Shanmugam says job loss, crime and drug use among key issues
By Toh Yong Chuan, Manpower Correspondent, The Sunday Times, 2 Apr 2017
The Malay-Muslim community in Singapore has made concrete progress in the areas of education, jobs and wealth, said Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam yesterday.
However, it also has to take a hard look at three challenges facing the community - radicalisation, more professionals losing their jobs and a significant over-representation of Malays in crime and drug statistics as well as the prison population.
By Toh Yong Chuan, Manpower Correspondent, The Sunday Times, 2 Apr 2017
However, it also has to take a hard look at three challenges facing the community - radicalisation, more professionals losing their jobs and a significant over-representation of Malays in crime and drug statistics as well as the prison population.
He called on Malay-Muslim organisations such as self-help group Mendaki, the Association of Muslim Professionals (AMP) and the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore to step forward and help tackle these issues. The roles that such groups can play include counselling former offenders and supporting their families, as well as turning those who are at risk away from crime and drug abuse, said Mr Shanmugam, who is also Law Minister.
He was addressing about 140 community leaders and volunteers at an annual seminar organised by the AMP. In his speech, he highlighted the significant social and economic progress made by the Malay-Muslim community over the years.
For instance, the proportion of Malay Primary 1 pupils who go on to post-secondary education has doubled from 45 per cent in 1995 to 93 per cent in 2015. One out of every five Malay pupils who enters the education system will eventually obtain a degree or diploma, he said.
And while the proportion of Malays who are professionals, managers, executives and technicians (PMETs) was 28 per cent in 2010, "I am sure it has gone up more by now", he noted. On housing, he said nearly 90 per cent of Malay households own their own homes, with 70 per cent of them living in four-room Housing Board flats or bigger.
"A Singapore Malay today in educational standing, in terms of skills and wealth, is better off than a Malaysian Malay or an Indonesian Malay," he said. "The same goes for the Indians, and for the Chinese, in Singapore."
The Government will continue to provide support to all Singaporeans, with additional help given to Malay-Muslims, he noted. The support includes financial help when infants are born, subsidising childcare and school fees, cash grants to buy HDB flats and healthcare subsidies.
But while the progress made by the community is encouraging, he warned of dangers posed by radicalisation and exclusivism. He cited a study by US-based Pew Research Centre on Malaysia, which showed 10 per cent of Malaysian Malays had a favourable opinion of terror group Islamic State in Iraq and Syria and nearly a quarter were not prepared to denounce it. "We have to make sure that we do not get there," he said.
On the jobs front, a committee led by parliamentary secretaries Amrin Amin and Faishal Ibrahim is being set up to help Malay-Muslim PMETs hit by job losses, he said.
On the jobs front, a committee led by parliamentary secretaries Amrin Amin and Faishal Ibrahim is being set up to help Malay-Muslim PMETs hit by job losses, he said.
In addition, Malay-Muslim groups can work with the Government to tackle the problem of "significant over-representation" of Malays in crime, drug and prison statistics, the minister noted.
He is optimistic that the Malay-Muslim community can overcome the challenges it faces, and be a "beacon for the rest of the world" - one that is confident, modern, vibrant and integrated.
AMP chairman Abdul Hamid Abdullah said the association can work with the Government to reach out to more families. "Community groups are in a better position to reach out to Malay families because we are on the ground," he noted.
On the Malay community becoming an example for other countries, he said: "This is motivating. We can be an example of how a minority community can thrive in a multi-racial country."
On the Malay community becoming an example for other countries, he said: "This is motivating. We can be an example of how a minority community can thrive in a multi-racial country."
ENSURING EVERYONE SUCCEEDS
Singapore cannot be successful and Singaporeans cannot be happy if there is any section of the population which is not doing well. Because we are such a small population - we breathe and live each other's air. If that under-performance is defined by race or religion, it will even be more stark. So it is in our national interest, it is in Singapore's interest, to make sure that everybody succeeds and that the under-performance is not defined by race and religion.
- LAW AND HOME AFFAIRS MINISTER K. SHANMUGAM
MODEL MUSLIM SOCIETY
With a stable, strong political system, with a strong government, with a guarantee for the minorities and a developed middle class and superstars - with this framework, we can become the community that Muslim societies in other countries look towards and say, this is the example... I personally hope that we will realise this vision of a modern, vibrant, confident, integrated Malay-Muslim community which is an example for the rest of the world, within our lifetimes.
- MR SHANMUGAM, on Singapore's vision.
Singapore cannot be successful and Singaporeans cannot be happy if there is any section of the population which is not doing well. Because we are such a small population - we breathe and live each other's air. If that under-performance is defined by race or religion, it will even be more stark. So it is in our national interest, it is in Singapore's interest, to make sure that everybody succeeds and that the under-performance is not defined by race and religion.
- LAW AND HOME AFFAIRS MINISTER K. SHANMUGAM
MODEL MUSLIM SOCIETY
With a stable, strong political system, with a strong government, with a guarantee for the minorities and a developed middle class and superstars - with this framework, we can become the community that Muslim societies in other countries look towards and say, this is the example... I personally hope that we will realise this vision of a modern, vibrant, confident, integrated Malay-Muslim community which is an example for the rest of the world, within our lifetimes.
- MR SHANMUGAM, on Singapore's vision.
More inmates, drug abusers are Malay
By Toh Yong Chuan, The Sunday Times, 2 Apr 2017
The proportion of Malay inmates in prison has jumped from about 40 per cent in 2011 to 55 per cent currently, Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam said yesterday.
About 53 per cent of drug abusers arrested last year were Malay, up from 32 per cent in 2006. The proportion of new Malay drug abusers also went up to 54 per cent last year, from 22 per cent in 2006.
It is challenging to prevent offending and reduce reoffending, he said, adding that Malay-Muslim groups and the Government have to work together to tackle the problem.
He praised mosques and organisations like self-help group Mendaki and Pergas for programmes that help ex-offenders and their families.
But he hopes more Muslim religious leaders can visit inmates in prisons, like what the Christian community does.
He also announced a new programme by the Association of Muslim Professionals (AMP) that supports inmates and their families through activities like counselling.
There are 23 inmates and families in the pilot run launched last month. The goal is to support up to 100 inmates and their families over a year.
By Toh Yong Chuan, The Sunday Times, 2 Apr 2017
The proportion of Malay inmates in prison has jumped from about 40 per cent in 2011 to 55 per cent currently, Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam said yesterday.
About 53 per cent of drug abusers arrested last year were Malay, up from 32 per cent in 2006. The proportion of new Malay drug abusers also went up to 54 per cent last year, from 22 per cent in 2006.
It is challenging to prevent offending and reduce reoffending, he said, adding that Malay-Muslim groups and the Government have to work together to tackle the problem.
He praised mosques and organisations like self-help group Mendaki and Pergas for programmes that help ex-offenders and their families.
But he hopes more Muslim religious leaders can visit inmates in prisons, like what the Christian community does.
He also announced a new programme by the Association of Muslim Professionals (AMP) that supports inmates and their families through activities like counselling.
There are 23 inmates and families in the pilot run launched last month. The goal is to support up to 100 inmates and their families over a year.
Singapore’s Malay-Muslims can be modern, vibrant community that the world looks up to: Shanmugam
Channel NewsAsia, 1 Apr 2017
The Malay-Muslim population in Singapore has made significant social and economic progress over the years, and they can become a community that’s modern, vibrant and confident, said Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam on Saturday (Apr 1).
That was the vision he laid out for the Malay-Muslim society at an annual seminar organised by the Association of Muslim Professionals (AMP). To achieve that, Mr Shanmugam said first, the majority of the community needs to do well and he highlighted the achievements it has made.
For instance, the proportion of Malay Primary 1 students who go on to post-secondary education has doubled from 45 per cent in 1995 to 93 per cent in 2015. Those who eventually receive polytechnic diplomas, professional qualifications or university degrees have "gone up over a five-year period to 21 per cent," said Mr Shanmugam.
He added that the proportion of Malays working as professionals, managers, executives and technicians (PMETs) increased to 28 per cent in 2010 and the median real monthly income per capita has doubled since 1990.
Nearly 90 percent of Malay households own their own homes. “Even more significant is that more than 70 per cent live in 4-room and higher-end housing,” he said, noting that a Malay middle-class has formed.
“With a significant equity and assets that they own, they do not have to worry about where they are going to live, with a bright future for their children, confident that their children will go on to post-secondary education … The framework has therefore been created for tremendous success."
“BEACON” FOR THE REST OF THE WORLD
Singapore’s Malay-Muslims can achieve even more, said Mr Shanmugam calling on the community to be an example for the rest of the world.
“Look around the world today. Many Islamic societies are searching for the path forward on how to be successful. They are asking themselves what is the correct path? How will they achieve success? What does successful mean? In that context, look at the future and see how our Malay-Muslim community can be the beacon for the rest of the world,” he told the audience.
This can be achieved, Mr Shanmugam said, not only through gaining material success but also understanding the community’s culture, religion, traditions and be proud of them.
“At a time of considerable change in Islamic societies around the world, our Malay-Muslim society is now in a position to be successful in science, technology, maths, computers, and at the same time, practise our religion and values, and be strong internally within the framework of a multi-racial, multi-religious society.
With a stable, strong political system, with a strong Government, with a guarantee for the minorities … with this framework, we can become the community that Muslim societies in other countries look towards and say, this is the example,” he said.
Already, Mr Shanmugam noted that a Singaporean Malay, in terms of education standing, skills and wealth, is better off than a Malaysian or Indonesian Malay.
"Look at the progress in education - our PISA scores, look at mathematics, science, reading. Compare a Malay PMET in Singapore and a Malay PMET in Malaysia, who is doing better. The same goes for the Indians, and for the Chinese in Singapore. Take them versus their counterparts across the causeway or around the region, we do better," said Mr Shanmugam.
However, he cautioned that while Singapore is doing better compared to many parts of the world, "within Singapore there is still a gap," he said. "Our competition is no longer just Malaysia or Indonesia, we are competing with the world."
CHALLENGES FACING THE MALAY-MUSLIM COMMUNITY
While significant progress has been made, Mr Shanmugam singled out three challenges facing the Malay-Muslim community: Radicalisation, PMETs who have lost their jobs and the over-representation of Malays being caught for crimes and drug abuse.
The minister cited a Pew Research Centre study which showed that 10 per cent of Malaysian Malays had a favourable opinion of Islamic State (IS) and nearly one quarter were not prepared to come out and say that IS is wrong.
“We have to make sure that we do not get there. And a key part of that depends on you, the leaders of the Malay community - whether you can make sure that the right religious values are put forth. We have to work hard at this because the influences are on the Internet,” said Mr Shanmugam.
On drug abuse, the minister said 53 per cent of drug abuses arrested last year were Malays. This is an increase from 10 years ago when the proportion of Malay drug abusers arrested was 32 per cent.
“To prevent the offending and to reduce the re-offending, the recidivism, it is challenging,” he acknowledged and called on Malay-Muslim organisations to work with the ministry to help those caught up in drugs. “Your help will be essential in the area of sending the message across, education, aftercare. It is a general problem, it is not a specific problem, not specific to the Malay community."
This is a long-standing problem, the chairman of AMP Abdul Hamid Abdullah told Channel NewsAsia after Mr Shanmugam's speech.
"We acknowledge that preventing drugs is not our forte, but we want to focus on building stronger family units that will prevent people from committing crime,” he said, adding that AMP is working on a pilot project with the Singapore Prisons Service to help inmates with financial literacy and education, in the hope that they can reintegrate with the community when they are released from prison.
Mr Abdul Hamid said he is "heartened" by Mr Shanmugam's concern over the state of affairs of the Malay-Muslim community. "He comes from a different minority group and he empathises well with the issues and concerns our community faces," he added.
Ultimately, Mr Shanmugam said organisations like AMP and MENDAKI can play a key role in improving the lives of Malay-Muslims.
“More hard work and organisations like yours must continue to lead the community and the Government must continue to first lay down the rules clearly - racial and religious harmony, guarantee of equal rights for everyone, guarantee of minority rights, absolute, unquestionable.
"It is in Singapore’s interest to make sure that everybody succeeds and that the under-performance is not defined by race and religion,” said Mr Shanmugam.
“I think you can achieve a lot,” he concluded. “We can achieve a culturally and religiously vibrant, integrated, modern, successful Muslim community. And may that vision be achieved soon.”
Channel NewsAsia, 1 Apr 2017
That was the vision he laid out for the Malay-Muslim society at an annual seminar organised by the Association of Muslim Professionals (AMP). To achieve that, Mr Shanmugam said first, the majority of the community needs to do well and he highlighted the achievements it has made.
For instance, the proportion of Malay Primary 1 students who go on to post-secondary education has doubled from 45 per cent in 1995 to 93 per cent in 2015. Those who eventually receive polytechnic diplomas, professional qualifications or university degrees have "gone up over a five-year period to 21 per cent," said Mr Shanmugam.
He added that the proportion of Malays working as professionals, managers, executives and technicians (PMETs) increased to 28 per cent in 2010 and the median real monthly income per capita has doubled since 1990.
Nearly 90 percent of Malay households own their own homes. “Even more significant is that more than 70 per cent live in 4-room and higher-end housing,” he said, noting that a Malay middle-class has formed.
“With a significant equity and assets that they own, they do not have to worry about where they are going to live, with a bright future for their children, confident that their children will go on to post-secondary education … The framework has therefore been created for tremendous success."
“BEACON” FOR THE REST OF THE WORLD
Singapore’s Malay-Muslims can achieve even more, said Mr Shanmugam calling on the community to be an example for the rest of the world.
“Look around the world today. Many Islamic societies are searching for the path forward on how to be successful. They are asking themselves what is the correct path? How will they achieve success? What does successful mean? In that context, look at the future and see how our Malay-Muslim community can be the beacon for the rest of the world,” he told the audience.
This can be achieved, Mr Shanmugam said, not only through gaining material success but also understanding the community’s culture, religion, traditions and be proud of them.
“At a time of considerable change in Islamic societies around the world, our Malay-Muslim society is now in a position to be successful in science, technology, maths, computers, and at the same time, practise our religion and values, and be strong internally within the framework of a multi-racial, multi-religious society.
With a stable, strong political system, with a strong Government, with a guarantee for the minorities … with this framework, we can become the community that Muslim societies in other countries look towards and say, this is the example,” he said.
Already, Mr Shanmugam noted that a Singaporean Malay, in terms of education standing, skills and wealth, is better off than a Malaysian or Indonesian Malay.
"Look at the progress in education - our PISA scores, look at mathematics, science, reading. Compare a Malay PMET in Singapore and a Malay PMET in Malaysia, who is doing better. The same goes for the Indians, and for the Chinese in Singapore. Take them versus their counterparts across the causeway or around the region, we do better," said Mr Shanmugam.
However, he cautioned that while Singapore is doing better compared to many parts of the world, "within Singapore there is still a gap," he said. "Our competition is no longer just Malaysia or Indonesia, we are competing with the world."
CHALLENGES FACING THE MALAY-MUSLIM COMMUNITY
While significant progress has been made, Mr Shanmugam singled out three challenges facing the Malay-Muslim community: Radicalisation, PMETs who have lost their jobs and the over-representation of Malays being caught for crimes and drug abuse.
The minister cited a Pew Research Centre study which showed that 10 per cent of Malaysian Malays had a favourable opinion of Islamic State (IS) and nearly one quarter were not prepared to come out and say that IS is wrong.
“We have to make sure that we do not get there. And a key part of that depends on you, the leaders of the Malay community - whether you can make sure that the right religious values are put forth. We have to work hard at this because the influences are on the Internet,” said Mr Shanmugam.
On drug abuse, the minister said 53 per cent of drug abuses arrested last year were Malays. This is an increase from 10 years ago when the proportion of Malay drug abusers arrested was 32 per cent.
“To prevent the offending and to reduce the re-offending, the recidivism, it is challenging,” he acknowledged and called on Malay-Muslim organisations to work with the ministry to help those caught up in drugs. “Your help will be essential in the area of sending the message across, education, aftercare. It is a general problem, it is not a specific problem, not specific to the Malay community."
This is a long-standing problem, the chairman of AMP Abdul Hamid Abdullah told Channel NewsAsia after Mr Shanmugam's speech.
"We acknowledge that preventing drugs is not our forte, but we want to focus on building stronger family units that will prevent people from committing crime,” he said, adding that AMP is working on a pilot project with the Singapore Prisons Service to help inmates with financial literacy and education, in the hope that they can reintegrate with the community when they are released from prison.
Mr Abdul Hamid said he is "heartened" by Mr Shanmugam's concern over the state of affairs of the Malay-Muslim community. "He comes from a different minority group and he empathises well with the issues and concerns our community faces," he added.
Ultimately, Mr Shanmugam said organisations like AMP and MENDAKI can play a key role in improving the lives of Malay-Muslims.
“More hard work and organisations like yours must continue to lead the community and the Government must continue to first lay down the rules clearly - racial and religious harmony, guarantee of equal rights for everyone, guarantee of minority rights, absolute, unquestionable.
"It is in Singapore’s interest to make sure that everybody succeeds and that the under-performance is not defined by race and religion,” said Mr Shanmugam.
“I think you can achieve a lot,” he concluded. “We can achieve a culturally and religiously vibrant, integrated, modern, successful Muslim community. And may that vision be achieved soon.”
Community in Review Seminar 2017 - Speech by Mr K Shanmugam, Minister for Home Affairs and Minister for Law
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