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P1 Registration: Child Must Live At Declared Address For At Least 30 Months From Jul 2015

A new rule requiring children to live for at least 21/2 years at the addresses they used to apply for primary school has been introduced, with parents largely supportive of the change.

Beginning this year, those who gain priority admission to schools based on distance need to live at the address for at least 30 months from the start of the Primary 1 registration exercise.

Those with a yet-to-be-completed property also have to live at the new address for as long, but this can start only from when they move in and not from the registration, subject to certain limits.

The Ministry of Education (MOE) did not set any specific time period previously. If this condition is not met, MOE may transfer the child to another school.

When asked, MOE said the distance priority has always been given with the expectation that the family will live at the address declared for Primary 1 registration.

While the MOE’s intent is that this should be for as long as the child is in primary school, it “recognised the practical challenges of imposing an explicit ‘minimum stay’ that would meet the policy intent while not making it overly onerous and rigid”.

The news, reported by Chinese daily Lianhe Zaobao yesterday, has sparked a lot of discussion. Parents felt the rule would deter people from renting homes and moving away shortly after their children get spots in schools, and said it will not affect them as they do not plan to move soon.

But some who rented properties near schools may be stuck if their leases do not last 30 months.

For Primary 1 registration, schools conduct a ballot when the number of applicants exceeds available places. Those who live nearer the school – usually within 1km – get priority in the ballot.

A handful of parents have taken advantage of this to get their children into popular schools. A father who lied about where he lived to get his daughter into a top school in 2013 was given two weeks’ jail this year.

Property agents said the rule is unlikely to affect rental or home prices. One agent, Mr Jack Tam, said those who rent places near popular schools are rare.

Horizon Real Estates’ key executive officer Lena Low agreed, but said those who rent homes may need to get longer-term leases.

Some who just want the address get cheaper studio apartments without living there, she said. If they have to move in now, they need a bigger place, she said.

Housewife Shellin Tan, 38, who has a six-year-old son, said the rule is fair but “those who want brand-name schools will still find properties with longer leases or buy homes near them”.

Mr Lim Biow Chuan, chair of the Government Parliamentary Committee for Education, said the rule ensures families live near their kids’ schools. But the period may be too long as some may genuinely need to move, he added.

Source: www.straitstimes.com

May 26, 2015
Three-Day Operation Nabs 89 People For Vice And Immigration Offences

Law enforcement officers arrested 89 people for various offences in a three-day operation to weed out illegal activities, the police said on Monday.

These included voluntarily allowing their bank accounts to be utilised by unlicensed moneylenders, suspected involvement in vice, drug-related offences and immigration offences.

The operation was led by Jurong Police Division and supported by the Traffic Police (TP), Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB), Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) and Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF).

The officers checked 1,240 persons and 1,520 vehicles at the land checkpoints as well as multiple locations in the western part of Singapore, including karaoke lounges in Jurong.

During a raid at the Sun City karaoke lounge above the Jurong Superbowl bowling alley, police arrested eight Vietnamese women for working illegally at the establishment.

Shopkeeper Muhammad who runs a provisions stand near the karaoke lounge said that that some of these women were working.

“So many foreigners there, we can’t be sure that all of them have work passes,” he said.

The officers also busted prostitution activities in forested areas along Kranji and arrested suspects for drug peddling in Bukit Batok.

The commander of the Jurong Police Division, Deputy Assistant Commissioner of Police Wilson Lim, said: “Police will continue to work closely with other Home Team agencies to deal with those who carry out such illicit activities.”

Source: www.straitstimes.com

May 26, 2015
Kirsten Han: Time To Make Singapore A More Inclusive Space

Ireland – a largely Catholic country which only decriminalised homosexuality in 1993 and divorce in 1995 – voted resoundingly to amend their constitution and approve same-sex marriage last weekend. They have become the first country in the world to approve gay marriage by popular vote, and at a count of 62 per cent to 38 per cent, no less.

This piece of news stood in stark contrast to another development circulating on social media in Singapore: that the Media Development Authority (MDA) had apparently banned from radio and TV a song and music video by Jolin Tsai, presumably because its pro-gay message would encourage a push for same-sex marriage here.

It feels a bit as if the MDA has jumped the gun; there *is* no push for same-sex marriage in Singapore, mostly because everyone is still wondering how to shift the supposedly-not-enforced-but-somehow-still-important-to-keep Section 377A, which criminalises sex between men. On top of that, many in the LGBT community find themselves struggling against the fact that some Singaporeans don’t even recognise that discrimination exists.

That conservatives exist in every country is beyond doubt; I’m sure there were some fundies praying for the Lord to chuck rain down on gay people in Ireland too.

But while we’re riding high on the inspiration generated by Ireland’s stellar example, it’s time to think of how our own country could be so much better for everyone living in it. To not just dwell on hate and fear, but on love.

The repeal of 377A would have little to impact on the lives of heterosexual – or even religious – people. It would, however, mean a lot for LGBT people in Singapore, all of whom have parents, siblings, relatives and friends who would in turn be affected. It would be a strong signal that Singapore’s government will no longer be in the vanguard of discrimination against LGBT people, that it will no longer support the symbolic legislation that validates countless forms of bullying, dehumanising language and prejudice.

It would be a step towards telling young LGBT persons that they *are* accepted in Singaporean society; that they don’t have to be ashamed of who they are and that they can have a future without stigma and fear in Singapore. It would tell the parents of these LGBT persons that they are not alone, that they don’t have to worry about their children being branded as deviants and criminals. Conservatives aren’t the only ones who care about family; gay people have families too. Love, even familial love, is not exclusive to heterosexuals.

The court has rejected the constitutional challenge to 377A, essentially pushing the responsibility back to the legislators. Yet legislators have often pointed to Singapore’s conservatism as a reason for maintaining the status quo. As we see from the MDA’s move, the state is not only unwilling to change, but actively restricting the conversation.

Ireland has done something wonderful and historic in this past weekend. Let us Singaporeans not be caught on the wrong side of history; let us not wait for court cases or politicians to bring us the equality that we should have.

Make it to Hong Lim Park for Pink Dot. Write to your MP about LGBT rights and the need for anti-discrimination legislation. Talk to your friends about acceptance and diversity. Reach out to LGBT people around you who might need support. Do what you can to create a safe space for them to be who they are and say what they need to say.

377A continues to loom over us all – a symbol of prejudice and discrimination. Yet we cannot simply wait for it to disappear; we as Singaporeans can do our part to start making Singapore a more inclusive place. Today.

Source: https://sg.news.yahoo.com

May 26, 2015
Singapore A Secular State? Think Again

By Michael Y.P. Ang

In recent years, there have been loud calls to exclude religion from the public sphere in Singapore.

Singapore is widely seen as a secular state because it has no official religion. But there’s more to secularism than the absence of a state religion.

Secularism also involves the strict separation of the state from religious institutions and the equal treatment of all citizens under the law, whatever their religion or belief.

Two weeks ago, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong reinforced the commonly held view of a secular Singapore: “To maintain harmony in Singapore’s multiracial and multi-religious society, the government … has got to be neutral, secular in its approach, and pragmatic in solving problems.”

However, going by the definition of secular — not connected with religious or spiritual matters — it’s hard to see Singapore as a secular state.

Let’s consider two points.

1) Religion-based public holidays

Have you noticed that more than half of the 11 public holidays you enjoy every year are related to religion? Good Friday, Vesak Day, Hari Raya Puasa, and Deepavali are some of these religion-based holidays.

With the state giving official recognition to religious holidays, taxpayer money is used to pay public servants a full day’s worth of salary for taking a day off to celebrate a holiday related to a particular religion. Private companies too are legally bound to give their employees a paid day off.

Doesn’t sound secular, does it? Let’s face it, religion has always been a part of the public sphere in Singapore.

It’s baffling that Singaporeans who advocate secularism do not question state-sanctioned religious holidays. Perhaps they only believe in selective secularism, voicing their objections only when it is convenient.

Have true secularists ever considered suggesting Total Defence Day, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Youth Day, Remembrance Day, or any other non-religious day to be observed as a public holiday? They could even argue that the official observance of such days has nation-building value.

Personally, I like having the various religious holidays. In fact, I wish for more.

2) Religion-based government agencies

Another clear indication of Singapore being non-secular is the existence of religion-based statutory boards. Such bodies are government agencies under the care and budget of the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth.

One of them is the Hindu Endowments Board. Set up under the Hindu Endowments Act in 1968, itmanages four temples, among other functions. Another is MUIS (the Malay acronym for the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore), established when the Administration of Muslim Law Act came into effect in 1968.

The mission of MUIS is “to work with the community in developing a profound religious life and dynamic institutions”, while its strategic priority is “to set the Islamic agenda, shape religious life and forge the Singaporean Muslim Identity”.

With government agencies performing religious functions, how can a country consider itself a secular state?

The lack of public opposition to religion-based statutory boards possibly means that Singaporeans, including secularists, either support or do not object to the allocation of taxpayers’ public resources for religious purposes. This is a positive sign.

But once again, secularists’ apparent lack of opposition to having religion in the public sphere may mean they are not really serious about secularism.

Proselytising isn’t only about religion

Besides emphasising state neutrality on religious matters recently, PM Lee also raised some concerns. He said religious fervour, although in itself positive, could make people “proselytise more aggressively, offending others”.

We should apply PM Lee’s statement to secular issues as well. Proselytising also means “trying to persuade someone to change their political beliefs to your own”.

Proselytising per se is perfectly fine, but when people excessively promote their way of life or political beliefs and practically demand others to accept their views or change the status quo, they are crossing the line.

Don’t cry foul just because others disagree with your beliefs or lifestyle. Social issues, whether they are of a religious or secular nature, are rarely simple and straightforward.

Source: https://sg.news.yahoo.com

May 26, 2015
MUIS Agih Wakaf Berjumlah Lebih $2.7 Juta Di Masjid Al Mawaddah

Majlis Ugama Islam (Muis) telah mengagihkan wakaf berjumlah $2,793,035 di Masjid Al Mawaddah di Sengkang semalam.

Ketua Eksekutif Muis, Haji Abdul Razak Maricar, dan Mufti Dr Mohamed Fatris Bakaram, telah merasmikan majlis pengagihan wakaf kepada masjid, madrasah, pertubuhan Islam dan golongan yang memerlukan.

Melahirkan rasa syukur, Haji Abdul Razak berkata agihan itu telah meningkat berbanding $1.13 juta sedekad lalu.

“Berteraskan aspirasi dan sokongan masyarakat Islam, pulangan daripada aset wakaf telah menghasilkan lonjakan yang amat positif.

“Alhamdulillah, tahun ini kita berupaya mengagihkan pulangan aset wakaf tiga kali ganda melebihi pengagihan sedekad yang lalu,” katanya.

Beliau mengajak masyarakat meneruskan legasi dan warisan kedermawanan yang dilakukan pewakif perintis.

“Masyarakat Islam harus mengambil iktibar mengenang bakti dan wawasan para wakif perintis kita yang telah mewakafkan harta mereka…

“Masyarakat hari ini masih berpeluang meraih semangat amal jariah yang sama, dengan menyemarakkan sifat dermawan kita,” kata beliau.

Sebanyak 34 masjid menerima wakaf bagi kerja-kerja operasi, pentadbiran dan pengurusan, termasuk kerja-kerja peningkatan dan pembaikan.

Selain itu, 26 pertubuhan seperti Persatuan Bertindak Ginjal bagi Masyarakat Islam (MKAC), Rumah Kanak-Kanak Pertapis, Casa Raudha, Persatuan Persuratan Pemuda Pemudi Melayu (4PM) dan Persatuan Kebajikan Muslim Singapura turut menerima wakaf bagi membiayai aktiviti mereka dalam program sosial, penjagaan kesihatan dan pendidikan Islam.

Kesemua enam madrasah sepenuh masa juga menerima wakaf daripada Wakaf Ilmu dan wakaf lain.

Ini adalah pengagihan kedua bagi Wakaf Ilmu sejak pelancarannya pada 2012 – pelaburan yang dibuat dari Januari 2014 hingga Disember 2014.

Ustaz Jazair Jumat, Ketua Dakwah dan Islah Masjid Kampung Siglap, berkata wang daripada wakaf itu dapat membantu pembangunan program Al-Quran di masjidnya.

“Di Masjid Kampung Siglap, kami mempunyai Darul Quran Singapura dan insya-Allah kami akan memanfaatkan semaksimum mungkin program-program pembangunan Al-Quran dan pembelajaran Al-Quran,” katanya.

Presiden 4PM, Encik Izzuddin Taherally, pula berkata dengan wang wakaf yang diterima, ia dapat membantu persatuannya mengajak anak-anak muda menyertai program-program kemasyarakatan yang dianjurkannya.

“Kami akan mencapai tujuan itu dengan mengadakan programprogram seperti projek Roda Roda Ramadan, Remaja Resilien dan Frenz bagi membantu golongan belia,” ujar beliau.

Source: http://beritaharian.sg

May 26, 2015