Sikhism in Singapore

Singaporean Sikhs form a religious minority in Singapore. Sikhism in Singapore has its roots in the military and policing forces of the British Empire. Currently, there are 12,000–15,000 Sikhs in Singapore. There are 7 gurdwaras along with a missionary society, a welfare society, two youth organizations and two sports clubs.

Singapore was part of Malaya under British rule and Sikhs migrated there as policemen after leaving their homelands due to poverty and debt, seeking better fortunes abroad. The early Sikhs worked as policemen, guards, or watchmen. Later, Sikhs began to move into business occupations aside from security-roles, such as moneylending. Prior to WW2, Sikhs in Singapore were highly associated with the police and caretaking. Some Sikhs in Singapore are immigrants from India (mainly from the Punjab region in India). Others are the descendants of Sikh prisoners from British India who were sent to Singapore by the British Army for protesting, attacking or killing British Soldiers, attacks; assaults; and vandalism of British buildings and property. They lived in British prisons in Singapore. Sikh migration to Singapore was popularized by the demand of Sikh police officers and guards in British colonial Malaya. A substantial amount of Sikhs in Singapore are also descendants of Indian Sikh Businessmen who immigrated to Singapore. Most Sikhs are from the Jat community.