𖦹 Arena Kh.

About

The Malay Paradox



Executed during my final year at LASALLE as a graduation project The Malay Paradox is a project that challenges Singapore’s systemic conflation of Malay and Muslim identities, prompting reflection on how identities are shaped and misunderstood. It adopts a satirical and discursive approach, aiming to subvert ingrained assumptions and unpack the paradoxes of ethnic-religious entanglement, thereby encouraging a more open understanding of Malay identity.


Phase 1
The Malay Intervention Kit
The Malay Intervention Kit is the project's first output. It examines how Malay identity in Singapore is shaped through religious markers and recurring stereotypes. Taking the form of a corrective package issued by a fictional Malay Council, it identifies Malays at risk of straying from racial and religious norms. These individuals are then offered realignment through the manuals and behaviour trackers provided, in hopes of encouraging them to become “better” Malays. 





Phase 2
(un)malay

(un)malay is a collection of perspectives that reflect the layered and sometimes conflicting ways Malay identity takes shape in Singapore. It showcases the experiences of individuals who do not fit the conventional mould of Malayness shaped by societal expectations. This space aims to draw attention to how rigid definitions of identity can lead to a sense of disconnection and a lack of belonging in individuals. It also invites others to share their own experiences of navigating or redefining Malay identity.