Tag: malay

Almakhazin: Removing Malay Political Strength – The Ethnic Quota Policy

One of the ways the PAP has removed the political strength of the Malay community is through the implementation of the ethnic quota policy.

This policy was supposedly enacted to stop the development of ethnic “enclaves” in Singapura.

According to PAP Minister Masagos Zulkifli, the ethnic quota policy is one of the successes of the PAP.

However, he admitted that the quota has caused difficulties to some but justified it by saying it helps promote racial harmony. He further claimed that harmony in Singapura is not natural.

His justification that the ethnic quota policy was created to help develop racial harmony is mistaken at best. An analysis of the policy reveal that its main purpose is to weaken the Malay community’s political power.

Even though quotas were set for the different races, this policy was directed at the Malay community. As discussed by Chih Hoong Sin,

“Attention must be given to the general political discourse in Singapore. The identification of Bedok new town as a `Malay enclave’ has to be set in the context of the wider political discourse surrounding the `Malay problem’. While the Chinese and the Indians are certainly over represented in certain new towns (The Straits Times, 19 February 1989), it has been the Malays who have borne a disproportionate amount of government and media attention.”

Chih quoted former PAP Minister Dhanabalan’s comments about Bedok New Town to illustrate how the PAP’s focus was actually on the Malays and not the other races. Dhanabalan had in 1989, referred to a “Malay problem” in Bedok. He stated “that if present trends continue, the Malay population in Bedok will reach 30% in 1991 and 40% in 10 years”.

But why is 30% or 40% a problem? We do not refer to any constituency with 40% Chinese as indicative of a “Chinese problem”.

But for the PAP, a constituency with 30% Malays makes it a problem.

Malays do not support PAP

Contrary to popular claim, Chih argued that the Malays do not support the PAP. In fact, Lee Kuan Yew admitted that most Malays do not support his party.

Chih quoted Kuan Yew as saying, “If we were less skillful, (a Malay opposition party) would have emerged…I know we did not win more than fifty percent of the Malay votes; we never did…”

PAP support in constituencies with large Malay population tend to be much lower than the national average.

The PAP has seen how the Malays have continuously rejected them. In fact, from the 1960s onwards where they almost lost several constituencies( if not for internal problems in SMNO) until the 90s where they almost lost Eunos GRC (currently Aljunied), they know the Malays do not support them.

As Chih argued, “Malay disenchantment with the ruling party has been well-publicized, and the PAP has certainly blamed its narrow wins in certain constituencies in recent elections on the Malay vote…

The call for dispersal has certainly been interpreted as an attempt to undercut the perceived growth and consolidation of Malay anti-PAP votes in existing Malay ‘enclaves’, and to prevent the emergence of new centres of Malay resistance.”

Kuan Yew’s Press Secretary, James Fu admitted “in a letter to the Straits Times Forum page…: `Today with resettlement, every constituency is racially integrated. PKMS can no longer win anywhere in Singapore’ (The Straits Times, 4 March 1988).

The policy was ultimately designed to disperse the Malays so that they will never have the numbers to be politically significant.

Because as Chih noted, “The PAP quickly realized that as long as Malay strongholds persist, their electoral victory in such seats can never be assumed.”

Sin, C. H. (2003). The politics of ethnic integration in Singapore: Malay ‘regrouping’as an ideological construct. International Journal of Urban and Regional Research, 27(3), 527-544.

Source: Almakhazin SG

March 4, 2016
An Encounter With Racist Father & His Kids At Hawker Centre

Dear ASS Editors,

This is a disgusting racist encountered faced by our fellow Singaporean in the hawker center. After 50 years of multi racial harmony and nationhood, such racist still exist in Singapore. Thoroughly do not understand why parents do not correct their kids and allow such racist thinking to persist.

This was his unfortunate encounter in full

“Had an interesting lunch. Someone paid me $20 to move to another table because his young children don’t want to sit and share the table with ‘a Malay man’ even though I was already there eating halfway through and they were the ones who came later.

Took the money, finished my food, and gave it to the cleaning lady instead. And told the guy what an expensive way to raise racist kids.”

Shame on this parent who does not have the sense to teach the right values to his children. Pity the children really.

Shazwan
A.S.S. Contributor

Source: www.allsingaporestuff.com

March 3, 2016
Majlis Bahasa Melayu Singapura Gunakan Teras 4M, Mantapkan Penggunaan Bahasa Melayu

Majlis Bahasa Melayu Singapura (MBMS) akan terus melanjutkan usaha untuk memantapkan lagi penggunaan Bahasa Melayu di negara ini melalui teras 4M – Memangkin, Menghubung, Memperkukuh dan Memperdalam.

Demikian ditekankan Pengerusi barunya, Profesor Madya Dr Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim yang juga Setiausaha Parlimen Pendidikan merangkap Pembangunan Sosial dan Keluarga dalam sidang media MBMS, petang tadi (24 Feb).

Tahun ini, ketua-ketua baru juga dilantik bagi tiga jawatankuasa kecil MBMS.

Jumlah penyertaan dalam pelbagai kegiatan Bahasa Melayu saban tahun, semakin menggalakkan. Lanjutan daripada usaha-usaha sedia ada, MBMS mahu meluaskan lagi pendekatannya menerusi empat teras, iaitu:

EMPAT TERAS

1) ‘Memangkinkan’ kegiatan-kegiatan bahasa, sastera dan budaya dengan kerjasama badan-badan Melayu, agensi-agensi pemerintah, institusi dan individu

2) ‘Menghubungkan’ orang ramai dengan kegiatan Bahasa Melayu melalui pelbagai wadah termasuk media sosial

3) ‘Memperkukuh’ usaha untuk mengenal pasti aktivitis muda yang berpotensi menjadi pelapis bahasa, sastera dan budaya Melayu,

4) Menyediakan wadah untuk orang ramai ‘Memperdalam’ minat terhadap bahasa, sastera dan budaya Melayu.

Dr Faishal berkata: “Saya melihat MBMS sebagai penghubung di mana dengan adanya landasan ini, kita boleh menjadi penghubung untuk memberikan maklumat dari platform Facebook, Instagram dan lelaman MBMS.

“Kami juga akan meningkatkan tahap dan mengemaskini lelaman MBMS supaya ia mesra dengan pengguna telefon bimbit. Ini dijadualkan siap pada Julai tahun ini.”

JAWATANKUASA KECIL MBMS

Duta Bahasa 2010, Cik Rahayu Mahzam yang juga Anggota Parlimen GRC Jurong, adalah di kalangan tiga orang yang dilantik untuk menerajui tiga jawatankuasa kecil.

Cik Rahayu, Ketua Jawatankuasa Masyarakat dan Bulan Bahasa, berkata: “Kita gunakan Bulan Bahasa sebagai satu wahana untuk melibatkan segenap masyarakat pengguna Bahasa Melayu.

“Jadi, ini harus dipertingkatkan dalam konteks kehidupan masa kini kerana masyarakat sering berubah. Ada beberapa inovasi dan teknologi yang berubah. Ini bermakna mungkin kosa kata kita perlu berubah, perlu ditambah.”

GALAK KREATIVITI, PERKEMBANGAN BAHASA

Selain untuk menyuntik kesegaran kepada Bulan Bahasa tahun ini, tiga jawatankuasa kecil MBMS juga akan memberi tumpuan kepada penggalakkan kreativiti dan perkembangan bahasa, meningkatkan mutu program dan bersifat lebih inklusif agar keindahan bahasa dapat lebih dihargai.

Antara kegiatan baru yang akan dianjurkan termasuk Bengkel Kritikan Sastera dan Bengkel Rentas Media.

Dua lagi ketua jawatankuasa kecil ialah Profesor Madya Dr Hadijah Rahmat dan Pengetua Sekolah Menengah Balestier Hill, Encik Abdul Harris Sumardi.

Sesi taklimat Bulan Bahasa akan diadakan pada Jumaat ini.

Source: http://berita.mediacorp.sg

February 25, 2016
Disapproving Family And Distance Could Not Stop This Malay Abang And Chinese Gf From Getting Married

Nizam encountered a lot of difficulties while dating his Chinese partner, Margaret. From her parents disapproving their relationship to Margaret being sent overseas, the couple have gone through multiple ups and downs together but are now married and have a 5-year-old daughter.

This is his entry for the contest:

“My name is Nizam and I’m 26 years old this year and I’m married to a Chinese girl, her name is Margaret Soh, she is 23 this year.

“We have a daughter name Nurshiyumie and it sounds like Japanese name.

“So our love story started in 2008. When I knew this girl (my wife) I was only 18 years old. She was chubby, innocent and full of fun. She always smiles.

“We dated for couple of months. We were so happy. I never felt so much happiness before I knew this girl.

“Her laughter brings hope in my life. But the good times did not last and we got a serious dose of parental disapproval and judgmental side-eyes from our relatives.

“When her parents got to know that she was dating me, a Malay guy that had nothing, they sent her overseas to avoid me seeing her.

“My heart broke into pieces. I called her every night when she was overseas to hear her voice.

“I couldn’t eat and I couldn’t sleep. It was like the world was ending.

“She tried to escape from there and wanted to come back here, but she failed.

“Her relative kept away her passport and she actually tried to commit suicide.

“My mind went blank, my heart was aching, it felt like millions of needle poking through my heart, I felt like dying.

“After a month of being separated, she finally came back to Singapore.

“She ran away from her family. She called me immediately and I told her to come to my office.

“I was so happy. No words could describe how happy I was.

“When I saw she came out from a car, we ran to each other and I gave her a tight hug.

“Later as we predicted she was reported missing.

“Eight months of wanted life. Nothing can describe how grateful I am to have a girlfriend like her staying by my side when I really had nothing.

“She cried awake every night, having nightmares and was traumatized.

“I didn’t know what to do. What I thought of is to have a family with her, to take care her for life.

“Since her parents couldn’t do anything, I held her tight, held her and I made a vow to make her my wife and take care of her until the day I was gone.

“We planned to have a kid. I ask her ‘Will you marry me and have a kid with me?’

“She cried and held me tight. She was willing to marry me, give me her future and trust me.

“Time flies and she finally got pregnant. We were so happy and excited.

“We went back to look for our families. She converted to Islam.

“Her willingness made the decision to convert to Islam easier, it’s not about race. It’s about initiative and finally we were married, she put her trust all on me.

“She moved to my parents place. We had to sleep on the floor in the living room where there is no more room for us.

“All was occupied by my sibling. But she did not even complain with her pregnant stomach.

“Because she knew she chose this path with me.

“Until she given birth to our previous baby girl, she was natural birth.

“Looking at her enduring the pain alone, the pain, the look on her face and she sleeps on the floor when she need to stand up to go toilet.

“Sometimes I even saw she cry in the middle of the night. I try my best take care my little sweetheart when she was about few months old.

“I try my best to balance out NS and home. No family support.

“Sometimes, we even have to share one packet of rice together.

“At this point of time, I cannot afford luxury for her. But finally she achieved her dream as a makeup artist.

“Things went smoothly, finally my baby girl is 5-years-old this year.

“I have taken a course and work at a better benefit company.

“I tell myself I am so happy and lucky to have this girl as my wife.

“I want to give her everything, no matter what it takes, I will give her all that I can.

“She deserves all the love from me, my daughter and my wife. No one can replace them.

“We have gone through ups and downs. We love, we cry, we fight.

“Now we celebrate Chinese New Year and Hari Raya together.

“Our daughter look so cute wearing baju kurung and Chinese qi pao.

“Just to share with you, love does not only mean the race or religion.

“Don’t be judgmental toward inter racial love, its about compromising. We need to understand that true love takes time and effort to dismiss all obstacles among us. Race is just a race. Religion is religion.

“All that matters is that those involved are willing to make the sacrifices necessary to be together.

“Compromise each other. Time flies and we both know that we want to spend the rest of our lives together.

“I love you my wife and I will take care of you and your family forever.

“I don’t encourage people to follow us, but I hope in this world there will be more true love relationships, inter racial love because only love can hurt like this.”

Source: http://singaporeseen.stomp.com.sg

February 12, 2016
Wedding Planner Goes Missing With Wedding Gifts One Week Before Wedding Day

After dating for three years and saving for a year, they were finally ready to get married.

But a week before their big day, their wedding planner allegedly fled with a deposit of $17,000 and a tray full of wedding gifts which included shoes, wallets and watches.

Madam Syafiqah Salleh, 23, and Mr Jumali Majuri, 25, weren’t the only ones allegedly cheated by the wedding planner – three other couples were also left in the lurch.

Newlyweds Syafiqah and Jumali engaged the services of Urbane Wedding Concept in September 2014 after visiting a bridal fair at the Singapore Expo.

The wedding planners, Madam Noorsidah A. Rahim and her husband, had suggested a package with a combined reception for about $22,000.

The couple agreed.

Madam Syafiqah, a process technician, told The New Paper that the first sign of trouble came when the invitation cards were sent out late.

She said: “It was scheduled to be out by last November but it was ready only on Dec 26, less than a month before our wedding.

“After they sent out the invitation cards, they also took the wedding gifts we bought for each other for gift-wrapping.”

The wedding gifts, worth more than $1,000, were supposed to be ceremoniously exchanged between the bride and the groom.

On Jan 8, the couple were scheduled for their final fitting but their wedding planners didn’t turn up.

Madam Syafiqah said: “One day before the fitting, I texted them to ask about the details of the fitting but I didn’t receive any reply. I tried calling but no one picked up.

“At that point, I knew something was wrong. My husband called, texted, sent them Facebook messages and e-mailed them but they were gone without a trace.”

In an attempt to retrieve their wedding gifts and deposit, Mr Jumali, a production technician, also went to the bridal company’s registered address at 66, Tannery Lane.

It was vacant.

“I broke down. I worked a lot of overtime just to get the money and it was all gone,” said Madam Syafiqah.

With a week left to the wedding, the couple’s family contributed money and food to help out with last-minute preparations. They also engaged the services of A.R Ruhana Creations to help out with the food catering and decorations.

Mr Jumali said: “I left most of the decision making for the wedding to my wife. But when (this happened), I quickly engaged another bridal company because we didn’t have time to waste.”

The wedding ceremony was held at the void deck of Block 745, Jurong West Street 73, on Jan 17.

“I was so happy that the wedding turned out better than I expected. I am utterly grateful to my family and my husband,” said Madam Syafiqah.

Another couple who were supposed to wed on the same day suffered the same fate.

Berita Harian reported on Feb 1 that Mr Husni Mubarak Kamaruddin, 27, and Madam Nurshila Mansoor, 26, had paid Urbane Wedding Concept $33,000 and handed over wedding gifts worth $2,800.

Like Madam Syafiqah, Mr Husni was also scheduled for a fitting on Jan 5 but the wedding planner did not show up.

The couple engaged another bridal company just a week before their big day to help out with final preparations.

LESSON

Madam Syafiqah hopes the incident will be a lesson for other couples.

“It’s hard to differentiate wedding planners whom you cannot trust from the ones you can,” she said.

“But just be wary of the ones who are not punctual in fulfilling their promises.”

Both couples have reported the matter to the police and the Consumers Association of Singapore (Case).

Case told TNP it received three complaints – including from the two couples – about the company last month.

An online search with the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority revealed that Urbane Wedding Concept was registered on Jan 9, 2012.

But its licence expired on Jan 9 this year. The status of the business was listed as “live”.

When TNP visited the company’s registered address at Sindo industrial building on Feb 2, the unit had already been occupied by another tenant. Other tenants occupying units on the same floor were not even aware that there was a bridal company in the building.

A security guard, who declined to be named, said the couple who ran the business had moved out from the unit about six months ago for unknown reasons.

Madam Noorsidah’s flat at Bedok South also appeared to be vacant as flyers littered the gate.

A neighbour, who declined to be named, said he had not seen the couple for about two months.

“Just two weeks ago, there were four people knocking on my door, looking for them,” he said.

“The couple don’t usually mingle with the neighbours, so none of us know where they went.”

I broke down. I worked a lot of overtime just to get the money and it was all gone.

– Madam Syafiqah Salleh, 23

Case: File a claim

Consumer Association of Singapore (Case) executive director Seah Seng Choon said customers can consider filing a claim against the business at the Small Claims Tribunals if their deposit has been paid and the business owner becomes uncontactable.

The business has to be listed as “live” on Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority.

“If the business owner fails to turn up for the consultation or hearing, or defaults against the court order, the consumer may engage a lawyer to enforce the order,” said Mr Seah.

“If the consumer suspects fraud, he may want to report the matter to the police for investigation.

Consumers who are unsure about their options can approach Case for further advice and assistance.”

Source: www.tnp.sg

February 10, 2016