Tag: Singapore

Telling Stories To Spread The Love Of Malay During Malay Language Month (Bulan Bahasa)

Author and storyteller Jumaini Ariff’s fondest memories of the Malay language come from her childhood, when she listened to the radio at home.

“I would sit at the counter while my mother was cooking, and other than speaking to her or annoying her, I would learn things like pantun (rhymes)… how they speak, how they addressed the elderly and… storytelling,” said the 38-year-old.

With eight Malay-language books published, she sees herself as an educator for her tongue, which is why she jumped at the chance to be one of this year’s three duta bahasa (language ambassadors) for Bulan Bahasa, or the Malay Language Month.

She has already participated in Bulan Bahasa multiple times.

During its launch on Sept 9 at the Malay Heritage Centre in Kampong Glam, she will tell stories with live gamelan music accompanying her.

There will be a series of programmes on 2017’s themes of ilmu (knowledge), budaya (culture) and mesra (relationships), spread out between Aug 15 and Oct 15, and in a mixture of Malay and English for members of the public to enjoy.

The location of the launch, as well as the focus on culture as one of this year’s themes, means that most of the programmes will be in Malay.

The festival was launched in 1988 by the Malay Language Council to encourage the use of Malay in the everyday lives of Singapore’s Malay community.

Said chairman of the Bulan Bahasa 2017 committee, Ms Rahayu Mahzam: “Our legacy, stories and values can survive the test of time only if we make the effort to preserve our appreciation of the Malay language.

“Our mastery of the language can only enrich our understanding of our Malay identity. It is important to perpetuate this in the younger generation so we can continue to flourish as one community.”

Ms Rahayu told The Straits Times that the challenge lies in getting people to use Malay in their daily lives and to learn to appreciate the importance of preserving the Malay culture through the language.

“The celebration of the Malay culture is out there – everybody loves Malay culture and it’s easy to have activities revolving around it, but the appreciation of how language ties in with that is not as strong,” she said, citing the example of silat, the Malay martial art form, and how people may not appreciate the strong links between the cultural value of the weapons and moves and the Malay words for them.

In light of recent language gaffes, such as the use of a wrong character in the Speak Mandarin Campaign launch and wrongly typed Tamil in some National Day Parade pamphlets, she said that the Malay Language Council has a large network of people which it taps to ensure the correct translation and dissemination of Malay-language material.

Ms Rahayu, who is a member of the council, said the network is composed of people such as literary experts, teachers and previous Bulan Bahasa language ambassadors.

Source: http://www.straitstimes.com

July 19, 2017
Maklumat Penting Mengenai 35,000 Kubur Islam Yang Terjejas Di Pusara Abadi

35,000 kubur orang-orang Islam di Pusara Abadi akan terjejas dengan proses penggalian semula dan pengambilan tapak tanah bagi projek perluasan Pangkalan Udara Tengah, di bahagian barat laut Singapura.

45,500 kubur Cina juga akan terjejas dalam proses itu, menjadikan kesemuanya 80,500 kubur terjejas di Choa Chu Kang.

Ini diumumkan secara bersama dalam satu kenyataan media hari ini (18 Jul) oleh Kementerian Pembangunan Negara (MND), Agensi Sekitaran Kebangsaan (NEA) dan Penguasan Tanah Singapura (SLA).

MULAI SEPTEMBER INI, 5,000 KUBUR ISLAM BOLEH DITUNTUT

Mulai September ini, sebanyak 5,000 kubur orang Islam di Pusara Abadi, dan 45,000 kubur orang Cina, akan menjalani mendaftaran untuk dituntut.

Proses tuntutan dan pendaftaran itu melibatkan plot-plot kubur Pusara Abadi bagi Blok 19 dan Blok 20.

Kesemua kubur itu sudah memenuhi tempoh pengebumian selama 15 tahun.

Notis bagi penggalian lagi 30,000 kubur orang Islam akan keluarkan kemudian, setelah kubur-kubur itu juga mencapai tempoh pengebumian 15 tahun.

(Gambar kawasan kubur Islam yang terjejas bewarna hijau dan kuning Gambar: NEA)

30,000 kubur itu terletak di blok-blok berikut:

Blok 15
Blok 21
Blok 22
Blok 25
Blok 26
Blok N-1-1
Blok N-1-2
Blok N-1-3
Blok N-1-4

Source: http://berita.mediacorp.sg

July 19, 2017
5 Soalan Bersama Pengasas RoseValley, SMFW, Celebfest, Dian Rasid

Jenama RoseValley memang tidak asing lagi bagi masyarakat Melayu di Singapura. Kini ia mahu mengembangkan sayap sejauh Australia pula. Diasaskan tiga tahun lalu oleh Dian Rasid dan suaminya, Md Noor Hadi, RoseValley hanya bermula dengan penjualan produk-produk selebriti daripada Neelofa dan Emma Maembong.

Sekarang, mereka bukan sahaja sudah bertambah maju, malah berjaya mengadakan acara besar-besaran di peringkat kebangsaan, termasuk Hujung Minggu Fesyen Gaya Sopan Singapura (SMFW) dan Celebfest yang turut diadakan di dewan-dewan gah Pusat Ekspo dan Konvensyen Sands, Marina Bay Sands dan Pusat Konvensyen Suntec.

Berani mengorak langkah yang wajar dicontohi para peniaga tempatan, Cik Dian Rasid kini juga dipaparkan sebagai salah seorang daripada ‘wajah-wajah kejayaan’ dalam Kempen Ekonomi Masa Depan yang dilancarkan oleh Kementerian Perhubungan dan Penerangan (MCI).

Minggu ini, wartawan Ira Musfirah mencungkil pemikiran Cik Dian Rasid, seorang mantan pensyarah Politeknik Temasek dan ibu kepada dua orang cahaya mata.

SOALAN 1

Ira: Apa antara cabaran yang anda hadapi sebagai pengasas bersama RoseValley?

Dian: Terdapat pelbagai cabaran sebagai seorang usahawan. Ramai di kalangan ahli keluarga dan rakan-rakan kami yang tertanya-tanya mengapa kami meninggalkan kerjaya kami yang cukup baik itu. Kami terpaksa meyakinkan mereka bahawa kami tahu apa yang kami lakukan dan ini mendorong kami untuk terus membuktikan kepada mereka.

Cabaran lain termasuk meyakinkan pembeli untuk membeli pakaian gaya sopan dan produk selebriti secara online melalui laman kami. Selain itu, kebanyakan daripada mereka biasanya menempah melalui Instagram dan belum pernah menggunakan sistem bayaran online seperti PayPal sebelum ini. Oleh itu kami juga harus membantu mereka untuk menggunakannya.

SOALAN 2

Ira: Anda sedang mengambil PhD dalam jurusan psikologi di Australia. Anda masih merancang untuk meneruskan pelajaran?

Dian: Ya, saya masih ada rancangan. Malah, saya berhenti buat seketika kerana mahu mengukuhkan perniagaan saya dahulu. Pengalaman saya dalam bidang perniagaan sedikit sebanyak didorong oleh kajian PhD saya.

Oleh itu, saya mungkin akan menyepadukan aspek-aspek tingkah laku pengguna dan bisnes ke dalam kajian saya. Insya-Allah saya akan cuba menyepadukan minat mendalam saya dalam psikologi dan perniagaan.

SOALAN 3

Ira: Apa yang mendorong anda untuk terus berjaya dalam bidang perniagaan?

Dian: Pendorong utama saya adalah anak-anak saya, Ryan dan Alya. Mereka mendorong saya setiap hari untuk melakukan apa yang saya yakini. Dan saya anggap diri saya bertuah kerana mempunyai seorang suami yang sering memberikan sokongan, yang yakin pada impian saya dan yang saling melengkapi kemahiran saya.

Sokongan yang diberikan oleh kedua-dua ibu bapa serta ayah dan ibu mertua terhadap perniagaan serta impian kami juga lebih memberikan saya dorongan. Sokongan keluarga memang banyak membantu.

(Gambar-gambar: Dian Rasid/ Instagram)

SOALAN 4

Ira: Ada rancangan untuk memperluaskan perniagaan RoseValley?

Dian: Kami bercadang untuk mengembangkan RoseValley ke luar negara terutama sekali di Australia dan di rantau ini.

Kami berharap RoseValley dan usaha-usaha perniagaan tempatan lain akan sama-sama berkembang dan saling menyokong antara satu sama lain. Kita harus menyokong satu sama lain dan mewujudkan ekosistem perniagaan yang sihat.

SOALAN 5

Ira: Apa kata-kata nasihat yang dapat anda berikan kepada para usahawan yang baru berjinak-jinak dalam dunia perniagaan?

Dian: Sebenarnya, saya juga masih hijau dalam dunia bisnes, hanya tiga tahun sahaja. Tetapi saya bersyukur atas sokongan dan peluang yang dihulurkan kepada saya dari pelbagai pertubuhan dan golongan masyarakat. Akan sentiasa ada individu yang negatif yang akan cuba menjatuhkan anda dan memberitahu anda bahawa anda tidak boleh mencapai impian anda. Mereka akan mengkritik idea anda dan cuba untuk membuat diri anda berasa kerdil.

Bagi para usahawan baru, jadilah orang yang berani dan bijak. Jadilah orang yang berani untuk mempunyai impian, walaupun ia mungkin kelihatan mustahil. Jadilah orang yang berani untuk mengambil tindakan dan teruskan dengan apa yang anda yakini.

Dan jadilah orang yang bijak – dengan mendengar pandangan pengkritik tetapi usah berasa mudah tawar hati. Ambil sahaja apa yang membina. Selain itu, usah merujuk kepada hanya satu sumber inspirasi dan carilah bahan-bahan rujukan yang lain juga.

Source: http://origin-berita.mediacorp.sg

July 19, 2017
Taxi Driver Parked Car Without Consideration For Others, Blocked Path Of Makcik In Wheelchair

Local celebrity author Zai Miztiq was so miffed by an inconsiderate taxi driver that she had to make a video to give attention to the situation.

The driver was already parking illegally on double yellow lines and made it worse by blocking a wheelchair-access ramp. The drivers inconsiderate action made it difficult for Zai’s wheelchair-bound mother to get into a waiting car.

A reminder to all drivers, the road does not belong to you. If you have to park illegally, park illegally in an inconsiderate manner.

Rilek1Corner

July 19, 2017
4 Farms, 80,500 Graves In CCK Cemetery To Make Way For Expanded Tengah Air Base

Three fish farms, one nursery and 80,500 graves in Choa Chu Kang cemetery will have to make way for an expanded Tengah Air Base, as part of plans to relocate the Paya Lebar Air Base from 2030.

Occupants of the affected farms at Murai Farmway — Koon Lee Nursery Garden Centre, Goh Swee Hoon, Fisco Aquarium, Rigoh Fishery — received their notices of acquisition from Singapore Land Authority officers on Tuesday morning (July 18).

These businesses, which are on 20-year leases originally slated to expire between 2027 and 2030, will now have to relocate by Jan 31, 2019. Compensation will be based on market value for the land on the date it is acquired, said the authorities.

Apart from these four plots on 2, 17, 19 and 21 Murai Farmway, Chew’s Agriculture had announced last year that it is selling its farm premises and assets at 20 Murai Farmway to the Government for S$38.7 million. It is moving to a site 6.5 km away, to be purchased from the Government for close to S$4 million.

Williton Orchids at 35 Murai Farmway will also not have its tendency renewed after it expires in June 2019.

A total of 45,500 Chinese graves and 35,000 Muslim graves will also be affected.

These will be progressively exhumed as they meet the minimum burial period of 15 years, with the first 5,000 Muslim graves slated for exhumation from the fourth quarter of 2018. This will be followed by 45,000 Chinese graves to be exhumed from fourth quarter 2019.

Claims and registration for these graves — dated between 1955 and 1999 — will begin this September.

Notices for the remaining 500 Chinese graves and 30,000 Muslim graves will be issued at a later date, after they have met the 15-year burial period.

Costs of exhumation and cremation at the Choa Chu Kang crematorium (for Chinese graves) will be borne by the Government, but claimants will bear additional costs for performing additional rituals or placing the remains in private cemeteries.

The exhumed Muslim graves will be reinterred into another part of the cemetery, said the authorities.

These graves currently occupy about 100ha of land, while the farm plots gazetted for acquisition take up about 6.3ha.

Part of the 1.8km Lim Chu Kang Road, including a portion of the Heritage Road at its northern segment, will be re-aligned to facilitate the air base’s expansion.

“Agencies are studying the exact impact on the road, and possible mitigation strategies, which includes transplanting the trees to the new road,” said the Ministry of National Development, National Environment Agency and SLA in a joint press release on Tuesday.

The Defence Ministry’s military training premises in the area will also be affected, but the actual boundaries of the expanded air base are still being worked out, said the authorities.

Apart from Tengah Air Base, the Changi Airbase East will also be expanded to accommodate various assets and facilities to replace Paya Lebar Air Base.

The relocation of Paya Lebar Air Base was first announced by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in his National Day Rally in 2013.

The move will free up a large 800ha area in Paya Lebar — an area bigger than Bishan or Ang Mo Kio — for new homes, offices, factories and parks, and also remove height restrictions on a large area around Paya Lebar, Mr Lee had said, adding that the full changes will take place 20 to 30 years later.

Owners of the affected farms and nursery told TODAY the news was unexpected and that they “needed time to process things”.

Mr Mac Teo, who manages his family’s business at Koon Lee, is concerned about the “uncertainty as to whether (they) can find a place to relocate (to)”. He has recently added new shelving and storage fixtures as part of a 10-year improvement plan for the nursery.

“We had felt secure because we thought there are 10 more years before our lease expires … The National Parks Board has not been able to share more information about new land available for tender. It is the uncertainty that is worrying,” said the 41-year-old.

The Teo family had sold their former residence to lease this plot for the 2ha nursery, and have been living in the nursery’s premises since 1987.

Over at Fisco Aquarium, which sells and exports ornamental fish, the elderly owner who declined to be named said the notice came “suddenly” and that they still “need time to process” the news and consider their next steps.

“Why did they inform us when there are only 18 months to the deadline,” asked the man who is in his 70s. The farm has been on this 1.2 ha premise since 1988.

The Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority said it will tender new farm plots for food fish farming in October, while details on tenders for spaces for ornamental fish farms and nursery land will be shared by relevant authorities “once available”.

Source: http://www.todayonline.com

July 18, 2017