Hazlina Abdul Halim
Singapore
“For instance, cases involving seniors or persons with disabilities could be referred through home visits, counselling as well as support in identifying alternative activities. I also suggest that information be shared openly so that we can collectively review the effectiveness of these amendments.”
“I thank the Senior Minister of State for the clarification. There was a lot of interest with regard to the two individuals who were found to be volunteering with an Israeli military-linked organisation that points to the interest and the requirement for increased awareness.”
“We should do what we can to conserve energy, avoid wastage and be more prudent when using resources. If every household practises these measures, it will make a difference, especially during these uncertain times.”
“For those who are already in Saudi Arabia, I urge them to register with MFA so that they can receive timely updates, as the situation develops.”
“I thank the Coordinating Minister. Two supplementary questions from me. One is, in the event that these conflicts occur, the Minister mentioned that they do, how are the nationality obligations dealt with with the other state and what other upstream measures would the Ministry be considering to tighten the issuance of guidelines for clari…”
“I very much welcome this move. Singapore should also take this move upstream and ramp up efforts to expose students to different cultures, languages and religions. Chairman, another Malay saying goes, "jauh perjalanan, luas permandangan", that is, the further you travel, the wider your view is.”
The complete record
Every one of 67 lines we hold for Hazlina Abdul Halim, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 2 of 2.
“In order for sports to continue strengthening our social cohesion, we should ensure sport is accessible to all Singaporeans beyond a privileged few, as the hon Dr Hamid has mentioned earlier. We should also ensure sport is accessible early, to young children and to persons with disabilities. Sports should not be the new measure of affluence. It should be accessible. Beyond recreation, Singapore should also continue in our pursuit to ensure stronger support for our athletes and sporting organisations to help them succeed as they fly our flag proudly. This Bill must be poised to take sports in Singapore to the next chapter, and it has my support. I am hopeful that the Bill will lower barrier to access and inclusivity in sports, ensure a balance of excelling in physical, mind and e-sports, as well as ensure holistic education and career support to young as well as professional athletes. The refreshed DSMP unveiled last year reaffirmed the Government's sustained commitment to our differently abled athletes. It also underscored the importance of partnerships in building a robust and inclusive ecosystem. I join several Members who have called for more participation from the corporate or private sectors to invest in our sporting talents. I also welcome the Bill's recognition of the Singapore National Paralympic Council as a key partner of SportSG. I am hopeful for Singapore to see an increase in the number of inclusive sporting facilities and skilled coaches who are attuned and also trained to the needs of our para-athletes, equipping them to empower themselves through sports. Some athletes I spoke to, some para-athletes, in particular, are hopeful for increased resources including scholarships or funds to draw upon in their sporting journey.”
“Thank you, Mr Speaker. I join many hon Members of this House, appreciating our sporting talents, particularly for the strong showing at the SEA Games, as well as the Asian Youth Para Games, where athletes showed impressive debuts. Much like the hon Member Kenneth Goh, I tag key pivotal moments to memories. I remembered Joseph Schooling winning the first ever gold medal for Singapore in Olympics. I was at the newsroom, and like the rest of my colleagues, holding our breaths. Similarly, this year, when Diyanah Aqidah and Nicholas Khaw won Singapore's first gold of the season in taekwondo, no less after a drought, I remembered being at a healthcare institution visiting a patient who also rejoiced when the app alert came in. Similarly, when our 12-year-old athlete won a medal in sailing, and this was Anya Zahedi, I remembered being at a community event where grassroots leaders also rejoiced when receiving the notification that such a young sporting talent was able to achieve significant success in a sporting arena. Continuing down memory lane, like most Singaporeans, my core memories of school, for the learning journeys or excursions and of awesome Physical Education classes where we were introduced to new sport. In primary school, I learned to swim and was inspired by swim queen Joscelin. In secondary school, we played heaps of captain's and netball, inspired by the Vandas. And in my tertiary years, enjoyed rugby – always looking forward to the Sevens. The competitive nature of sports is a longstanding one. However, beyond competition and sportsmanship, sports can also bridge communities, through shared experiences, as Singaporeans bond over a mutual love for a good game – football, cycling and pickleball.”
“Social service professionals should have elevated access to support for growth and development, to remain ahead of the curve and be equipped to support emerging needs of beneficiaries. I recently spoke with a young talent, Q, who made a career switch to the sector and started his journey as a youth worker, a care staff. His drive saw him crossing the line to be an executive, but according to Q, his journey is an exception and not the rule. Taking inspiration from how the Ministry has professionalised and continues to do so with the early childhood industry, I am hopeful that the refreshed mandate will also see more pathways for aspiring professionals in social impact, particularly specialised courses at post-secondary level. With NCSS operating with a refreshed mandate, I am hopeful this Bill will strengthen Singapore's social service ecosystem, nurturing a sector that is capable, connected, diverse and aligned with the needs of the people it serves. Mr Speaker, this Bill shows the sector's evolution and its aspirations. It reflects not only how far our social service sector has come, but also the level of stewardship now required of it. NCSS should continue to elevate its efforts as the drivers developing a sector that is capable, trusted and responsive to the evolving needs of our society. Mr Speaker, Sir, I support the Bill.”
“Additionally, it is important to ensure transparency, rigour and representation in the nomination, selection and appointment process. Needless to say, robust due diligence when assessing potential candidates is key, as is ensuring clear safeguards are in place for integrity and sector credibility and endorsement. NCSS must remain close to the ground especially its members, who are important resources and sounding board for the Council to remain nimble to evolving to emerging needs and even as it streamlines its membership criteria. Having said that, NCSS should also pay close attention to ground-up initiatives in the sector, as well as support members whose membership may be affected during this transition. On the sustainability of the social service sector, I am hopeful for NCSS to go further in shaping a sector that is not only responsive and cohesive, but also sustainable, supporting emerging ground-up initiatives and appealing, more importantly, to the next generation of social service professionals who choose a meaningful pathway and a career that is impactful. Many SSAs and Special Purpose Entities are older than Singapore and started because a group of driven individuals got together, motivated to help vulnerable communities. The origin story of newly-founded charities has largely remained the same, such as SmilesSalamSG, founded by my Fengshan residents, whose work focuses on tackling food insecurity through pop-up grocery initiatives. As sector developers, I hope for NCSS to continue to extend your ambit beyond your members, as has earlier been mentioned, and to support newly established SSAs to grow its impact sustainably. And at the core of any sector, much like Singapore, is the people.”
“The initiative took member organisations through a comprehensive journey that helped participants develop their volunteer management policy and at the same time, strengthened resource management. In essence, NCSS has been driving sector development by building capabilities, enabling ecosystem partnerships and mobilising resources from people and public sectors, but more importantly, by bringing members together to identify gaps and bridge services, all toward a more inclusive and caring society. Increasingly, social challenges are becoming more complex and interconnected, requiring multi-dimensional intervention. Service users may find it challenging to navigate fragmented systems or interface with multiple agencies and overlapping interventions. As a sector developer, the outcome should also translate for service users to benefit from better coordination, resource allocation and optimisation to areas of greatest need, better lived outcomes not just now, but into the future. Second, on a Council for diverse experts, representation and inclusion. Given the NCSS has more than 500 members currently, representation on the Board has to be deliberate and intentional for a diverse range of expertise and perspectives. I am truly appreciative that NCSS really took time to engage member organisations to explain the rationale of the amendments, including transitioning to a fully-appointed Council and to consider feedback from the ground to retain membership. The selection process for the Council should ideally reflect expertise diversity and commitment to developing the social service sector. This would ensure an optimal mix of skills and experience to fulfil NCSS' updated mandate.”
“Hence, Mr Speaker, it is also important for NCSS to ensure that council members possess comprehensive skills, understanding and representation, whether clinical or cultural. And as a statutory body with membership, I hope NCSS is also committed to supporting small organisations that are newly established. But most importantly, today's amendments should benefit Singaporeans. Fundamentally, NCSS and SSAs must ensure they continue to work hand in glove. Professor Poon earlier mentioned about "working hand-in-glove" – the same figure of speech. (In English): Speaker, coming back to my three points. The important role NCSS has and must continue to play. Over the years, NCSS role extended beyond the membership association. I remember being elected as the President of the Singapore Muslim Women's Association (PPIS), back in 2020. I was a COVID-19 president and the sector was tackling the pandemic, having to pivot to safer service delivery while redesigning how we engage our beneficiaries and each other. I remembered NCSS playing a key role to support members through initiatives, such as the Beyond COVID-19 Taskforce, funding so the sector can tide through, and guidance and support to accelerate digital transformations. When restrictions were lifted, I remembered the NCSS Council and senior management invested time to visit member organisations and convening like-minded organisations for professional circles, so we could collaborate and learn from each other. One particular project I personally had a chance to work on with talented social service professionals is the NCSS' Volunteer Management Capability Development project, affectionately known as the VMCD in the sector.”
“Mr Speaker, I declare interest as a member of the ComChest as well as a member of the Board of Director at one of the member organisations of NCSS. Mr Speaker, having spent close to 15 years journeying with SSAs and social service professionals and being inspired by the originators as well as players in the philanthropic space, I believe it is important for the Government to continue levelling-up support for the sector. It is important to ensure the sector and its professionals continues to uplift lives. Many SSAs or Social Purpose Entities are members of NCSS and many social service professionals are dependent on NCSS for their growth and development. This review is timely, given how much Singapore and the world has changed. I support the Bill and its intentions. Today, I will focus on three key points: the important role NCSS has and must continue to play; the importance of strengthening Council and committees for effective leadership; the importance of keeping ground-up social service initiatives supported; because everyone has a part and a role to play. First, Speaker, Sir, in Malay. (In Malay): Within our community, there are many Malay or Muslim organisations (MMOs) and all of them have channelled their efforts to build and strengthen Singapore's support ecosystem – working hand in hand with other SSAs and organizations. Often, these organisations do not just help the Malay or Muslim community, but also the wider society who are in need. Therefore, councils such as the NCSS are important platforms for social service practitioners to collaborate, exchange knowledge and share experiences in their efforts to improve the quality of life of Singaporeans.”
“Thank you, Minister. It was more of a clarification to state that while there were potentially attempts to make the Malay community victims during hustings, falling for identity politics, we, as a community, I believe, rose above it and took the point of really coming together and realising that identity is a strength. So, that was a point of clarification on not falling victim, but wanting to rise above it, while targeted. Would the Minister see it in the same light?”
“Thank you, Speaker. I think it is important to recognise the fact that Singapore is for Singapore, and that is why we are all here today. I was reflecting on Minister's speech on identity and what it means. It is just a small part of what we can do and what we have to offer and who we serve. I wanted to clarify the point about the Malay community rising above targeted intentions during hustings and actually, really seeing the unity of Singapore coming together and taking all of our identities as strengths and really serving for Singapore for all, not so much feeling victimised, but realising that while there could have been targets or attempts, it is really about coming together for what is best.”
“Speaker, I thank the Coordinating Minister for reminding us of the importance of believing how we serve everyone and that this is a Singapore for all. And I also appreciate Members' appreciation of peace and harmony, being important tenets that we commit to. I would like to seek clarifications from the Minister on two fronts: one is "when" and one is "how". The Minister cited Mr Noor Deros and Mr Damanhuri as an illustration of attempts to bring race and religion into electoral politics. While the Minister has mentioned earlier that he was looking for the earliest opportunity to bring this up and also was mindful about being seen as threatening smaller political parties, could the Minister help us understand why are we raising these concerns now, in particular, and not back then? And furthermore, what again warrants revisiting it today? Was that also above and beyond incidents that we recently saw with regard to, for example, Masjid Al-Istiqamah? On the "how", expanding a little bit on the hon Member's question, as well as Deputy Speaker's question, about hesitance, I wanted to highlight that minority voices may hesitate to speak up on discrimination. And so, how can we, as Singapore, ensure a safer space for us to be able to do that, to ensure that Singaporeans can continue to have difficult, tough but meaningful conversation on race and religion, in particular, by taking the stand of preserving mutual respect when doing so and ensuring that it is not misused or not allowed for exploitation, especially due to external forces?”
“I share their purpose on being good and doing right. I will continue to listen to our young and give them space to untangle, deconstruct and undo what does not quite work. I recently met some youths based in Cairo, having just returned from a State Visit with the President to Egypt and I am filled with immense pride at how our youths are flying our flag, determined to do Singapore, their families and themselves proud in their campuses. Egypt, like Singapore, values inter-faith harmony; upholding the values of peace and mutual respect is essential in continuing to build a peaceful and harmonious Singapore. The recent incident at Al-Istiqamah mosque is deeply concerning. Such acts threaten the values that Singapore revere, peace and harmony. We must move upstream in our interventions. We must ensure our places of worship for all faiths remain safe spaces like the rest of Singapore. To do so, we must embrace unity in diversity. Mr Speaker, Sir. Our mighty red dot shines bright beyond the water’s edge. Think about how Singaporeans make our mark and add value overseas and how Singapore makes a difference in a world that we care about. We must carry that same pride, here on this island. Sir, I conclude with the recap of the three proverbs that exemplifies my kind of Singapore. "Kuat lilit kerana simpulnya". The strength of the people is in its unity. "老吾老，以及人之老". Care for the elders, our own and others. "Yerumbu Ora Kalluum Theiyum". Persistence never fails. The Singapore name is our pride. We must protect it. We must build it, we must move forward with it, together. Mr Speaker, Sir, I support the Motion.”
“Next, very briefly in Tamil, please, Mr Speaker. (In Tamil): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] The continuous crawling of ants can wear out even a rock. Do not give up hope. Keep on trying. There is so much we can learn from this saying. My grandfather and grandmother spoke Tamil. I have not learnt enough of it, but one day, I will. (In English): The proverb, even ants can wear out a rock, speaks of the perseverance and resilience I hope for Singapore and our youths to possess. A Singapore where our young feel heard, seen and where they matter. A Singapore where our young are motivated and do not give up. A Singapore where our young feel like they belong. Economic uncertainty and social pressures are on the up and up. One of the concerns of young Singaporeans is employment. It is unfortunate that the pressure to get a job meant young people are racing to stack internships. I worry for the vulnerable ones whose social capital is limited. I hope Government initiatives, such as the GRIT programme, truly evens the playing field of opportunities, and for the Government to keep a close eye that they are not misused for cost savings. Perhaps the Government can also consider better supporting companies who successfully upskill and coach a trainee for full-time employment upon the completion of their traineeship. I believe it is important for the young to discover themselves. I started my career as a journalist, crossed over to public affairs, found meaning in social impact and embraced a new opportunity in advisory consulting. For Singaporeans to embody lifelong learning, there must also be a mindset shift of embracing lifelong support. I shared the anxiety of our young, but also their drive for making the world a better place for the next generation.”
“During the National Day Rally, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, shared a photo of my Fengshan resident, Mdm Wong celebrating her 100th birthday. I met her the same week, to show her how many Singaporeans celebrated with her. She was in high-spirits, all smiles and said, "阿嬤开心!" or Grandma is happy. Joy keeps Mdm Wong going and many super-aged seniors too. I hope for our seniors to truly age well, on site and with dignity. I hope for a Singapore where our elderlies know they can depend on their families for support. I hope for the Government to better support families with elderly, especially the ones who also have young children as well. On my house visits, I often meet seniors who live alone. At Fengshan, we take note of these homes. Our grassroots leader and I make time to engage and stay in touch. We organise luncheons and gatherings and encourage them to have an active social life. The work of the Active Ageing Centres, the Active Ageing Centre befrienders and the Silver Generation Office is becoming more important, to ensure our seniors living alone are not isolated. Perhaps it is time to consider a national level initiative together with coordination and partnership with social service agencies to have a more structured approach in caring for the ones who have no one else. I also recently met a community of caregivers in Fengshan who are looking after seniors with dementia. Their challenges are real. I welcome the new dementia programmes at our Active Ageing Centres which would benefit this growing, big-hearted community of carers who deserve better support. And I look forward to greater synergies among all our initiatives so seniors have one single point of contact for community care, so they can focus on living their golden years meaningfully and with dignity.”
“Singaporeans harbour hope that Singapore will assume a greater role and take a clearer stance on the Gaza conflict. While in Egypt, I was also deeply moved after meeting Singaporean students studying at the Al-Azhar University. They possess tremendous spirit and are committed to flying the Singapore flag high. I applaud and congratulate them for that. Mr Speaker, solidarity does not mean uniformity, without any differences. Solidarity is the harmony of different voices, with varying tones and rhythms flowing together, united for the same purpose. A nurturing environment is important for someone to flourish. The family is like a garden that must be carefully tended, so that life's resources are shared as fairly as possible, and nothing is hidden in the shadows. We can be anchors of progress and beacons of unity. I will strive to ensure that our children grow up with confidence, our youth receive opportunities and our families believe in a brighter future. (In English): Mr Speaker, in Mandarin, please, especially, for my Fengshan residents. (In Mandarin): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] "Care for our own elderly and extend that care to the elderly of others" – what a beautiful saying! Many of our elderly shy from asking their families for help, fearing they might trouble others. I hope we can proactively extend a helping hand and do our part for our elders, so they can enjoy a meaningful and dignified life. (In English): Mr Speaker, we are where we are because of the giants before us. Trail blazers who cleared the path, smashed ceilings and cleaned sticky floors. Singapore must be a safe space for our elderlies who have done so much to build the Singapore we are privileged to live in now.”
“We then addressed his financial difficulties by guiding him in planning his family's monthly expenses. We also provided grocery vouchers and made appeals for outstanding bills. Essentially, our team used a holistic approach that took into account the specific characteristics of each family, which is providing assistance while empowering them. Mr Speaker, Singapore's success and strength are not only subject to economic sustainability. Family and community stability, as well as a united people, are also important indicators of success – especially in uncertain times, when tensions between nations are escalating. We must take care of our own. Recently, I had the opportunity to join President Tharman Shanmugaratnam's delegation for his State Visit to Egypt – for the very first time. Singapore's reputation as a trusted, respected and forward-looking country was clearly evident. The President's visit demonstrated both the importance of expanding our networks and Singapore's significant role on the world stage. The President presented a $1.2 million contribution from the Singapore Red Cross to the Egyptian Red Crescent. These funds will be used for medical services that will benefit 4,000 Gaza residents as well as educational services for around 2,000 Palestinian children. During the visit, I had the chance to meet four Gaza residents who were receiving medical treatment in Egypt, together with a team of Singaporean doctors and nurses who were specially flown in to provide treatment – the first foreign team given permission to work in an Egyptian hospital. Mr Speaker, I believe this effort is welcomed by all Singaporeans. Therefore, Singapore must remain steadfast and firm in helping victims of war and continue to speak up for the oppressed.”
“A Singapore that is strong, united and cohesive. A Singapore that supports one another during difficult times. A Singapore that celebrates each other's successes. That is my hope for Singapore and for our community. For 15 years, I reported the stories of our community as an editor and presenter for Mediacorp News. I was fortunate because through my career, I had the privilege of preserving our culture and language and connecting with our community. I also served for more than a decade in charitable organisations, such as PPIS (Singapore Muslim Women's Association) – helping those in need amongst us and in several national councils and associations – representing the voice and aspirations of our community. I have never missed any opportunity to contribute because I truly believe that success, values, and aspirations; all begin at home. Therefore, I hope the Government continues to work hand in hand with Malay/Muslim organisations, social service agencies, as well as the private sector, making holistic efforts to strengthen and empower our families, so that no one is left behind. Mr Speaker, every family's situation is different. Similar but not quite the same. Sometimes, when tackling complex problems, there seems to be no clear solutions, no examples, no templates. For instance, a Fengshan resident, Mr O, is a father with a heart condition. He is no longer working and must care for two children – one studying at MINDS and another who has eczema, a type of skin ailment. Additionally, his wife is receiving long-term treatment in hospital due to stroke. When he came to us, Mr O was quite at a loss. Our team worked to address his challenges step by step. We began by ensuring that he receives assistance from ComCare and also MUIS.”
“Thank you, Mr Speaker. Mr Speaker, I am lucky to be born an optimist, always preferring to look on the brighter side of life. But I know it is easier said than done, especially when success seems out of reach; and the people who are in the position to make a difference seem out of touch. I sense some among us may be feeling this way: unsure, uncertain, overwhelmed. This too, shall pass, and with hardship comes ease. But let me say this: I believe in the power of the youth, so do not give up on you. I believe in the power of family, do not give up on each other. I believe in the power of unity, so let us do this together. Mr Speaker, I rise in support for the Motion to thank the President who spoke about unity, tenacity and inclusive mobility. Let me start by appreciating the East Coast and Fengshan residents – because of whom I have this honour of being here today, sharing my voice with fellow Singaporeans. With this same voice, I thank our families, our volunteers and Singapore's patriots who rally with us to build a Singapore we can all be proud of. One, where we belong. The privilege, expectations and "amanah", or responsibility, standing right here right now, is not lost on me. Mr Speaker, I seek the guidance of your good self, honourable, learned and experienced Members of this House as well as our community leaders and private sector leaders to join hands and build an ecosystem of support so every one of us Singaporeans, dare to dream, to be our best. Today, I will take you on a journey to envision the Singapore I hope to build in three parts, using three proverbs, and in three other languages. First, in our National Language, Mr Speaker, in Malay, please. (In Malay): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] The strength of the people, is in its unity.”