Transforming to equip our community for the future

Mr Chairman,

Introduction

1. When we look at the progress of the Malay/Muslim community today, there is much to be proud of.

2. About forty years ago, Malay/Muslim leaders rallied together and founded MENDAKI, when we saw worrying trends in our students’ educational performance. Many were not completing their PSLE, ‘O’ or ‘A’ Levels.

3. Our leaders then, recognised the importance of education for the Malay/Muslim community to progress with higher education and better paying jobs.

4. Today, we see the impact of the community’s self-help efforts through MENDAKI, to complement Singapore’s education system. From 2000 to 2020,

   1. More than twice as many Malay youths obtained post-secondary or higher qualifications, rising from around 30% back in 2000 to around 80% in 2020.

   2. Among Malay adults, the proportion of university graduates has increased fivefold from 2.1% to 10.8%.

   3. And more Malays now hold PMET positions, with a steady rise from 23% to 40% in 2020.

5. To better prepare the community for current and future challenges, MENDAKI has also adapted and transformed to stay relevant in raising the Competency of the Malay/Muslim community. We approach this with 3 thrusts:

   1. First, expanding MENDAKI’s role over the years to address evolving educational needs.

   2. Second, to better support youth entering the workforce, and encourage lifelong learning and upskilling among workers.

   3. Third, building community and industry leaders of tomorrow.

Expanding role to address evolving educational needs

6. Our community has made solid progress, but the work does not stop here. Mr Saktiandi Supaat asked how we are supporting our students to thrive in new learning environments. MENDAKI has adapted to new developments in the education landscape, while upholding its core mission of student support at every milestone.

7. We have made enhancements to the MENDAKI Tuition Programme (MTP), one of the first education initiatives introduced by MENDAKI in the 1980s. I was a beneficiary of the programme then and I also volunteered as a tutor when I was in university.

8. Today, the MTP has expanded to 100 centres across Singapore, with close to 9,700 students enrolled in 2024, a 35% increase over the past 5 years. MTP has also adjusted to changes in the education system such as subject-based banding.

9. This year, MENDAKI will further enhance MTP’s programmes by integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems into our curriculum, to better prepare our students for an AI-driven future. We will sign Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) with two institutions which will partner us in this endeavour.

   1. First, we will work with the Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology Centre (SMART) to provide students with access to AI tools that will help them better grasp Mathematics with topics such as geometry, and improve the effectiveness of our volunteer tutors.

   2. Second, through our partnership with Quantedge Foundation and Temasek Foundation, we will pilot an individualised learning system with diagnostic quizzes and interactive activities, for better student engagement and academic outcomes.

10. MENDAKI has also moved upstream to invest in preschool education, as part of the continuum of support we provide to young families through M³’s Focus Area 1. This is led by MOS Faishal Ibrahim.

11. I agree with Mr Zhulkarnain and Ms Nadia Samdin that preschool builds a strong foundation not just for academic performance but holistic development in those crucial years of early childhood. Local data has shown that children who attend preschool from age three are less likely to require additional support in primary school.

12. MENDAKI piloted KelasMateMatika (KMM) in 2018, an early intervention programme to enhance children’s appreciation of numeracy concepts, and parents’ skills in supporting their child’s learning. KMM sets the foundations early for students to perform well in Mathematics, which opens up more educational pathways for them. Today, 90% of students who enrolled in KMM enter primary school without needing additional learning support.

13. In the past five years, over 12,000 parents and children have enrolled in KMM. MENDAKI will continue to work closely with the M³@Towns and Social Service Agencies for even more targeted outreach to young families.

14. Chairman, in Malay, please.

Mengubah Demi Membantu Para Pekerja dan Belia Yang Akan Memasuki Alam Pekerjaan

15. Selain pendidikan, Yayasan MENDAKI juga membantu memenuhi keperluan peningkatan kemahiran profesional dan menggalakkan pembelajaran sepanjang hayat dalam masyarakat Melayu/Islam kita. Seperti yang ditekankan oleh Encik Fahmi Aliman, salah satu keutamaan adalah membantu para pekerja kita membina daya tahan dan sentiasa bersedia untuk merebut peluang baru.

16. Ini menjadi lebih jelas semasa COVID-19 yang mengakibatkan ramai pekerja terpaksa berjuang untuk mengekalkan pekerjaan mereka dalam ekonomi yang giat berubah. Hari ini, dengan perkembangan teknologi dan inovasi yang pesat, para pekerja kita perlu sentiasa meningkatkan dan memperbaharui kemahiran mereka supaya dapat maju seiring dengan keperluan pekerjaan dan meraih gaji yang lebih tinggi.

17. Untuk membolehkan lebih ramai pekerja meningkatkan kemahiran secara berterusan, Pemerintah telah memperkenalkan program SkillsFuture Level Up tahun lalu, untuk rakyat Singapura yang berusia 40 tahun ke atas. Ini termasuk tokokan Kredit SkillsFuture sebanyak $4,000. Bagi mereka yang mengikuti latihan jangka panjang sepenuh masa, mereka boleh menerima elaun latihan sehingga $3,000 sebulan atau sehingga $72,000 dalam tempoh dua tahun.

18. Pemerintah juga telah mempertingkatkan inisiatif ini dalam Belanjawan tahun ini untuk merangkumi peserta latihan sambilan yang layak menerima elaun latihan sebanyak $300 sebulan.

19. Bagi pekerja bergaji rendah, Workfare Skills Support (Level Up) akan menyediakan elaun latihan bulanan yang serupa bagi kursus-kursus separuh dan sepenuh masa yang terpilih bermula dari umur 30 tahun.

20. Program-program seperti ini memberi peluang untuk para pekerja kita mendapatkan pembaharuan kemahiran, dan membina kerjaya yang berdaya tahan, supaya mereka dapat menjamin masa depan yang lebih baik untuk diri mereka dan keluarga masing-masing.

21. Di peringkat masyarakat, Bidang Tumpuan 4 (Focus Area 4 – FA4) M³ yang diketuai Encik Fahmi Aliman, ia saling melengkapi usaha-usaha nasional dalam pembelajaran sepanjang hayat dan membantu para pekerja kekal berdaya saing sedang tuntutan pekerjaan meningkat. Melalui kerjasama dengan NTUC dan beberapa pertubuhan masyarakat, FA4 telah menyokong sekitar 25,000 pekerja Melayu/Islam melalui pameran kerjaya, pemadanan pekerjaan, program-program peningkatan kemahiran dan pementoran sepanjang tiga tahun lalu.

22. At the community level, M³’s Focus Area 4, led by Mayor Fahmi Aliman, complements national efforts in lifelong learning and helps workers stay competitive as job demands increase. Through FA4’s efforts in collaboration with NTUC and community organisations, we have supported about 25,000 Malay/Muslim workers through career fairs, job matching, skills development and mentoring programmes over the past three years.

Mr Chairman,

23. We have also intensified efforts to prepare youths to enter the workforce. Mr Sharael Taha and Ms Nadia Samdin asked about the impact of mentoring programmes for our youths.

24. MENDAKI’s mentoring programmes, overseen by MOS Rahayu Mahzam, aim not only to motivate youths to stay in school, but also raise awareness of career and education opportunities available to them. Mentoring can help transform perspectives and motivate those from lower-income households who may not have strong support networks and career role models.

25. In 2024, MENDAKI’s #amPowered programmes matched nearly 1,400 students to more than 400 mentors, double the number of mentors involved compared with 2022.

26. Apart from mentoring, our Malay/Muslim professionals have also come together through MENDAKI’s Professional Networks to help youths build social capital and open pathways for them to reap the benefits from Singapore’s investments in growth sectors.

27. The Professional Networks now cover 13 different industries with a growing membership that has doubled to over 850 in the past year. Of these members, about 60% have actively contributed back through MENDAKI’s programmes and ground-up initiatives.

    1. For example, in 2024, the Professional Networks collaborated with MENDAKI to engage close to 650 youths across 17 interactive learning journeys that provided exposure to opportunities in different growth sectors.

    2. Professional Networks in Banking & Finance, Aviation, and Technology have also organised networking events for youths to engage professionals on prospective career pathways within these industries.

28. MENDAKI’s corporate partners have also come on board to support our youth through scholarships that open doors to job opportunities upon graduation. Over the past five years, MENDAKI’s corporate partners have awarded around 45 scholarships to support students in their post-secondary education. One example is the Micron Foundation Scholarship and their internship opportunities for polytechnic students pursuing engineering degrees.

29. I am glad these efforts have galvanised so many to step forward, and I encourage all our professionals to continue reaching out in whatever capacity you can, to make a difference in the community.

Building Leaders of Tomorrow

30. Ms Nadia Samdin asked about how we are nurturing the next generation of community leaders. In the past, our community leaders contributed their expertise and influence primarily through our Malay/Muslim Organisations (MMOs).

31. Today, many Malay/Muslims are successful across various industries. Our vision is to draw on all our networks to cultivate leaders of tomorrow who are adept as both community and industry leaders.

32. To this end, MENDAKI introduced Tunas Bersama M³ in 2022 to equip the next generation of leadership roles. The first cohort of 13 participants graduated in April 2024 and continue to contribute at national and community levels.

33. To widen outreach, MENDAKI has drawn on initiatives such as the Professional Networks to support youth with leadership potential from a broader spectrum of the community and different industries. The second cohort of 23 participants, includes not only MMO representatives, but also M³@Towns Chairpersons and Leads from the Professional Networks. The programme allows younger leaders to forge stronger collaborations and exposures, cutting across both community organisations and industry networks.

34. I am hopeful that initiatives like Tunas and our Professional Networks can cultivate a stronger pipeline of community and industry leaders, for the Malay/Muslim community, and hopefully even on the national and international stage.

Conclusion

35. Mr Chairman, our community has built a strong ecosystem to uplift individuals and prepare for the future. This would not have happened without those who have persevered through many challenges and steadfastly contributed back.

36. Take, for example, Mr Ahmad Firdaus Daud. When he was a student at the Singapore Management University (SMU) in 2004, his family ran into financial difficulties. Firdaus made personal sacrifices so his younger siblings could continue with school. With support from the Tertiary Tuition Fee Subsidy (TTFS) and SMU scholarships, he graduated with Magna Cum Laude honours in 2008.

37. Today, Firdaus is a Senior Counsel and regional Head of Legal for a large multinational firm. He also serves on MENDAKI’s Education Trust Fund and has joined the second cohort of Tunas Bersama M³.

38. Firdaus’ journey against the odds inspires us not just to personal resilience, but also to greater endeavours so we can empower those in similar situations to overcome their challenges and succeed.

39. Chairman, I started my speech sharing about MENDAKI’s humble beginnings 43 years ago. MENDAKI will keep transforming to better serve the community, whether it is to expand into preschools, enhancing our mainstream school offerings, or moving into the workforce to help our workers upskill, reskill, and transform to be relevant to the industries. With the support of our volunteers and partners, we are in a good position to continue progressing as a Community of Success for the future.

English Translation

Transforming to Support Workers and Youths Entering the Workforce

15. Beyond education, MENDAKI has also responded to the professional upskilling needs and to encourage lifelong learning in the community. As Mr Fahmi Aliman highlighted, one priority is helping our workers to build resilience and seize new opportunities.

16. This became clear when COVID-19 hit and many struggled to keep their jobs in the changing economy. Today, with the rapid technological advancements and innovation, our workers must constantly upgrade and refresh their skills to keep pace with evolving job requirements and secure higher wages.

17. To enable more workers to actively upskill and reskill, the Government introduced the SkillsFuture Level-Up Programme last year for Singapore Citizens aged 40 and above. This included a $4,000 SkillsFuture Credit top-up. For those pursuing full-time long-form training, they can get a training allowance of up to $3,000 per month or up to $72,000 over 2 years.

18. The Government enhanced this initiative during Budget 2025 to extend the training allowance to eligible part-time training at a rate of $300 per month.

19. For lower-wage workers, Workfare Skills Support (Level-Up) will provide a similar monthly training allowance for selected part- and full-time courses from age 30.

20. Such programmes provide our workers with opportunities to get a substantial skills reboot and build career resilience, so that they can secure brighter futures for themselves and their families.

21. At the community level, M³’s Focus Area 4 led by Mr Fahmi Aliman, it complements national efforts in lifelong learning and helps workers stay competitive as job demands increase. Through FA4’s efforts in collaboration with NTUC and community organisations, we have supported about 25,000 Malay/Muslim workers through career fairs, job matching, skills development and mentoring programmes over the past three years.