Tag: Singapore

Yaacob Ibrahim: Progress Of Malay Community Nothing Short Of Spectacular

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

August 1, 2015
Istana Kampong Gelam To Be Designated As National Monument

Istana Kampong Gelam, a former royal residence which serves as a reminder of the Republic’s historic links to the Malay world, will be gazetted as a national monument on Aug 6.

This will make it the 70th site to be gazetted by the National Heritage Board.

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 Ibrahim, Minister for Communications and Information, at the annual Hari Raya gathering he hosted today (July 31).

Dr Yaacob, who is Minister-in-Charge of Muslim Affairs, also announced that the Al-Istighfar Mosque in Pasir Ris will 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. This will be followed by plans to build an extension to the existing mosque to cater for a permanent increase in prayer spaces.

Separately, Madam Zuraidah Abdullah, chairman of the Malay Heritage Foundation’s board of directors, said: “Gazetting Istana Kampong Gelam as a national monument also recognises the integral role that our Malay communities and culture have played in shaping Singapore’s history and development as a progressive and prosperous nation.”

Source: www.todayonline.com

August 1, 2015
Will WP Redeploy A-Team?

While there is a possibility that the Workers’ Party (WP) may shuffle its lineup of current members of Parliament (MPs) at the next General Election (GE), analysts believe such a move would not be taken lightly because of the political risks involved.

The party has said it will contest 28 seats in the next GE, up from 23 in 2011. Analysts said a key issue for the party will be whether to redeploy some of its MPs from Aljunied to improve its chances in other constituencies or to keep that winning team intact to try to ensure it retains the Group Representation Constituency (GRC).

Dr Gillian Koh, Senior Research Fellow at the Institute of Policy Studies, said WP faced a similar dilemma in 2011. “In GE 2011, the WP also had a very large slate of candidates. In spite of that, what they chose to do was to place what we called their A-Team in Aljunied.”

“It’ll be interesting if they will keep it that way, or they feel that they have spent enough time on the ground, such that the other members of the GRC are now trusted to carry that whole GRC.”

Political scientist Alan Chong of the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies said moving high-profile Aljunied MPs to strengthen teams in other constituencies is a possible strategy. “It’s like a chess game,” he said.

“If they are to move players from the existing Aljunied GRC, or even from Punggol East, which I doubt, or Hougang, it’s a matter of moving your heavyweights, just to make sure that certain targets would fall to you. On that basis, they might move one or two key players out of Aljunied. They might do that.”

But he also pointed out the risks of such a move. “The downside of it is, if you as a heavyweight stand in one of these constituencies where because of the pre-existing level of support which the PAP has consolidated over the years, you might actually lose.”

“And if that happens, then you’re momentarily out of politics,” he said.

Dr Eugene Tan, Associate Professor of Law at the Singapore Management University, believes that the Aljunied team is unlikely to change. “Simply because when we look at Aljunied GRC, it is their ‘crown jewel’, which they won only in 2011,” he said.

“And I think for them to disband what I’d describe as their A-Team, their Dream Team, may not go down well with their voters in Aljunied.”

However, some residents in Aljunied GRC did not seem to feel that way. An 80-year-old male resident, who did not want to be named, said: “With limited resources, they may have to move around their better-knowledged, better-experienced MPs from Aljunied. That is a constructive way to further advance their political progress.”

With clear advantages and disadvantages to moving sitting MPs to other constituencies, the analysts said the WP’s approach would become apparent only when the election date is confirmed.

Source: www.channelnewsasia.com

August 1, 2015
Kahar Hassan Pulled Out Of Kaki Bukit, May Be Redeployed

Dear Friends & Residents of Kaki Bukit,

It is with a heavy heart that I have to bid you farewell as today will be my last day in Kaki Bukit. The Party leaders have made the decision last Saturday, for me to step down as Chairman of PAP Kaki Bukit Branch.

I am indeed blessed to have so many residents who appreciated my presence and efforts in Kaki Bukit for the past 16 months. You have showered me with so much warmth, love (and hugs!), I feel like you are family to me now. It is you, who have given me a rare and memorable experience to this tight-knitted Kampung Spirit of Kaki Bukit!

In addition, I would also like to thank our grassroots leaders and community organisations for their kind support these past months. It has been enriching working alongside all of you.

I will also miss all my Kaki Bukit PCF principals and teachers who have displayed such deep dedication and passion for the children under their care. Children of PCF Kaki Bukit, I know I have promised you that I will see you at the Sports Day and your Graduation Concert, but it looks like I can no longer fulfill that promise anymore. I hope that you can continue to grow up healthy and strong, and one day achieve all the dreams that you have shared with me.

Last but not least, I would like to take this opportunity to thank my team of dedicated Branch activists who have spent so much time with me in helping the residents here. Without you, my efforts would be limited. I was a lone stranger when I came into our PAP Branch on the first day. It is very sad to have to leave you after forging such tight camaraderie.

To everyone in Kaki Bukit, thank you for the great memories!!

I will miss you!

May our paths cross again in future.

Source: Kahar Hassan

August 1, 2015
Singapore Watching Developments In Malaysia Closely

The Republic is watching political developments in Malaysia closely, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, who expressed his hope that the country remains stable.

“When something happens which could cause either a political upset or social or security worries, I think we have to watch very carefully,” said Mr Lee today (July 31). He was interviewed by Ambassador-at-large Chan Heng Chee for A Conversation with the PM: Our Future, Our People, which is airing on Channel NewsAsia and Channel 5 on Sunday (Aug 2).

Professor Chan, who is also chairman of Lee Kuan Yew Centre For Innovative Cities at the Singapore University of Technology and Design, had asked Mr Lee whether the political developments in Malaysia would affect Singapore, and how.

Mr Lee noted that Malaysia is Singapore’s closest neighbour, not just geographically, but also linked by “very big trading ties and investments”.

“We have a lot of people who live and work in Malaysia, a lot of Malaysians work in Singapore…and so when something happens in Malaysia, we watch very carefully and are very concerned how it affects us,” he said.

Malaysia has been in a state of political turmoil of late, with Prime Minister Najib Razak under fire over some US$700 million allegedly funnelled from companies linked to state-owned firm 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) into his personal bank accounts. Earlier this week, he sacked his deputy Muhyiddin Yassi — who had called on Mr Najib to explain the scandal engulfing 1MDB — as well as four other ministers, and replaced the Attorney-General.

Mr Lee reiterated that Singapore has very good relations with Malaysia. “I personally have very good relations with Prime Minister Najib, so we hope that Malaysia will remain stable, that we will be able to have a Government there which we can do business with and cooperate with, as we have been doing the last few years,” he said.

Foreign Affairs and Law Minister K Shanmugam, who was separately responding to media queries on Malaysia’s recent developments, said when any two countries are as close as Malaysia and Singapore, they will want stability in each other.

“Malaysia and Singapore are linked by an umbilical cord…The total trade between Singapore and Malaysia is S$111 billion and we are amongst each other’s top trading partners and top investors,” said Mr Shanmugam, who reiterated that Singapore is following developments very closely.

He said: “Any instability in Malaysia will also deeply affect Singapore, both economically and in other ways. We depend on Malaysia for water everyday, protected by a treaty. You really don’t want any instability. We hope that there will be stability that is good for Malaysia and good for us.”

Source: www.todayonline.com

August 1, 2015