Tag: Islam

Khan Osman Sulaiman: Reserved Elected Presidency Is Fundamentally Flawed

Im not that fired up on the upcoming Presidential Election. I know some of my friends are grateful that we now can have a Malay President after 50 years. We now can see photos of a Malay President and a Malay First Lady in every government buildings.

Let’s not miss the forest for the trees.

There are fundamental issues that need to be addressed with regards to reserving the presidential election for Malay candidates.

1. This gov has put out of reach the aspirations of Singaporeans from being the president. It has implemented some strict conditions where most probably only the top 1% of the population is eligible, perpetuating an elitist society

2. It has made changes to the President’s role that there is not much the president can decide on its own discretion. Council of Presidential Advisers (CPA) can override the President. Parliament can override the President. President to consult CPA. In the end, the President is a ‘lame-duck’

3. Reserving this presidential election for Malay candidates posed a few problems. It gives out the notion that the Malays cannot stand on its own merits and win the election fair and square.

It is condescending and reek of tokenism when at the same breadth, minorities are not allowed to assume the position of Prime Minister

4. It goes against the grain of meritocracy. It places the Malay community as a pawn in a chess game. To be used only when needed.

If the above points cannot be seen by those rejoicing for joy on the prospect of getting a Malay President, then as a whole, we deserve to be minions.

Source: Khan Osman Sulaiman

June 1, 2017
Good News For Malay/Muslim Community – Yaacob Ibrahim Confirms Not Contesting Reserved EP

Aspiring candidates for the presidential election have to see the office not as a job but as a calling, Minister for Communications and Information Yaacob Ibrahim said on Thursday (June 1).

They must also be able to reach out to all Singaporeans, and uphold multiracialism, he said.

“Whoever is willing to step forward to take on the job must continue to carry the ethos of multiracialism, which is important,” Dr Yaacob said. “He or she must continue to do their best to rally all Singaporeans, not just the Malay community.”

Dr Yaacob, who is Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs, was speaking to reporters at the inaugural madrasah student awards ceremony.

He also reiterated that he was not interested in running for the presidency, a point he made in an interview with Malay daily Berita Harian that was published in January this year.

Source: www.straitstimes.com

June 1, 2017
29 Year Old Traffic Police Staff Sergeant Lost His Life After Alleged Accident With Van Along Serangoon Road

A traffic police officer died in a traffic accident on Thursday (June 1) morning, police said.

Staff Sergeant Nadzrie Matin, 29, was involved in an accident along Serangoon Road at about 10.40 am while he was performing traffic patrol duties.

He was taken to the Tan Tock Seng Hospital where he subsequently succumbed to his injuries and passed away, police said.

Mr Nadzrie had joined the Singapore Police Force in 2009 and was posted to the Traffic Police after he had completed his training

Commissioner of Police Hoong Wee Teck expressed his deepest condolences to the family, “I am deeply saddened by the sudden loss of Staff Sergeant Nadzrie. He was a dedicated and well-liked officer. We will do everything possible to assist his family during this difficult period.”

The Police appealed to members of the public not to circulate videos or images of the deceased out of respect for his family.

Earlier on Thursday, videos and photos showed a traffic police motorcycle lying on a grass patch, and a uniformed man lying nearby.

Paramedics appeared to be performing chest compression rescue on him.

The 52-year-old driver of the vehicle involved in the accident, said to be a van, has been arrested for a negligent act causing death.

Investigations are currently ongoing, police said.

Source: www.straitstimes.com

June 1, 2017
Good Samaritans Help Malay Family Who Now Don’t Have To Be Homeless For Hari Raya

Thanks to Good Samaritans, the HDB default rent of $414 was completely paid since last night when we broke the appeal for funds so that a Malay family staying at Yishun rental flat won’t be evicted during Hari Raya.

Good job Singaporeans! And shame on you HDB!

Poor People’s Campaign – a ground-up community initiative to improve the living condition of the poor among us.

A Muslim couple may have to spend their Hari Raya homeless as HDB will evict them by 30th June if they can’t pay the rental default of $414 or 3 months’ rental.

The husband is a pest controller – he has two sons and a wife who looks after the kids.

His salary is only $1000 before CPF deduction.

There are other outstanding bills eg SP and S & C but the rental one seems more important as it means having a important roof over their head.

If you can help out with any amount, please pay it at any AXS machine with the account number taken from the post: 2810-0792-6-14

Don’t let them celebrate Hari Raya homeless!

Source: Gilbert Goh

June 1, 2017
Damanhuri Abas: Singaporeans Need Truly Independent, Non-Partisan President

With this announcement from the Government, we Singaporeans would now state our expectations on the Malay President to be that we, Singaporeans of all races will be voting for in September.

As spelled out in the raison d’être of having an Elected President, the position comes with critical Presidential powers of financial oversight for our vital billions of dollars of reserves. He or she is the safeguard and second key to our reserves. He or she must rigorously check the government to know how well or badly they managed the collective money of the people. This monies are invested and since the Government refused full transparency to disclose the truth of the state of our reserves in clear details, the President is the only hope of the people to hold the Government accountable on our behalf.

Thus the President to be must be someone who has experiences managing in the real sense, multi-million dollar operations in a position of direct and primary responsibility. He or she is accountable for the positive outcome of the business or otherwise must be able to face the rigour of explaining any failures when it happens with all its consequences.

A person with such capabilities most likely would only be someone who has run himself or herself, successful multi-million dollar setup with thousands of employees under his or her charge and care. Someone from the private sector would be ideal as the public sector immunes somewhat from the demanding scrutiny and consequential rigour.

The honest question Singaporeans should now ask is, are there any such persons of capable experience and merit in the Malay community to be given that trust by the people? If there is such a person that emerged to contest, Singaporeans should make the right choice of electing that person instead of anyone from the Government rank and file from the Malay community which sadly do not have any experience given of the above scale of financial amount and responsibility as mentioned, working in the Government.

Ultimately, the overwhelming evidence of late from rampant price and tax hikes on the people, and the sudden changes to the constitution to game the system, the people must be fully cognisant of the dangers of unchecked and uncontrolled Government going rogue. Thus the people all the more needs a truly Independent Elected President. And that will never come from someone who is a known Government man or woman who will tow the government line instead of being its very gatekeeper.

Source: Damanhuri Abas

June 1, 2017