Maju Bersama: Building a Stronger Future Together

Mr Speaker,

Honouring our Pioneers

1. Sixty years ago, as Singapore became independent, many in our community faced a difficult choice. To cross the Causeway, where many of our friends and relatives were. Or to stay in Singapore, face economic uncertainties and a precarious future, and forge a shared destiny with our Chinese and Indian comrades.

2. Our forefathers chose to stay. They sunk their roots here, threw in their lot with Singapore, and made this island their home. Our pioneers – led by Malay leaders like Yusof Ishak, Othman Wok and Ahmad Ibrahim – strived hard to meet the social, economic, and religious needs of our community. They were also crucial members of our pioneer leadership team – united in the common vision of a Singapore for all Singaporeans. The courage, dedication, and tireless work of our Pioneers laid strong foundations for our community to make progress, generation after generation.

3. Last month, I joined many Singaporeans in celebrating our Nation’s birthday. And like many in our community, my heart swelled with pride – as Lieutenant Colonel Firdaus Ghazali led the National Day Parade, and as Lieutenant Colonel Muhammad Iskandar led the F-15 bomb burst salute. This is just one of the many examples of how members of the Malay/Muslim community have excelled in their respective fields and continue to contribute to the Singapore Story. As we celebrate SG60, it is timely to reflect on our progress as a society and as a Malay/Muslim community.

Building on Strong Foundations

4. Over the last 30 years, I had the privilege of journeying with our community – through my community work and across six Ministries. I have seen firsthand what we can achieve when Government and the community strive with common purpose. Indeed, our community has grown in strength, in confidence, and in our ability to rally and contribute to Singapore’s shared future. 

5. The M³ agencies and Malay/Muslim Organisations  (MMOs), which include the Indian Muslim Organisations (IMOs), have worked together with Government agencies to better serve the needs of the Malay/Muslim community.  However, the world is undergoing significant shifts. Technological advancements, trade wars, climate change, and geopolitical volatility are just a few examples. The Malay/Muslim community must similarly confront these uncertainties. I am encouraged by the renewed vigour from many community stakeholders, such as our MMOs, to find new and better ways to engage, collaborate and synergise efforts to take us forward.

6. As the Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs, I hope to build on the good work of my predecessors and fellow community leaders. I will deepen the collaborations among the M³ agencies, MMOs, IMOs and the Government to chart a stronger future for our Malay/Muslim community, while contributing to our multi-racial and multi-religious society.

Charting the Next Bound for the Malay/Muslim Community

7. Since taking office, I have been engaging widely and listening actively. I have engaged our youth groups, mosque committees, working professionals, grassroots volunteers, MMOs and IMOs, arts and cultural groups, and many more. I have also engaged the community at various settings, including coffeeshops, markets and food centres, and formal dialogues.  I am touched by their stories of resilience and contribution, feel their concerns, and inspired by their hopes and aspirations for our community and the nation.

8. To achieve these, we must tap on our collective energies and, abilities as well as imagination. Every member of our community should have the chance to be the best versions of themselves, at different stages of their lives. Let us share in the joy of each other’s success, and rally around those who stumble, so that they can find their feet again.

9. For instance, Mr Muhammad Feroz Haron is the founder of Action in Motion (or AIM) Society, which recently celebrated its 6^th anniversary last month. Sharing his past experiences, Feroz founded AIM with three other ex-offenders to provide social and emotional support for others on the drug rehabilitation journey. His wife, Madam Salmah Johari, also founded “WISDOM” (or Women in Support to Develop Outstanding Men), a support group for spouses and partners of ex-offenders. 

10. Or the story of Dr Norham Erlyani, who inspires us through her pursuit of excellence. She holds a PhD in Stem Cell & Developmental Biology from the National University of Singapore Graduate School and currently serves as Head of Strategy and Public Relations at Hilleman Laboratories. Beyond her professional portfolio, she contributes actively to the community as the lead for Life Sciences under the MENDAKI Professional Networks and as a member of the MUIS Council.  

11. I am committed to supporting people like Mr Feroz and Dr Norham Erlyani, who have taken diverse paths at different stages of their lives, so that they can do better for themselves, and give back to those around them. Let me elaborate on three areas where my fellow PAP Malay/Muslim MPs and I will focus on in the years ahead.

    1. One, to give our community a better life through improved social and economic outcomes. 

    2. Two, to uphold the confidence of our community to practise our faith in a multi-cultural society. 

    3. Three, to preserve and celebrate our rich Malay arts, culture, and heritage. 

Improved Social and Economic Outcomes

12. Sir, let me first speak on improving the social and economic outcomes for our people. We will focus on four areas: 

    1. First, nurture strong families, 

    2. Second, invest in our children and youth, 

    3. Third, equip our workers to seize growth opportunities, and

    4. Fourth, support our seniors to age with dignity.

13. Families form the bedrock of our society. They create stable and loving environments for us to pass shared values from one generation to the next, and for our children to realise their potential. 

    1. Strong marriages are the first step to flourishing families. Over the years, we have seen good progress from our investments to support strong marriages. The number of Muslim divorces in 2023 have fallen by 30% compared to 2019. 

    2. We will continue to do more in this area, led by incoming Minister of State Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim. For instance, through the Bersamamu programme, which supports newlywed Muslim couples with religious guidance on marriage and family life, and with practical skills like financial planning, communication skills, and conflict resolution. 

14. With strong families as a foundation, we will invest more in the development of our children and youth. 

    1. Education is key to provide our children with a good start in life. 

    2. As a community, we can do more to encourage the enrolment of our young into preschool, and to sustain their attendance. 

    3. We must also better support the learning of our students in primary and secondary schools, including after school hours. For instance, under Project Jalan Kukoh, MENDAKI, MUIS, PA MESRA, 4PM, and other Government agencies reach out to youth in the Jalan Kukoh precinct.

    4. I thank our community partners, and the Ministry of Social and Family Development, and the Ministry of Education for your support in these areas.

    5. Outside of school, we will equip our youth to deal with the challenges of the future. Beyond the academics, we will also support them with career guidance, personal development opportunities, and exposure to new experiences. 

    6. For example, Ms Sherlita Almeyra serves as the President of MudaSG, a youth-led organisation that has organised volunteer opportunities in sectors, such as community building, education, environmental sustainability, and social outreach, encouraging youth to contribute to society while fostering a spirit of care, collaboration, and service. 

    7. I recently announced the formation of a Malay/Muslim Youth Taskforce. This will bring together youth champions to advocate for the needs and aspirations of Malay/Muslim youth and co-create initiatives in support of the national SG Youth Plan. Minister of State Rahayu Mahzam and incoming Senior Parliamentary Secretary Dr Syed Harun Alhabsyi will lead this effort.

15. I hope that these efforts will position our youth to seize new opportunities in our fast-evolving economic landscape. The workforce in the years to come will look very different from today, and our workers must be prepared to ride the waves of growth in the future economy. 

    1. This will require a culture of lifelong learning, underpinned by the partnerships between NTUC, MENDAKI and other MMOs.

    2. Senior Minister of State Zaqy Mohamed and Labour MP Dr Wan Rizal will helm this area to develop community platforms to complement national-level programmes to support our workers. 

    3. In particular, I hope that more of our workers can tap on opportunities in growth sectors like advanced manufacturing, technology, and professional services like finance.

16. As we progress, we cannot forget our seniors, particularly those in the Pioneer and Merdeka generations. Prime Minister Lawrence Wong outlined Singapore’s plans to improve long-term care options through the Age Well Neighbourhoods for our seniors and their caregivers at the National Day Rally. This initiative builds upon national programmes like HealthierSG and Age Well SG. I similarly hope to mobilise our community, so that we can better meet the healthcare, social and emotional needs of our seniors. I look forward to the support by Members.

    1. For instance, how can we tap on the experience of our seniors to benefit the community, as they transit into retirement?  Or how can we better support caregivers through active ageing services, and caregiving networks?

    2. To this end, the Santunan Emas programme by Masjid Al-Muttaqin, in collaboration with Ma:een and Muhammadiyah Active Ageing Centre, is a commendable effort. The programme provides holistic support for our elderly – from spiritual guidance through lectures by former Mufti, Ustaz Dr Mohamed Fatris Bakaram, to physical and social activities led by volunteers from Muhammadiyah for their overall well-being. 

    3. Let us continue to explore new ways to collaborate with various partners in support of our seniors.

Practising our Faith in a Multicultural Society

17. I have spoken about improved social and economic outcomes. Let me now turn to how we will support the community to practise our faith in our diverse society. 

18. Our faith is central to our character as a Malay/Muslim community. It guides our values and how we engage one another, whether family members, neighbours, or fellow citizens. Our faith also guides us to live harmoniously with others in a multicultural and multi-religious society. 

19. Since taking on this role, I have visited different mosques each week. These visits gave me the opportunity to meet congregants from all walks of life, and speak with them on religious life in Singapore, amongst others. 

20. Let me highlight three areas of feedback, and what we are doing in these areas.

    1. One, is the need for more prayer spaces, particularly in newer residential areas. I have announced further details about the new mosques in Tampines and Tengah, and we are exploring ways to bring forward the completion of these mosques. We are also exploring how interim prayer spaces can be provided while mosque upgrading and development works are underway. 

    2. Our mosques and prayer spaces are fully funded by the community. So, we must be prudent in designing them, and maximise our existing spaces by conducting second sessions for Friday prayers.

    3. Two, beyond physical spaces, we must groom the next generation of religious leaders. Our asatizah play a critical role in guiding our community and should be recognised and fairly compensated for their work, as Mr Sharael Taha mentioned earlier. As we navigate a more complex world, they must be keenly attuned to global changes while appreciating our local context. The new Singapore College of Islamic Studies (SCIS) represents a significant investment in this future by equipping our asatizah with robust Islamic knowledge and practical skills to serve the community, be it in the religious sector or in adjacent sectors like counselling and social work. I also agree with Mr Sharael Taha that SCIS’ partnership with the Singapore University of Social Sciences will be important in exposing our future asatizah to diverse academic experiences and develop them not just as capable religious teachers, but also compassionate community leaders who can help the community navigate contemporary social challenges.

    4. Three, our religious institutions must develop new capabilities to guide the community in contemporary issues. Recent fatwas on cultivated meat and alternative proteins, and carrier screening for severe genetic diseases and antenatal testing have helped our community navigate new questions about food technology, environmental sustainability, and medical sciences. These rulings exemplify how our Fatwa Committee and asatizah can provide guidance that is both religiously sound and practically relevant. We will continue to empower our asatizah to guide the community in these complex issues, and in so doing, deepen trust in our religious institutions.

21. Importantly, the ability to maintain confidence in our religious life depends on the trust in our religious institutions and the partnerships with the broader network of Muslim organisations. We will strengthen these networks of trust and partnerships to address the religious needs of our community. Together, I am confident that we will engender a fulfilling life for our Singapore Muslims who actively contribute to their community and society.

Celebrating Malay arts, culture, and heritage

22. I have spoken about improved social and economic outcomes, and about practising our faith in a multicultural society. 

23. Let me now speak on how we can celebrate our Malay arts, culture, and heritage. This is an integral part of Singapore’s cultural diversity and national identity.

    1. Pak Zubir Said's composition of our national anthem "Majulah Singapura" is a prime example of how Malay artistic expression has shaped our national identity. 

    2. Contemporary Malay artists like Madam Som Said are instrumental in championing Malay dance in Singapore, while writers like Djamal Tukimin have become cornerstones of Singapore’s Malay literary scene. 

    3. We also have practitioners dedicated to preserving our living heritage and craft, such as Yaziz Hassan who is passing down the knowledge of crafting and repairing traditional Malay drums to future generations.

24. In my engagements, many in the community have told me that they hope we can hold fast to what has nourished our hearts and souls over generations, even as we pursue economic growth and prosperity. My team and I hope to galvanise the community to celebrate and develop our arts, culture, and heritage sector, showcase the vibrancy of our unique Singaporean Malay culture and preserve our cultural traditions for future generations. 

25. The reopening of the Malay Heritage Centre in April next year represents a significant milestone in this effort. It will provide a new platform to celebrate the stories of the Malay community, and recognise how their contributions have shaped Singapore's development and national identity. 

    1. The refreshed centre will enhance representation of Malay ethnic sub-groups, showcasing the diversity that exists within our community, with increased focus on women's contributions to education, literature, and the arts. 

    2. The centre will also see newly commissioned works by both emerging and established Malay artists in support of contemporary cultural expression.

26. This is part of a wider national plan. We strive to develop Wisma Geylang Serai as Singapore’s first social, arts and cultural heritage hub where culture is not just preserved but also experienced. The National Heritage Board is also partnering with community and precinct stakeholders in Kampong Gelam to strengthen its distinctive cultural identity and heritage value. 

27. Our culture should be celebrated and enjoyed by all. We will continue to support PA MESRA and the Malay Activity Executive Committees (MAECs) in various events to preserve the Malay culture, whether through performances during festive seasons, or through cultural festivals and activities. 

28. Mr Speaker Sir, allow me to continue my speech in Malay.

29. Tuan, masyarakat Melayu/Islam telah mencapai banyak kemajuan sepanjang 60 tahun yang lalu. Ini merupakan hasil keberanian, dedikasi dan ketabahan generasi perintis seperti Encik Yusof Ishak, Encik Othman Wok and Encik Ahmad Ibrahim, untuk menjadikan negara ini sebagai tanah air kita bersama. Mereka telah berganding bahu dengan rakyat Singapura untuk membina asas yang kukuh bagi negara kita sehingga membolehkan kita berkembang maju sebagai satu masyarakat dan negara. Saya berharap untuk meneruskan dan mempertingkatkan usaha baik yang dilakarkan oleh para pemimpin yang lalu, bersama-sama masyarakat kita.

30. Sejak menyandang jawatan sebagai Pemangku Menteri Bertanggungjawab bagi Ehwal Masyarakat Islam, saya telah mendekati dan beramah mesra dengan pelbagai lapisan masyarakat, daripada kumpulan-kumpulan belia, seni dan warisan, jawatankuasa masjid, golongan karyawan, sukarelawan akar umbi, badan-badan Melayu/Islam serta banyak lagi. Saya amat bersyukur atas segala maklum balas yang diberi dan turut terdorong dengan gagasan-gagasan mereka untuk mengeratkan hubungan sesama kita, memperkasa kehidupan serta mencapai potensi kita. 

31. Saya, bersama rakan-rakan saya daripada Anggota Parlimen Melayu/Islam PAP yang lain, komited untuk terus menyokong masyarakat Melayu/Islam. Kami akan memberi tumpuan kepada tiga bidang utama bagi tahun-tahun mendatang:

    1. Pertama, kami akan memacu pencapaian sosial dan ekonomi dengan membangunkan keluarga yang kukuh, dan melabur dalam pembangunan kanak-kanak serta belia. Kita juga mahu memperkasa para pekerja agar berupaya merebut peluang dalam sektor membangun serta menyokong warga emas untuk meniti usia senja dengan baik dan bermakna.

    2. Kedua, kami akan menyokong kehidupan beragama masyarakat Islam dalam konteks masyarakat majmuk Singapura dan menyahut keperluan-keperluan yang kian berubah. Ini termasuk menambah ruang solat dan memastikan bimbingan agama yang kukuh melalui pembangunan asatizah dan SCIS yang sedang dibangunkan.

    3. Ketiga, kami akan melestarikan seni, budaya dan warisan Melayu yang telah membentuk jiwa dan hati kita generasi demi generasi. Dengan pembukaan semula Taman Warisan Melayu pada tahun hadapan, kita berpeluang untuk mempamerkan budaya Melayu Singapura yang unik serta memperkaya identiti budaya dan kebangsaan Singapura.

Kesimpulan

32. Tuan Speaker, saya dan pasukan saya telah melakarkan agenda dan wawasan bersama untuk masyarakat Melayu/Islam Singapura berdasarkan perbincangan dan musyawarah meluas dengan masyarakat. Namun kami akan memperhalusinya dengan terus berbincang dengan lebih ramai anggota masyarakat kita. Seiring dengan perkembangan sosial dan ekonomi yang pesat, kita mahu memberi peluang kepada setiap anggota masyarakat untuk menjadi yang terbaik dan berkembang maju, tidak kira kedudukan mereka dan juga berupaya untuk menyumbang secara aktif.

    1. Kami juga memerlukan pendekatan yang baharu untuk menyepadukan rangkaian kerjasama bersama badan-badan Melayu/Islam dan kumpulan-kumpulan masyarakat yang lain demi menggembleng tenaga dan kekuatan dalam menangani
       ketiga-tiga bidang yang telah saya gariskan tadi. 

33. Dalam usaha kita untuk merebut pelbagai peluang di masa depan, saya berharap agar kita berpegang teguh kepada tiga nilai murni iaitu Amanah, Ikhlas dan Kesyukuran – yang sememangnya telah menjadi pegangan nenek moyang kita serta barisan pemimpin terdahulu.

34. Tuan, dalam ucapannya, Presiden telah mengingatkan kita bahawa kita harus berusaha untuk menjadi masyarakat yang meletakkan "we" before "me" atau "kita" sebelum "saya", di mana tumpuan kita melangkaui keperluan peribadi. Kita harus mempertimbangkan bagaimana tindakan dan pilihan kita akan menyumbang kepada kemaslahatan masyarakat umum. Dengan saling menjaga antara satu sama lain, kita boleh melangkah jauh.  

35. Matlamat kami untuk Masa Depan yang Lebih Kukuh Bersama bukanlah satu destinasi, tetapi perjalanan berterusan dalam pembangunan, penyesuaian dan sokongan antara kita. Ia bukan sahaja untuk masyarakat Melayu/Islam, tetapi bagi seluruh rakyat Singapura. Oleh itu, saya menyeru setiap anggota masyarakat – tidak kira umur, pekerjaan, mahupun latar belakang – untuk menyumbang kepada kejayaan kita bersama.

36. Para perintis dan generasi sebelum kita telah memainkan peranan yang cukup besar dalam mencipta Kisah Singapura – mereka memilih untuk membina sebuah masyarakat berbilang bangsa dan budaya tanpa mengira batas kaum, bahasa mahupun agama. Kini, giliran kita untuk mengembangkan Kisah Singapura dan mengukir lembaran baru yang mencerminkan kembara dan kemajuan masyarakat Melayu khususnya, serta masyarakat Singapura umumnya. Ia merangkumi usaha kita untuk meraikan kekuatan dalam kepelbagaian, membina jalinan erat antara masyarakat demi mengukuhkan perpaduan dan bekerjasama dengan warga Singapura yang lain. Kesatuan ini genting dalam membantu Singapura mengharungi ketidakpastian masa hadapan serta membina sebuah negara yang kita banggakan.

37. Marilah kita meniti perjalanan ini bersama, berbekalkan pengajaran dan kebijaksanaan daripada usaha yang lalu, serta harapan dan impian agar masyarakat kita akan menyumbang kepada kebahagiaan, kemakmuran dan kemajuan Singapura.

38. Terima kasih and Mr Speaker, I support the motion.

English Translation

29. Our Malay/Muslim community has made much progress over the last 60 years. This is borne out of the courage, dedication and resilience of our pioneers such as Yusof Ishak, Othman Wok and Ahmad Ibrahim, to make this country home – a place where we belong. Over the years, they worked alongside fellow Singaporeans to build a strong foundation for the nation and enabled us to progress as a community and society. I hope to build on the good work of our past leaders, together with the community.

30. Since taking office, I have engaged widely with our community, from youth groups to mosque committees, working professionals, grassroots volunteers, Malay/Muslim and Indian/Muslim organisations, arts and cultural groups, and many others. I am grateful for the feedback and inspired by the ideas shared to strengthen our bonds, uplift lives, and realise our potential. 

31. My fellow PAP Malay/Muslim MPs and I are committed to supporting the community. We will focus on three areas in the years ahead:

    1. One, to improve social and economic outcomes by nurturing strong families, investing in our children and youth, equipping our workers to seize growth opportunities, and supporting our elderly to age with dignity. 

    2. Two, to support our community to practise our faith in a multi-cultural society, by providing for evolving needs such as increased prayer spaces, and ensuring we continue to have strong religious guidance through asatizah development and the upcoming SCIS. 

    3. Three, to celebrate our Malay heritage, arts, and culture, which has nourished our hearts and souls over generations. With the reopening of the Malay Heritage Centre next year, we will have more opportunities to showcase our unique Singaporean Malay culture, and enrich Singapore's cultural and national identity.

Conclusion

32. My team and I have set an ambitious agenda, based on our engagements and consultations with the community. However, we will constantly refine it through continuous engagement with more members of our community. Coupled with rapid social and economic changes, we will need each member of our community to put forward the best versions of themselves to contribute. 

    1. We will also need new ways of organising ourselves, so that we can better bring in our Malay/Muslim Organisations, Indian/Muslim Organisations and other community groups to address the three focus areas that I have outlined. 

33. As we hoist our sails to harness the winds of opportunity, I hope that we also anchor our work on three values – trust (Amanah), gratitude (Kesyukuran) and sincerity (Ikhlas) – which our forefathers and successive generations of leaders have embodied. 

34. Sir, the President reminded us earlier in his Address that we must aspire to be a society that puts "we" before "me", where we look beyond our individual circumstances and immediate needs, to consider how our actions and choices contribute to the larger society. Within and across our communities, we must look out for each other not just for our individual interests. Only then can we go far together.

35. Our goal for a Stronger Future Together is not a destination, but a continuous journey of growth, adaptation, and mutual support, not just for the community but the whole of Singapore. Therefore, I call upon every member of our community – regardless of age, profession, or circumstance – to contribute to our shared success. 

36. Our forefathers played a pivotal role in writing the Singapore Story – they chose multiculturalism and equality regardless of race, language or religion. Today, it is our turn to write the next chapter of the Singapore story, one that charts the development of our community and our society – how we celebrate and draw strength from our diversity, build bonds within and across the community to strengthen our solidarity, work alongside fellow Singaporeans to navigate the uncertainties ahead and build an endearing home for all.

37. As we embark on this journey together, let us do so with the wisdom gained from past endeavours, and with the hopes and dreams of our community to contribute to the happiness, prosperity and progress for our nation.

38. Thank you and Mr Speaker, I support the motion.