appropriation. "I think to us, no one would wear something they think is ugly," one comment read. "So when others wear baju kurung, we would like to think they thought it's beautiful, so we appreciate it."
