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Tag: pioneer generation

  • Osman Sulaiman: Objective Review Of Policies Implemented By Allahyarham Othman Wok Will Benefit Malay Muslim Community

    Osman Sulaiman: Objective Review Of Policies Implemented By Allahyarham Othman Wok Will Benefit Malay Muslim Community

    Othman Wok has passed away. In my community, many believe that we cannot talk about the dead. I disagree. Strongly.

    The belief that we cannot talk about a dead man past has its roots from Islamic teachings that forbid anyone to air out a dead man’s shameful/disgraceful past. This, I agree.

    But what many would do the moment we tried to discuss about a man’s past, his beliefs, his stand, his deeds, his contributions, his ideology and his political leaning, we are swiftly reminded not to talk about it even if it has nothing to do with exposing of the dead man past.

    As with Othman Wok, many would know about the infamous words he uttered on the burning of the corpses. Many also would know of his loyalty to LKY.

    When speaking about this, I dont think this is shaming the man for bringing back what he said before because Othman Wok still stands by it and has never apologized nor is he ever contrite for his words.

    Othman Wok was the de facto leader of the Malay community by virtue of being appointed a minister in the 60s and 70s. As a leader back then, we should be allowed to study and discuss his actions and contributions as it has bearings on how our community socio-cultural environment developed.

    We can see the mainstream media pouring praises on Othman Wok. Are we then not allowed to counter with facts on his actions? If we take on the line not to discuss a dead man past, we would never have known how evil Hitler and Saddam was.

    No, we are not shaming or airing out his personal details and discretion, but rather to visit history and discuss the impact he, Othman Wok has contributed based on his actions and words.

    Othman Wok was never a leader to me. In fact, it was during his time as a minister, policies that were detrimental to my community went unchallenged, passed without much fun fare that ultimately, led to a whole generation of my community to be weakened economically.

    It shaped the political environment my community faced today. Because whatever we fight today, we fight for our future generation. He, Othman Wok never fought for us. He acquiesced and was complicit with the gov questionable act.

    As a Muslim, I pray for his well-being in the afterlife. May god bless his soul.

    But In this life, I cannot put him on a pedestal.

     

    Source: Osman Sulaiman

  • Family Remebers Othman Wok As Humble, Kind And Loving

    Family Remebers Othman Wok As Humble, Kind And Loving

    Pioneer Cabinet Minster Mr Othman had been warded at SGH since April 6 for a chest infection and stomach complications.

    Madam Lily, 60, said she usually does the night duty in caring for him.

    “I will read some prayers for him and pat him to sleep before I go off,” she recounted his final hours to The Straits Times on Monday (April 17), after Mr Othman died just after noon. He was 92.

    “We hope that he will always be remembered as part of the Singapore Old Guard and a contributor to the harmony of Singapore,” she added.

    “We tried our best to take care of him to the best of our ability, but I think God knows better, and you know we are quite happy to let him go. He passed away…peacefully, so we are happy with that,” Madam Lily told reporters during the wake for Mr Othman outside the family home in Kew Avenue in Bedok.

    Madam Lily, a housewife, described him as a kind and loving father who was also devoted to his work when he was MP for Pasir Panjang constituency from 1963 to 1981.

    “We know that we are more or less like his second family compared to his political work. We totally got it and we appreciated that as well,” she said with a laugh.

    But he always made time for the family, especially when he returned from his overseas trips as Singapore’s first Minister for Social Affairs, a post he held from 1963 to 1977.

    “Whenever he (came) back from his travels, he (spent) at least one night with us, sharing his overseas stories, souvenirs,” she said.

    One lesson he often drummed into them was the importance of racial harmony as he lived through the 1964 race riots. He also emphasised humility, she said. “You could be the president’s daughter or the king’s daughter, but humility should be your middle name,” she recalled him saying.

    Mr Othman had been in and out of hospital since last November, and his last message to his children was to live peacefully with each other and maintain good relationships with one another, she said.

     

     

    Source: www.straitstimes.com

  • Late Minister Othman Wok To Be Given Highest State Honour For Funeral

    Late Minister Othman Wok To Be Given Highest State Honour For Funeral

    The late Mr Othman Wok will be given a state-assisted funeral on Tuesday (April 17), with a memorial service for invited guests to be held on Wednesday evening.

    At a quarter past noon on Tuesday, a private hearse carrying the casket will make its way from his residence in Kew Avenue to the Sultan Mosque at North Bridge Road for funeral prayers.

    After the prayers, the State Flag will be draped over the casket in the presence of Mr Othman’s family.

    A statement issued on Monday by the State-assisted Funeral Organising Committee said the draping of the flag is “the highest State honour that can be accorded to a deceased person”.

    It added: “The State flag is placed over the casket with the crescent and stars lying over the head and close to the heart. The Order of Nila Utama (2nd Class) that was awarded to the late Mr Othman Wok will accompany the casket.” Mr Othman was conferred the honour in 1983 for his contributions to Singapore and nation-building efforts.

    At 2pm, the gun carriage carrying the casket will travel to the burial site at the Choa Chu Kang Muslim Cemetery — passing through North Bridge Road, North Boat Quay, River Valley Road as well as the heartlands of Alexandra Road, Commonwealth Avenue, Commonwealth Avenue West and Clementi Avenue 6.

    On Tuesday, Mr Othman’s body will be moved to Sultan Mosque, which was closed to visitors on Monday. The mosque’s manager, Mr Zainal Abidin Omar, said regular prayers will start shortly after 1pm, followed by prayers for Mr Othman.

    After that, Mr Othman will make his final journey to Pusara Aman at Choa Chu Kang Muslim Cemetery. In a statement on Monday, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said Mr Othman will be accorded the honour of being borne on the Ceremonial Gun Carriage for the journey to the cemetery.

    The Mufti of Singapore, Dr Mohamed Fatris Bakaram, will lead the last rites.

     

    Source: www.todayonline.com

  • 88-Year-Old Karang Guni Auntie Cannot Stop Smiling After Abang Melayu Helped Her

    88-Year-Old Karang Guni Auntie Cannot Stop Smiling After Abang Melayu Helped Her

    Happy Chinese New Year 2016.

    Was driving back home in Toa Payoh when suddenly i saw a trolley rolling down the road with full of unused items. I was puzzled and i look around for the owner of the trolley. Ended up i saw another trolley bigger than the first one with more items and behind all this huge items i saw a small old lady. She almost get hit by a car due to her pushing the trolleys in the middle of the road. And best part there were about 2 to 3 cars passing by and never did stop and help her. Manage to stop and push up the first trolley to the pavement followed by attending to her. While approaching her all u can see is her half face with her hands waving. Due to huge boxes covering most of her body. From far she shout ‘uncle boleh tolong saya uncle boleh tolong saya!’ Which is ‘help me help me!’

    Cut story short help her since i have a van. And she direct me to the place where she is going. HONESTLY if she push it on her own its gonna take her 1hr30mins or so But it was only a 5 min drive. While in the van. We talked. She was 88 years old live in toa payoh. She has kids but lost contact with her. (True or not i donno) She only drinks coffee and eat kueh pau. Spent the rest of the day serching for unused items.

    Best question and answer.

    Me: aunty you angkat barang kenapa banyak sangat? Satu orang dua trolley. You sudah tua makin sakit.
    Her reply moved me!

    Aunty: Chinese new year sudah mau datang. Saya harus kerja kuat kuat nanti dapat wang lebih boleh beli makan sedap. Boleh kasi wang sama budak budak.

    And seriously it moved me! She work so hard and earn so little and her thoughts for Chinese new year is so huge. I envy her spirits.

    And i never know hows a life of karang guni in Singapore till i met her. She directed me in someplace where she can sell it. And she teach me to put the items accordingly. Like papers with papers cupboards with cupboards metal with metal etc. And FYI i got scolded by her for messing it up. So have to redo everything balik. Not easy! Seriously not easy. And i got stop and questioned by Police Officer due to parking my van in the opposite direction. Which i didnt realise and the aunty directing to the place. And they left!

    After all is done. I have to make my move and go home. Aunty never stop saying thank you uncle thank you uncle. Tak ada orang tolong sama saya cuma you sahaja. I told her its okay. If people help you take it as a blessing. If people dont help you dont expect much. We owe no one a living. Aunty replied. Wahhh saya happy la ini hari. So cute i tell you the aunty.

    Before moving off handed a certain amount of money and all of a sudden she cried. And this is what she say. “I asked your help not for money. I asked your help to help carry the stuff cos im old and weak not for your money” translated thou.

    Syam SJ Van

    My reply “no worries. Keep the money. Get yourself good food. Bak kut teh or whatever u wanna eat. Get yourself good drink like wheat grass or soya bean. I dont want you to eat kueh pau and drink coffee tmr. Have something good for yourself. Prepare yourself for Chinese New Year. Buy what is necessary.”

    Her face expression is priceless. Smiling with a lil tear dropping. And continue saying thank you Uncle! And i depart with good bye aunty and kong xi fa cai.

    And the smile on her face stuck on my mind. I guess this is the most wide smile she smiled before. I thank Allah for letting me meet this aunty and give me the chance to help her. Things happen for a reason. Kindness start with oneself. May we be different in colours but kindness show no difference in colours. And Alhamdullilah everything is smooth. Aunty reached her destination safely.

    Every happiness starts with you. To all my Chinese friend. Happy Chinese New year.

    Psst. The pictures is she request to take all because ” uncle amek gambar saya la jadi uncle boleh ingat saya. Nanti bila uncle rindu sama saya uncle boleh tengok gambar saya.” Translated “uncle take my picture so you can remember me. As and when you miss me just see the pictures and you will be remembered.”

    Thank you.
    Kong xi fa cai!

     

    Source: Syam Sj

  • Chee Hong Tat: Let’s Work Together To Build Upon The Foundations Laid By Lee Kuan Yew

    Chee Hong Tat: Let’s Work Together To Build Upon The Foundations Laid By Lee Kuan Yew

    Tomorrow is Mr Lee Kuan Yew’s birthday.

    During my term as PPS, we celebrated one of his birthdays in London when we were there on an official trip. Mr Lee wanted to have dinner at Compleat Angler, next to the River Thames. He chose this place because he and his delegation had dined here more than 50 years ago when they were in London to fight for Singapore’s independence. We sang “Happy Birthday” to Mr Lee (in both English and Mandarin) and also Que Sera Sera, one of his favourite songs.

    Without Mr Lee and our pioneer generation of leaders and Singaporeans, we will not have today’s Singapore. Let’s cherish what we have achieved, build on what our pioneers have done, and work together to make this country even better!

    (This photo was taken on Mr Lee’s 91st birthday on 16 Sep 2014. It was the last birthday we celebrated with him.)

     

    Source: Chee Hong Tat 徐芳达