Tag: Faisal Manap

Workers’ Party: Set Up Committee To Address Persistent Perceptions Of Racial Discrimination

The Workers’ Party welcomes the signing of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD) on October 19, 2015 and its expected ratification in 2017. The Workers’ Party strongly believes in the aspirations laid out in the National Pledge, and Singaporeans should continually better the realisation that we are “one united people, regardless of race, language, or religion.” Acceding to and ratifying ICERD is an important step towards our national vision.

All societies have room to improve on the treatment of racial minorities. Singapore is no different. Even as we celebrate the achievements of our multiracialism, Singaporeans should be mindful of areas where we can do more. It is important for a multiracial society like Singapore to ensure that racial minorities recognise that they can always be confident of a safe, inclusive environment where they are accorded the human dignity each and every person rightly deserves.

A specific area that Singapore can work on as a society is to examine structural factors and institutional practices that may reinforce persistent perceptions of discrimination among racial minorities in Singapore. We are mindful that conditions fuelling such perceptions might not have been purposefully established or maintained. This makes it all the more important for Singaporeans to examine what we can all do to live up to the spirit of our National Pledge and the ICERD in eliminating all forms of racial discrimination and preserving our national pillar of multiracialism.

The Suara Musyawarah Committee Report on the concerns and aspirations of Malay-Muslim Singaporeans, published in July 2013, highlighted persistent perceptions of discrimination that would be, in the long run, unhealthy for our racial harmony. In May 2014, Member of Parliament for Aljunied GRC Muhamad Faisal Abdul Manap proposed the formation of a committee made up of government representatives, Members of Parliament and community leaders to address these perceptions of discrimination among Malay-Muslims.

In light of the signing of the ICERD, the Workers’ Party believes the formation and functioning of a multiracial committee is the best way forward to study and address persistent perceptions of discrimination among all minority communities. If the committee finds these perceptions to have some basis in institutional practices, then the findings will inform the Government to take the necessary action to rectify these practices. If these perceptions are found to have no basis, then the findings will allow the Government to work with affected communities to correct the perceptions. The committee will also serve as a useful national platform for inter-cultural conversations to promote mutual understanding and respect.

Singapore has made significant strides in multiracial integration and countering racial discrimination over the decades. Such steps are especially important for a highly diverse and multiracial society where physical space is limited and population density is rising. These conditions also mean that Singaporeans should constantly look to work on success in addressing racial discrimination and perceptions of discrimination, while conscientiously seeking to address shortcomings to strengthen our multiracialism.

Links:
The International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination
The Suara Musyawarah Committee’s Report
Transcript of Mr Muhamad Faisal’s speech and debate in Parliament on 26 May 2014

Dr Daniel Goh
Chair, Media Team
The Workers’ Party

27 October 2015

Source: www.wp.sg

October 28, 2015
Faisal Manap Opens Up On Sacrifices While Serving As Opposition MP

This article is part of Yahoo Singapore’s series of post-GE interviews with former candidates who contested in 2015’s General Election. In this article, we spoke to the Workers’ Party’s candidate for Aljunied GRC (Kaki Bukit Division), Muhammad Faisal Abdul Manap.

It takes a lot of sacrifices to serve Singaporeans as an opposition Member of Parliament.

Muhammad Faisal Abdul Manap, 40, who is Workers’ Party’s (WP) Member of Parliament (MP) for Aljunied GRC (Kaki Bukit Division), has lost friends and acquaintances who did not want to associate themselves to him because of his political involvement with the opposition.

“Being an opposition MP (Member of Parliament) as well as a politician is not as easy as one can think… there’s always (a) stigmatisation that we are against the establishment. So there are bound to be people who are not comfortable to be seen affiliating themselves with us. I personally experienced it as well as my missus,” said the freelance family counsellor.

Yahoo Singapore spoke to the member of Singapore’s leading opposition party, exactly a month after the elections ended with a landslide victory for the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP). WP succeeded in retaining its seats in the five-MP Aljunied GRC (51 per cent of votes) as well as Hougang SMC (58 per cent of votes).

The win gives Faisal a second chance at serving the residents of Kaki Bukit. It will also give him a second chance to speak up for issues related to the Malay/Muslim community when Parliament begins in January 2016.

Job loss and unwavering family support

Four years have passed since the father of three was first elected into Parliament. Although he lost many friends during this period, his family and relatives have given him their unwavering support.

During an hour-long interview at the party’s town council office in Bedok North, Faisal said he always believed in getting his family to understand what he goes through so that they can be there for him “emotionally”.

He would bring his parents to WP gatherings so they can witness him at work. On Nomination Day on 1 Sept, he brought them to the WP gathering site. Faisal was a family counsellor for two separate Voluntary Welfare Organisations (VWOs) from 2006 to 2008, and from 2008 to 2010. In 2010, he was “put out of job” due to his “involvement in politics”, before he decided to run for elections in 2011.

As an opposition MP, he lives with the uncertainty over whether he can retain his seat in Parliament and how his family will be affected when his term ends.

“If I don’t retain the MP position, will it be easy for me to get employed? In 2011 I was asked to leave my job in the social services because of my involvement in politics,” said Faisal, who does not believe that Singapore VWOs would be “open” to hiring him again.

Found a friend in PAP’s Kahar Hassan

Faisal found a friend in Kahar Hassan, 46, who used to be the chairman at PAP’s Kaki Bukit Branch, and was surprised when Kahar stepped down on 31 July, not long before elections began.

“Honestly, I’m close to Kahar, not only professionally but we do meet up during some of the iftar (break fast sessions) and some of the sessions at the mosque. I find him a very committed person who has done quite well in terms of serving the residents. The news of him stepping down came as a surprise to me,” he said.

The Monash University graduate felt the ruling party’s decision on Kahar was “unwise” for someone who had already built a close bond with the residents after serving them for 18 months. He said that “bonding is very important in order for you to assist and empower the other person’s life” and the “same goes for the field of serving the society”, and Kahar stepping down means that the residents will have to “start all over again”.

New PAP member Shamsul Kamar, 43, who used to be the head of department at Spectra Secondary School, took over from Kahar. Faisal said he has not had a chance to meet with him.

On being the first and only Malay opposition MP

Faisal is also the first and only Malay/Muslim opposition MP in Parliament. He said being the only minority on the opposition side to speak up on issues in the house could be a “lonely” experience at times. “It will be good if you can do things in a bigger group… the presence of another person (in Parliament) will be a bit better than you being alone,” he said.

At the same time, he believes “things happen for a reason” and that he will do everything within his means to bring about change for the community.

When Parliament starts in 2016, Faisal said he will continue to speak up on issues relating to the Malay/Muslim community, such as the “perceived discrimination against the Malays in the Singapore Armed Forces”, the decline in the Malay population, and the hijab issue, among other things.

He also hopes the Malay/Muslim individuals in the government will be open to working with him on issues related to the community.

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

October 15, 2015
Faisal Manap Berusaha Kekalkan Kerusi Bagi Penggal Kedua

MEREKA menyapa beliau dan menyambut mesra risalah yang dihulurkan, malah ada juga penduduk yang sempat berbisik, “jangan khuatir saya sokong anda”.

Gelagat dan reaksi positif sedemikian menguatkan lagi azam Encik Muhamad Faisal Abdul Manap, 40 tahun, agar terus berkhidmat dan memastikan Parti Pekerja (WP) mencatatkan kemenangan di GRC Aljunied, sekali gus mempertahankan kubu mereka daripada dirampas semula oleh parti pemerintah.

“Kebanyakan penduduk di kawasan undi Kaki Bukit yang membentuk sebahagian daripada GRC Aljunied mendiami flat jenis dua, tiga dan empat bilik.

“Umumnya, mereka warga biasa, pekerja biasa dan kami memahami isu yang dihadapi mereka, baik dari segi tekanan akibat kos kehidupan dan kos perubatan yang semakin meningkat ataupun kebanjiran pekerja asing yang membataskan peluang pekerjaan untuk rakyat. Jadi kami akan terus menyuarakan keprihatinan mereka,” ujarnya yang berusaha mengekalkan kedudukannya bagi penggal kedua.

Kemenangan Encik Muhamad Faisal dalam pilihan raya umum 2011 turut mencatat sejarah tersendiri apabila beliau menjadi calon Melayu pertama daripada parti pembangkang yang memenangi kerusi parlimen.

Dalam usaha mengukuhkan barisan alternatif, parti pembangkang telah menampilkan seramai 16 calon Melayu/Islam dalam pilihan raya umum kali ini, berbanding 13 dalam pilihan raya umum lalu.

Dalam wawancara itu, Encik Muhamad Faisal turut menekankan pentingnya masyarakat Melayu memberi sokongan kepada barisan alternatif Melayu kerana ia dapat mengukuhkan lagi kesejahteraan masyarakat.

WP sendiri menampilkan tiga karyawan Melayu berkelulusan sarjana – Encik Mohamed Fairoz Shariff, 36 tahun, mantan pegawai Lembaga Perpustakaan Negara; Encik Redzwan Hafidz Abdul Razak, 30 tahun, jurutera; dan Encik Firuz Khan, 48 tahun, pengusaha coklat, ChocolateXcellence, yang berpangkalan di Wales, Britain.

“Kita perlu saling bantu-membantu dan lengkap-melengkapi. Dalam era sekarang, kita tidak boleh mempunyai hanya seseorang atau sesebuah pertubuhan sahaja yang boleh berdiri secara sendiri bagi mencapai satu kebaikan.

“Saya rasa, dasarnya ialah nilai untuk bekerjasama, agar saling lengkap-melengkapi, itu sangat diperlukan terutamanya dalam masa sekarang.

“Kalau kita tengok, maaf kata, selama 50 tahun ini, PAP telah menerajui masyarakat Melayu/Islam Singapura kita tetapi jika kita tengok pada ‘Suara Musyawarah’, di mana ia satu koleksi suara masyarakat Melayu/Islam, menunjukkan lebih banyak lagi yang perlu dilakukan masyarakat,” katanya.

“Sejak lima dekad lalu, PAP masih belum dapat (memenuhi) apa yang diinginkan masyarakat.

“Jadi saya rasa, sudah tiba masanya agar diadakan satu barisan alternatif bagi melengkapi apa yang telah kita ada sekarang,” ujar wakil rakyat itu sebagai mengakhiri perbualan.

Source: http://beritaharian.sg

September 8, 2015
WP’s Faisal Manap And Fairoz Shariff Put Religion First, Potential Minister-In-Charge Of Muslim Affairs

Bro,

I nampak photo of WP Malay candidates performing prayers before rally dah go viral. I’m actually very proud and impressed of what they do. As a Kaki Bukit resident and a Muslim, it is good for me to see that there’s people like the WP candidates who represent us.

They show that even they are in Chinese party, they never forget their religious duties. They also very good people with very good heart.

What I know is Cik Faisal Manap and Cik Fairoz Shariff is very strict on religion. Religion is number one, is the priority for them. Islam is guide for what they do.

What I feel is Muslim MPs should put religion first, like Cik Faisal and Cik Fairoz.

Cik Faisal I know is Wear White supporter which is pro-family and anti LGBT. As Muslim this is not even a question for us. LGBT is forbidden. I respect Cik Faisal for standing up for what he believes in. He dont care about what the party stand. He support because he is a Muslim.

“I support the movement because it’s my responsibility to show concern for my fellow Muslims, asking them to do some introspection on whether what they’re doing is in accordance with Islamic values. That’s the campaign’s main calling.” – Faisal Manap

I and my family wil pray they will be successful next week. Who knows maybe they can become Muslim Minister one day inshaallah?

Hamzah

[Reader Contribution]

*Editor’s Note: The original article was amended to correct a phrasing error. We apologise to Mr Hamzah.

September 7, 2015
Faisal Manap: Workers’ Party Lebih Bersedia, 5 GRC Dijangka Menjadi Medan Pertarungan Panas

Sekurang-kurangnya lima GRC dijangka hangat dipertandingkan dalam pilihan raya 11 September ini.

Empat GRC tersebut turut diwakili calon Melayu PAP.

Satu-satunya kawasan undi baru dalam pilihan raya kali ini – GRC Marsiling-Yew Tee, mengambil sebahagian besar kawasan GRC Chua Chu Kang dan Sembawang.

Pasukan PAP diterajui bersama Menteri Kebudayaan, Masyarakat dan Belia, Encik Lawrence Wong, dan Speaker Parlimen, Cik Halimah Yacob.

Mereka berdepan Parti Demokratik Singapura (SDP) pimpinan John Tan.

SDP kalah kepada PAP di GRC Sembawang pada pilihan raya umum 2011.

“Berikan kita peluang untuk terus berkhidmat dan kita akan bekerja dengan keras dan memberikan lebih banyak sumbangan kepada penduduk Marsiling-Yew Tee,” kata Cik Halimah.

Cik Halimah juga memberitahu pasukannya akan mengeluarkan sebuah manifesto yang mengandungi rancangan-rancangan mereka untuk kawasan undi tersebut.

Beliau menjelaskan, “Dalam manifesto tersebut ada dua bahagian. Satu daripadanya ialah rancangan pembaikan dari segi infrastruktur dan keadaan sekitaran bagi penduduk kita dan bukan sahaja program-program ‘hardware’ tetapi ‘software’ di mana program-program untuk membantu anak-anak, keluarga kurang berkemampuan dan sebagainya,”

GRC Tanjong Pagar pula tidak pernah ditandingi sejak lima pilihan raya lalu.

Kali ini hampir 130,000 pengundinya boleh membuat pilihan antara pasukan PAP dan pencabarnya Parti Warga Diutamakan (SingFirst).

Pasukan PAP dipimpin ketua pergerakan buruh, Menteri di Pejabat Perdana Menteri Chan Chun Sing, 45 tahun.

SingFirst, sebuah parti politik baru diketuai Encik Tan Jee Say, mantan calon Presiden.

Satu lagi diramalkan sebagai antara ‘kerusi panas’ pilihan raya kali ini ialah pertarungan bagi GRC Jalan Besar pimpinan Menteri Perhubungan dan Penerangan Dr Yaacob Ibrahim.

Pada pilihan raya lalu, GRC ini membentuk sebahagian GRC Moulmein-Kallang dan meraih 58.55 peratus undi menentang WP.

Pasukan Dr Yaacob sekali lagi ditentang WP yang dipimpin pensyarah politeknik L Somasundaram.

“Kami berempat berterima kasihmenjadi calon bagi GRC Jalan Besar.Undilah PAP parti yang bekerjasama untuk kepentingan anda, parti yang bekerjasama untuk anda demi untuk Singapura,” jelas Dr Yaccob.

GRC East Coast juga sekali lagi menjadi medan pertarungan antara pasukan PAP dan WP.

Pada 2011, pasukan PAP meraih 54.83 peratus undi menentang WP yang menampilkan Gerald Giam dan Png Eng Huat.

Ia merupakan kemenangan paling tipis bagi PAP dan Encik Giam mendapat kerusi di Parlimen sebagai AP Tanpa Kawasan Undi.

Pasukan PAP yang mempertahankan GRC itu dipimpin Menteri Tenaga Manusia Lim Swee Say dan turut dianggotai Menteri Negara Pertahanan merangkap Pembangunan Negara, Mohd Maliki Osman.

Pasukan PAP di Aljunied pula siap sedia berjuang bagi mencabar lawannya dari WP.

Diketuai AP veteran Yeo Guat Kwang, pasukan muka baru ini bertekad untuk menawan semula GRC Aljunied.

WP juga menyatakan hasrat ingin kekal mempertahankan kerusi itu dengan pasukan ‘A’ mereka.

“Dengan pengalaman yang ditimba, kami lebih bersedia, berkomited dan bersemangat untuk berkhidmat kepada anda semua kali ini,” jelas Faisal Manap, Calon WP bagi GRC Aljunied.

“Pengundi-pengundi Aljunied, berilah kami kesempatan untuk berkhidmat untuk anda. Rakan-rakan kami akan bekerja keras untuk kamu, bagi kamu, demi untuk Singapura,” kata Shamsul Kamar, Calon PAP bagi GRC Aljunied.

Source: http://berita.mediacorp.sg

September 2, 2015