Blog

Muslims To Contribute More To Mosque Building And Mendaki Fund From June

Starting Jun 1, monthly contributions by Muslims to the Mosque Building and Mendaki Fund (MBMF) will be raised by between S$1 and S$10.

The increase, announced by Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Dr Yaacob Ibrahim at the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore’s (MUIS) Workplan Seminar on Saturday (Mar 12), is the first revision to contributions since 2009.

Four additional tiers have been added for those earning between S$4,000 and S$10,000.

Muslims earning below S$1,000 as well as those earning between S$1,000 and S$2,000 will pay S$1 more, bringing their monthly contribution to S$3 and S$4.50, respectively. The contributions progressively increase based on eight income bands, up to a maximum of S$26 for those earning above S$10,000, an increase of S$10 from the current monthly contribution.

“The revision will allow us to raise an addition of at least S$6 million every year and this will go a long way to improve the socio-religious life of our community,” Dr Yaacob said.

The MBMF has enabled the upgrading of 17 mosques adding 4,700 prayer spaces, as well as contributed to the building of new mosques such as the Al-Islah Mosque in Punggol, he said. The fund has also helped to enhance madrasah education and support parents with school-going children.

MUIS said higher contributions will help ensure the timely completion of future mosque development and upgrading projects. The increase will also boost funding for Mendaki, which has dipped into its reserves since 2013 to expand its educational programmes and meet rising costs, it said.

Source: www.channelnewsasia.com

March 13, 2016
Caring Malay Bus Captain Was Superhero, Took Care Of Woman Struggling With Toddler

This morning at about 10.15, I took a SMRT bus 859B (Licence plate no SMB 3149 X) at the bus stop opposite Blk 491 Admiralty Link. The driver, a Malay man in his twenties ( I couldn’t get his name) seemed reluctant to continue and kept looking towards the back of the bus.

After about a minute of waiting, he walks towards the back and tells a female passenger who is standing to have a seat. The passenger is carrying a toddler. Despite her declining, he politely tries to persuade her to sit down, telling her that it may be uncomfortable and dangerous to stand. This prompts another passenger to persuade others to give up their seats. Someone gives up his seat and the passenger sits down. The journey continues uneventfully.

Prior to boarding the bus, I had been watching the trailer of the new Captain America movie, a cinematic project filled with an assortment of super heroes.

I couldn’t help but think that this young man could have turned a insouciant blind eye to the passenger’s discomfort and the possible danger facing her. He instead chose to address it. This prompted others to rise up and help her. He may have not realized it, but he inspired others to act with civic consciousness.

Now that’s who I call a superhero. It is therefore fitting that I couldn’t even catch his name and he remains a mystery.

Source: Thiagesh Menon

March 13, 2016
SDP Will Contest In Bukit Batok By-Election

The SDP will be contesting in the Bt Batok by-election which we expect will be called soon.

Our campaign team has been activated and we will work very hard to be the people’s voice in Parliament and continue to be the Competent, Constructive and Compassionate party that Singaporeans want to see.

Source: Singapore Democratic Party (SDP)

March 13, 2016
David Ong Resigned After Affair With Married Grassroots Activist Exposed

Bukit Batok MP David Ong resigned suddenly on March 12 afternoon citing “a personal indiscretion” as the reason.

It is now believed that the indiscretion was an extramarital affair with a married grassroots activist.

The woman is believed to be Ms Wendy Lim, 41, who works in a logistics firm.

According to her company website, Ms Lim was previously a leading crew member with Singapore Airlines .

Chinese daily Lianhe Zaobao that reported that Ms Lim is an active member of the Bukit Batok People’s Action Party Women’s Wing.

The group’s Facebook page shows Ms Lim in a number of photographs, taking part in various grassroots activities as well as the General Election last year.

Mr Ong, 54, is married with three children.

Ms Lim is also married with three children of her own.

Ms Lim could not be contacted yesterday. Her Facebook page was made private shortly after Mr Ong’s resignation.

It is believed that the affair lasted six months and that it was Ms Lim’s husband who lodged a complaint.

The PAP spokesman refused further comment on this information last night.

Mr Ong also did not respond to our further queries.

Source: www.tnp.sg

March 13, 2016
Bukit Batok MP David Ong Resigns

Bukit Batok MP David Ong has announced his resignation citing “personal reasons”, according to a press statement from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) on Saturday (Mar 12).

In the meantime, Mr Desmond Lee, Senior Minister of State for Home Affairs and National Development and MP for Jurong GRC, will take care of Bukit Batok residents, said PM Lee Hsien Loong.

A by-election will be held in Bukit Batok SMC in due course, he added.
Below are the statements reproduced in full:

Source: www.channelnewsasia.com

March 12, 2016