Strengthening the community, home for all

Our community’s role in nation building

1. Together with the nation, our community has come a long way over the last fifty years, overcoming many challenges along the way. Our pioneer Malay/Muslim leaders stood together with national leaders to build a cohesive and progressive multi-racial nation. The hard work and values of pioneers like our first President, the late Mr Yusof Ishak, allowed us to progress with the nation. The late Mr Yusof was a champion of racial harmony, who led Singapore through its most difficult years including the racial riots. Another notable pioneer was our first Attorney-General, the late Professor Ahmad Ibrahim, who also drafted the Administration of Muslim Law Act (AMLA).

2. We have many other community icons, including the late Haji Abu Bakar Maidin, the former President of Jamiyah. He dedicated his life to serving the needy, and promoting inter-religious harmony. There is also Ms Manijeh Namazie, who one of our earliest librarians and a familiar face to the generations who passed through the hallowed halls of our National University of Singapore libraries.

3. These and many other Malay/Muslim personalities are role models for our young. They are passionate, driven individuals whose successes have helped Singapore grow as one nation. We must honour and celebrate them.  I have asked MUIS and MENDAKI to set up a joint committee to see how our community can do so, and I am happy to add that Madam Chair herself has graciously agreed to lead the team in this special endeavour. 

4. Some plans are already underway. MUIS and MENDAKI plan to organise an appreciation ceremony for pioneers later this year, and also to chronicle their journey through a commemorative book. They will also host their “In Conversation Series” and “Fire-side Chats”, where pioneers and senior community leaders will be paired with youth leaders as mentors. Madam, I support these efforts wholeheartedly, and call on all community organisations to think of more innovative ways to honour our cherished pioneers.
   

Progress of the community

5. Madam, the government will continue to support our community’s efforts to succeed. There are some who question whether the Singapore model of meritocracy and multiracialism works for a minority community. But our achievements speak for themselves. All around us we see those who have made it good, even though we are a minority community, thanks to a nation’s commitment to a system where hard work brings rewards.

6. In response to Dr Fatimah Lateef, the community has made steady progress on many fronts. Entry of our students to tertiary institutions has risen steadily. Income and wealth have also gone up. Our median household income has risen from $2,709 in 2000 to $3,944 in 2010. Malay/Muslim PMETs have also increased from 7.2% in 1980 to 27.8% in 2010. Many of our youth have not only obtained better academic results, but have also achieved excellence in other fields.

7. What is even more heartening is to see successful individuals giving back. Take for example, Mr Syakir Hashim. At just 21 years old, Mr Syakir is the founder and director of Urbane Academy, a social start-up which offers an afterschool mentoring support programme for students between 11 and 14 years old. It is Mr Syakir’s and his colleagues’ passion to share their life experiences and struggles with their students, so that these become lifelong learning tools for them.

8. And we should not forget the important role played by community organisations in these success stories. Mr Syakir’s Urbane Academy, for instance, started out under the funding of CLF Labs. In another example, MENDAKI awarded Mr Muhammad Nabil Bin Mohamed Aliffi the Goh Chok Tong Youth Promise Award in 2013, to help fund his fashion design studies in London. At just 22 years old, Mr Nabil was already making waves in the fashion world, including at glitzy events in London, Paris and Milan. He also co-founded VULTURE Magazine, an indie art and fashion publication, which within six months attracted advertisements by luxury brands such as Burberry and Chanel.

Improving productivity, seizing opportunities

9. Madam Chair, we need to continue to strengthen the foundations of our community, so that we are better equipped to not only face the challenges ahead, but to seize the opportunities before us. With this in mind, the Suara Musyawarah Committee, led by Haji Sallim Abdul Kadir, undertook a community-wide exercise last year to listen to their aspirations and concerns. The report had many noteworthy recommendations which I discussed last year. We have studied the recommendations in greater detail especially those pertaining to youth, education, family, and service delivery, which I will address now.
   
   Education

10. Madam, education remains a priority for the community and a key social leveller in our nation. Since its inception, MENDAKI has been a key partner in this regard, with its flagship Tuition Scheme. Close to 15,000 students benefitted from MENDAKI’s programmes in 2013, a 34% increase from 2011. In addition to helping students level up, MENDAKI also celebrates those who have excelled, through talent and leadership development programmes such as the Goh Chok Tong Youth Promise Award and the Ridzwan Dzafir Community Awards. MENDAKI will do even more in the coming year, particularly to enhance outreach and to offer more differentiated intervention programmes.
    
    Champs Network Student Care Centres

11. A key initiative is MENDAKI SENSE’s new Student Care Centres. The first of these was launched at Blangah Rise Primary School last year to provide after-school support for students. The holistic care, covering both academic as well as social and emotional learning, is important to help the students grow into competent and confident individuals. A second centre at Block 217 Choa Chu Kang Central opened in the latter half of 2013. Now, there are a total of 110 students enrolled in these two centres, which have since been renamed Champs Network Student Care Centres. SENSE will be rolling out 3 more centres within the next few years. 
    
    Enhanced Joint Madrasah System (JMS)

12. We have not let up in our drive for a quality madrasah education system. Our madrasahs need to produce competent religious teachers and scholars, who in turn can give proper guidance to their students and the community. We also want to ensure that our madrasah students are able to rejoin the national education system if they wish to do so.

13. To address Dr Intan Azura Mokhtar’s query, the implementation of the Enhanced Joint Madrasah System (JMS) is on track. Madrasah Aljunied and Al-Arabiah recently completed phasing out primary level education, and are now full secondary schools. This year, Madrasah Al-Irsyad will be a full-fledged JMS primary school. Intensive teacher training on the enhanced curriculum will be a key focus for these madrasahs, to maintain the rigour, quality and consistency envisaged under the JMS.

14. These enhancements will of course require resources.  Where possible, MUIS will increase its support. But fundamentally, our community and parents of madrasah students should also share the cost of investing in our madrasahs. To help parents with the increased costs, MUIS will increase its disbursement to the Progress Fund Madrasah Assistance Scheme (PROMAS) by 5% this year. MUIS will also grow the $6.3 million Wakaf Ilmu, which was launched in 2012 to benefit part-time and full-time religious education.

15. Our madrasah students will also benefit from MOE’s Edusave Fund, amounting to almost $700,000, which can be used for enrichment programmes. MUIS will work closely with MOE and the six madrasahs to implement this in the second half of this year. So, I have asked MUIS to co-ordinate efforts among the madrasahs to identify areas of focus and to use the funds strategically, for example enrichment programmes that get our students more interested in areas such as Mathematics and Science. 
    
    MENDAKI’s pilot initiative for tertiary students

16. Ultimately, one of the objectives of education is to prepare our students to seize economic opportunities. And this will become more challenging in a changing global and regional economic landscape, which requires businesses and the workforce to be more innovative, productive and adaptable. So, I agree with Mr Zainudin Nordin that the challenge is not only to equip our students with the hard skills like language and technology, but also the soft skills, like creativity, management and effective networking. So, looking ahead, I am happy to announce that MENDAKI will introduce a new initiative to equip our Malay/Muslim tertiary students with universal career skills, such as staff management, career planning and networking.

17. Assistance will also be given to those new to PMET jobs. Recently, MENDAKI SENSE collaborated with Temasek Cares to start a two-year mentoring programme to coach such employees on “soft” skills such as leadership and management. Priority is given to those from low income families. So I would like to encourage our community partners to look into more ways to groom a generation of career-savvy youth, who are confident, competent and hungry to ride the transformation of our economy.
    
    Businesses

18. Madam, we also want our businesses to transform themselves, especially the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). The Singapore Malay Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SMCCI) can play a leading role in this, including through its increasingly popular SME Centre. SMCCI can also tap on the expertise and links of the Community Leaders Forum, and work together on initiatives such as entrepreneurship incubation projects on new media and training displaced workers to set up home-based businesses.

19. Our businesses must also be proactive in utilising the full range of government support to innovate, increase productivity and develop their manpower. The recent Budget has numerous initiatives to help our businesses. These include subsidies for high speed connectivity plans, extension of identified ICT solutions to another 10,000 SMEs, and increased funding for worker training and upskilling, through the $500 million top-up to the Lifelong Learning Endowment Fund. So, this is a good time and opportunity for our SMEs to transform themselves into more efficient and competent entities.

20. I am happy to note that some of our community organisations are already taking steps to guide our SMEs on these recent developments. Earlier this week, MENDAKI SENSE hosted an industry partnership and networking event, where it apprised participants of the various schemes and initiatives from this year’s Budget. Such efforts are useful, as they spread awareness of the initiatives to help businesses adapt to this modern and competitive economic landscape.

21. So, apart from youths and businesses, we are also looking at how we can help the women in our community. Many are now much more qualified, and face the challenge of trying to balance equally important roles in supporting the household and raising our children. Dr Fatimah touched on this earlier as well. Adaptability and skills upgrading is thus very important for this segment of the community. Among the initiatives is MENDAKI SENSE’s “Back to Work Women” Programme, which helped over 300 women and single mothers in job skills upgrading and employment matching last year.

Key challenges facing the community

22. Madam Chair, the family remains the foundation of our community and nation. A resilient family is a source of strength and motivation in hard times. Our young couples need to recognize that a strong marriage and family is not built overnight, and they need to know where to turn when they face challenges. 
    
    Family: Cinta Abadi Marriage Preparation Course

23. In this regard, I wish to assure Mr Zaqy Mohamad that we place a strong emphasis on preparing our couples for married life, and have adopted a life stage approach to help them even before marriage. Some of you may have heard of, or even participated in, the Bersama Mu marriage preparation course, introduced in 2008. It has since been renamed the “Cinta Abadi Marriage Preparation Course.” Following an extensive review, the enhanced curriculum will now emphasise a more consultative and collaborative approach in marriage, as well as introduce a “visioning” element for couples to set and work towards their life goals together. 
    
    Family: marriage enrichment programme

24. We are also planning more structured post-marriage enrichment, to help couples with marital or parenting challenges at different stages of marriage. This is the next “milestone” phase after the Cinta Abadi marriage preparation course. In November last year, MSF’s INSPIRASI Hubs also started a pilot marriage enrichment programme called GEMS (Growing Every Marriage towards Success), to provide guidance and support to couples who have been married for more than 5 years. Our goal, Madam, is for these couples to become strong family units, for the benefit and future of their children. 
    
    Family: Marriage Counselling Programme (MCP)

25. But unfortunately, divorce is sometimes the only way out for some couples. So, we will continue to be there to help, to make sure that these couples make an informed decision. I am happy to note that Syariah Court’s Marriage Counselling Programme or MCP, which reaches its 10th anniversary this year, has been quite successful at facilitating reconciliation between couples. Almost half of its 24,000 referrals to-date did not proceed with divorce.

26. SYC is already looking to do more. Following a review of the Marriage Counselling Programme, there will be two improvements. First, SYC is moving towards a more child-centric divorce process. To better address the welfare of their children, couples with children aged below 18 will be encouraged to discuss their co-parenting plans early before the divorce is finalised. SYC is partnering social service agencies to prepare social welfare reports to help the Court make informed decisions in cases of child custody disputes. SYC will also refer cases of couples with children to HDB, so that they can receive guidance on their housing post-divorce.   

27. Second, to improve the quality of counselling services among its mediators and counsellors, SYC will develop a more comprehensive training guide for its MCP agencies.  SYC is already working together with the Singapore Mediation Centre on the accreditation of all its mediators. SYC will also upgrade the Syariah Court Case Management System (SCMS) to harness technological advances such as data analytics to better analyse trends and customise interventions. 
    
    Health

28. Madam, a major challenge facing the community is in the area of health. Dr Intan shared her concerns that the community, and the nation as a whole, is aging and health issues are coming to the fore. I agree with her. Healthcare is something we must pay attention to now, so that it does not become a big problem in future. The Suara Musyawarah Report highlighted the need for proper health management, including leading a healthy lifestyle and prioritising medical insurance coverage. These two go hand in hand, and universal coverage through MediShield Life will help in some ways. Two plans are underway.

29. First, the Health Promotion Board (HPB) has thus far partnered a few mosques in running health promotion initiatives on an adhoc basis. These have shown some success, and HPB will now be extending many programmes to 10 mosques, including health screening sessions and physical activities such as aerobics and soccer. I am also happy to learn that the Muslim Healthcare Professionals Association (MHPA) is interested to complement these efforts through community-driven initiatives. The CLF would be able to provide some support.

30. Second, the Pioneer Generation Package, announced at Budget 2014, will also include annual top-ups to the Medisave accounts of our Pioneer Generation, additional subsidies at Specialist Outpatient Clinics and polyclinics, and subsidies for MediShield Life premiums. As the first round of Medisave top-ups will be disbursed by July, I urge our seniors to make sure that their Medisave accounts are in order. I would also like to encourage our Malay/Muslim organisations (MMOs) to help us in our efforts to spread the message and explain the Package and its benefits to our seniors.

31. Another challenge lies in the area of service delivery. There are some who require help to get through difficult periods, but are not aware of the assistance schemes available and where exactly to turn to. So to address these delivery gaps, our community agencies know that they have to work closer together to strengthen outreach and improve accessibility. As Mr Zainal Sapari also mentioned, community partnerships can indeed alleviate capacity challenges. I am happy to name two new initiatives.
    
    Nadi Khidmat@Mosques

32. First, MENDAKI, in collaboration with MUIS and 6 mosques will launch “Nadi Khidmat” this year. This initiative seeks to improve accessibility to social services for Malay/Muslim families through our mosques. Simply put, families that receive MUIS’ social assistance will now also be able to access MENDAKI’s educational and employment assistance schemes in the same place. Nadi Khidmat officers will also be on hand to guide our families to national agencies for other forms of assistance. 
    
    Capability Building Framework

33. Second, to strengthen community partnerships and our MMOs, I have asked CLF to develop a Capacity Building Framework for the MMOs. This framework will help MMOs tap on the expanded Malay/Muslim Community Development Fund (MMCDF) of $2.6 million to meet their training needs. Over the last two months, CLF has engaged various MMOs including the Singapore Women Muslim Association (PPIS), Jamiyah and the Prophet Muhammad Birthday Memorial Scholarship Fund Board (LBKM) in refining the framework. Some have expressed interest in customised and niche training such as value-based learning to oversee pre-school and student-care centres.

34. Together with the National Council of Social Services (NCSS) and the Social Services Institute (SSI), CLF will also identify specific programmes that MMOs can look at to build their capabilities and improve organisational development. Madam, these measures will help ensure that the MMOs, who are our key partners in providing welfare and social services, are efficient, well-organised and have good governance.
    

Enhancing the Community’s Socio-Religious Life

35. Madam, allow me now to touch on our community’s socio-religious life. Our community, like others, is diverse, with many holding different perspectives on a range of issues. This is partly due to increased exposure to what is happening around the region and the world, as well as the influence of the vocal few. Our community has always been sensitive and mindful in engaging with others within the multi-cultural and multi-religious context that we live in. We should take pride in this, and equally apply this to differences within the community as well.

36. Our religious life has been shaped by the basic principles of moderation and tolerance. We are committed to the principles of Islam and the traditions which underpin our religion. Muslim communities have flourished because they could confidently absorb knowledge from different sources without undermining the basic tenets of Islam. And in this regard, our scholars have shown the way in accepting differences in interpretation as part of the rich diversity of Islam.

37. And we must continue to maintain and strengthen this tradition of diversity. Equally important is the challenge to guard against extreme views that could dilute the richness of our religious life. Extreme views may manifest in many forms, including the tendency to use labels with pejorative undertones to judge others who see things differently. But we have done well to reject such extreme views. For example, we rejected the views of those who peddle violence and reprisal in the name of religion. And we have the Religious Rehabilitation Group to thank for leading the way.

38. However, Madam, the sheer accessibility and the spread of misinformation on social media will continue to pose a threat to our harmonious religious life. Some members of our community may be easily influenced by the extreme stances of the vocal few from other parts of the Muslim world. Enlightened guidance and the continuous acquisition of knowledge must be the basis of our defence against such forces.

39. It is therefore imperative that we strengthen our religious knowledge. We should work together to ensure that our children receive proper guidance, appreciate Islamic values like peace and harmony, and are receptive to diversity. 
    
    Religious education: aLIVE, ADIL and PIENet

40. So, to this end, MUIS will introduce new plans to improve the accessibility of religious education, which Dr Faishal Ibrahim also asked about. This is a work in progress for MUIS. MUIS’ aLIVE programme has already grown from 1,800 students in 2005 to 14,000 students in 2013. Overall, MUIS is committed to add 3,000 places in 2014 and another 4,000 places in 2015. MUIS has also been working on enhancing content and teachers’ development. Our youth face many emerging issues and challenges. As such, MUIS is adding new content to its aLIVE classes, to equip our students with the knowledge and maturity to tackle these with confidence.

41. Four more plans are in the works. First, to give parents more flexibility in their children’s religious education, MUIS will be piloting Kids aLIVE (Home Edition). This will give parents the option to teach their children at home, with periodic “check-in” times with assigned religious teachers. This programme will be piloted at two mosques and aims to reach out to 500 new students.

42. Second, given the strong demand for MUIS’ Adult Islamic Learning (ADIL) classes after its launch last year, MUIS is planning for 7 more mosques to offer ADIL classes. This will bring the total number of ADIL centres to 13 in 2014. MUIS also plans to introduce intermediate modules in 2015 for those who have completed their basic classes. To cater to the increases, MUIS will also train at least 20 more asatizahs from 2015 to 2017.

43. Third, MUIS will work more closely with private players in the religious education sector, particularly in training and accreditation. With the “Private Islamic Education Network”, or PIENet, the Muslim community will have more choices and greater accessibility in receiving religious education.

44. Fourthly, Madam the Islamic Education Fund (IEF) will be further reviewed later this year to benefit more underserved families, so that no one will be left behind in Islamic education.
    
    Religious facilities: mosque building and upgrading

45. Apart from religious education, MUIS will continue its efforts in improving support for our community’s religious life. Plans are underway to provide more prayer spaces through both the Mosque Upgrading Programme (MUP) and the building of new mosques.

46. As we work with MND and URA on long term mosque planning, we will also look at shorter term difficulties, such as overcrowding during Friday prayers. We recognise that some mosques like Al-Istighfar in Pasir Ris and Darul Ghufran in Tampines are overcrowded during Friday prayers. However, there are mosques nearby that are not fully occupied such as Kampong Siglap in Marine Parade and Alkaff Kampong Melayu in Kaki Bukit. Hence, for those who are able to afford the time or have the transport, they can do their part to perform their Friday prayers at these mosques with more space. Together, Madam, we can make our mosques conducive places of worship. 

47. Mr Zainal Sapari requested an update on our mosque upgrading programme and the new mosques. In August 2013, we witnessed the ground-breaking ceremony of the Al-Islah Mosque in Punggol town. The Mosque Building Committees for the upcoming Jurong West and Woodlands mosques have also been appointed. So, I urge the community to support the two Mosque Building Committees’ efforts however they can, to play a part in getting the two new mosques ready by 2016.

48. As for our mosque upgrading projects, I am happy to report that Jamiyah Al-Rabitah in Delta, Alkaff Upper Serangoon in Upper Serangoon and Mujahidin in Queenstown will be done by the first half of this year.

49. During my visit to Jamiyah Ar-Rabitah mosque two weeks ago, I observed that the local community is already benefitting from the upgrading. The mosque now has barrier-free facilities, and has also designed its classrooms such that the walls are collapsible and can be used as additional prayer space. The creative and optimal use of space will be a key feature in our mosque building and upgrading programmes. The principle is basically to improve the conduciveness of the mosque environment without unnecessary lavishness.
    
    Religious services: Hajj and Korban

50. Finally, I would like to reply to Mr Zaqy Mohamad’s question on our readiness for Hajj and Korban this year.

51. MUIS will continue its efforts to facilitate Korban. While Australia remains our primary source of livestock, MUIS will continue working closely with AVA to look for alternative sources that can meet our food safety and public health standards, such as Canada, Ireland and France. However, there will always be an issue of cost, which is determined by different factors such as market forces and logistics.

52. Hajj, as with Korban, is a religious obligation. MUIS’ role is to facilitate these, but it should not be subsidising the costs. So, for instance, MUIS collects Hajj fees to cover the costs of Hajj administration and operations, including providing medical and welfare services to our pilgrims. While MUIS is mindful to keep fees as affordable as possible, there is a limit because these are driven in part by market forces and the costs ultimately should be borne by those who choose to perform these religious obligations. Fortunately, MUIS receives donations of about $200,000 from the MSE Angullia Wakaf Fund every year to help defray these operational costs.

53. Uncertainties remain on the yearly Hajj quota. Last year, our official quota of 680 was initially cut by 20% to 544 places in June, but was restored later in September. MUIS responded well by working with AMTAS and the local community in allocating the additional 136 places, and with everyone’s cooperation, as noted by Mr Zaqy, Hajj proceeded smoothly.

54. I had the chance to visit Makkah and Madinah during my trip earlier this year. Massive redevelopment works are ongoing at the moment, and I saw for myself why cuts are necessary for the security and safety of our pilgrims. I seek the community’s understanding that we may not receive the additional Hajj places this year. Nevertheless, we will continue to appeal to the Saudi Authorities to increase Singapore’s official Hajj quota from 680 to 800, and to seek additional places once the redevelopment works are completed.
    

Conclusion: Strengthening our community, a home for all

55. Madam Chair, our community is constantly on the move towards excellence. Our early leaders and pioneers have set a strong foundation for our community. Like fellow Singaporeans, they braved the odds and worked tirelessly to lay the foundations for today’s successes. As mentioned by DPM Tharman, the best tribute we can give to our pioneers is to do better than them. Hence we must build on their achievements and push on to greater heights. I am confident that our community is on this right track.

56. And key to this is encouraging and empowering our youths, many of whom are actively seizing the opportunities and contributing back to the community and nation.

57. Strengthening partnerships among various stakeholders - community organisations, agencies, families and individuals - will also put us in a good stead in overcoming the challenges before us. At the same time, it is crucial that our institutions go “back to basics” and ensure that their foundations remain firm - MUIS must focus on its primary mission of enhancing and facilitating our community’s socio-religious life, while MENDAKI must continue prioritising the educational and developmental needs of our youth.

58. We must remain united as a community that is committed to the principles of meritocracy and multiracialism. These principles, Madam, have served us well. Going forward, we must also lend our voices to the discussion of how these principles can serve a Singapore that is facing new and complex challenges. We must remain true to our faith. We should guard against divisive forces taking root to preserve racial and religious harmony, within our own community and with other communities too.

59. Our future is full of hope and optimism. All of us can do our part to strengthen our community and build a home for all. Together, we can realise our vision of a Community of Excellence, and build a vibrant Singapore.

60. Madam Chair, allow me to conclude my speech in Malay.

61. Dalam ucapan saya dalam Bahasa Inggeris sebentar tadi, saya telah bercakap tentang sumbangan generasi perintis untuk membangunkan dan memajukan negara kita. Mereka turut menyumbang untuk menubuhkan badan-badan sosial, kebajikan dan keagamaan yang kini memainkan peranan untuk membantu golongan yang memerlukan, dan memberi laluan kepada anak-anak kita menempa kejayaan.

62. Hasil usaha dan pergorbanan golongan perintis, masyarakat kita berjaya mencapai kemajuan dalam pelbagai bidang, termasuk pendidikan dan pekerjaan. Sebagai sebuah masyarakat, kita menumpang gembira atas kejayaan anak-anak muda kita. Mereka tidak sahaja berjaya mengatasi hambatan dalam hidup dan mencapai kejayaan. Malah, mereka kini membuat sumbangan kepada negara dan masyarakat.  Golongan inilah yang akan mengambil alih pucuk pimpinan masyarakat kita satu hari kelak.

63. Salah seorang tokoh perintis yang banyak berjasa kepada masyarakat kita ialah Allahyarham Ustaz Ahmad Sonhadji Mohamed. Beliau merupakan seorang anggota Jawatankuasa Fatwa Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura (MUIS) sejak tahun 1975 dan disifatkan sebagai seorang ulama progresif. Buah fikiran Allahyarham Ustaz Sonhadji banyak mempengaruhi keputusan Jawatankuasa Fatwa dalam isu-isu seperti pemindahan ginjal dan penggunaan NEWater. Fatwa-fatwa progresif seperti ini membolehkan masyarakat Islam setempat hidup sealiran dengan kaum-kaum lain di negara ini dan terus mengamalkan kewajiban agama.

64. Kita harus mengambil iktibar daripada fikiran progresif Allahyarham Ustaz Ahmad Sonhadji untuk menangani pelbagai cabaran masakini dan membawa masyarakat kita ke hadapan.

65. Dalam ucapan saya tadi, saya telah menghuraikan beberapa cabaran yang ditangani bersama. Antara cabaran genting ialah lanskap ekonomi yang berubah pesat, dan kesihatan. Isu kesihatan akan menghambat kita dalam tahun-tahun mendatang kerana usia masyarakat kita yang semakin meningkat dan amalan gaya hidup yang kurang sihat. Kita perlu memberi tumpuan kepada keperluan kesihatan jika kita tidak mahu masalah kesihatan membelenggu hidup kita pada masa depan.

66. Saya juga ingin menyentuh tentang cara atau pendekatan kita terhadap perbezaan dalam pemahaman isu-isu keagamaan. Perbezaan pendapat atau pemahaman mengenai isu-isu agama akan menjadi semakin luas dalam masyarakat kita dek pengaruh media sosial. Ini merupakan satu fenomena yang menjejas semua agama. Kita harus menangani perbezaan-perbezaan ini secara rasional dan bijaksana. Kita tidak harus melemparkan tuduhan-tuduhan yang kurang munasabah terhadap orang-orang yang tidak berkongsi pandangan kita. Jika ada perbalahan, kita harus menyerahkan kepada Pejabat Mufti untuk memberi kata putus.

67. Secara ringkas, kita perlu gigih membina prasarana-prasarana asas untuk masyarakat kita. Saya telah membentangkan beberapa inisiatif penting yang dilaksanakan oleh institusi-institusi seperti MUIS dan Yayasan MENDAKI untuk memperkukuhkan kemudahan-kemudahan asas yang diperlukan oleh masyarakat kita. Ini termasuk prasarana atau program pendidikan, sosial dan agama. Diharap langkah-langkah ini akan membolehkan masyarakat kita melaksanakan kegiatan-kegiatan keagamaan secara lebih berkesan. Program-program untuk keluarga pula diharap akan membantu usaha masyarakat kita untuk membina keluarga berdaya tahan, mantap dan bahagia.

68. Usaha-usaha ini akan melengkapi pelbagai program nasional yang sedia ada dan diharap meletak anak-anak kita dalam kedudukan yang lebih baik untuk bersaing dan merebut peluang yang disediakan oleh negara. Saya yakin dengan usaha gigih setiap individu dan pemimpin masyarakat, masyarakat kita akan terus mencapai kejayaan lebih tinggi dan seterusnya menyumbang kepada pembangunan Singapura.

69. Terima kasih.