Tag: Yaacob Ibrahim

NLB Saga: Two Books Will Not Be Pulped, But Moved to Adult Section Says Yaacob Ibrahim

SINGAPORE — Two books pulled off the shelves of the library’s children’s section will not be pulped, Minister for Communications and Information Yaacob Ibrahim told the Straits Times. Instead, they will be moved to the adult section.

“I have also asked NLB to review the process by which they deal with such books,” Dr Yaacob said in comments which were also posted on his Facebook page today (July 18).

The two books — And Tango Makes Three and The White Swan Express — were withdrawn after a complaint on the public “We are against Pinkdot in Singapore” Facebook page. Among the concerns were the depictions of families with same-sex parents. It later emerged that a third book, Who’s In My Family, was withdrawn in May following a complaint made to the NLB.

“Many objected to the idea that the books would be pulped after being withdrawn from circulation. I understand these reactions, which reflect a deep-seated respect in our culture for the written word,” Dr Yaacob posted on Facebook.

“Who’s In My Family had already been disposed of as the title had been reviewed earlier. But I have instructed NLB not to pulp the two other titles, but instead to place them in the adult section of the public libraries.

“The decision on what books children can or cannot read remains with their parents. Parents who wish to borrow these books to read with their children will have the option to do so.”

He reiterated his support of the library’s stand to withdraw the books.

“We stand by the NLB’s decision to remove the three books from the children’s section. As I said earlier, the NLB has to decide what books should be made readily available to children, who are usually unsupervised, in the children’s section of our public libraries,” he said.

“The NLB will continue to ensure that books in the children’s section are age-appropriate. We have a much wider range of books in the adult section of public libraries.”

https://www.facebook.com/yaacobibrahim

Source: http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/nlb-to-put-two-withdrawn/1270332.html

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July 18, 2014
Don’t Discriminate Filipinos, We Are Malays Too

Maria Menado

I’m getting frustrated being labeled as non-Malay. Why? Here’s my story.

My mom is a Filipino Catholic and my dad is a Malay Muslim. None of my parents convert, and so I was brought up going to church several times a year. Never been to a mosque because my dad has never cultivate any Islamic values in me or in our family. At this age, I still don’t know what is my religion, and I like it that way. But this topic is not about my religion. Being brought up speaking both Malay and Tagalog, and having experience both cultures, I do have a valid testimony to this confusion. Today I want to share my story about being a Filipino-Malay.

But first, I think the term Filipino Malay is oxymoronic.

Filipinos are of Malay stock. I know because I study SEA’s history in uni and this is my area of research.

People of ASEAN mostly they came from Malay stock that is why our face and skin complexion looks very much the same. Although there are many mixed marriage it didn’t only happen in the Philippines.

In the Philippines they call it mestizo while in other countries they have their own abbreviation. Please don’t think that Malay people in the Philippines are the only Malay who practice inter-racial marriages. There are many others in Indonesia (Dutch), Malaysia & Singapore (Chinese, Indian, British, Portuguese), Brunei etc.

Because of different religious background people may forget that Filipinos are actually Malay because predominantly Malays in ASEAN are Muslim while in the Philippines almost all of them are Catholic.

You don’t lump the race Malay as people who subscribe to the religion Islam, and therefore they are Muslims. Neither do you claim all Filipinos are Catholics.

Language is a little bit different but they derived from the ancient Malay language. While Indonesians, Malaysians, and Bruneians can understand each other, many find it hard to understand Tagalog because it is completely different language BUT there are words that are similar or sounded similar. I don’t think there is any problem if people from these countries want to learn Tagalog/Bahasa Melayu/Indonesia.

Tagalog is partly influenced by Spanish language, Malay, Chinese and local language like kapampangan, waray, cebuano.

Spanish = trabajo is trabaho in tagalog
Malay = kerbau is carabao in tagalog, mata is same in both language, as of kanan, kambing, anak etc.

If asked about their race, most Filipinos would identify as being Malay. Filipinos are taught in schools to be proud of their Malay heritage and encouraged to strengthen their ties with other Malays in Southeast Asia.

But Filipinos wishing to migrate in Singapore have to deny this fundamental identification because the Singapore government rejects the classification of Filipinos as Malay. But if Filipinos are not Malay, what ethnicity are they? Officially, Singapore recognizes immigrants from the neighboring Philippines as part of the racial category referred to as “Other.”

Singapore’s Immigration and Checkpoints Authority have clarified that new Singapore citizens of Filipino origin are not classified as Malays. They are typically classified as ‘Others’ under the race category. Indeed, this was affirmed by Communications and Information Minister Yaacob Ibrahim who wrote on Facebook that Filipinos are classified as “Others” and not as Malays.

But why refuse the Malay background of Filipinos in the first place? Perhaps it has something to do with the special privileges accorded to the Malay minority in Singapore. Article 152 of the Constitution of Singapore states that the government “shall recognize the special position of the Malays, who are the indigenous people of Singapore, and accordingly it shall be the responsibility of the Government to protect, safeguard, support, foster and promote their political, educational, religious, economic, social and cultural interests and the Malay language.”

For Filipino immigrants, it must come as a shock for them to be told by Singaporean authorities that they are not Malays. To avoid immigration troubles, perhaps it is more convenient for Filipino workers to shade the “Others” category when filing paperwork than to insist that they are Malays.

Source: Marie Joy Talib

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July 9, 2014
Muslim in SAF: “This Promotion Recognise the Efforts of People Who Had Supported Me”

https://www.facebook.com/abubakar.mohdnor

Abu Bakar Mohd Nor

SLTC (NS) Abu Bakar (Centre) shares his thoughts on his promotion, “ I am very grateful with the recognition given to me, it’s not only about me, as this promotion is to recognise the efforts of people who had supported me. My wife, my family, my employers and those who have served alongside me. Such efforts made this promotion more meaningful.”

Authored by Abu Bakar Mohd Nor

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July 2, 2014
Muslim SAF Officer Motivates New Recruits

2LT Khabir Ashraf Bin Mohamed Sultan was enlisted in 2012 to the Obese Basic Military Training (BMT). He excelled in BMT and was posted to Officer Cadet School (OCS). He is now a Platoon Commander (PC) at BMTC handling the obese batch, he feels privileged to be able to motivate recruits with his experience.

“Although the training was very tough, the encouragement that my commanders gave and the support from my fellow platoon mates gave me the energy to excel in my BMT. Today, I use my experiences to help me become a role model to my recruits and to motivate them to do better.”

Well done 2LT Khabir!

Source: The Singapore Army

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July 1, 2014
Malays in SAF: Be The Change You Wish To See In This World

https://twitter.com/RyhanHusainni

https://www.facebook.com/ryhanhusainni

And so, my clarifying post had ended up being shared on two pages:
Fabrications About the PAP (FAP), and Rilek1corner (R1C).

Whilst the FAP drew positive comments, reinforced with even further proof and testimonials from people that actually served in the force, R1C was laced with negative insinuations and remarks from people who, mostly never served the force, had no empirical data, actual stats and only hear say stories to back up their claims.

Despite all that, it is the voices of the believers that will continue to give us reason to continue breaking boundaries and striving hard to excel in whatever we are tasked to complete, no matter what appointment we sit in.

Come 1st July, we celebrate SAF Day. It is not just a day to remind our servicemen on the purpose of our existence. Neither is it only a day where we rekindle the passion and fire that made us take up this responsibility.

SAF Day is also a day where were reaffirm to the people that we are there, because they are there. We protect those we love, or family, our friends and also our community. It is important that our community believes in this organisation and they MUST know that everyone that serves, is given equal opportunities to excel, move up and become an icon for the rest of his community to emulate.

Heck I am a Diploma Holder, taking precious time every other night attending classes just to get a Degree. When I look left and right, everyone else holds that Qualification, and I used to believe and still believe, that if I want to be given the same opportunities, it is then my responsibility to make sure I am on par with the rest.

Opportunities don’t come, just because the organisation thinks there is a political impetus to. Opportunities come because, we in our own capacity and hard work, creates it. I may not be a high-flyer but I believe that I am still able to fly the flag high for the Malay/Muslim community. But we cannot do this if we continue disbelieving that change is already taking place.

If any parents or school children is reading this, please remember.
Tell your kids or yourselves, that if they/you have aspirations to join the service and be part of this organisation, step forward and do your very best. Believe that you will be someone and trust that you will be given what you deserve.

There is without doubt many Malay/Muslims holding even higher and more important appointments, much more important that mine. Those who know these people, you can bare testament, how good they really are. Shut out all those who don’t believe.. because if I had listened to all these people 14 years ago, I would have never reached this milestone in my life.

Believe in yourself, continue learning and upgrading and serve the country and community because, if you don’t, no one else will.

Happy SAF day my brothers/sisters in arms and to the generations that takes over, remember that we are the ones that craft our own futures.

Regards..

:: Be the change you wish to see in this world ::

Authored by Ryhan Husainni

READ RYHAN’S EARLIER POST ON MALAYS IN MINDEF/SAF

EDITOR’S NOTE

Here at Rilek1Corner, we appreciate people sharing their life experiences. It is through these heart-to-heart topics that we learn something about the other person and what is important to him or her.

For this instance, we get to understand the challenges and issues faced by Malay and Muslim brothers who are serving the nation be it in the MINDEF or HOME TEAM.

While we agree to disagree, let’s not character assassinate someone. That’s the beauty of perspectives; it may not be the same but it shed light on the thinking processes of someone who may share something common with us, for example race or religion.

Rambut sama hitam, hati lain lain.

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June 27, 2014