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Yaacob Ibrahim: Halimah Is Consistent And Never Shy To Speak Her Mind, I’ve Known Her For A Long Time

I’ve known Halimah for a long time. We first met in 1976 when I was an undergrad at the University of Singapore and she was in her third year of law school. We were at the University of Singapore Muslim Society orientation camp, where she was a senior shepherding the starry-eyed freshmen into the intricacies of Islam and its meaning in our lives. I was one of the freshmen.

Though we went our separate ways after graduation (occasionally meeting at weddings of mutual friends and at community events), I would often hear stories about her commitment to the struggles of low-income families and vulnerable workers.

If there’s one word to describe the Halimah I’ve known all these years, it is Consistency. Over the years, she has consistently shown her devotion to helping those in need, especially vulnerable women. She is never shy to speak her mind if it means getting more attention for them. Even when she became a parliamentarian in 2001 and later as Speaker of Parliament, Halimah never departed from her causes. I believe this consistency, as well as her dedication to helping our Muslim community navigate and integrate fully into the Singaporean family, will remain a lasting legacy.

I would like to thank Halimah for all her contributions and wish her the very best in her future endeavours. As she embarks on her new journey, I hope that in the years to come, in whatever capacity she finds herself in, she is able to convince the wider community to look beyond her race, to assess her beyond her gender, and to judge her beyond her religion, into becoming fully one with Singapore and Singaporeans. #yaacobibrahim

Source: Yaacob Ibrahim

August 24, 2017
Yaacob Ibrahim Ketuai Delegasi Jemaah Haji Singapura 2017

Menteri Bertanggungjawab bagi Ehwal Masyarakat Islam, Dr Yaacob Ibrahim, akan mengetuai delegasi haji jemaah Singapura tahun ini.

Beliau, yang akan berangkat Sabtu ini, akan memimpin rombongan itu sebagai tanda penghargaan pemerintah Singapura kepada kerajaan Arab Saudi bagi kenaikan kuota tahun ini.

Seramai 800 warga Singapura akan menjalankan ibadah haji tahun ini, naik daripada 680 tahun lalu selepas pihak Saudi meningkatkan kuota rasmi haji Singapura Februari lalu.

Dr Yaacob ditemui media di Terminal 2 Lapangan Terbang Changi petang ini (24 Ogos). Seramai 88 jemaah daripada Halijah Travels dan Abu Bakar Travel Services akan berangkat pada 4.40 petang nanti melalui penerbangan Scoot TR 592.

Source: http://www.beritaharian.sg

August 24, 2017
Three Possible Reasons That Can Lead To A Walkover Election And Win For Mdm President Halimah Yacob
1. No signs of preparation for the election
Knowing that the PE2017 would involve the whole nation to be at the voting booths, it is very unlikely that the government will mobilize its civil service officers at a short notice without any prior briefing. Has there been any information from sources in the civil service about blocking of leaves?

2. PAP candidate might lose if there is a straight contest between candidates

Therefore there is a high possibility that the two non-PAP candidates Salleh Marican and Farid Khan will be disqualified by the Election Department, making this upcoming reserved election for Malays a walkover victory for Halimah Yacob who is walking into Istana with her status as former Speaker of Parliament, and not as a CEO of a company with $500 million shareholders equity.

3. Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong is not his father

There are rumors going around saying that there would not be an election, but some questioned if the PAP administration dare to fix the presidential election so blatantly enough to appoint its chosen candidate. Some argued that it will not be let off easily if it did so happen.

Again, many Singaporeans may have lost interest in the upcoming reserved elections due to the amount of tasteless drama and conspiracies surrounding it. Yet, despite the outcome of the election, no matter who the president is, we need to think about one important thing, “Just how far is the PAP willing to go to protect its monopolistic stranglehold on political power?”

Rilek1Corner
August 24, 2017
1 Family Plans To Do Crowdfunding For Legal Fees After 2 Singaporean Men Jailed For Crossdressing In UAE

Mr Fadli Rahman, 26, a fashion photographer, and Nur Qistina Fitriah Ibrahim, 37, were arrested on Aug 9, with an official court document in Arabic saying two Singaporean men were caught for wearing women’s clothes in public and for behaving indecently.

The Straits Times reported that Nur Qistina is a transgender person who had legally changed her name but has not undergone gender reassignment surgery to become a woman.

The pair, who had arrived in the capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Aug 8, were arrested while out buying lunch at a shopping mall and were sentenced on Aug 20.

Cross-dressing, homosexuality and transgender behaviour are crimes in the UAE.

Mr Fadli was in Abu Dhabi for a photo shoot. He had previously worked on TV show Mongolia’s Next Top Model, and fashion magazines Her World and Men’s Folio.

The New Paper spoke to Mr Fadli’s brother, Mr Saiful Rahman, 32, yesterday. The property officer said the family last had contact with Mr Fadli when he sent a selfie on Aug 9.

Mr Saiful said the family then heard of the arrest from Mr Fadli’s friends on Aug 14.

When asked how his parents reacted to the news, he said: “My parents were crying and worried about him over there.”

He added: “We just want him back. We want him back safely. They can even deport him.”

The two men have until Sept 4 to appeal against their sentence.

When contacted, a spokesman from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs told TNP: “MFA is aware of this case and is rendering the necessary consular assistance. We are also assisting the family to seek legal advice.”

Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan, in an e-mail to the family seen by The Straits Times, said: “I’m sorry to hear about this. Rest assured that our consular and mission colleagues will do their best to assist your brother. I understand that they are already in contact with you and your brother. Please let me know if you need further assistance.”

Mr Saiful said the family have reached out to a lawyer in Abu Dhabi, Ms Stephanie Mouanes, an associate at Al Suwaidi & Company Advocates & Legal Consultants.

Speaking to TNP over the phone yesterday, Ms Mouanes said she had been in contact with the family but would not be able to furnish any details about the case until they officially appoint her.

Mr Fadli’s family and friends are planning to launch a crowdfunding campaign to raise money for his legal fees.

Source: http://www.tnp.sg

August 24, 2017
Australia Is The Perfect Place For Me; 2 Singaporeans Chase Aussie Dreams With New Visa Scheme

Tutor Amira Rahmat, 24, had always dreamed of working in the fields of nature and wildlife conservation, but the chance to do so did not come along – until now.

For the next year, she will work in wildlife and nature conservatories, including one in Tasmania, while pursuing another interest close to her heart – learning about coffee and taking barista courses.

The avid nature lover plans to leave her job and go to Australia in October.

Ms Amira, a National University of Singapore life sciences graduate, is one of two Singaporeans to receive a Work and Holiday visa under a new scheme.

She said: “Australia is the perfect place for me. It will allow me to follow my passion and give me the opportunity, for the first time in my life, to work in my dream field. I will have easy access to activities I love, such as camping, diving and immersing myself in nature and wildlife.”

Also off to Australia is advertising account manager Deborah Yap, 29. The diving enthusiast said she cannot wait to spend her time in a place where she can easily access dive spots and places like the Great Barrier Reef.

She said: “It was really surprising to hear I was granted the visa. It is such a blessing.”

Part of a bilateral agreement between Singapore and Australia, the visa will allow Singaporeans to spend up to 12 months in Australia, and allow Australians to do the same in Singapore.

And, for the first time, it will allow Singaporeans to hold jobs in Australia for up to six months each time under a single employer.

Singaporeans can also take up short courses for up to four months at a time.

Ms Amira and Ms Yap are the first two candidates to be granted the visa under the scheme. The initiative was launched in June, and applications opened on Aug 1.

The 125 spaces offered in this first round were taken up within an hour of the launch.

There will be a total of 500 spots each for Singaporeans and Australians each year.

Australian Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Steven Ciobo, speaking to the media in Singapore yesterday, said: “We knew that this visa programme was going to be popular, and the response just confirms it.”

He said that Singapore and Australia are linked by investments, trade and defence, among other things.

The visa scheme, he said, will help to build personal ties and allow Singaporeans and Australians to get some exposure to each other’s cultures.

The application for the next batch of visas will open on Oct 2. The scheme is open only to Singaporeans between the ages of 18 and 30, and who have completed at least two years of tertiary education or the equivalent.

Source: http://www.straitstimes.com

August 24, 2017