Despite transiting from a majority community in Malaysia to a minority community in Singapore on Aug 9, 1965, the Malay community in Singapore has “developed and matured in ways we never imagined”, said Minister for Communications and Information Yaacob Ibrahim today (July 31).
Speaking at the annual Hari Raya gathering he hosted together with other Malay-Muslim Members of Parliament, Dr Yaacob noted that today, the Malay community includes active leaders and volunteers, is highly skilled and qualified, sought after both at home and abroad, and whose children excel in both the academic and non-academic spheres, he said.
“We are what we are today – with higher household incomes, high home ownership, talents in many fields, movers and leaders in our own right – not because of privileges, not because of subsidies, but because we persevered and gave our best,” added Dr Yaacob, who is also Minister-in-Charge of Muslim Affairs.
The community is proud of its history, customs and traditions and its heritage has never been at risk even as a minority community in a multi-racial country, he said.
The National Heritage Board will be gazetting the Istana Kampong Gelam as a national monument on Aug 6, making it the 70th site to be gazetted alongside other historical landmarks.
Gazetting the Istana Kampong Gelam – which houses the Malay Heritage Centre today – just before Singapore’s 50th birthday is a “firm recognition of the Malay community’s continued contribution to the diverse and vibrant social tapestry of Singapore”, said Dr Yaacob.
He also said the Al-Istighfar Mosque in Pasir Ris will also be upgraded. Upgrading works will be done in two phases, starting with the construction of a temporary prayer facility next to the mosque in the first half of next year, followed by plans to build an extension to the existing mosque to cater for a permanent increase in prayer spaces.
The dinner was also attended by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean.
Source: www.todayonline.com
