Tag: race

  • Nizam Ismail: Discriminatory Practice and Distrust Of Malays

    Nizam Ismail: Discriminatory Practice and Distrust Of Malays

    It gets tenuous when the justification for what is essentially a discriminatory practice is on the non availability of a halal kitchen.

    Please, there are many ways to resolve this. It’s not rocket science.

    If the issue is still one of distrust of a Malay Singaporean son in defending his country, then say it as it is. The fact remains that there is an under-representation of Malay NSmen in several “sensitive” positions of the SAF, RSAF and RSN. And an over-representation of Malay NSmen in the SCDF and SPF. And a significant portion of Madrasah boys are not called up for NS.

    This has nothing to do with food. Or space for halal kitchen. It’s tragic that we are still debating this after 50 years of independence.

    If you truly believe in multiculturalism, there must be no space for discrimination. If you truly believe in multiculturalism, there must be inclusivity and equal opportunity. For all.

    When will there be a level playing field?

     

    Source: Nizam Ismail via Suara Melayu Singapura FB

  • Walid J. Abdullah: Support the BDS Movement Or Not, Do Not Belittle Others

    Walid J. Abdullah: Support the BDS Movement Or Not, Do Not Belittle Others

    It is not uncommon to hear people mocking those who support the BDS movement, or who refuse to shop at ultra-capitalist establishments which engage in dodgy practices (like Primark). Often, those people engage in a series of silly arguments to justify their making fun of others. Three arguments in particular, are put forth:

    1) ‘You are just one person. Boycotting these companies would not change the situation.’

    2) ‘You can’t boycott every single unethical establishment.’

    3) ‘It’s better to work on other things that you can change.’

    To be honest, these points are quite ludicrous to even be addressed. But because they are put forth by people who are even supposed to be religious teachers, perhaps it would be worthwhile to explore them.

    1) ‘You can’t change anything by boycotting’.

    Yes, even if i boycott them, most probably, i would not be changing anything. But i don’t boycott them, i would DEFINITELY not be changing anything.

    Moreover, i have very modest ambitions: i do not harbour illusions of changing the world. All i can concern myself with is absolving myself of association with that establishment. And if that is all i can do, then that is what i should do.

    2) ‘You can’t boycott everyone.’

    Of course. But does that mean i should not boycott anyone? Seriously, what are these people smoking man.

    3) ‘It’s better to work on other things that you can change.’

    Erm, go ahead, but how does boycotting impede your ability to work on other ‘important things’? And there will always be ‘more important things’; unfortunately, too often that is just rhetoric to excuse one’s self from doing anything.

    —–

    If you choose not to support the BDS movement and the like, fine. But don’t belittle others who try to do something. If you have good arguments against it, bring them forward. Don’t articulate silly red herrings.

    It is even worse when the very same people who teach us ‘no deed is too small in the sight of God’, ‘we must encourage even the smallest good act’, etc, immediately abandon these pieces of advice when they themselves are not in agreement with specific acts. For these people, it’s my way or the highway.

    May we not be from amongst those arrogant people who think we have a monopoly on goodness.

     

    Source: Walid J. Abdullah

  • Para AP Melayu Lahir Rasa Kecewa Atas Insiden 3 Pelajar Madrasah Dipukul, Ditendang

    Para AP Melayu Lahir Rasa Kecewa Atas Insiden 3 Pelajar Madrasah Dipukul, Ditendang

    Menteri Bertanggungjawab bagi Ehwal Masyarakat Islam Dr Yaacob Ibrahim melahirkan rasa kecewa terhadap insiden serangan terhadap tiga pelajar madrasah semalam (1 Apr).

    Dr Yaacob menegaskan, perkara itu tidak boleh diterima sama sekali dan pelakunya mesti dibawa ke muka pengadilan.

    Beliau menambah, Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura (MUIS) sedang bekerja rapat dengan Madrasah Al-Ma’arif Al-Islamiah untuk memberi bantuan dalam siasatan polis dan juga membantu para pelajar yang terjejas.

    Ketiga-tiga pelajar Madrasah Al-Ma’arif Al-Islamiah itu diserang oleh seorang lelaki di Stesen MRT Paya Lebar sekitar pukul 7.20 pagi semalam dan menurut sumber-sumber, suspek sudahpun diberkas.

    DOAKAN AGAR PELAJAR TERJEJAS PULIH

    Menulis di laman Facebooknya hari ini (2 Apr), Dr Yaacob berkata: “Kita tidak harus menerima apa jua bentuk tindakan agresif terhadap sesiapa pun, lebih-lebih lagi orang-orang yang tidak bersalah.”

    Beliau yang juga Menteri Peruhubungan dan Penerangan bagaimanapun turut mengajak masyarakat supaya bertenang dan bersatu, serta jangan membiarkan insiden tersebut memecahbelahkan mereka.

    Dr Yaacob menggesa masyarakat supaya berdoa agar para pelajar madrasah yang terjejas, pulih daripada insiden tersebut.

    AP AMRIN AMIN: INSIDEN INI “PERKARA YANG SERIUS”

    Awal daripada itu, Setiausaha Parlimen, Kementerian Ehwal Dalam Negeri Amrin Amin juga melahirkan keprihatinannya berhubung insiden tersebut dan menyifatkannya sebagai satu “perkara yang serius”.

    Beliau juga bimbang tentang keadaan para pelajar madrasah yang menjadi mangsa “pengalaman mengerikan” itu.

    Encik Amrin merupakan AP Melayu pertama menyuarakan pandangannya mengenai insiden tersebut menerusi laman Facebook beliau, sekitar tengah malam semalam.

    Beliau juga mengajak orang ramai supaya jangan tergesa-gesa membuat kesimpulan, memandangkan siasatan sedang dijalankan.

    Bercakap kepada BERITAMediacorp hari ini, AP GRC Bishan-Toa Payoh Saktiandi Supaat berharap ini suatu insiden yang terpencil.

    “Masyarakat Singapura adalah satu masyarakat berbilang budaya. Kita sama-sama boleh memupuk silaturahim di antara masyarakat di Singapura. Jadi saya rasa situasi ini bukan satu situasi yang secara merata. Ia adalah satu situasi terpencil,” ujar beliau semasa diminta ulasannya mengenai kejadian tersebut.

    MUIS KELUARKAN KENYATAAN, LAHIR PRIHATIN

    Dalam pada itu, MUIS turut mengeluarkan kenyataan media bagi mengulas kejadian tersebut.

    Menurut MUIS, ia prihatinan tentang insiden serangan terhadap tiga pelajar madrasah semalam.

    MUIS yakin polis sedang giat menjalankan siasatan dan masyarakat dinasihati agar bertenang bagi membolehkan keadilan dilaksanakan.

    INSIDEN DAPAT PERHATIAN MENTERI MHA

    Berita mengenai kejadian yang menimpa tiga pelajar Madrasah Al Maarif itu turut mendapat perhatian Menteri Ehwal Dalam Negeri, K Shanmugam.

    Dalam tulisannya di Facebook lewat malam semalam, Encik Shanmugam yang juga merupakan Menteri Undang-Undang menyatakan beliau sudah meminta pihak polis supaya menyiasat insiden itu.

    “Buat masa ini, motif di sebalik serangan ini masih belum jelas,” kata Encik Shanmugam.

    Namun beliau memberi jaminan bahawa “kami akan menyiasat perkara ini dan memastikan keadilan ditegakkan.”

    Madrasah Al-Ma’arif Al-Islamiah semalam mengeluarkan kenyataan di laman Facebooknya berhubung insiden di mana tiga pelajarnya ditendang dan dipukul oleh seorang lelaki.

    Ia menyatakan bahawa ketiga-tiga pelajar yang terjejas sudahpun diberikan kaunseling dan mengesahkan kejadian itu kini sedang disiasat.

    Madrasah Al-Ma’arif Al-Islamiah turut mengucapkan terima kasih kepada semua yang menghubungi pihak madrasah kerana prihatin dengan kesejahteraan para pelajarnya.

     

    Source: Berita Mediacorp

  • Malay Soldier Recovered From Skull Fracture To Enlist, Emerged Best Recruit And Best Shot

    Malay Soldier Recovered From Skull Fracture To Enlist, Emerged Best Recruit And Best Shot

    Not only is he the Best Recruit for Mohawk Company, REC Muhammad Khidir Bin Kassim is also the Best Shot with a perfect score for his Basic Trainfire Package. However, it has not been a smooth sailing journey for REC Khidir. Prior to enlistment, he was initially deemed unfit for BMT as he was recovering from a skull fracture.

    After having fully recovered, he cleared the medical review to undergo BMT. “During my training in BMT, all I want to do was to give it my all and do my best. However, I was happy yet shocked upon hearing the news that I was the Best Recruit for my Company.”

     

    Source: The Singapore Army

  • Hijabi: Auntie Let Me Have Aircon Even Though Bus Was Hot

    Hijabi: Auntie Let Me Have Aircon Even Though Bus Was Hot

    The other day, it was super hot, and I boarded a super crowded bus from the airport heading home.

    Me and 2nd boy sat right at the back, left side of the bus. Beside me was a lady (not really sure what race) and it looked like she just got off from work.

    She asked me, “the Aircon cold or not?”

    I placed my fingers close to the Aircon vent to check. “OK la aunty. Quite cooling. Are you hot, I shift it for u?”

    She replied “no no no. U take. I know u wear this ah (pointing to my Tudung) so u need more Aircon. U take u take. The bus at the back always very hot one.”

    It was true. It was very warm. Plus the crowd made it warmer.

    I shifted the vent to blow in her direction.

    She just smiled at me : ))

    We need more of her please

     

    Source: Siti Khadijah Kat