Serving the needs of the Malay/Muslim community

Question

Mr Azmoon Ahmad: To ask the Minister for Environment and Water Resources & Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs (a) what does the People’s Association Malay Activity Executive Committees Council (MESRA) set out to achieve and what is its mission; (b) how is MESRA different from the Malay/Muslim Community Leaders Forum (CLF); and (c) whether the CLF Steering Committee is still functioning and if it has achieved its objectives since it was formed in 2003.

Response

Mr Masagos Zulkifli, Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs:

1. The People’s Association Malay Activity Executive Committees Co-ordinating Council (MESRA) and the Malay Activity Executive Committees (MAECs) play a key role in developing opportunities for which the Malay community can interact and collaborate with other communities and groups in Singapore. MESRA coordinates the efforts of the MAECs, which are based at Community Clubs across Singapore. The Community Leaders’ Forum (CLF) is a platform under MENDAKI, formed in 2003 to support Malay/Muslim Voluntary Organisations (MMOs).

2. Our MMOs are central to efforts to uplift and empower the Malay/Muslim community. The Community Leaders’ Forum (CLF) will continue to support the MMOs in areas such as education, youth, family and employability. For example, the Youth-in-Action programme carried out by 12 MMOs, such as the Association of Muslim Professionals, the Majulah Community and the Progress Class Society, addresses low school attendance rates and negative social behaviours, complementing efforts by schools. The CLF will also continue to fund partners that collaborate with community or government agencies to address social issues. For instance, through the Vista Sakinah programme, the CLF funds PPIS (Singapore Muslim Women’s Association) to support remarriages and stepfamilies.

3. Over the years, the CLF has made significant progress.

   a. Within 10 years, the number of CLF partners increased from 10 MMOs and two mosques in 2004, to 65 in 2015.

   b. The CLF identified service gaps that led to the implementation of flagship programmes by CLF partners, including Tiga M, Community Tuition Subsidy Scheme (CoTS), Family Excellence Circles, and SENSE employability programmes.

4. Having achieved its initial objectives of forging community partnerships and providing capacity building for MMOs, the CLF Steering Committee was succeeded by two committees in 2015 – namely, the Malay/Muslim Capability Development Fund (MMCDF) Steering Committee and the CLF Leadership and Advancement Benefaction Scheme (CLF LABS) Steering Committee – which collectively oversee the CLF. MENDAKI serves as the CLF Secretariat, and also administers the MMCDF, which supports projects by the MMOs. CLF LABS supports youth-led and informal groups in test-bedding innovative ideas with MENDAKI’s seed funding.

5. Moving forward, the Malay/Muslim political office holders and I will strengthen collaboration across our key community institutions – comprising MESRA, MENDAKI, and MUIS. We will strive to enhance MENDAKI’s and MESRA’s programmes so that they collectively they can reach more community segments, and deliver greater impact. They will also strengthen the last-mile for outreach, as well as expand and develop our pool of volunteers and community leaders.

6. MESRA, MENDAKI and MUIS will work in partnership with government agencies, MMOs and other partners to harness the Malay/Muslim community’s energy and creativity to contribute back to the community and the wider society.