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Heng Swee Keat: Singaporeans Must Continue To Build And Maintain Harmonious Society

Education Minister Heng Swee Keat has said Singaporeans must continue to build and maintain a harmonious society, regardless of race, language or religion.

As the country turns 50, he urged the public to reflect on how its pioneers helped shape such inclusiveness.

“This harmony did not come by accident,” said Mr Heng. “It is good work, hard work, on the part of everyone and because Singaporeans reject race-based politics, we reject intolerance. And instead we embrace each and every race, and we embrace multi-racialism, and we embrace a multi religious society.”

He was speaking at an event called SG50 Harmony Swing, which was held at the Nanyang Polytechnic Stadium on Saturday afternoon (Jun 20). It was organised by Thye Hua Kwan Moral Society and was a prelude to the society’s annual “Inter Racial Inter Religious Harmony Nite”, which will be held on Jul 12.

The event saw 3,578 people being part of the country’s largest Zumba dance to date. They smashed the previous record in the Singapore Book of Records of 1,162.

3,578 people of all races and religions broke the record of the country’s largest Zumba dance this afternoon. http://bit.ly/1SyxrUH (Video: Nadia Jansen Hassan)

Posted by Channel NewsAsia Singapore on Saturday, 20 June 2015

In true Singaporean fashion, participants came from all races and religions. Amilia Amil, one of the participants, joined with her friends despite having started fasting.

“We are here to show that despite fasting, we can do fitness activities, and also to celebrate with the rest of the multi races and cultures here,” she said.

“It’s a wonderful feeling for everybody,” said Chairman of the Thye Hua Kwan Moral Society Lee Kim Siang. “We’re all neighbours, we’re all Singaporeans. We get to see each other, we dance together, we have fun together.”

Source: www.channelnewsasia.com

June 21, 2015
Families And Friends Remember Sabah’s Selfless Guides
In the aftermath of the devastating earthquake that struck Sabah on Jun 5, Channel NewsAsia visited the families of three mountain guides who lost their lives in the tragedy.
KOTA KINABALU: Mount Kinabalu looms large in Sabah, physically and spiritually.

At 4,095 metres above sea level, it is one of the tallest mountains in Southeast Asia. Wherever you go in Sabah, you can get a glimpse of its imposing presence. Its peak, though often shrouded in mist, looks majestic on a clear day.

For the indigenous Kadazan-Dusun tribes, Mount Kinabalu is also the sacred resting ground for the departed. They hold on to this belief, even though the majority are now Christian.

In the aftermath of the devastating earthquake that struck Sabah on Jun 5, Channel NewsAsia visited the families of three mountain guides who lost their lives in the tragedy.

“JOVIAL, CONTAGIOUS, HAPPY-GO-LUCKY”

Marius Salungin had ten siblings. His brother, Joseph Selungin, was the youngest. Marius remembers him fondly.

“We laughed a lot when we were around him,” Mr Salungin said, when asked to describe Joseph, who died in the earthquake with two climbers. “Because he told us a quite a lot of jokes. He was fun to be with. That’s him.”

Marius Salungin lost his brother Joseph Selungin, a mountain guide, in the Sabah earthquake. (Photo: Ray Yeh)

“One of the guides found him,” he continued. “He told us that he was holding two customers.”

The guide that Mr Salungin had referred to is Mohd Sharul Lizam, who said: “I knew what he was wearing, what backpack he was carrying, so I could confirm that was Joseph. He was covering his two climbers. They cuddled. But rocks fell on top of them.” None from the group survived.

Joseph Selungin was 33 years old. He is survived by his wife and two children aged four and two.

To help them cope, Mr Salungin said: “We discussed among our siblings in the family and we will try to help our best. And as for now, I think the donations that have come in will help the family. Hopefully the wife will be able to handle the money well.”

Joseph Selungin’s funeral service on Jun 10. (Photo: Shushan Lam)

Mr Salungin also told Channel NewsAsia that he would “tell Joseph’s children that their father was a very responsible person, also very jovial, contagious and happy-go-lucky.”

“He would have wanted the children to be successful and be like the father, responsible and to have positive characters.”

“HE WOULD BE A GOOD FATHER TO MY CHILDREN”

Valerian Joannes and Jessica Sikta got engaged in December last year and had planned to tie the knot in November. But Mr Joannes, who was on the ropes atop Mount Kinabalu when the earthquake struck, died in a rock slide with 10 young students and teachers from Singapore.

“He told me that the children were very young,” said Ms Sikta, 25. “Before this, he only took adults.”

Valerian Joannes and Jessica Sikta on their engagement day. (Photo: Jessica Sikta)

Mr Joannes, who was 28, had worked as a Via Ferrata trainer for three years.

His fiancée told Channel NewsAsia that he loved kids. “He would pinch them on the cheeks, but he cannot hurt the children,” she said. “If we had children, I’m sure he would have been a very good father. But now it’s only a dream that will never come true.”

For their wedding, Mr Joannes had planned to surprise her with a song he composed and performed. “He was very talented and he was a good singer,” she said. “The last song he was able to give us was titled ‘I will hold your hand.’

“In the song, he said that every relationship goes through rough times, but we are always able to get back together.” Ms Sikta explained, while the song played in the background. “And then he sings, please forgive me.”

Jessica Sikta remembering her fiance. (Photo: Shushan Lam)

It is believed that Mr Joannes had time to get out of harm’s way after the earthquake, but died trying to save some of students.

“If he is still with me now, but the kids are gone, I know he would not be happy,” said Ms Sikta. “He would have been traumatised.” She believed “that’s why God took him”.

“PROUD THAT HE DIED FOR A REASON”

Sapinggi Ladsou, 56, had 10 children. Of the five boys, four became mountain guides like himself. Robbi was one of them.

“We feel the impact of Robbi’s passing,” Mr Ladsou told Channel NewsAsia. “It’s not just losing one child out of 10 children.”

Robbi Sapinggi a few months before the earthquake struck. (Photo: Nelson Chua)

According to eyewitness accounts, Mr Sapinggi, 30, had survived the initial rock fall after the earthquake. Badly injured, he instructed his climber to descend without him, because he wanted to help others on their way down the steep slope.

He died shortly after rescuers found him a few hours later.

“We received many messages from Robbi’s ex-clients. They told us how Robbi had helped and encouraged them,” said Lynn Thiang of Amazing Borneo, the tour company that worked with Mr Sapinggi.

“If you have climbed Mount Kinabalu before, you would know many people wanted to give up right before reaching summit because it was very tiring,” said Ms Thiang. “But Robbi would encourage the climbers and give them the confidence. We are all proud of Robbi, that he died for a reason.”

Robbi’s funeral. (Photo: Amazing Borneo)

The veteran mountain guide left behind his wife, Reena Joshi, and their 6-month-old baby. Ms Joshi, a UK national, met Robbi seven years ago while travelling through Sabah.

“Her family is worried about her,” Mr Ladsou said, “so I want her to stay here, so that we can help her.”

Ms Thiang also said: “Robbi really loved his son and I’m sure he wants to see that his son is well taken care of.”

(Photo: Ray Yeh)

THE SABAHAN SPIRIT

Visiting bereaved families and friends so soon after the tragedy struck, Channel NewsAsia’s producers did not expect the warm welcome extended to us from everyone we met along the way. In those few days, we witnessed another kind of spirit that lives in Kinabalu’s mountains.

It is the spirit that transcends human instinct to run from danger, to save lives. It is also the spirit that welcomes strangers into one’s home amid personal grief and sorrow.

The locals call it the Sabahan Spirit. And it is this spirit that will help the communities pull through and rebuild.

This article is Part 3 of a special report on the Sabah Earthquake. Part 1: For the guides who survived the Sabah quake, a long road to recovery. Part 2: Mount Kinabalu guides still cut off from livelihoods. Catch documentary special Heart of Courage: Sabah Guides on Channel NewsAsia, Jun 23, at 8.30pm

Source: www.channelnewsasia.com
June 21, 2015
Answers To Common Questions About Ramadan And Hari Raya

“Really? Cannot eat at all?”

It’s a common question asked of myself and my fellow fasting family and friends by non-Muslims during this period.

Muslims the world over fast for the whole month of Ramadan, the ninth month in the Islamic calendar.

In Singapore, Ramadan started on the evening of Wednesday, June 17, with Muslims going through their first full day of fasting on Thursday.

The next question is usually: “But can drink water, right?”

While it is often the same questions asked on an annual basis, it’s better to ask than stay quiet.

In the interest of clearing up a few things once and for all for my non-fasting friends, here are the answers to some of your fasting month questions.

Why do you fast?

Fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam – anyone who is of age (generally determined by reaching puberty), and is not ill or in a situation which makes it difficult for them to complete their fast (eg strenuous work), must fast.

For Muslims, fasting during the month of Ramadan is not just about abstaining from food and drink.

It’s also about abstaining from other things from sun rise to sundown – such as smoking and sex.

We are encouraged to stay away from all kinds of temptation.

But drinking water is okay, right?

No, really, we can’t!

Not water, or tea, or milk, nothing.

Yes, in this weather, this means you can get really parched, but the idea is to tahan (take it) until about 7 in the evening, when we’re able to eat and drink again during the iftar, or breaking of fast.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong joining congregants of the newly upgraded Mujahidin Mosque in Commonwealth for a break fast, or iftar, session in 2014. ST FILE PHOTO

So you can eat in the evening. When do you stop eating then?

We generally stop eating and drinking at imsak, which is about 10 minutes before the break of dawn, a practice of the Prophet Muhammad.

We are encouraged to wake up in the early mornings – around 4 to 5am in Singapore – to eat something before imsak – this morning meal is called sahur.

For some, it’s a couple of dates. For others, it can be a full meal of rice and other dishes.

We eat again at sundown, which coincides with the time of the Maghrib prayer, one of the five prayers Muslims do every day.

What happens if you accidentally eat or drink something during the day?

It can happen, simply out of habit. This has happened to most Muslims I know. If it’s unintentional, we keep fasting.

What happens if you feel dizzy, or ill?

Only those who are well enough to fast should do so. You are permitted to break your fast if you are unwell.

So, do you have to “pay back” for the days you didn’t fast?

Yes, we should pay back the missed days as soon as possible.

It doesn’t have to be continuous but before the next Ramadan comes around.

If one is unable to repay, or unable to fast for years, then he or she can pay fidyah, a sum of money calculated using the number of days missed that will be donated to the poor.

So do NSmen have to fast?

Yes, if they are not ill. A guidebook from the voluntary welfare organisation Perdaus encourages fasting NSmen to drink lots of water and eat in the morning before sunup to help them through the day.

Uh, should I not eat or drink in front of you?

That’s entirely up to you! Food smells are certainly much more distracting on an empty stomach, so it would be nice if you didn’t.

But dealing with temptation is a strong theme for us Muslims during Ramadhan. Just, you know, don’t tempt us on purpose, lah.

BH FILE PHOTO

How about those countries where the sun sets at night, or sometimes not at all during the summer months?!

I had the same question when I was a kid. Do they, like, never eat at all?

They do but their fast is longer.

Now that it’s summer and days can be very, very long in the northern hemisphere.

Muslims in places like Reykjavik, Iceland, may fast for up to 21 hours a day, reports Quartz.

However, some scholars say that for health reasons, Muslims in such places could follow the “morning to evening” timings for fasting.

So, after Ramadan ends, you celebrate Hari Raya, which is Muslim New Year, right?

Actually, Hari Raya Puasa, or Aidilfitri, means ‘festival of breaking of fast’ in Arabic.

We celebrate it right after Ramadan ends, during the next month in the Islamic calendar, Syawal.

Muslims are not permitted to fast on Hari Raya Puasa.

In Singapore and in some other countries, the celebrations continue for a month, with friends and family visiting each others’ houses in traditional garb, presenting both children and elders with ‘green packets’, and serving traditional Malay kuih, or cookies.

It is all-encompassing as non-Muslims are invited over, too!

BH FILE PHOTO

Unlike Chinese custom, the younger members of the family generally stop receiving green packets after they’ve started working. Eating dishes like ketupat, rendang and ayam masak merah, however, is permitted no matter how old you are.

Oh, and we do have a “Muslim New Year”, or more accurately Islamic New Year.

It falls on the first day of the first month in the Islamic calendar, called Muharram. Our next New Year will be from sunset on Oct 13 to sunset of Oct 14.

There’s another Hari Raya on my calendar. What’s the difference?

That would be Hari Raya Haji, which marks the end of the annual Hajj, where millions of Muslims travel to Mecca to perform the pilgrimage.

On this day, those who are able are meant to sacrifice, or korban, a goat, a cow or a sheep, with the meat being meant for your family, neighbours and the poor.

No, you don’t have to go to butchery school! Your neighbourhood mosque will likely be able to conduct the sacrifice on your behalf. Some Muslims opt to pay for animals to be sacrificed in other, usually poorer countries, so the meat can be distributed to the needy there.

The korban commemorates the prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son Ishmael (the Quran doesn’t exactly say which son, but we believe it’s Ishmael, while Jews and Christians believe it’s Isaac).

Don’t worry, the story has a happy ending – at the last minute, the sacrifice is stopped and Ibrahim (or Abraham as he is otherwise known) is told by God that the deed has been fulfilled, as Ishmael has been replaced by a “great sacrifice”.

Okay, why do both Hari Rayas keep occurring earlier every year?

Because we get more and more eager to celebrate?

No. The real answer is that the dates are determined by the Islamic calendar, which has 12 months, but just 354 days.

The months are shorter as they follow the lunar cycle – the first day of the month starts when the first crescent is spotted. That’s how the beginning of Ramadhan is determined as well.

(The Islamic calendar is fully lunar, while the Chinese calendar is lunar-solar … that’s why Chinese New Year doesn’t move around as much as Hari Raya does.)

Also, this is why some years you get a public holiday bonanza, with Hari Raya Puasa falling in the same week as Chinese New Year from 1996 to 1998, and Hari Raya Haji (Eid-ul Adha) falling two days after Christmas in 2007.

Hopefully these answer the basics.

Source: www.tnp.sg

June 21, 2015
Zainal Sapari: Is Outsourcing Always The Best Solution?

I have been talking about the Government sector’s move into the world of outsourcing of their essential services. In my recent interview with Mothership.sg, I have mentioned this again. Well, as expected, there were some disagreeing views. But I stand firm with my thoughts.

The strategy of outsourcing jobs in the public service has affected many professions such as cleaning, security and landscaping. When outsourcing came about, it brought many advantages to the business market. Companies could better manage their operations as they were now focused on core businesses. But it also brought with it many setbacks – for the workers.

At some circumstances, when contracts change hands, workers are the ones who are affected most. Their terms of employment may be reset, especially their salaries. In my view, one major employer that can prevent this from happening is the Government.

My strong affirmation on this comes from my childhood experiences. My Father back then was employed as daily-rated worker with the Public Works Department. As a Civil Servant, he enjoyed all the welfare benefits that were pegged to his scope. And so did our family. I wish this can be the case for all low-wage workers in the public sector – that they are direct employees so that they are shielded, to some extent, from the harshness of the economic system.

This I why when I heard about the Housing Development Board Staff Union (HDBSU) and HDB’s successful emplacement of its security staff into the Operations Support and Management Support Schemes of Service, I was gratified.

The union had discussed at length with the management partners on taking care of the interest of these workers in the best way they could. The Security Scheme of Service was to be discontinued and there were 18 employees who were to be impacted. After much discussion, both sides decided to retain these workers within the organisation. In a gist, 17 security officers were placed onto the Operations Support Scheme (OSS) and one Assistant Security Officer was placed into the Management Support Scheme. With this change, the security employees are set to have better career paths and prospects.

My staff had a chat with one of the security officers at HDB, Mr Suhaimi Bin Aman, aged 56 years old. Mr Suhaimi shared that life in the security profession with HDB has been fulfilling. Above all, the major peace of mind he has is on job security. “There are some friends we know of who are outsourced workers, and their livelihoods really depends on the company’s tender. There is no form of commitment on the workers’ part as well. When you are in-house, there is a greater level of certainty with your job.”, he told my staff.

This IS the reality. NTUC has done some work that enables our workers in the lowest rung – our cleaners – to earn at least $1,000 with the Progressive Wage Model. Yet, the solution to help these workers who find their careers on a reset mode is still yet to be uncovered. With the progressive wage, even if the wage is reset, it is reset to a minimum level of $1,000 or $1,200 if you are skilled.

My hope is for the Government sector to consider directly hiring for positions like cleaners, security officers and the landscape workers.

Source: Zainal Sapari

June 21, 2015
SG50 Bonus Should Be Given To The Lower-Income Singaporeans Too!

DEAR MR PRESIDENT

Everytime its all about the civil servant.. maybe the GOVT shud relooked and, since its sg 50…, give that 500 to the road sweepers, the cleaners, the old age, the poor, the homeless, the middle n low income families, the true singaporean, the parents of special children and children with chronic illnesses, the preschool teachers, the odd job labourers, the single parents, the orphanages, old folks at OLd folks home, and the housewives.

NOT SPECIFICALLY civil servants!!!
Sorry but, No offence. I just hope this msg gets to you and the whole gang. 500 is a big deal to the above people. It is not jus my opinion alone but im sure the rest of the ‘regular’ singaporeans would agree with me.

Source: Nurul Marzuki

June 19, 2015