ABSTRACT
This chapter argues for an extension of an analysis of cosmopolitanism beyond the values, attitudes and practices that are manifested within the culture and traditions of the Malay community. It posits that it is also imperative to study how cosmopolitan sensibilities are embedded in other realms, such as cross-cultural relationships and the contemporary economic development of the Malays. By measuring cosmopolitanism in terms of one's willingness to cross cultural boundaries for marriage, local Malays have proven that they are indeed cosmopolitan. In fact, they are more cosmopolitan than the majority Chinese who overwhelmingly tend to marry among the Chinese race. As Yeoh has argued, today's context of multiculturalism in Singapore needs to incorporate cosmopolitanism and consider local interactions with different groups of foreigners. These interactions should move beyond state constructs of foreigners in economic terms, whereby their roles in society are defined based on their types of contributions to Singapore's economy.
