Zainudin Nordin
Singapore
“We may end up a burden to our future Government and our future generation, but it is necessary. We must do this and, at the same time, we should also make sure that there are enough resources in the future and safeguard and manage the Silver Support Scheme well.”
“They are worried that they would just simply lose their jobs upon reaching the age of 65. They are still alert and full of energy. These are real concerns of Singaporean workers. We should look longer into our Employment Act amendments and see how we can further take into consideration some of this feedback and take care of our workers.”
“Madam, I am very supportive of the Singaporean Core initiative. But on the other hand, I would just like to understand better if all these efforts of getting the EP are making the employers' job more onerous and more difficult, and whether there is a change in image about Singapore being a friendly country for investments, and also, in th…”
“Mdm Speaker, just a supplementary question. I agree with the Prime Minister on taking time and doing this properly. I would like to also reiterate the point that Mr Lee was a giant among the Pioneer leaders and I would not be wrong to say that he was much loved and respected by many.”
“Mdm Chair, for all the resources that the Government is investing in continuous education and training, more still needs to be done to instil a lifelong learning culture in the Singapore worker's psyche. So, I think SkillsFuture is a very promising initiative to encourage working adults to improve themselves.”
“A supplementary question, Mdm Speaker. I would like to ask the Minister if the recipients of the zakat donations are excluded from the regular assistance elsewhere, or can they also tap on the national schemes.”
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“We may end up a burden to our future Government and our future generation, but it is necessary. We must do this and, at the same time, we should also make sure that there are enough resources in the future and safeguard and manage the Silver Support Scheme well. Let us make caring for our elderly the hallmark of our society the blueprint for making our social support network even stronger. I support the Silver Support Scheme Bill.”
“Because they live longer lives, they require more medical attention. They fall sick sometimes and need to be transported to the clinics or hospital for medical care. They need to pay for medical bills, in addition to their daily expenses. Thus, Madam, to put it simply, Page: 94 they need support and a helping hand. The Silver Support Scheme is a good way to render this support. I am happy that the criteria are broader and, more importantly, they take into account the life earning of workers rather than just their recent income. I would propose that this criterion be applied with more weightage than the housing type of the eligible applicant or even their support when the seniors apply for this scheme. I would also suggest that 100% or the majority of the Silver Support disbursement be given in cash directly into individual senior citizen's bank account instead of their Central Provident Fund (CPF) account. Most eligible senior citizens would benefit from this support directly if it is contributing to the overall resource for their day-to-day living needs. Mdm Speaker, I am also concerned. I believe, in the future, the need for more funds for Silver Support is inevitable. We must continue to take care of and provide for our elderly so that we promote filial piety not only in words but also in action. I wish we can disburse more for the seniors. So, apart from asking the Government for more, similarly, I hope the philanthropists and the well-to-do in Singapore could also work closely in the community to assist our elderly and complement the effort of the Government to support our elderly in their twilight years. Mdm Speaker, today, we will be introducing a new Social Security Scheme.”
“Mdm Speaker, we have long debated and discussed not only in this House but outside, on the concerns of the elderly, especially when they are in their twilight years. This is the phase in their lives where they are most vulnerable as not only are they no longer working but they are also not in the best of health. And, in some cases, this is also the time when their children would have set up their own families and are unable to cope with looking after their aged parents, especially in financial support. Strengthening the social safety net is always the right thing to do. Life is not perfect where everyone in the family has a successful career and a good-paying job. In Singapore, we are no different. We have families which are more closely-knitted and others which are dispersed and, some, even dysfunctional. Hence, there are seniors who face challenges to cope with their daily expenses and they do not have a strong support network from either the family or relatives. Some live alone and, if you visit their homes, you can see very basic items like a foldable metal table, an old flask and maybe a kettle beside a tray with two cups in the living room. The bedroom is as stark, with a bed and a cupboard, and the kitchen hardly has any utensils. Madam, in the early days of our economic development, up to the 1980s, I assume, our economy was driven primarily by manufacturing and manual labour. Our workforce demography was majority blue collars. Back then, the cost of living was low and the majority of Singaporean workers and families were able to cope with low wages. But now, the cost of living has risen, seniors are living longer lives and they have higher expectations. Some may be in their mid-60s and need more support.”
“They are worried that they would just simply lose their jobs upon reaching the age of 65. They are still alert and full of energy. These are real concerns of Singaporean workers. We should look longer into our Employment Act amendments and see how we can further take into consideration some of this feedback and take care of our workers. Mdm Speaker, I support the amendments in the Bill.”
“Workers with deep skills and expertise but who may not have formal or traditional paper qualifications must be properly recognised and remunerated. This change in mind set is what I believe will be the game changer of things to come for our workforce and workers. The efforts to promote skills upgrading and lifelong learning must have long-term impact on workers and our societal mindset in general. Mdm Speaker, Singaporean workers look forward to the positive and upward outcomes in terms of their remuneration and the recognition of their hard work. As for our industry and the economy, it is imperative that we continue to produce skilled and abled employees to remain competitive and productive. More importantly, we must remain relevant to the world economy. The change in our population demographics over the years must also be taken into account in looking at the overall picture of our Employment Act. Our workers are now more educated, healthier and live longer lives. We must look at how we can help these workers to stay longer in the workforce, so that they are not left out in our economic development. Our re-employment policies for seniors are commendable and we have moved the retirement age from 62 to 65. But look at the demographics again. And I think it is timely for us to move this age further, to maybe 67 or 68 before the seniors can decide to retire. The option will, of course, be for the workers to choose for themselves. Maybe I can cite a few frivolous examples. Look at Mike Jagger, Paul McCartney, Tom Jones, Engelbert Humperdinck. They are all in their 70s. We still love them, and they are still rocking and rolling on stage. The fact is that we have received feedback from able-bodied and capable senior workers who would like to continue to work.”
“What we need to do is to build on them and make further refinements. In the long run, we must not forget that our Singapore workers are at the core of every company in every industry. As we progress and develop further our economy, Singaporean workers must be the ones to benefit and enjoy the fruits of their labour for their contributions and their perseverance in our economy. Hard work and continuous upgrading must be appropriately recognised and rewarded, with opportunities and accessibility to upward mobility and a good pay to match skills. Our PAP Government came into power championing the cause of the poor and the workers in the early days, and I am happy to see that we have not deviated from these efforts over the years. Madam, employment and employability of Singaporean workers are very closely intertwined. Efforts to create jobs must be in tandem with the efforts to make Singaporean workers more relevant, more skilful to contribute to the growth of the industry. The SkillsFuture strategy is, without doubt, the most important policy and strategy to transform the Singapore workforce. It is crucial to strike a balance in creating good paying jobs with the supply of able and skilled Singaporean workers to take up those jobs. This must be done in a harmonious tripartite working relationship between the employers, workers and the Government. That we have adhered to this platform, to me, has put our country in an advantageous position to exploit our harmonious tripartism. Mdm Speaker, the society and industry must, over time, through education, awareness building, industrial norms and practices, recognise the value of deep skills and in-depth Page: 77 knowledge in every sector and industry.”
“Mdm Speaker, I rise in support of the amendments to the Employment Act which I believe will be warmly welcomed by our workers. The introduction of the compulsory itemised payslip and the key employment terms are good amendments. I have seen over the years of cases where workers do not even have proper contracts of employment, let alone know the terms under which they are employed. In these circumstances, when there is a dispute, the employers would not hesitate to read the terms to their own interpretation and advantage. The result: the workers are at the short end of the stick. They are left at the mercy and whims and fancy of unscrupulous employers, Page: 76 and worse if they are not unionised. In this current day and age, I think it is simply unacceptable and poor excuse if SMEs claim that they are unable to provide a simple payslip itemising the breakdown of how they derive at the wages for the employees. Nevertheless, it is, indeed, good to see that there is a grace period for implementation so that there can be no further excuses. We should just help the SMEs which are genuinely unable to give such breakdowns and move forward. We must do more to protect all our workers in the Employment Act, more so, the vulnerable low-wage workers who are likely to be ill-informed and ignorant of their rights under existing laws. Madam, while we are debating the amendments to the Employment Act, allow me to touch on the long-term challenges of our workforce. I believe we can do more in the future to amend the Employment Act, one of which is how we can narrow the income divide and help our lower-end wage earners. I believe this can only be done through innovative and inclusive policies. We have taken the steps forward with WIS and WTS which are good policies.”
“Madam, I am very supportive of the Singaporean Core initiative. But on the other hand, I would just like to understand better if all these efforts of getting the EP are making the employers' job more onerous and more difficult, and whether there is a change in image about Singapore being a friendly country for investments, and also, in the long term, whether it will have an impact on us being a more competitive economy, compared to the regional countries which are also developing.”
“Mdm Speaker, just a supplementary question. I agree with the Prime Minister on taking time and doing this properly. I would like to also reiterate the point that Mr Lee was a giant among the Pioneer leaders and I would not be wrong to say that he was much loved and respected by many. Throughout his life, he had touched so many lives and communities. People from all walks of life feel connected to him and at many different levels and ways. So, I would like to ask the Prime Minister: when we do honour to his life, how do we ensure inclusivity where all groups and communities can connect and relate to, when we are honouring him and all the Pioneer leaders and founding fathers?”
“ust a supplementary question. I would like to clarify on what the Minister said. What else can be done to the Malay/Muslim Organisations to further improve their leadership and governance and, also, at the same time, strengthen the way they do things and make them more productive through technology and whatever capabilities and capacity that we can assist them? Assoc Prof Dr Yaacob Ibrahim: Well, I suppose we can continue to have a conversation with the Malay/Muslim Organisations, which MENDAKI does all the time. Clearly, they have their own needs but, at the same time, we understand that the work that they do is important for the community. Therefore, I mentioned in my earlier reply that governance was an area that we thought was very, very, important, and I am glad that they have come forward. I said in my reply that one of the areas that we are really looking into is the grooming of talent because leadership is an important issue to ensure that our Malay/Muslim Organisations are well governed. I will continue to encourage the Malay/Muslim Organisations to discuss with MENDAKI, as the custodian of the funds, on how best we can utilise them for their own improvement internally. Because if they can improve themselves internally, then their service delivery standards will improve. The Member mentioned the use of IT; certainly we should explore that, not only using funds within MMCDF but also tap national funds which are being provided by IDA.”
“Madam, in Malay. (In Malay): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] Mdm Chair, in all religions, the places of worship have always been useful focal points for communities. These places can be used for community outreach initiatives too. Given the faith and trust people have in them, these places of worship are suitable places to rally for and gather resources and donations. I hope Page: 10 that we can get more mosques involved in providing support for the less well-off Malay/Muslim families. Last year, the Minister announced details for the Nadi Khidmat@Mosques programme which seeks to improve accessibility to social services for Malay/Muslim families through the help of the participating mosques. I thought it was a good move as it not only encourages community involvement and the mosques, it also encourages shared responsibilities to help the Malay community progress further. Mdm Chair, I would like to ask if MENDAKI and MUIS have been able to draw more partners and other organisations to participate in this good initiative. What other measures are being taken and what other resources are being used to expand the Nadi Khidmat@Mosques initiative? Nurturing a Progressive Muslim Community”
“(In Malay): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] Mr Chairman, I am pleased to note that the median income of Malays has been rising steadily over the years. I congratulate the efforts of the Minister, as well as the Malay community in general, for encouraging and raising the awareness and interest in self-improvement and progression. Page: 159 Certainly, we can see that with determination and hard work, our community's quality of life will continue to improve. However, I also note with concern recent reports that there is a high incidence of consumer debt among Malay households. Sir, good financial planning is the key to maintaining strong and resilient families. Debts open doors to social problems and vices. Today's credit environment makes it easy for us to get a credit card. With aggressive commercial product marketing, I am afraid that many will buy and spend on impulse and sign up for instalment plans. I believe there is scope for our Malay/Muslim organisations to offer help and guidance in budget management for the family. With this effort, hopefully, more families will be aware of their own financial means. I believe that the ability to manage their finances will strengthen Malay/Muslim families. I would like to know the Minister's view on this matter and what can be done better to help Malay/Muslim families in Singapore. Progress and Support for Malay/Muslim Organisations (MMOs)”
“Chairman, home ownership has always been a goal that we hope to achieve for all Singaporeans. A home is an anchor point that encourages a sense of belonging and community involvement. It is an insurance policy and assurance in old age. As a Government that encourages homeownership, we cannot absolve ourselves of the responsibility of acceding to the deep desire among Singaporeans to own a property. In the current climate, the most common feedback is the high cost of public housing. Clearly, those who aspire to buy their flats, even new flats and after the subsidies that HDB offers, are concerned that they will be saddled with a large mortgage. A large chunk of their income would go towards paying for their flats and this is not an unreasonable concern. I would like to argue that the Government should continue to find ways to make HDB flats even more affordable. We must seriously consider pricing HDB flats differently and seek to make it transparent so that more and more Singaporeans would understand how these costs are derived. Another issue is, I would like to know whether there are still Singaporeans who are living in the interim housing schemes. If there are, I would encourage MND to quickly find homes for these Singaporeans. Page: 164 And in conclusion, I would like to ask the Minister what are the further plans for us to assist low-income families to own affordable flats? Based on the feedback that I got at the Meet-the-People Sessions, I think we need to relook again at our rental flats policy to ensure that we continue to assist low-income families to have a roof over their heads. Page: 165”
“Mdm Chair, for all the resources that the Government is investing in continuous education and training, more still needs to be done to instil a lifelong learning culture in the Singapore worker's psyche. So, I think SkillsFuture is a very promising initiative to encourage working adults to improve themselves. I am confident that the Government will do more to maximise the investment it encompasses. Let us all do our best to help Singaporean workers to maximise their potential. On behalf of my colleagues, allow me to thank Minister Tan, Senior Minister of State Amy Khor and Senior Parliamentary Secretary Hawizi Daipi for their updates and the answers during the debate just now. Madam, I beg Page: 138 leave to withdraw my amendment. [(proc text) Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. (proc text)] [(proc text) The sum of $1,454,043,600 for Head S ordered to stand part of the Main Estimates. (proc text)] [(proc text) The sum of $24,289,900 for Head S ordered to stand part of the Development Estimates. (proc text)] Page: 139”
“adam, with the Pioneer Generation Package to CHAS, to Medisave top-ups, the Government clearly demonstrates its concern for the welfare of low-income senior citizens and retirees. Yet I notice that many of the benefits are concentrated on healthcare. Certainly, poor health and medical bills are paramount concerns in the old age. However, this does not necessarily apply to all senior citizens. There are many senior citizens who are low-income workers. They may not necessarily fare badly in health, but they are surviving on meagre income and, sometimes, they do encounter financial difficulties because they cannot pay the bills. Many are still caring for their spouses and sometimes even their grandchildren. Often, these senior low-income citizens have basic living environment and their children are not better-off, too. These are Singaporeans who have contributed since the early days of our development and I think they do not deserve to live out their silver years likes this. My question is how can we strengthen the support for our low-income elderly now and during their retirement? The needs of our senior citizens are very varied, and as our society Page: 52 ages, it becomes more crucial for us to develop viable solutions before the problems build up. We must be more inclusive and broad-based in our measures, so that more low-income elderly working citizens can benefit from the Government's support. In conclusion, may I request that the means testing can be made more broad-based and more inclusive so that they can cover more elderly working low-income citizens? Retirement Adequacy of Women”
“SkillsFuture should allow for a flexible and open learning environment through: firstly, one-to-one coaching and mentoring; secondly, professional development and training; and, thirdly, in-house job Page: 39 training and rotation. The bottom line, Madam, is that SkillsFuture should allow for workers to evaluate their knowledge, skills, strengths and weaknesses, create a career development plan, find career coaches and mentors, and focus on continuous learning throughout their entire career. 1.00 pm This could develop Singaporeans to take up senior management positions. In my view, this can be another form of CET, not just through attending training courses but also through what firms can do internally to systematically develop their Singaporean professionals, for example, through challenging postings. Not only will we be developing talents; this will also allow for more Singaporeans to fulfil their aspirations and build local workforce competitiveness. So, my last question is: can SkillsFuture be a platform to develop leadership and develop more capabilities so that we can groom future leaders in our industries? [(proc text) Question proposed. (proc text)]”
“To ensure success in the workforce of the future, the three Rs need to be fused with four other skills, the four Cs, namely, critical thinking and problem-solving skills, communication skills, collaboration skills, and creativity and innovation skills. We all know and believe the four Cs have become even more important to workers and their employers now and in the future, mainly due to the increased pace of change in business, the movement towards global competitiveness, how work is accomplished, and the way companies are structured. An understanding of the needs of future leaders and managers has direct implications for management development for our industries and companies. Companies are looking for workers and talents that would make a difference and are impactful to their organisations. They understood that without workers with the four C skills, companies may not be competitive in the global marketplace. So, I would like to ask: do we have enough Singaporeans with such qualities for leadership positions in our industries now and in the future? Are we providing the resources and enough impetus through the SkillsFuture programmes to allow for more Singaporeans to rise to be one of these industrial leaders? If we want those objectives to be achieved, it means that we must ensure we create a development plan for our workers to obtain all the necessary knowledge and skills to succeed, including the four Cs. I believe that once our local talents and workers know which knowledge and skills are needed, then the plan to acquire them can be created. Moving on, how do we assist them to acquire that know-how? We should widen the learning platform and opportunities beyond the traditional ways of learning using books and classrooms.”
“In the construction and building sectors, services and marine industries, we hear regular feedback and complaints of shortages of workers. Equally, we also hear the loud rumblings of workers complaining about stability of employment and the lack of opportunities for good paying jobs and career advancement. In this respect, I would appreciate it if the Minister could shed light on some of the emerging labour market trends. What will Singaporeans have to do to contribute to and benefit from the next phase of our economic development? How can we tap on overseas markets for our continued growth and mutual benefits? Page: 38 Mdm Chair, I believe some of the areas we can look into will include employment statistics, size and composition of our workforce, and viable economic activities that other countries are engaged in. We will also need to look into solving potential problems, such as employment inequalities, as well as how to help the more vulnerable groups like senior citizens, the women folk who have rejoined the workforce after years of not working and low-income workers. Allow me now to touch on the issue of the development of Singaporeans to take up senior management positions. We should continue to develop our Singaporeans and groom them for leadership positions in all industries. According to the results of an American Management Association (AMA) survey that was published in 2011, executives say the typical knowledge and skills in the areas of reading, writing and arithmetic – or the three Rs that we all know – are no longer sufficient for managers.”
“Mdm Chair, I beg to move, "That the total sum to be allocated for Head S of the Estimates be reduced by $100". Mdm Chair, our economic achievements and rapid industrial development have given us much to be proud of. Despite our lack of resources, our people are industrious and persevering. Singapore has become, without doubt, a city with a global reputation for prosperity and rapid growth. Yet, we remain vulnerable to rapid worldwide economic changes and disruptive technological advancements. Within our country, demographic changes to our workforce pose a major challenge. All these have been evident since our struggles in the early days when we started modernising and experiencing different phases of development. Countries all over the world have become more connected and inter-dependent than ever through globalisation and the influential nature of the social media. The changes occurring throughout the world potentially affect us and they are happening at a rapid pace. Terrorism, the risk of pandemic outbreaks and natural disasters, all these lead to a myriad of disruptions, from greater border restrictions to shortage of raw materials. Coupled with the ever-changing regional geopolitical landscape and an uncertain economic outlook, our workforce will continue to face more challenges. We need to be prepared so that we do not get caught unawares. Furthermore, Mdm Chair, in the last few years, the Government had also emphasised the need for Singapore to restructure our economy and our industries for a sustainable quality development. As a result of the strategic changes, the companies operating in Singapore and many of our local SMEs face real acute manpower challenges.”
“Madam, education is often and rightly called the universal social leveller. Since the early days of nation-building, we have witnessed many successes and achievements from people who came from humble and diverse backgrounds, who had access to an education in academics, skills or both. Singapore is, indeed, very fortunate to come under a Government that not only recognises the importance of education but strives to make it accessible for all. Yet, Mdm Chair, as we become more developed, data has shown that more students from high and middle-income families are still doing better in schools. In this regard, how does the Minister ensure that sufficient support is given to students from low-income families to help them benefit from our good education system? 2.15 pm I think the Government has done quite a lot to help financially but problems of low-income families can go beyond monetary issues. The myriad of social problems faced by low-income families can ruin a child's ability to develop well emotionally and academically. What can be done to help these children in their education journey? Moreover, Madam, how can we equip and train our educators so that they are passionate about the teaching cause and are motivated to help students learn better, regardless of their background? At the same time, how are we equipping our educators and teachers to ensure that they are able to identify issues and problems faced by the children and assist them as early as possible and do this in a more passionate and holistic way for the good of children from the low-income family? Support for All Singaporean Students”
“Madam, MOE and the Institutes of Higher Learning or IHLs will play an increasingly important role in enabling Singaporeans to engage in lifelong learning. We must continue to enlarge the pathways and accessibility to education in Singapore. The credit scheme introduced by the Government will certainly spark off a lot of interest for working adults to keep on acquiring or learning new skills. Through continuous self-improvement even well into working life, they will achieve mastery in whatever jobs they do. I am confident this will allow them to develop new skills should they wish to switch to new industries or whatever new things they want to do when the economy continues to restructure. In other words, they will be futurised, like what Mr Lim Swee Sway said, to thrive in a competitive and rapidly changing global economy. I hope our IHLs and training centres will be able to meet the thirst of Singaporeans who want to acquire knowledge. But we need to ensure that there are enough places for our students and workers, and also to ensure that it is accessible to all our students at every level of our education system. I would like to know what is the Ministry doing to oversee the quality of such courses and to ensure that all the time, energy and investment spent by our students and our workers will follow through to a good matching to a good paying employment and career? Page: 54 Gifted Education”
“(In Malay): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] Mdm Chair, efforts to restructure our economy is well underway to prepare us for the global challenge. With this effort, a rapid transformation will take place in our nation's industries. The implementation of SkillsFuture and other relevant schemes for lifelong learning and upgrading are important and necessary. It is hoped that this will bring about the necessary mindset change to Singaporean workers and students. This mindset change is key to the success of SkillsFuture. Although we understand the long-term benefits of lifelong learning and upgrading initiatives, it is only a projection and a potential that will not produce quick results. I believe that many people will want to know and understand in more detail how the SkillsFuture schemes can provide motivation and a positive impact as soon as possible to our students and workers, especially for the mature workers. Can SkillsFuture continuously help our students and workers to achieve progression in their careers? As for SkillsFuture programme in schools and Institutions of Higher Learning (IHLs), what are the objectives and outcomes that we would like to achieve for our students? Can the internship and Earn and Learn programmes decide a good and stable career or is it merely for education and training? How can we ensure a good match and minimise the attrition rates and complications among students in the SkillsFuture programme so as to achieve a more optimal outcome? Aspirations for Higher Education”
“Another idea that I strongly support is the one proposed by our parliamentary colleague, Dr Intan Azura, to waive the annual examination fees for our madrasah students. This is the policy of an inclusive society which is encouraged by our Government. And I hope that this idea will be accepted by the Government. Page: 88 (In English): In conclusion, Mdm Speaker, this year, we celebrate SG50. We, Singaporeans, have benefited from a stable and peaceful Singapore that is the envy of many around the world. It would not be wrong to say that we want to continue with the current prosperity and stability and maybe even more. But, Madam, Singaporeans do face real challenges that may directly or indirectly due to the current and the past policies of our Government. I am sure that the Government will make an effort to improve and come up with programmes and policies to look after the needs of all Singaporeans. All I ask is that we recognise our residents for who they are, what they aspire to and help shape Government policies to help them achieve their dreams as we have hoped for all Singaporeans. Then, we would have forged a new social compact where we all can work hand-in-hand for a better tomorrow for our Singaporeans. Mdm Speaker, I support the proposed Budget. 4.18 pm”
“I am glad that the Government is injecting more resources to give our young job opportunities, career opportunities, so that they do not feel left behind or unwanted. While it is good that we have counsellors to help our young in the institutions of higher learning to chart their career paths, we should also have counsellors to guide our young beyond just career and economic objectives. Life is more than just about money and economics. How do we imbue in our people a sense of responsibility and a sense of ownership in the destiny of our country? Mdm Speaker, I would certainly say from the way our Budget is rolling out the various benefits for the elderly, working families and even for the working adults, we are a caring society. Beyond social assistance, it is a right strategy to give Singaporeans more opportunities for them to further their training through the SkillsFuture Credit scheme so that they can aim at excelling in their careers or, at least, be ready for the future. I laud this initiative and encourage Singaporean workers to maximise their potential through SkillsFuture and many other CET programmes. Mdm Speaker, in Malay. (In Malay): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] Just like Ms Chia Yong Yong, I am concerned with the proposal to withdraw the CPF money much earlier. It will not only increase the risk to our workers; in fact, it will also reduce their CPF savings in their retirement age. I believe that it is better if we encourage our workers to save their money and keep it in their CPF accounts as long as possible, so that they can benefit from the new CPF account schemes that will be launched soon.”
“By all means share with us your disagreement, as one would in a democratic and civil society. But do not hide behind the cloak of anonymity in the new media. We have seen this trend and, of course, some would say we cannot stop them and it is part of the new age. So, we have to ask ourselves: what else can we do to overcome this? How do we share with other Singaporeans so that they can make an informed judgement and not let their emotions move them to illogical actions? A case in point is this Budget. In it, there are many important strategies, messages and policies that need to be properly articulated, explained and digested. How do we do this properly and effectively? If there is one thing that I could think of which is more important Page: 87 now than ever is communication. This can be through various media or by face-to-face engagements. We have to balance between those who are net-savvy and the older generation who would rely on the print and broadcast media, and, of course, the face-to-face interaction. While we move with the new media, we have to go back to the basics of yesteryears. The Government should have more information officers to go out and explain policies to the public, together with the Members of Parliament. Grassroots organisations should review their terms of reference and put in more effort and time on such engagements. In the old days, we used to warn the public "don't listen to rumours" and "don't spread rumours". This is still relevant today – and the new media is one big rumour-mongering machine. In this regard, I would urge the Government to put more resources for our young people to keep them engaged.”
“I believe we can do more to ensure that Singapore always has a strong Singaporean Core and that Singaporeans must always come first, even as we welcome newcomers and new businesses to sink roots here. I do not think anyone – individual or company – will argue with the fact that while we welcome people to Singapore, we would also like to be assured that they will contribute to the Singaporean Core. This House has shown time and time again and, as illustrated, that we have been judicious and have always put Singaporeans at the centre of whatever is important and good. The third challenge that we face is the "political divide". I met an old friend recently who expressed his concerns about what he called a very divided Singapore. He highlighted that, nowadays, in all his interactions with friends, colleagues and even family members, he noticed people are more polarised and divided. This view is not an isolated one. I have heard many expressing similar perspectives. Worse, we have many fellow travellers who are always willing and waiting to wedge any crevice they can find to create a chasm in our community. It seems almost fashionable for people to ape the politics of divide from other parts of the world and push the idea that only through deep divisions that our country can progress. Those who have turned a blind eye to events of the past that caused bloodshed and disharmony would, I hope, think carefully before they embark on the bandwagon to create discord in our society. I urge Singaporeans to pay close attention to their antics and to ask: why are they doing what they are doing? What is their motivation? I am not saying everyone must agree with all Government policies. By all means disagree.”
“The key point now is for Singaporeans to pause and ponder: how can we go on for another 50 years? Are we able to continue to keep alive that same spirit of working together as one so that we can stay united and in harmony for not just the next five to 10 years or, better still, another 50 years? There are many issues today which can cause divisiveness in our society. I would like to highlight my concerns of three key challenges that could divide us and cause a breakdown of our society. The first challenge is the "widening income gap and income divide". Many of my colleagues in this House have spoken of these issues. As a city state where residents live in very close proximity, our challenges are further amplified. We see, we observed, we hear, we are so connected and, naturally, we compare and we reflect. There are acute stresses of wanting to achieve and do well. Sometimes, it manifests itself in unhealthy and unsavoury Page: 86 behaviour in the society; even in such an important area as the education of our young. I acknowledge that in the last few years, our Government through specific policies and also the Budget, had attempted to address some of the worries and trends. In this year's Budget, more is being done to make us a more inclusive society. The second challenge is the issue of "local versus foreign". Rightly or wrongly, this has become a very thorny and emotional topic that has touched many lives of Singaporeans and foreigners alike. Mdm Speaker, I am sure that this House will agree with me that, in all that we do, we must think of Singaporeans first. We are, after all, the elected representatives of Singaporeans.”
“Coming from the Malay community, I would say that we have made lots of leaps and bounds in progress and this has happened unabated for many years. The Malay community made significant progress in many areas, like housing, educational achievements, employment and also businesses. The rapid development of our economy had provided an impetus for the community, which is a minority in Singapore, to advance and stand tall side by side among other fellow Singaporeans. Nevertheless, Madam, even as we continue to progress, we still face challenges that we need to overcome together. Just like many others in this country, this is a new Singapore, a new landscape where we face many common challenges. These challenges cut across racial and cultural boundaries. Mdm Speaker, there are lots of good things that we can say about the proposed Budget, like the timely introduction of the Silver Support Scheme for the elderly in the low-income bracket, the SkillsFuture Scheme, the enhancement of the CPF for workers above 55 years of age and many other programmes to support low-income families and students. These are desirable "goodies" and we want them. The rational questions will be to ask: how much more will these cost us in the future? And can we continue to afford all these good programmes in the long run? I would like to thank the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance for giving a very comprehensive and inclusive Budget this year. We are fortunate to have a Government which has steered our economy on an even keel through these difficult years. We were able to do so because we were united as a society and we operated as a country with one voice. And we have been able to advance for 50 years, each year adding more progress to the previous.”
“Madam, when I sat here listening to Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam on 23 February delivering the Budget speech, I could not help but wonder what the Budget entitled, "Building Our Future, Strengthening Social Security" really meant to my fellow Singaporeans. To tell you the truth, I do not know yet. But one thing I do know, Madam, is that more and more Singaporeans are watching and they want this Parliament to continue to make Singapore better and, most importantly, to improve their lives. I saw that there are many noble objectives that this Budget aims to achieve. But, Madam, it is how we work towards achieving those goals that really matters because that is how we will and can affect the lives of Singaporeans for the better. Mdm Speaker, by all counts and benchmarks, whether in education, housing, economy, healthcare and many more, as a young country, we can be proud to say that we have done reasonably well. Singaporeans know that they are living in a much better condition than in many other countries. The challenge then is for us to continue to do well and improve on our shortcomings. Since the early days of Singapore's Independence, we have worked hard to provide for our people and we have focused on the fundamentals and basics very well. The three areas of thrusts that we had single-mindedly worked on, namely, public housing, education and employment, have brought us far and forward in development. Living conditions improved, lives got better, there were good-paying jobs and our citizens became Page: 85 more educated. Over the past 50 years, our country has progressed, all communities in Singapore flourished and progressed, including the Malay community.”
“A supplementary question, Mdm Speaker. I would like to ask the Minister if the recipients of the zakat donations are excluded from the regular assistance elsewhere, or can they also tap on the national schemes. Assoc Prof Dr Yaacob Ibrahim: Again, as I have mentioned in my reply, the strategy that we have adopted is really to make sure that everyone who needs help tap on the national schemes because that is also something which they are entitled to. Zakat comes in to complement. But if for some reason or another, they are not entitled to some of the schemes, we will continue to assist them. There is a whole range of zakat assistance programmes from long term to short term. As I have mentioned in my response to the earlier supplementary question, we will make sure that no Muslim family who are in need will be left out, so we will do our best to assist them as much as possible.”
“This is all in aid of helping our youngsters to obtain useful, marketable skills for good employment and the right employer. It will help to improve the quality of our workforce and, in turn, our productivity for a sustainable economic growth that we want to achieve for the long term. Madam, I support the Motion.”
“These upgrading opportunities and programmes should run in line with the needs of industries and companies that are growing. These upgrading opportunities should be made easily accessible and flexible enough for those who are still working. The important factor in motivating our workers to upgrade their relevant skills is to create suitable jobs and good pay. If this post-diploma qualification is just for the sake of a paper chase, this effort will not be fruitful. Cooperation between employers, workers and educational institutions is important so that workers are continuously motivated and would want to have the education and upgrading so that they can get suitable jobs with their increasingly better capabilities. I would like to encourage our Malay community to seize the opportunities and chance to improve their capabilities and skills for a better future. With these changes and new methods that are recommended in the ASPIRE report, I am confident that more of our Malay workers with ITE and Polytechnic qualifications will be able to benefit from the new programmes and continue to upgrade their skills to get a better life for themselves and their families. (In English): Madam, it is right and very important that we look back at what we have done right in the early days of our economic growth, and also the methodology that we have implemented in our Polytechnics and ITEs, which are seen by all the foreigners as wonderful institutions. It is also important that we see that the improvisation and creation of new training programmes and the assistance that we are providing for our workers and our students, in partnership with companies, locally and globally, will result in a better system.”
“This apprenticeship lasts about two to three or three-and-a-half years. This is different from our education system whereby students are generally spending only a short portion of their education on internship or dedicating several modules to the classroom and just one module for the internship. Moreover, some of these internships are sought out by the students themselves, who have little knowledge about the industry or even their very own desired career path and wind up in the wrong company doing something totally different or irrelevant. I hope the Government will put more emphasis on internships so that these attachments are really hands-on learning experiences and not just another excursion in the course of a study programme. Mdm Speaker, a senior officer in the hotel industry who was part of the ASPIRE Committee told me this, and I quote him, "It is all about hard work, positive attitude and undying passion in what you love to do and to dream big. It is an uphill task to change the mindset of parents that it is not just about paper chase. We want the dual study-work programme to succeed but it will take some time." I agree with him, and I think we must believe that these changes that we see in the ASPIRE's recommendations are for the better Page: 60 and we must stay on course with this strategy. Mdm Speaker, in Malay, please. (In Malay): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] One of the recommendations made by the ASPIRE Committee is to enhance skills and post-diploma education through CET. Madam, this is important as many of our Polytechnic and ITE graduates want the opportunity to upgrade. It should be encouraged and identified as soon as possible.”
“Academic abilities are important but they must also be pegged with relevant practical skills. You must be able to value and recognise the importance of practical and implementable skill sets. It is pointless Page: 59 to have a degree in business when you do not actually have practical knowledge and skills to run a business. Or, what good is an architect if there are no welders, artisans, draughtsmen, bricklayers, to put his ideas into reality? Thus, we must value workers for their contribution and service but not only their paper qualifications. Mdm Speaker, another point that I would like to highlight is the vital link between training and industry. The link between the industry and training must be of high relevancy, and it must also be seamless. Training should eventually contribute to the industry and one's job. Lifelong learning and upgrading opportunities should not be about getting a higher or better qualification for the sake of the paper chase. There should also be upgrading opportunities for specialised skills and craftsmanship. Workers should be incentivised and motivated to go for such upgrading of skills. Specialisation and craftsmanship should be properly rewarded and recognised. Over time, society and community will begin to understand the value of these highly regarded jobs and skills. Let me raise an example in the form of vocational training in Germany, a country which, I believe, is widely respected for having a skilled and efficient workforce, strong economy and advanced technology. In Germany, training for vocations is usually done by a dual programme of training and theoretical education. Students work three or four days a week at a partner company as apprentices or interns. The remaining one or two days are spent doing theory lessons in school.”
“Some of us are just gifted with the abilities to use our hands and brains in the application of tools and skills. The objective of wanting to uplift the overall image and value of technical education and vocational training as a viable and attractive path for sustainable progress and development of our students and employees is a correct and noble one. I am in full support of the ASPIRE Committee's recommendations. Having said that, Madam, I am also aware that the paper chase culture that we have in Singapore is quite entrenched and it will take some time for mindsets to change and take shape. Logic and rationale tell us that non-graduates who do not have paper credentials or qualifications should not be denied recognition and opportunities to move up the career ladder when they are clearly equipped with the relevant skills and experience. But is that ideal thought translated into real life practice in the industry? We should ask these hard questions of all our employers. Every now and then, we hear of good stories of ITE graduates and Polytechnic graduates who rise up to hold key positions in industries. The key reason why these stories are good and interesting is because they are not the norm but the exception. I believe more needs to be done to change the mindset on how we value our workers and their contribution beyond their qualifications. Thus, the work of the ASPIRE Committee and the follow-up implementation are very important. On the other hand, we should not also send the wrong message that all levels of University qualification are not important. There need to be a more holistic and balanced views of path of progress and development towards success. We are not saying that our graduates, after years of slogging for a degree, now have come to nought.”
“The money was very good, especially for welders, because the shipbuilding industry was booming fast. Some even went to work in the Middle East and were paid even better wages in US dollars. As we move to value-add industries, I think our economic policy also changed, and EDB started a specialised institute to accelerate manpower development for new industries. Three institutions, in partnership with three developed nations famed for their technological advancement, were established. They were the German-Singapore Institute for Precision and Manufacturing, Japan-Singapore Institute for Software Technology and the French-Singapore Institute for Electronic and Control Systems. Our technologies were groomed in these institutes for the industries and a new term called "the teaching factory" was coined Page: 58 for these specialised institutes. I was the product of one of these specialised institutes. We had to develop this trained skilled workforce for the needs of the rapidly growing industry and companies that had set up their operations in Singapore. All this was happening in parallel as we complement the supply of certificate and diploma holders who were trained in the Singapore Polytechnic, Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Singapore Technical Institute and the then VITB, all of which continue to exist in mainstream education until today in the form of the five Polytechnics and the three colleges of the ITE. The trip down memory lane serves as a reminder that industrial training was fundamental to the success we enjoy today. We must not forget it. And we must not ditch it. Paper qualifications are not the only way to move forward or upwards. Not everyone is academically inclined.”
“Technical education, vocational training and on-the-job training were the main routes for many after Secondary school and Primary school. I was told that during the days when the British Forces were still stationed here, they even recruited students who were doing their Secondary 2 to join their vocational and technical training scheme. Their education would be taken care of and they would even be paid for on-the-job training. For those who did not sign up for the British dockyard training scheme, education was focused on the needs of the industry. Students would receive hands-on training which would help them get specific jobs when they leave school. Then, Singapore took a different route in its economic policy after gaining Independence. We realised that foreign investment was crucial for our nation building and economic prosperity. To attract investors, we needed a more skilled workforce. Educating and training our population became a key national policy for growth. To quickly support this rapid growth strategy, we needed to supplement the long-term education objectives with the growing demands for manpower for industry growth. I think, back then, EDB realised this and EDB started several dedicated training centres and programmes. The Manpower and Training Unit was established to focus on industrial training within Singapore. The Overseas Training Programme and Joint Government Training Centres saw many young Singaporean workers being placed in apprenticeship programmes in countries like India, Holland and Germany to learn and improve on their skills. In the marine industry, many young Singaporeans had to undergo on-the-job training and other training programmes to be groomed into skilled draftsmen, technicians and welders, more for the shipyards.”
“Mdm Speaker, the recommendations from the ASPIRE Committee come at a timely moment when our technical and vocational institutions and courses are becoming more prolific and popular among our young Singaporeans. Confucius, as a revered educator, abided by a principle that has been lauded since ancient times, if you would allow me to pronounce it: "因材施教". It means to teach students in accordance with their ability or aptitude. Indeed, this is a good principle for us to take note of. In recent times, we have been improving in this aspect. From sports, to cooking, to marine, our training and education landscape has, in conjunction with the trainers and educators, conjured a variety of quality training courses to serve the growing needs of our young people who find themselves more at ease with technical education and vocational training, in contrast to the conventional academic lessons in class. We must continue to help these students stretch their potential to the fullest. It is not only beneficial for their aspirations, but also for the progress of our country. Mdm Speaker, allow me to highlight why I believe that technical education and vocational training were instrumental to our phenomenal growth and success in the past 50 years and why they are still key and so vital for our future. Page: 57 Madam, in the early days when we were still a young nation, University and even our Junior College admission was almost an unattainable goal for many. In a whole kampong or even block of flats, there was only one or maybe none of these graduates. And he or she will be the buzz among the neighbours. Only a very small percentage of our population had a high level education qualification. For the rest of the population, it was primarily about getting basic education, skills and work.”
“But many Singaporeans have expressed unhappiness with the perceived obsession with the GDP. Materialism scarcely goes hand-in-hand with happiness. In our pursuit of a more prosperous future, we must not sacrifice the real needs of our society that allow our people to lead fuller lives, the pursuit of aspirations, family, social bonding and compassion for the less fortunate. Page: 30 I am thankful to the President for his heartening speech. His words have certainly painted an encouraging view of the future amidst a time fraught with worries and uncertainties. I share the President's confidence in our ability to tackle challenges together. If we remain steadfast and united in the pursuit of our goals, I believe we will be able to help Singaporeans achieve their aspirations. Madam, I support the Motion to thank the President for his speech. 2.38 pm”
“Furthermore, it is not right to use social media to fan the flames of hatred and goad others into ripping persons or even groups apart. Values of respect and caring for our fellow mankind must be the order of the day. Ideally, we should not need to have rules or law hanging over us to intimidate us into categorising what is good. Kindness and empathy should come from within the heart. We need to stand up against what is wrong. We need to speak up against racism. Bigotry has no place in our society. We need to be united against it. Perhaps, it is time to review our education system and programmes to incorporate these values in our youngsters when they are at an impressionable age and are exposed to frequent usage of social media. Above all, we must encourage a caring society where we help and look after one another in good and bad times, regardless of race, religion, social status and background. It is all very well to excel individually in academics and careers, but this does no benefit to the nation if everyone is defensive and selfish with their achievements. As a nation, we are still very young. We will undoubtedly go through many more complex challenges that could tear through the fragile net that connects and supports us as a nation. We must prepare ourselves and focus on building our inner strength and resilience. We need to strengthen our roots and sense of rootedness for our beloved country, and I quote, "To be rooted is perhaps the most important and least recognised need of a human soul." Those are the wise words of a French philosopher, Simone Weil, and I think it is good for us to be reminded of this. Madam, economic progression remains one of our greatest concerns and, certainly, it is important in maintaining our status quo.”
“I worry that they believe this untruth because they do not believe the truth that is presented. It is time that the Government made efforts in explaining its policies and mount a robust challenge to dispel these insidious untruths. Even as we strive to meet personal aspirations and achievements, we must not ignore the well-being of the people around us. As the US film-maker Peter Guber says, and I quote him, "Without social cohesion, the human race wouldn't be here. We're not formidable enough to survive without the tactics, rules and strategies that allow for people to work together." Since pre-historic times, humans have been working and living in tribes to survive. We know that the world is changing and we are constantly changing. But the fact that can never change is we are all connected, dependent on one another and are easily influenced by one another. As such, social issues these days have never become more complicated. Singaporeans' mindsets and behaviours are visibly transforming. Singaporeans are more educated, more vocal, and, with the access to more arenas for expressions, human Page: 29 interactions and communications have become more messy and thorny. While it is good to be able to debate, offer constructive opinions and call for actions through more platforms, when these debates get out of hand, there is a real risk of our society falling apart if we are not careful. The recent incidents of reactions to foreigners' activities in our country online show the fragility of our social construct. Madam, it is not just about how others perceive us as a people, society or country, but the real values that we live by and aspire for all Singaporeans.”
“In the context of a competitive job market, soft skills, including technical and academic skills, will ensure that our youths will be more competitive and more able to get the available jobs and opportunities. It is hoped that the Government will continue to work with self-help bodies to help our youths, so that, one day, they will also be able to help the community, as leaders, just like the Pioneer Generation before them. (In English): Mdm Speaker, I would like to turn to some developments which I have observed and which are a cause for concern to me. Over a couple of years, I have observed that there has been a change in the attitudes and behaviour of some Singaporeans. By and large, we are still a gracious Asian society – respectful of our elders, welcoming of our visitors, adapting to change as best as we can. But there is also a segment of our society that is louder, more demanding and less willing to accommodate changes, especially online. These people make arguments against foreigners. But they not only make arguments, they are also stoking distrust and hatred by making allegations about foreigners, their contributions and their motives here. In other instances, some people have gone about questioning Government policies by running so-called exposes and articles. There are other more bizarre allegations that are made online. It all makes for very interesting reading, but, if you ask me, it belongs in the realm of pulp fiction novel, rather than for any serious consideration. But bizarre or not, to me, the fact that so many people, even those well-educated and well-established in their careers, are willing to believe what are clearly untruths and fabrications is cause for worry.”
“] Madam, it is heartening to note that since the early days of our nation, there were pioneer leaders of the past that contributed with commitment and passion to the Malay/Muslim community and our country. With dedication, they contributed as community and youth leaders, and left their mark on the community until today. Therefore, as the present generation of Malay/Muslims, we have to continue to strive and work hard as our Pioneer Generation did. Due to the strong foundation laid by these pioneer leaders and the ongoing efforts from one generation to the next until today, Malay/Muslim students now perform better academically. More of our Malay/Muslim workers are pursuing tertiary education and working as PMETs. This continued progress over the years has resulted in the improved quality of life for our community and we should continue putting in the effort just like before. Madam, the Malay/Muslim leaders in the VWOs and self-help groups have contributed greatly to the progress of the community. Nevertheless, we must realise that their resources are limited even though there are many Malay/Muslim youths who still require assistance. Our Malay/Muslim community has a large youth base. There is so much potential in them, we must help them discover and maximise it. Their progress over the years is due to the fact that they can be trained for excellence. They have much potential. We must continue trying and have faith in them. Our youths are talented, and if we can instil and provide the relevant skills, our youths can get good jobs and do well in the industries. I would like to urge Page: 28 that we should try to achieve the best we can. We should also find effective methods to increase the employability and productivity of our Malay youths.”
“And the journey ahead is not going to be easier, but, in fact, much harder. Harder because education and training become redundant more quickly because of rapid changing technologies and industries. Harder because there are cheaper and faster options elsewhere. And harder because the motivation for hard work, in an era of plenty, is lower. So, it is not time for us to rest on our laurels and think that we have arrived. Far from it. In fact, it is probably a fact that we Singaporeans will always have to work hard, to continually improve ourselves, to Page: 27 fight competition and to do better than others. Nevertheless, Madam, employers, too, must play their part. The Government has offered many schemes to help businesses improve themselves and stay competitive. But businesses also have the responsibility to their workers, by offering their Singaporean employees every opportunity to improve themselves through training and rising up through the ranks. There will always be someone out there who can do the work more cheaply, but if Singaporean workers and employers strive for quality – in manufacturing, in services, and in productivity – then we will stand out from our cheaper competitors, and enter into the high-value, high-return markets. But this means that our attitude as workers and as employers cannot be to admit defeat at the first sign of a challenge, but, rather, to rise up to the challenge, overcome it and make a better life for ourselves and for our family. This was the spirit of our pioneers and this must continue to be the spirit of Singaporeans today. Madam, in Malay, about seizing opportunities. (In Malay): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.”
“There are innumerable stories of people from humble backgrounds rising up to lead our nation – in public service, in industry and in academia. Our education system is open to all, and there are many pathways where people can take time to discover their strengths, learn to maximise their strengths, and use them to build a good livelihood for themselves. But to make opportunities open to all, we have to go beyond formal education. We have to recognise that no matter how fair and open a system is, there will always be some who do better and some who are left behind. But Singapore did not rise to where it is today by accepting the status quo. We have always been fighters, working against the odds, to turn the improbable into reality. That is the same spirit that we will need to apply to address some of the inequalities that exist today. The best of these opportunities that we work so hard to create – in our schools, at our workplaces – must be accessible to Singaporeans. At the same time, Singaporeans must have the fighting spirit to challenge themselves, in the face of competition from other Singaporeans, and also from foreigners. This is a fact of life, but this fact of competition should be managed such that it is a competition among those who each has a fighting chance of making it. So, I urge the Government to continually focus on providing opportunities and resources to Singaporeans, so that we can build ourselves up – through world-class education and training and continuing training – and so that we are able to stand tall among any worker anywhere in the world. The Government must play its part, but, as workers, Singaporeans must also realise that we have responsibilities, too. We came this far because we worked hard.”
“Mdm Speaker, like many in this House, I found the speech by His Excellency President Tony Tan to be a timely reminder of the task that lies ahead of us in making life better for all Singaporeans. Please allow me to thank His Excellency the President for his thoughtful words. Madam, we are mid-way through the Twelfth Parliament. We have debated issues close to the hearts of Singaporeans and many of us urged the Government to address the people's unhappiness over housing, transportation and cost of living. I am happy to note that the Government has taken decisive action. The Government ramped up its HDB building programme and, at the same time, took steps to control rising speculation in the private property market. Many young couples today have greater certainty about when they can get their HDB flat of their choice. Those aspiring to buy private property are also better placed to assess whether they can afford to do so. Page: 26 Our transport woes will take longer to address, but I am glad that the Government has not shied away from taking bold steps. It has increased its speed of transport infrastructure development, added new buses and, most recently, applied a new model to managing our bus services. These are proof that the Government is willing to do everything it reasonably can. Much has been done, but much more needs to be done in the next half of this Parliament. Mdm Speaker, with your permission, I would like to cover some areas that we could work together to focus on in the coming months. Opportunities for all. One of the factors that had underpinned Singapore's rapid progress as a nation is the fact that our meritocratic system allowed anyone who puts in effort to rise up.”
“And how do we balance our aspiration of our community with the reality of the marketplace? Let us take an example. More youths aspire to go to university and so do their parents wish the same for them. The reality is that the places are limited and competition is high. Some may end up having to consider overseas institutions, which can be costly. Some may have to rely on hefty loans. Will all this measure up for them and their families eventually? Should we now start programmes to counsel and manage expectations of parents and their children on this? How do we encourage them to see the many pathways to the peaks and not just that one standard peak that everyone would be chasing? How about in the area of credit management? Our community may have to look at this area critically and in depth, studying underlying reasons why some get caught in a vicious cycle, with debt issues, loans and some even being passed on from one generation to the next. Whilst we must highlight and celebrate our achievements and successes, we must also help those lagging behind. We must reach out our hands and make sure that the people who need them are willing to take our hands. We should also encourage the more successful Malays to come forward and help Page: 122 the less well-off and those in need in the spirit of graciousness and gotong royong. I would appreciate the Minister's comments and views on some of these issues, as we move into the coming years. Suara Musyawarah”
“In the face of a competitive job market, the skills must include technical and academic skills to ensure that they are more competitive and more competent to get the good jobs so that they can become leaders of the future just like the leaders of our Pioneer Generation. Progress of the Malay/Muslim Community Assoc Prof Fatimah Lateef (Marine Parade): Madam, the Malay/Muslim community has made much progress and achievement for us to be proud of. These include in the areas of education, jobs, the numbers of Page: 121 PMETs and so on. However, we still have far to go and more effort needs to be harnessed. Moving forward, now it is quite different and requires a different skillset and mindset compared to the last decade. Our community needs to have the capabilities to negotiate the wave of change and evolution. Are we ready to ride this wave successfully? We need to continue to harness and play our role in our multicultural society, integration, promoting the community spirit and adapting to a more uncertain world by making ourselves relevant, flexible and adaptable and to be able to work, study and compete with anyone, anywhere in the world. Our next generation must be continuously prepared for this. As stipulated in The Muslim Community for Excellence, we must continue to hold strongly to Islamic principles whilst adapting to changing world context; we must also be self-confident to learn from and interact with other communities; and we must be a model and inspiration to all. How are we preparing our Malay/Muslim community for the 21st Century and beyond? Can we be exemplary as a global Muslim community that others can emulate? Do we have our priorities right in each family, in the community and in society?”
“[Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] Madam, it is heartening to note that since the early days of our young nation, there were pioneer leaders of the past that had contributed with commitment and passion to the Malay/Muslim community. With dedication, they contributed as youth leaders and community leaders. They have left their mark on the community until today. Examples of such youth leaders from the Pioneer Generation were the late Mr Shaari Tadin and Mr Shafawi Ahmad who were prominent community and youth leaders who made tremendous impact to help the community. Due to the strong foundation laid by these pioneer leaders and the continuous efforts until today from one generation to another generation, our youths now perform better academically, and more Malay/Muslim students continue to receive tertiary education and hold on to PMET jobs. This continued progress over the years resulted in the improved quality of life for our community. Madam, the Malay/Muslim leaders in the VWOs and self-help groups have contributed greatly to the progress of the community. However, we must realise that their resources are limited, but there are still many of our youths who still need assistance and guidance. Our Malay/Muslim community has a large youth base. There is much potential in them, and we must help them discover and maximise their potential. They have shown progress over the years and this is due to the fact that they can be trained for excellence. We must dedicate more efforts into them. Our youth have talent and if we harness them for the right jobs and give them relevant skills, they can get good jobs and achieve success in the industry. We also must find more effective ways to improve the employability and productivity of our Malay/Muslim youths.”
“I would like to thank Acting Minister Tan, Senior Minister of State Khor and Senior Parliamentary Secretary Hawazi for their very comprehensive response. I beg leave to withdraw the amendment. [(proc text) Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. (proc text)] [(proc text) The sum of $1,192,501,600 for Head S ordered to stand part of the Main Estimates. (proc text)] [(proc text) The sum of $53,891,200 for Head S ordered to stand part of the Development Estimates. (proc text)]”