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Tag: K Shanmgam

  • Perkasa: Singapore Minister’s Remark An Insult To King, Government

    Perkasa: Singapore Minister’s Remark An Insult To King, Government

    Malay right-wing group Perkasa wants Wisma Putra to send a letter of protest to Singapore for comments attributed to a senior minister comparing Singapore Malays with Malaysian Malays.

    Singapore Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam had been reported as saying that Singapore Malays are better off in terms of education standing, skills and wealth than those of similar ethicnicity in Malaysia or Indonesia.

    Perkasa deputy chairman Sirajuddin Salleh said the statement made by Shanmugam was uncalled for.

    “I am concerned about the statement. It is not diplomatic and is an insult to the King and the government of Malaysia,” he told FMT when asked to comment on Shanmugam’s statement.

    Sirajuddin said Malaysia and Singapore were close neighbours and there should be greater diplomacy between both countries.

    “I hope Wisma Putra will issue a strong protest letter. To me, the remark is not good. I will not touch on the content because it is very subjective.

    “It is just like if he comes to my house and says something that is not nice. Whether he is right or not, that is subjective, but in this case, it is not very nice,” Sirajuddin said.

    Earlier Channel News Asia quoted Shanmugam as saying that “with a stable, strong political system, with a strong government, with a guarantee for the minorities … with this framework, we can become the community that Muslim societies in other countries look towards and say, this is the example.”

    Shanmugam had also suggested that Malay, Indian and Chinese PMETs (professionals, managers, executives and technicians) from Singapore were better off than those of the same race, respectively, in Malaysia.

    However, the minister had cautioned that while Singapore was doing better compared with many parts of the world, “within Singapore there is still a gap” and they were no longer just competing with Malaysia or Indonesia, but instead competing with the world.

    He said the proportion of Malay Primary 1 students who go on to post-secondary education had doubled from 45% in 1995 to 93% in 2015. Those who eventually receive polytechnic diplomas, professional qualifications or university degrees have “gone up over a five-year period to 21%.”

    Shanmugam added that the proportion of Malays working as PMETs increased to 28% in 2010 and their median real monthly income per capita had doubled since 1990.

    Nearly 90% of Malay households in Singapore own their own homes, according to Shanmugam.

    However, he singled out three challenges facing the Malay-Muslim community in the country – radicalisation, loss of jobs and the over-representation of Malays being caught for crimes and drug abuse.

    Citing a Pew Research Centre study which showed that 10% of Malaysian Malays had a favourable opinion of Islamic State (IS), and that nearly one-quarter were not prepared to come out and say that IS is wrong, Shanmugam said that Singapore Malays must not get to that level.

    “A key part of that depends on you, the leaders of the Malay community, and whether you can make sure that the right religious values are put forth. We have to work hard at this because the influences are on the internet,” Shanmugam reportedly told a seminar organised by the Association of Muslim Professionals in Singapore.

    On drug abuse, Shanmugam had said 53% of those arrested for drug abuse last year were Malays. This is an increase from 10 years ago when the proportion of Malays arrested for the same was 32%.

     

    Source: freemalaysiatoday

  • SG Malay-Muslim Community Can Be The “Beacon For The Rest Of The World”

    SG Malay-Muslim Community Can Be The “Beacon For The Rest Of The World”

    The Malay-Muslim community in Singapore has made concrete progress in the areas of education, jobs and wealth, said Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam yesterday.

    However, it also has to take a hard look at three challenges facing the community – radicalisation, more professionals losing their jobs and a significant over-representation of Malays in crime and drug statistics as well as the prison population.

    He called on Malay-Muslim organisations such as self-help group Mendaki, the Association of Muslim Professionals (AMP) and the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore to step forward and help tackle these issues. The roles that such groups can play include counselling former offenders and supporting their families, as well as turning those who are at risk away from crime and drug abuse, said Mr Shanmugam, who is also Law Minister.

    He was addressing about 140 community leaders and volunteers at an annual seminar organised by the AMP. In his speech, he highlighted the significant social and economic progress made by the Malay- Muslim community over the years.

    For instance, the proportion of Malay Primary 1 pupils who go on to post-secondary education has doubled from 45 per cent in 1995 to 93 per cent in 2015. One out of every five Malay pupils who enters the education system will eventually obtain a degree or diploma, he said.

    And while the proportion of Malays who are professionals, managers, executives and technicians (PMETs) was 28 per cent in 2010, “I am sure it has gone up more by now”, he noted. On housing, he said nearly 90 per cent of Malay households own their own homes, with 70 per cent of them living in four-room Housing Board flats or bigger.

    “A Singapore Malay today in educational standing, in terms of skills and wealth, is better off than a Malaysian Malay or an Indonesian Malay,” he said. “The same goes for the Indians, and for the Chinese, in Singapore.”

    The Government will continue to provide support to all Singaporeans, with additional help given to Malay-Muslims, he noted. The support includes financial help when infants are born, subsidising childcare and school fees, cash grants to buy HDB flats and healthcare subsidies.

    But while the progress made by the community is encouraging, he warned of dangers posed by radicalisation and exclusivism. He cited a study by US-based Pew Research Centre on Malaysia, which showed 10 per cent of Malaysian Malays had a favourable opinion of terror group Islamic State in Iraq and Syria and nearly a quarter were not prepared to denounce it. “We have to make sure that we do not get there,” he said.

    On the jobs front, a committee led by parliamentary secretaries Amrin Amin and Faishal Ibrahim is being set up to help Malay-Muslim PMETs hit by job losses, he said.

    In addition, Malay-Muslim groups can work with the Government to tackle the problem of “significant over-representation” of Malays in crime, drug and prison statistics, the minister noted.

    He is optimistic that the Malay- Muslim community can overcome the challenges it faces, and be a “beacon for the rest of the world” – one that is confident, modern, vibrant and integrated.

    AMP chairman Abdul Hamid Abdullah said the association can work with the Government to reach out to more families. “Community groups are in a better position to reach out to Malay families because we are on the ground,” he noted.

    On the Malay community becoming an example for other countries, he said: “This is motivating. We can be an example of how a minority community can thrive in a multi-racial country.”

     

    Source: ST

  • NUS Suspends Academic While It Investigates His Involvement In Case Of Imam’s Remarks

    NUS Suspends Academic While It Investigates His Involvement In Case Of Imam’s Remarks

    The National University of Singapore (NUS) has suspended the academic who had openly criticised another man who made public an imam’s comments.

    The university told The Straits Times on Wednesday (Mar 8) that it had suspended Associate Professor Khairudin Aljunied from his duties on Monday (March 6).

    This “follows from (his) purported comments made in relation to insensitive remarks about Christians and Jews allegedly made by a religious leader”, a spokesman for the university said.

    During this time, the university will internally investigate Dr Khairudin’s involvement in the matter, though he will still receive his pay, the spokesman added.

    “As part of due process, NUS will launch an internal investigation into Assoc Prof Khairudin’s involvement in this incident. Assoc Prof Khairudin will continue to be paid his full salary during his suspension,” the university said.

    When contacted, Dr Khairudin said he was unable to comment due to the ongoing investigations.

    Minister for Home Affairs K Shanmugam told Parliament last week that the police are looking into the conduct of everyone involved in the case.

    Last month, investment associate Terence Nunis posted a video online of an imam at Jamae Mosque who, after a sermon, reportedly recited a prayer in Arabic that said “God grant us victory over Jews and Christians”, among other things.

    The video gained traction online and offline and, as part of due process, the imam has been placed on leave while investigations, which the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis) is assisting in, are ongoing.

    The case sparked a storm in the community, and many felt the postings could be used to cast aspersions on Islam and religious leaders. Some also felt the imam’s recitation had been taken out of context.

    Dr Khairudin, a tenured academic at NUS’ Malay Studies department, had posted on his Facebook page a fictional conversation between an imam and a “silly convert”.

    In the post, Dr Khairudin described the convert as being stupid for getting upset over the verses.

    Mr Shanmugam had said that Dr Khairudin “encouraged vilification” of the whistleblowing individual. He said: “Mr Khairudin’s position and actions are quite unacceptable… He supports a position that is quite contrary to the norms, values and laws in Singapore.”

    On Saturday, the minister added that police will investigate the case thoroughly and interview all parties involved, including those who filmed and publicised the video.

    “Whether there is a case for further action against any of the parties, will depend on the outcome of investigations,” he added.

    “The Government does not take sides in this issue – if anyone is found to have committed an offence, action will be taken.”

    NUS added on Wednesday that it “takes a serious view of any actions or speech that condone the promotion of hatred, ill-will and enmity that targets specific faith communities”.

    “Members of the NUS community must observe standards and policies on staff conduct, which include respecting different views and communicating responsibly,” it said.

     

    Source: ST

  • Shanmugam: Religious Preachers Who Attack Other Religions Won’t Be Tolerated

    Shanmugam: Religious Preachers Who Attack Other Religions Won’t Be Tolerated

    Religious preaching that encourages violence or pits one religion against another will not be tolerated in Singapore, said Minister for Home Affairs and Law K Shanmugam in Parliament on Friday (Mar 3).

    Referring to a video posted on social media which purportedly shows an imam saying “God grant us victory over Jews and Christians”, Mr Shanmugam said the context of what the imam said will be clear once investigations are completed.

    “If the imam had referred to the phrase, to say, for example, that such phrases can promote ill will, hatred, enmity or violence against other communities, and that this is not acceptable in a multi-religious society, then there can be no objection.

    “But if he had said that Jews and Christians should be defeated, and for God to grant Muslim brothers victory over them – to make that very point – then that is completely unacceptable.

    “The Government has taken a strict position when Muslims have been attacked. People have been charged and sent to jail,” he said. “The same applies to any attack on any other religions.”

    He cited the example of a Christian couple sentenced to eight weeks’ jail in 2009 for distributing material that cast Islam in a negative light.

    Mr Shanmugam said the Government’s position has to be made clear because “matters like this have the potential to escalate, with people jumping in, opinions being formed, hardened, along religious lines”.

    If the imam did not make any inflammatory suggestion, no action will be taken and the authorities will issue a public statement, Mr Shanmugam said. But if the imam had engaged in such preaching, “some appropriate action” will be taken.

    “We have to be fair to the imam,” he said.

    Mr Shanmugam also criticised NUS academic Khairudin Aljunied for encouraging vilification of the individual who posted the video online.

    “Looking at what Mr Khairudin has said, he seems to suggest that it is okay for the imam to say that Jews and Christians should be defeated. He assumes that the imam intended to mean that, and Mr Khairudin sees nothing wrong with that.

    “Mr Khairudin’s position and actions are quite unacceptable. He has jumped into this, without verifying the facts and without checking the context. And supports a position that is quite contrary to the norms, values and laws in Singapore.

    “The police will look into the issues, and the conduct of all involved – quite thoroughly,” Mr Shanmugam said.

     

    Source: CNA

  • 3 Singaporeans Charged In Court For Disorderly Behaviour And Attacking Police Officers

    3 Singaporeans Charged In Court For Disorderly Behaviour And Attacking Police Officers

    Three Singaporean men were charged in court on Saturday morning for disorderly behavior and attacking police officers at a Thaipusam event held earlier in the week.

    Ramachandra Chandramohan, 32, was alleged to have punched, kicked and verbally abused four police officers. He was also charged with disorderly behavior and faces seven charges in total, the highest number among the trio.

    Jaya Kumar Krishnasamy, 28, faces three charges. He was charged with disorderly behavior, allegedly hurling vulgarities at a police officer and obstructing another police officer from carrying out his duties.

    Gunasegaran Rajendran, 33, faces a disorderly behavior charge and is alleged to have abused a police officer.

    The trio were calm and emotionless when their charges were read to them in court through an interpreter.

    They were accompanied to court by four family members and friends. It is unclear how they are related, but one family member who declined to be named said that the three men are cousins.

    The three men were part of a group which hired drummers in the Thaipusam procession. The drummers were asked to stop playing by the police and a scuffle broke out.

    A video of the scuffle was posted online and it sparked online outcry, with some members of the public asking why is music banned at Thaipusam while lion dances and Malay wedding music are allowed in public.

    Responding, Second Minister for Home Affairs S. Iswaran said on Thursday that the ban on music instruments applied to all foot processions, including religious events, since 1973.

    Law and Foreign Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam also said on Friday that lion dances and Malay wedding music are social events, not religious processions. He added that only Hindus are allowed to hold religious foot processions and urged the public to back police’s actions at the Thaipusam event.

    The trio are on police bail and their cases will be heard in court again on March 6. If convicted, they face maximum jail sentences of between three months and seven years, maximum fines of between $2,000 and $5,000, or both.

    Ramachandra Chandramohan is also liable to be caned if convicted of attacking police officers.

     

    Source: www.straitstimes.com