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Tag: Yaacob Ibrahim

  • Yaacob Ibrahim: Give Elected Presidency A Chance To Develop

    Yaacob Ibrahim: Give Elected Presidency A Chance To Develop

    Give the elected presidency (EP) a chance to develop and allow it to evolve, Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Yaacob Ibrahim yesterday urged the Malay community, in particular, its youth.

    He made the appeal in response to a question during a dialogue with tertiary students on whether the upcoming presidential election, which has been reserved for Malay candidates, is “mere tokenism”.

    “I think, let’s give it a chance and see how it works because no policy is cast in stone. One day, the Government might change its mind and decide that this reserved election doesn’t work. You never know,” he added.

    “You’ve to sort of recognise the fact that we must continue to evolve and learn from the experiences on the ground.”

    Dr Yaacob was speaking publicly on the EP for the first time since the Presidential Elections (Amendment) Bill was passed last week.

    The Bill provided details such as the election period and the size of the committees to assess whether candidates are eligible to contest. It follows broader constitutional changes passed last November that spell out how a presidential election will be reserved for a particular racial group if no one from that group has been president for five terms in a row.

    The upcoming election is reserved for the Malay community, which has not seen a Malay president for 46 years since Singapore’s first president Yusof Ishak, who died in office on Nov 23, 1970.

     

    In his reply, Dr Yaacob, who reiterated that he will not contest the election, said his preference “would have been clearly an open election, where a Malay could actually win the EP on his or her own merit”.

    “But I think we also have to ask ourselves whether or not we are able to achieve that if we take that risk,” he added.

    He said tribal tendencies “are still very strong” and “run deep”, not just among the miniorities, but even among the majorities.

    “So how you ensure that the imbalance doesn’t become a burden on the minority is something which the Government has to think about all the time,” he added.

    He said the Malay community is concerned “not just about the president, but also Malay permanent secretary, Malay general… because we want to see representation across the entire Singaporean life”.

    “But we believe it must come about because of meritocracy. Even for the elected president, you don’t just pick up somebody from Geylang Serai – the person must qualify, the person must earn the respect of all Singaporeans,” he added.

     

    Source: www.straitstimes.com

  • Harasha Bafana: Government’s ‘Calibrated Meritocracy’ Approach Should Be Applauded

    Harasha Bafana: Government’s ‘Calibrated Meritocracy’ Approach Should Be Applauded

    Our Prime Minister announced in Parliament yesterday that the next presidential election, due next year, will be reserved for candidates from the Malay community: “That means if a qualified Malay candidate steps up to run, Singapore will have a Malay president again… this would be our first after more than 46 years, since our first president Encik Yusof Ishak. I look forward to this.”

    He also said that: “Every citizen, Chinese, Malay, Indian or some other race, should know that someone of his community can become President, and in fact from time to time, does become President.”

    I applaud this move.

    It’s a unique approach to a sensitive issue. I call this a ‘Calibrated Meritocracy’ approach, Singapore-style. The Malay candidate(s), after all, must still be qualified to enter the race (no pun intended) – but assuming that there is a primordial urge to vote for one’s own ethnic group, there is little hope that the Malay candidate will garner enough voter support. Hence the need for this provision.

    PM said in his speech that he’s doing this now “because it would be irresponsible of me to kick this can down the road and leave the problem to my successors.”

    I pray that this will not open a can of worms.

    After all, beyond the racial stereotype that had emerged over the decades, there ARE many successful Malays (& Muslims) in our midst. We just need a better way to bring them into the National Consciousness – an emerging trend over the last few years that I am pleased to note in various fields such as mass media, the military & other national leadership positions.

    Majulah Singapura.
    Regardless of Race, Language or Religion.
    Let’s all be one inclusive Singapore where our beautiful diversity is acknowledged & appreciated – even as we work hard to succeed in a merit-based playing field.

    … & One day soon, I hope that we will be mature enough as a society to remove the CMIO (Chinese/Malay/Indian/Others) organising principle. When that day arrives, we will no longer need special provisions such as this.

    ****************

    “Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown.”
    ~ William Shakespeare

     

    Source: Harasha Bafana

  • Masyarakat Melayu/Islam Singapura Perlu Pimpinan Agama Kuat, Berwibawa

    Masyarakat Melayu/Islam Singapura Perlu Pimpinan Agama Kuat, Berwibawa

    KAHIRAH, MESIR: Masyarakat Melayu/Islam Singapura memerlukan kepimpinan keagamaan yang kuat dan berwibawa.

    Ini sedang Singapura berdepan dengan cabaran-cabaran ekonomi baru. Malah, masyarakat Melayu/Islam juga perlu menyesuaikan diri dengan keadaan baru untuk terus berkembang.

    Mutu dan nilai kepimpinan yang tulen jugalah yang akan memberi manfaat kepada masyarakat Melayu/Islam, di tengah-tengah sekitaran yang tidak menentu dan berubah-ubah.

    Demikian ditegaskan Menteri Bertanggungjawab bagi Ehwal Masyarakat Islam, Dr Yaacob Ibrahim, kepada para pelajar Singapura yang baru tamat pengajian di Universiti Al-Azhar di Kahirah. Majlis konvokesyen (1 Nov) bagi 45 penuntut Singapura di ibu kota Mesir itu lebih istimewa, kerana buat pertama kalinya, diserikan dengan kehadiran Presiden Tony Tan Keng Yam, yang kini dalam rangka lawatan negara selama lima hari ke Mesir.

    Presiden Tony Tan Keng Yam bersama graduan Singapura, Aufa Muhammad Sidqee di majlis konvokesyen di Universiti Al-Azhar. (Gambar: MUIS)

    MANFAATKAN PEJABAT KERJAYA DAN KEBAJIKAN PELAJAR (SCWO)

    Dr Yaacob yang juga merupakan Menteri Perhubungan dan Penerangan menekankan, semangat ingin tahu dan terus menerus belajar merupakan satu lagi kualiti penting kepimpinan. Lantaran itu, beliau mengajak para graduan supaya melihat majlis konvokesyen itu sebagai “hanya satu tahap dalam perjalanan panjang untuk mempertingkatkan diri anda”.

    “Anda mesti secara konsisten mempertingkatkan diri anda dengan ilmu dan kemahiran-kemahiran yang relevan, untuk bergerak seiring dan berkembang maju dalam dunia yang sentiasa berubah,” ujar Dr Yaacob dalam ucapan tersebut.

    Beliau kemudian memberitahu para graduan universiti ulung itu, bahawa mereka boleh memanfaatkan sumber-sumber dari Pejabat Kerjaya dan Kebajikan Pelajar (SCWO) yang baru ditubuhkan. SCWO menawarkan peluang-peluang latihan kepada mahasiswa dan siswazah dalam usaha mempersiapkan mereka untuk ekonomi baru. SCWO bekerjasama dengan agensi-agensi awam dan swasta.

    FAHAMI KOMPLEKSITI MASYARAKAT & DAPATKAN ILMU DI LUAR DISIPLIN KEAGAMAAN

    Menyentuh mengenai Skim Pengiktirafan Asatizah (ARS), Dr Yaacob berkata MUIS merancang untuk menjalankan lebih banyak lagi program untuk para graduan Singapura dari universiti Islam luar negara. Program-program tersebut merupakan “satu keperluan” sebelum mereka didaftarkan ke dalam ARS, kongsi Dr Yaacob.

    Program tersebut, di mana para pesertanya didedahkan kepada pelbagai perspektif berhubung tradisi Islam dan konteksnya dengan kehidupan moden, “akan mempersiapkan anda untuk berjaya sebagai asatizah”, kata Dr Yaacob lagi.

    (Gambar-gambar: MUIS)

    Beliau yang juga Menteri Bertanggungjawab bagi Keselamatan Siber, menyeru para graduan Islam Singapura supaya “memahami kompleksiti masyarakat” dan mempunyai kemahiran berbeza-beza “di luar disiplin sains keagamaan”.

    Dr Yaacob berharap mereka juga akan mendewasa dengan menjadi “satu suara yang berkeyakinan untuk masyarakat progresif kita, untuk membimbing masyarakat supaya istiqamah dengan agama kita, dan menyumbang kepada pembinaan sebuah negara yang harmoni”.

    Selain Presiden Tony Tan, majlis konvokesyen itu turut dihadiri Timbalan Imam Besar Al Azhar, Dr Abbas Shoman, Duta Singapura ke Mesir, Encik S Premjith dan Timbalan Ketua Eksekutif MUIS, Dr Albakri Ahmad.

    Source: http://berita.mediacorp.sg

  • 45 Singaporean Students Graduate From Al-Azhar University

    45 Singaporean Students Graduate From Al-Azhar University

    CAIRO: As religious extremist groups increasingly turn to social media to entice youths to join their ranks, young Singaporeans who graduated from the prominent Al-Azhar University in Egypt on Tuesday (Nov 1) said they see themselves as having a unique position to address and refute these extremist views.

    “As a graduate of Al-Azhar university, I feel that yes, I do have a role to play and in teaching, in educating the masses that Islam is not an extreme religion,” said class valedictorian Nur Diyana Zait, who said she planned to pursue a career in education after graduating, “to educate young children, to continue to inspire and also to empower women”.

    “I dream to spread the true teachings of Islam and give the best idea of Islam, and to share whatever I have learnt here,” added 25-year-old Aufa Muhammad Sidqee, who studied philosophy and Islamic Creed, and also plans to go into teaching once he returns to Singapore.

    Mr Aufa and Ms Diyana graduated on Tuesday night, in a ceremony where Singapore President Tony Tan Keng Yam, who is on a state visit to Egypt, was the guest of honour.

    There are 45 Singapore students graduating from Al-Azhar University this year – one of the centres of Islamic learning in the world, and described by some as the “Oxford of Islamic studies” – with degrees in Islamic law, theology or Arabic language and literature.

    Singaporean students at the graduation ceremony. (Photo: Kenneth Lim)

    “You now represent the next generation of leaders for the Muslim community,” Dr Tan told the students at a reception after the ceremony, where he wished them continued success in their endeavours.

    The President added that he was confident the students would “continue to promote racial and religious harmony in Singapore”, something he described as “precious and should be treasured.”

    Many of Singapore’s Muslim leaders graduated from Al Azhar, including former and current Muftis. The university accredits the certificates of four madrasahs in Singapore, and has awarded scholarships to Singaporean students over the past decade. While most Singaporean Al-Azhar graduates become religious teachers in madrasahs, others have joined non-governmental organisations or worked as translators in foreign embassies.

    “They (the graduating students) have an important role to play,” said Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Yaacob Ibrahim, who also attended the graduation ceremony. “They will be operating in Singapore (and) they command a certain respect in our community.

    “They should use that respect wisely, to help guide the community towards the outcome that we want, which is a community that is inclusive and is well-integrated with the wider community.”

    PRESIDENT TAN MEETS RELIGIOUS, POLITICAL LEADERS FROM EGYPT

    On Monday, Dr Tan met the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Ahmed Al Tayeb, one of the most prominent figures in Sunni Islam. The two leaders discussed ways to counter religious extremism and the importance of promoting inter-faith dialogue – key tenets of the institution’s philosophy.

    The President also visited the Al-Azhar Observatory for Foreign Languages – which seeks to correct misconceptions of Islam that youths may have picked up online. The centre monitors extremist messages in nine languages, including English, Mandarin and Urdu, and refutes them using its own online platforms.

    Ambassador Abdel Rahman Moussa, Al-Azhar’s chairman of the Department of International Student Affairs, said the school’s main concern was to “teach the real Islam”.

    This, he said, would help explain to youths “the proper thoughts and proper ideas”, and how extremist ideologies are false and do not have any connection with Islam, Muslims and the Islamic cause.

    On Tuesday, Dr Tan also met Egypt Prime Minister Sherif Ismail at the Office of the Cabinet of Ministers in Cairo. The Prime Minister briefed the President on Egypt’s economic development plans and reform programmes, and said he welcomed investments from Singapore from companies in various sectors such as port and logistics, water desalination, as well as urban solutions.

    Dr Tan, who wraps up his state visit on Thursday, said during the meeting that there was scope to strengthen economic relations, as Singapore companies explore opportunities in Egypt.

     

    Source: www.channelnewsasia.com

  • 2 Teras Utama Bagi Tangani Gejala Kencing Manis Masyarakat Melayu

    2 Teras Utama Bagi Tangani Gejala Kencing Manis Masyarakat Melayu

    Demi memerangi penyakit kencing manis di kalangan masyarakat Melayu, dua teras utama yang perlu dilaksanakan kata Menteri Bertanggungjawab bagi Ehwal Masyarakat Islam, Dr Yaacob Ibrahim.

    Pertama, menghidupkan gaya hidup sihat adalah menerusi senaman.

    Kedua, bagaimana masyarakat Melayu boleh menentukan bahawa makanan yang mereka ambil juga sihat.

    “Kita tukar apa yang telah kita makan selama ini dengan bahan-bahan lebih sihat
    dan juga pemilihan makanan yang lebih sihat,” ujar Dr Yaacob.

    Beliau yang juga penasihat Majlis Penyelaras Kumpulan Kegiatan Melayu Persatuan Rakyat (MESRA), berkata demikian semasa di majlis pelancaran ‘Fiesta Kesihatan: Ayuh Terus Sihat – Katakan Tidak Kepada Kencing Manis’ di Kelab Masyarakat Kolam Ayer hari ini (25 Sep).

    KEMPEN ANTI KENCING MANIS DARI OKTOBER 2016-MAC 2017

    MESRA akan menerajui satu kempen selama enam bulan di seluruh negara, bagi memerangi penyakit kencing manis di Singapura.

    Di bawah kempen itu, pelbagai program akan diadakan di seluruh negara mulai bulan depan hingga Mac 2017.

    Ini termasuklah sekitar 50 program-program pemeriksaan kesihatan, senaman, bengkel-bengkel masakan sihat, ceramah-ceramah dan pameran kesihatan serta permainan-permainan interaktif.

    Semua usaha ini demi memastikan bahawa lebih ramai penduduk Singapura sedar tentang keadaan kesihatan mereka, cara mengamalkan gaya hidup sihat dan kerap bersenam untuk mencegah penyakit seperti kencing manis.

    KERJASAMA DENGAN MASJID & BADAN MELAYU TANGANI KENCING ANIS

    Seorang lagi penasihat MESRA, Setiausaha Parlimen Pendidikan merangkap Sosial dan Keluarga, Profesor Madya Dr Faishal Ibrahim berkata: “Kita harus mengambil peluang ini untuk menepati sasaran kepada masyarakat Melayu/Islam di Singapura kerana kita prihatin tentang kesihatan masyarakat kita.

    “Dan ini adalah satu usaha yang bukan sahaja mahu memperluaskan tetapi bekerjasama dengan rakan-rakan kita seperti masjid-masjid dan juga badan-badan Melayu/Islam seperti Jamiyah untuk masing-masing mendekati pihak-pihak berkepentingan.”

    Program-program tersebut akan dikendalikan MESRA bersama Jawatankuasa-Jawatankuasa Eksekutif Kegiatan Melayu (MAEC) serta pertubuhan-pertubuhan akar umbi dan masyarakat.

    Ia merupakan satu usaha bersama untuk menangani keprihatinan-keprihatinan kesihatan di kalangan masyarakat, menurut Persatuan Rakyat (PA) dalam satu kenyataan.

    Kempen itu dilancarkan bersama rakan-rakan masyarakat seperti Lembaga Penggalakan Kesihatan (HPB), masjid-masjid, Yayasan Buah Pinggang Kebangsaan (NKF), Persatuan Kencing Manis Singapura, Jamiyah Singapura, Persatuan Karyawan Jagaan Kesihatan Islam (MHPA) dan pertubuhan-pertubuhan akar umbi PA.

    96 MAEC, 50 KARNIVAL KESIHATAN

    Menurut MESRA, bagi kempen tersebut, pihaknya mengambil pendekatan holistik “Minda, Tubuh dan Rohani” bagi menggalak gaya hidup sihat di kalangan masyarakat.

    Menyusuli pelancaran kempen itu, MESRA, bersama kesemua 96 MAEC, akan berganding bahu dengan lebih banyak pertubuhan Melayu/Islam dan masjid untuk menganjurkan sekitar 50 karnival kesihatan dan/atau kegiatan di peringkat Kawasan Undi Perwakilan Kumpulan (GRC) dan kawasan undi sehingga Mac 2017 untuk mendampingi penduduk.

    Untuk menyokong gaya hidup sihat yang mampan di kalangan penduduk, MESRA menggalak penduduk menubuhkan kumpulan-kumpulan sokongan kecil untuk mengingatkan antara satu sama lain tentang isu-isu kesihatan.

    Source: Berita MediaCorp