Rilek1Corner

Blog

  • MP Inderjit Singh Urge Singaporeans to Voice Concerns and Feedback

    Credit: Inderjit Singh
    Credit: Inderjit Singh

    I received many comments to my post last week, and many messages from Singaporeans, both personally as well as online. Although I disagreed with some policies which I highlighted, some seem to think that I was rejecting all the PAP Government’s policies which is not the case. 

    In my post, I touched on a number of issues in the way some policies have been implemented which I felt should have been better done. But I also acknowledged that the government has been resolving many of the problems, like transport and housing, and setting a new direction for the future especially in our social policies. For example, I pointed out that the icing on the cake was the Pioneer Generation Package, which is a good example of an inclusive policy showing compassion. 

    I am sure the government will continue to focus on solving the problems I mentioned and it will be good to also focus on how to have better policy formulation and implementation so that we have more effective policies in the future. I am confident the government will be doing this. Using the OSC approach for major policies will be one good way to have more ground up inputs for better policies. 

    The government has also put in place many social safety nets in the last three years and this has generally been helpful, but as I mentioned in my post, what will be useful is for the government to help Singaporeans through higher incomes instead of hand-outs. Compulsory progressive wages for cleaners and security officers is a good start, which I have been calling on the Government to do for many years. I would like to see this expanded so that we can see more Singaporeans earning a decent living wage. 

    While many Singaporeans wrote to me to express their appreciation for my post, some who wrote to me said I made some factual errors especially when I mentioned that cost increases had outpaced wage increases. Let me share what they highlighted to me. They pointed to government statistics that showed that net wages for Singaporeans have generally risen even after taking into account inflation. 

    One Singaporean currently studying in the UK wrote to me highlighting that the National Talent and Population Division, a government organization, has been keeping in touch with students studying in the UK and overseas. 

    A couple of grassroots leaders told me they felt that the asset enhancement policy did benefit them with real wealth and they are happy with it. Nevertheless, I was glad the PM said that we are looking more carefully at retirement adequacy such as by improving CPF-LIFE and that MND is further improving policies to help elderly Singaporeans unlock the savings in their flats so that they can look forward to a comfortable retirement without having to worry about their finances. It is important we continue to address these issues so that Singaporeans feel life has become better.

    Some have asked me what prompted me to express my views and if they would lead to concrete changes. As an MP elected by the people, it is my duty to make an assessment of the issues which concern Singaporeans based on the feedback I get and reflect them as accurately as possible so that the government can improve upon them. As to whether the government will listen, I can tell you that the reason I voice these concerns so confidently, is because I know they do not fall on deaf ears and that some action will be taken on them. I have seen this for the past 18 years in Parliament and that spurs me on to keep on doing my best as an MP. So the PAP government can and will solve problems and we all must continue to voice our concerns and feedback. 

    The debate in Parliament last week was a robust one. I am particularly heartened to see our Prime Minister reiterating what the PAP promised at the last GE2011 – to “Secure Our Future Together”. Many of my fellow MPs also spoke about how we can achieve this and we are on the right track. With this as a governing objective, we should achieve our desired outcome so that all Singaporeans feel their personal and family’s future remains comfortable and secure while the country prospers. 

    There is one thing we all need to do together as Singaporeans. We need to rally behind this single cause making Singapore a place where our children, and their children, can live comfortably, be proud of and can call home.

    Authored by MP Inderjit Singh

     

    EDITOR’S NOTE

    We like the idea of speaking up and sharing your opinion if you find something is not right and worth correcting simply by saying what you truly feel about it. That is the beauty of discourse and honesty. There will always be a fruitful outcome at the end of it all.

    Let’s not argue for the sake of arguing. 

    letters to R1C banner

  • MUIS Doing A Good Job – No Need To Set Up New Islamic Independent Body

    Nasiruddin Pungut
    Credit: Nasiruddin Pungut
    Credit: Nasiruddin Pungut
    Credit: Nasiruddin Pungut

    READ THIS ARTICLE FIRST TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENED EARLIER ON

    The problem when you have an independent body to issue so called Islamic regulations or fatwa’s, disagreement/misunderstanding might arise, just look at our neighbouring Malaysia.

    What they face is something which Singaporeans should avoid, in their case, different states have different Muftis and sometimes their fatwas or religious opinion clash with one another. Now if Singapore has their own independent Islamic body to regulate all these issues, who exactly are the committee who will regulate all these issues? How do we know that these so called independent Ulamas come up with such regulations not for their own benefit? In fact it causes more mistrust because these so called ‘independent body’ think they are holier than thou.

     

    I think the author is just another sour-grape who has personal issues with MUIS. What MUIS has done for the Malay Muslim community in Singapore is commendable despite the lack of funding, support. The system is not perfect but it has serve its purpose bcos no system is perfect.

    Honestly if the author think covering Aurat is a major issue well think again. I would rather have a lady who never covers her aurat but yet contribute more to the society than a hijab lady who is hypocrite and and gossips too much with her fellow hijab frens. A hijab person doesnt also mean that she prays 5 times daily, in fact she just could have put on hijab out of family pressure. So focus on the main social issue first before coming up with such petty issues.

    Im sure Allah is forgiving. In fact we humans tend to judge others more… it’s also very stupid to actually declare Jihad on this or Jihad on that not everything has to be Jihad… Just use more common sense.

    If the author thinks that by having an independent body to regulate Islamic regulations and fatwas, then they need to come up with reasons and even flaws which MUIS has overlooked before we can consider having an independent body. Otherwise don’t waste other’s ppl time with such proposals, bcos then you are just like a ‘rebel without a cause’…

    Authored by Nasiruddin Pungut

     

    EDITOR’S NOTE

    Nasiruddin Pungut shares his view in reference to a previous letter written by R1C reader named Firdaus Abdul Samad who felt that there should be a new set up of an Independent Ulama Body to closely look into matters of Muslims in Singapore.

    Good to share opinion and exchange of ideas. What is your view about this matter? Do you think Singapore should have an Independent Ulama/Islamic Body or not? Share you opinion with us at Rilek1Corner.

    SEE MORE ARTICLES ON MUIS-RELATED ISSUES

     

    letters to R1C banner

  • Kembalikan IRK Dalam Kurikulum MOE Demi Anak-Anak Kita

    Credit: Atan Flybaits
    Credit: Atan Flybaits
    Siapa ada album kumpulan Flybaits?
    Siapa ada album kumpulan Flybaits?

     

    muslim tudung muslimah

    Kita tidak sedar bahawa orang melayu Singapura sudah kehilangan dua elemen yang penting dalam masyarakat kita, ia itu ugama dan bahasa, kalau dulu jarang sekali kita ketemu anak melayu yang tak tahu kan ugama, tapi sekarang masaalah ini adalah perkara biasa, serupa juga dengan bahasa, maka kehilangan ini bukan lah di peringkat permulaan, ia di peringkat pertengahan – tapi jika kita berusaha mendesak pemerintah mengembali kan pelajaran IRK kepada kurikulum sekolah anak anak kita, masaalah ini akan dapat di tangani dengan meluas, maka di sini kita perlukan kerja sama para AP AP melayu Islam, tak kira sama ada dari pihak pembangkang atau pemerintah.

    Bagi pihak rakrat pula, kita perlu kan suara semua lapisan rakyat, tak kira dari golongan apa pun, dari golongan cendekiawan atau peniaga atau pekerja pekerja biasa, jika kita satu kan suara kita lalu mendesak pemerintah untuk mengembalikan pelajaran IRK ke sekolah sekolah kita, hasil nya seumpama melontar sebiji batu untuk mendapat kan dua atau tiga ekor burung.

    Pertama, kita dapat atasi masaalah anak anak yang tak tahu ugama, kedua , dengan ini masaalah asatizah yang sulit nak dapat kerja juga dapat di atasi dan ketiga, pelajaran ugama ini di ajarkan di dalam bahasa melayu, lalu masaalah bahasa juga dapat kita tangani, dan akan jadi lebih baik jika guru guru ugama ini juga di tugaskan mengajar bahasa melayu,lalu ini tidak akan membebankan tugas guru guru yang sedia ada.

    Tapi usaha ini tidak akan Berjaya kecuali kita dapat sokongan dari bawah ke atas, maksud nya permintaan rakyat dan sokongan dari ahli ahli politik sama ada dari pihak pemerintah dan pembangkang !! tidak ada alasan bagi mereka untuk mengatakan bahwa mereka akan kehilangan undi bangsa lain, kerana, pelajaran IRK adalah menuju kearah membentuk maanusia maanusia yang baik , lalu ia akan menghakis sifat sifat buruk dari anak anak kita dan membuat negara kita sebuah negara yang lebih selamat dan sejahtera.

    Sumber: Atan Flybaits

     

    EDITOR’S NOTE

    Mungkin ramai anak-anak muda sekarang tidak tahu bahawa Encik Atan ‘Flybaits’ adalah seorang penyanyi yang terkenal pada suatu masa dahulu. Lagu-lagunya masih bergemang di stesen-stesen radio tempatan dan juga di seberang tambak. Kumpulan ‘Flybaits’ merupakan kumpulan penyanyi Singapura yang terkenal dengan lagu Kenangan Lalu. Diketuai oleh penyanyi vokal, Fredo.

    Kami di Rilek1Corner mengalu-alukan pendapat sesiapapun, tidak kira selebriti atau orang-orang biasa sahaja seperti kami di sini.

    Nak tahu siapa gerangan Encik Atan Flybaits yang bersuara merdu ni? Tontonilah video ini 🙂

    letters to R1C banner

  • Dr Mahatahir: If You Understand Your Religion, You Will Never Be Gay

     

    Credit: Reuters
    Credit: Reuters

    KUALA LUMPUR, June 4 — Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad suggested today that homosexuality would not exist if people were strong in their religious beliefs.

    The former prime minister said homosexuality is now prevalent because the gay and lesbian communities have been following their emotions and lust.

    “If you understand your religion, you will never be gay,” the 88-year-old said after a lecture in the International Islamic University Malaysia  here.

    “If you strengthen your faith, your iman, then you’ll never be gay,” he added.

    Dr Mahathir was answering a question by a student — a nephew of former New Straits Times group chief editor Datuk A. Kadir Jasin — who asked for a way to curb the spread of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) movement in Malaysia.

    Dr Mahathir said that one of the dangers posed by the LGBT community is that they cannot have children, despite religion prescribing sex as a way to procreate.

    “It is good that they are having gay marriages, very soon they will disappear,” Dr Mahathir added, referring to the Western world.

    Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak objected to the inclusion of LGBT rights when signing Asean’s first human rights charter in 2012, saying Malaysia could not accept principles that went against the order of human nature.

    In the same year, the Education Ministry was forced to deny endorsing any guideline on spotting homosexuality symptoms among schoolchildren, following its then deputy minister’s apparent support for a controversial list that has triggered widespread disapproval.

    Mohd Puad Zarkashi, who was the then-deputy education minister, also said in March last year that his ministry may look into extending a parenting seminar on how to curb LGBT activities, to all districts in order to reach out to a wider group.

    International news wire Reuters reported the federal government as acknowledging last year that it has been working to curb the homosexuality “problem” prevalent among Muslims who form 60 per cent of Malaysia’s 28 million population.

    Homosexuality in itself is not a crime in Malaysia but is taboo in the religiously-conservative society, including among followers of Islam.

    Source: http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/those-with-strong-faith-wont-ever-be-gay-dr-m-says

    letters to R1C

  • Chef Wan Luahkan Pendapat Tentang Isu Makanan dan Toleransi

     

    Credit: Chef Wan
    Credit: Chef Wan

    I remembered talking about respect and tolerance for others some months back there are someone making a negative remark kononnya gambar2 Pork ni tak usah la post konon mereka geli.

    Apa budu dan cencalok itu bukan ke bangkai makanan laut yg busuk mau pun ikan masin serta Perkasam dan belacan itu tak busuk ke? Dont u think other races also find that a complete turn off tetapi boleh pula kita mencekek dan sedap.

    Susah jika manusia yg hidup mereka macam katak bawah tempurung ini. Ini makanan orang yg perlu kita respect dah tak perlu nak rasa jijik dan aib kan mereka. Shame on this moron that today is destroying the image of this country and causing alot of tension among other races with their itu haram dan ini haram! Dah tahu haram diam sudah la. Bangsa asing tak suruh pun kita mencekek bodoh! Why cant we exercise tolerance towards others instead of always finding fault at them bangsa Asing? This country is not just for the Muslim alone likewise the whole World. If other races and nation of the World can respect Islam and even the Pope can take his shoe off to enter our mosque in Juruselem nak saja saya kata di sini who the Hell are we to try and preached others and find fault as them sedang we our own race pun tak sempurna mana la!

    I am getting so sick of reading all this irresponsible human being from the public to Politician that put their brain on their knee cap! Opened up yr eyes and watch the news where is Peace in this world today? Letaknya di hati dan tangan kita!

    Sumber: Chef Wan

     

    EDITOR’S NOTE

    Di Singapura memang jarang ada masalah seperti ini kerana orang Singapura semua sudah ‘training’ makan di food court atau kedai kopi, di mana makanan halal dan bukan halal beroperasi di tempat yang sama dan tidak diasingkan.

    Oleh itu, kalau cerita fasal isu toleransi, Singapura memang ternyata sudah memupuk sikap mulia ini sejak di bangku sekolah lagi 🙂

    letters to R1C

     

     

deneme bonusu