ADMINISTRATION OF MUSLIM LAW (AMENDMENT) BILL

Order for Second Reading read. 5.45 pm

The Minister for Social Affairs (Dr Ahmad Mattar): Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time."

In the early 1970s, Muslim leaders and members of the Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura (MUIS) saw the need for mosques to be built in HDB new towns to serve the Muslim residents. The task of raising the necessary funds to meet the land and construction costs proved to be most difficult. The first mosque planned at Toa Payoh New Town could not get off the ground because the funds collected through donations and fund-raising projects were insufficient to meet the project cost. To solve this problem, Government gave its approval for Muslims in Singapore to contribute to the Mosque Building Fund of MUIS through the Central Provident Fund Board. In September, 1975, the Administration of Muslim Low Act was amended accordingly for the implementation of this Scheme. The objective was to ensure a steady source of funds for the building of mosques in HDB Now Towns in Singapore.

As a Muslim Singaporean, Sir, I am very proud to state that although contributions to the Mosque Building Fund are voluntary, it has received the whole-hearted support of our Muslim employees. Their contributions have enabled MUIS to build seven multifunctional mosques in HDB New Towns. Eight more are at various stages of planning.

Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, the Administration of Muslim Law Act is being amended once again to extend the purpose and application of the Mosque Building Fund to the payment of contributions to Yayasan MENDAKI (Council on Education of Muslim Children). However, before I proceed any further, Sir, allow me to give a brief background on Yayasan MENDAKI - how and why it was formed and what it has been doing so far.

As we all know, Sir, the Report of the 1980 Census of Population revealed that the Malays were under-represented in the higher levels of education. There were only 679 Malays in Singapore with university qualifications in that year, representing 0.21% of all Malays aged five years and above compared to 31,286 Chinese (1.8%) and 3,518 Indians (2.4%). Similarly, the number of Malays with technical qualifications in 1980 was 1,046 (0.3%) compared to 24,227 Chinese (1.4%) and 1,234 Indians (0.9%).

Malay pupils also do not perform as well as pupils of other races in the PSLE, GCE 'O' and GCE 'A' level examinations. Given the practical importance of examination success, there is, therefore, a definite need to take steps to help Muslim students Malays especially, to realize their full potential in terms of their educational attainment. It was this realization that prompted the Muslim Members of this House and leaders of 11 leading Muslim organizations in Singapore, including MUIS, to form MENDAKI in 1981 with the aim of providing an educational uplift to Muslim children.

It is appreciated, Sir, that it takes a long, comprehensive and sustained effort to encourage students, even before Primary 1 and throughout their school career, to achieve their full potential. However, it was felt that, as a first step in the drive to improve the educational attainment of Muslims, MENDAKI should organize a tuition scheme for students in the "terminal" levels. Special tuition classes have therefore been organized for students sitting for the PSLE, GCE 'O' and GCE 'A' level examinations. I am pleased to inform the House that about 3,000 students are presently attending tuition classes at MENDAKI's 13 tuition centres. MENDAKI also realizes that to give tuition only to students of Primary 6, Secondary 4 and JC II/pre U III to got them to pass their respective end-of-year-examinations is a short-term expedient which may at the most produce better results only at the margin. Plans are therefore afoot to extend the tuition scheme to students in Primary 5, Secondary 3 and JC I/Pre U II. As a start, tuition classes for Secondary 3 students will start next year. Classes for Primary 5 students will commence in 1986. In addition to its tuition scheme MENDAKI, in consonance with its objective of uplifting the educational performance of Muslim students, has been awarding bursaries to postgraduate students and study loans to students in tertiary education since 1983.

Based on 1984 estimates, MENDAKI needs about $300,000 a year to run its tuition classes for PSLE, GCE 'O' and 'A level students, for its postgraduate bursaries and study loans, and to meet administrative costs. More, of course, will be needed if MENDAKI were to mount tuition classes for students at the other levels, organize other related educational projects and meet the higher administrative costs when it moves to its new Headquarters at the former Siglap lndah Primary School next year.

As of now, MENDAKI does not have a steady source of income. Fortunately, both Muslims and non-Muslims in Singapore have so far responded positively to appeals for donations to MENDAKI. However, it is difficult to predict the level of public enthusiasm and financial support as this fluctuates with changing economic situations. In the long run, MENDAKI must have its own source of income if it is to continue serving the educational needs of Muslims in Singapore.

Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, the Muslim leaders and members of the MENDAKI Council, and Muslims in Singapore in general, were therefore pleased when Government gave its approval for Muslim employees to contribute 50 cents each month to MENDAKI through the CPF Board.

The amendment to the Administration of Muslim Law Act now before the House is to enable the proposal to be put into effect. The Mosque Building Fund will be redesignated as the Mosque Building and Mendaki Fund. The minimum contributions payable to the Fund will be $1 for the purpose of building mosques and 50 cents for Mendaki. I would like to reiterate that money collected for MENDAKI through this fund will be used solely for the purposes of implementing MENDAKI's tuition and other related educational projects, and to meet administrative overheads. It will not be administered by MUIS. MUIS, on receipt of all contributions to the Mosque Building and Mendaki Fund from the CPF Board each month, will pay to MENDAKI, as soon as practicable, the net amount of the contributions received for the purpose of MENDAKI after taking into account the appropriate expenses referred to in subsection (1) (c) of clause 3 of the Bill.

Sir, it is my sincere appeal to all Muslim employees that they will continue to give the same amount as they are giving now for mosque building, and, in addition, contribute another 50 cents for MENDAKI. If a Muslim employee feels that he can afford to give more to MENDAKI, I would urge him to do so by completing an authorization form obtainable at the office of MUIS at Empress Place and presenting it to his employer so that the appropriate deduction from his salary can be made by the employer.

I would like to reiterate that contributions to the Mosque Building and Mendaki Fund are entirely voluntary. Any Muslim employee who does not wish to contribute for mosque building or MENDAKI or both may go to the office of MUIS to exercise his option and obtain a Certificate of Option which he should present to his employer instructing the latter not to pay contribution to the Fund on his behalf during any period not exceeding 12 months. However, just as Muslims have given their whole-hearted support to the Mosque Building Fund since 1975, 1 hope that they will be equally supportive of the Mosque Building and Mendaki Fund. For all of us know that contributions to MENDAKI will benefit Muslim children in Singapore. It is their education that we will be investing in.

Finally, Sir, I would like to allay the fears of some Muslim contributors to the CPF who were wrongly informed by a newspaper that part of their savings in the CPF would be channelled to MENDAKI. This is not correct. The savings in the account of the CPF contributor cannot be withdrawn for any purposes other than those prescribed by the CPF Act and Regulations. No part of his. savings in the CPF can therefore be channelled to MENDAKI.

Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to move.

Question proposed.

Encik Othman bin Haron Eusofe (Geylang Serai): ( In Malay): Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I would like to thank the Government for giving its strong support and encouragement to Mendaki. With the passage of this Bill, Mendaki will be able to secure a steady flow of income to finance its various programmes.

Sir, Mendaki has the formidable and enormous task to raise the education level of Muslims in all fields and at all levels of education. With better education and the upgrading of their knowledge and skill levels, Muslims in Singapore will be able to meet the challenges of new technology more confidently. With a regular source of income, Mendaki must quickly develop a strong administrative infrastructure with staff who are highly capable and who can plan and implement programmes which can effectively raise the educational level of the Muslims. Mendaki will only be able to achieve marginal success when its programmes are planned and carried out on a piecemeal basis by volunteers who can only offer their services part-time.

Sir, I would like to take this opportunity to stress that the Muslim parents will have a crucial role to play to help Mendaki fulfil its mission. Muslim parents must be determined to see that their children take full advantage of the educational opportunities which Mendaki can help make available. They have the responsibility to make sure that in their homes, they will not only provide strong encouragement but also the right condition for -their children to study. In other words, they should have a very keen interest in their children's studies and should spare no effort to ensure that their children can be developed to their fullest potential in their education. To provide our children with the opportunities to acquire knowledge and skills is to provide them with an abundance of opportunities to enjoy a better quality of life.

The development of Mendaki has demonstrated unequivocally that the Muslims in Singapore are self-reliant. We are indeed thankful for the generous help and support given by the Government and the other communities in Singapore to Mendaki.

We realize that the responsibility to ensure that Mendaki will be able to suc- cessfully attain its objectives must fall squarely on the Muslim community itself. With all of us, the leaders of the various Muslim organizations in Mendaki, parents, students and other members of the Muslim community continuing to work together in a positive and confident way, I am sure that we can attain our objectives. We must show that we have the courage, determination, perseverance and stamina to try and try again until we succeed. By not giving up, we will earn self-respect and dignity.

This effort to raise the educational standards of Muslims in Singapore will benefit everyone. In a country without any natural resources, it is important that we develop our human resources to their maximum potential so that they can increase their contribution to Singapore's development.

Sir, I support the Bill. 6.03 pm

Mr Rohan bin Kamis (Telok Blangah): Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I rise to join my colleague, the Member for Geylang Serai, to support this Bill.

With the introduction of this Bill, once again it shows that our Government is farsighted and looks at problem areas in their essence and eliminate them by nipping them in the bud. The objective of the Foundation for Education of Muslim Children, better known as Yayasan Mendaki, is to raise the level of achievement in the academic field of Malay/Muslim children in the context of a plural society in Singapore. This is not a sectoral objective but a national one and I am glad that the Government has lent its support by allowing the CPF mechanism to be used to collect initially 50cts per Muslim contributor to alleviate a major problem of funding Mendaki's programmes. With this, Mendaki can now concentrate on achieving its aim.

I am confident that the objective of raising the level of achievement in the academic field of Malay/Muslim children is well on its way. Much thought and action have already been instituted in this direction. Now, with the support of the Government through the CPF contributions, it needs only to maintain the momentum and to monitor the control loop of these systems which will ensure the achievement of the desired objective.

Again, in this instance, the Muslim community must note with pride that whilst the Government assists them to achieve, it will not achieve for them, as in the case of the Mosque Building Fund where many new and bigger mosques have been built, much for the benefit of the Muslim Singaporeans.This concept of self-reliance has been tested and will be put again to the test in this Bill. I feel my confidence in the Muslim community woUld be well placed and they would rise to the challenge and stand up for the future of Singapore by contributing even more than the 50cts, if allowed to do so later.

All said and done, I am, however, slightly concerned that while the input to this Mendaki project is assured, the output needs to be carefully monitored. Monitoring needs people. Good results would come from good monitoring by good people. Therefore, it is important if we want to achieve this long-term objective, much to the benefit of the nation, a strong and efficient infrastructure must be instituted for Mendaki. I could not emphasize more than to say that it must be done as quickly as possible and I would say that today would not be early enough.

With full-time staff, Mendaki would then be able to look into the future because that is what that matters. Allow me to explain. Success is like a coin with two sides. On one side is the attainment or achievement of knowledge. And on the other side is the application of the knowledge gained, either in the public or private sector, in industries, commerce or even Government administration. This application of the knowledge, especially if it is for the common good of the nation, is equally, if not more important.

As I mentioned, the achievement of academic knowledge of the Malays and Muslim children is on an even keel and the realization of this objective is just a matter of time. This is because of the positive and concerted efforts by Mendaki as well as related organizations. However, I would like to ring a note of caution that we should now, with the current funding convenience, have the necessary infrastructure, take the time and make the effort to think how we are going to complete the picture on the other side of the "success coin". Of course, when I say "think", it is understood that we should also act - quickly and decisively.

It is never too early to plan for the future. It would be, however, a most unfortunate scenario if we have produced the graduates and skilled people through the efforts of Mendaki and we could not make optimum use of the acquired education and skills. I am sure this problem can and will have a solution. Now is the time for Mendaki to sit down and concentrate on this potential problem area. If the same fervour and enthusiasm that gave birth to Mendaki could be recreated, channelled and focused on this area, with the positive assistance from the Government as well as an established infrastructure, this problem would certainly be overcome.

Sir, if it is not done, it would be a sad day for not only the Muslim community in Singapore but also Singapore itself. However, with our current leadership and our ability to identify, mobilize and monitor to ensure that the right people are in the right jobs, this would not happen and I look forward to 10-12 years in the future when Mendaki's objective would be realized.

Sir, I support the Bill.

Encik Abbas Abu Amin (Pasir Panjang): ( In Malay): Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I support the Amendment Bill moved by the Hon. Minister for Social Affairs. I wish to congratulate the Government for giving its full support to Mendaki. The Hon. Prime Minister, at the inauguration of Mendaki's Congress held at the Singapore Conference Hall on 28th May 1982, said:

'It is in the interest of all if the Singapore Malays possess better education and qualifications and can make meaningful contributions towards national development.'

Sir, since Mendaki was established in 1981, various endeavours had been carried out to raise funds in order to pay for the cost of projects and activities launched. Also, several surveys had been carried out to expand the sources of finance so that money would not be a stumbling block for the Muslim community in its efforts to achieve higher education. The support and encouragement received from the Muslim community as well as from the non-Muslim community is encouraging. However, the contributions received so far are not permanent in nature and unstable, as has been explained by the Hon. Minister earlier. The introduction of this Amendment Bill is like a windfall which affords an opportunity for the Muslim community to mobilize their resources and make their contributions to Mendaki in a permanent manner.

The enthusiasm manifested by the Muslim community to be self-reliant and work together through their contributions towards the Mosque Building Fund has been proven by the erection of mosques in the various housing estates. I am confident that with the introduction of this Amendment Bill, the Muslim community can once again demonstrate their positive attitude by continuing to contribute to Mendaki.

I wish to support the views expressed earlier by the Member for Geylang Serai that Mendaki should take measures to strengthen its infrastructure in order to manage its financial administration, programme research and the implementation of its activities, both short-term and long-term, professionally, and not be dependent upon volunteers whose services are perhaps constrained by time and energy.

Another matter which should be given attention is how Mendaki can bring home the message of trust to the whole community, especially to the less educated parents, concerning the role they should play to educate their children. The raising of the standard and quality of Muslim children's education cannot be achieved so long as the Muslim community, particularly parents, relatives and students themselves, fail to practise the characteristics of life that extol knowledge of learning and, at the same time, be self-reliant to achieve our laudable objectives.

Finally, I seek further clarification from the Hon. Minister concerning the facilities at Siglap Indah Primary School which will become the headquarters of Mendaki. Also, when can the school be used as Mendaki's headquarters?

Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I support the Bill.

Encik Saidi Haji Shariff (Kaki Bukit): ( In Malay): Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, it is not my intention to cover the points that have been raised by my colleagues. However, allow me to express my views in support of the Amendment Bill under discussion. Since the enforcement of the Administration of Muslim Law Act on 1st July 1968, the Muslim community of Singapore has undergone improvements under the guidance of and through the continued and unstinting efforts put in by the Majlis Ugama Islam for the benefit of every member of the Muslim community in the field of religion, education and also welfare. Problems faced by the Muslims of Singapore, individually or organizationally, had been channelled to MUIS for its consideration and assistance accordingly.

Under the Administration of Muslim Law Act, MUIS has successfully managed to handle the affairs of the Muslim community. On 1st October 1975, an amendment to the Administration of Muslim Law Act was passed empowering the Majlis Ugama Islam to administer the Mosque Building Fund. Muslim employees extended their overwhelming support and of their own volition agreed that deductions could be made from their salaries, according to their means, towards the contributions for the erection of new mosques in housing estates throughout Singapore. Efforts in this direction are continuing and will continue and hopefully every housing estate will have its own mosque in order to particularly meet the needs of the Muslim community.

The Administration of Muslim Law Act and the amendments thereto have brought in its train praiseworthy consequences in the development of the Muslim community. We are now discussing yet another amendment to the Administration of Muslim Law Act which I greatly wel- come because of its continued good effects on the development of the Muslim community in Singapore. This amendment will enable Muslim employees to contribute to Yayasan MENDAKI through salary deductions on a monthly basis. My faith in this amendment is based on my confidence that continued progress of the Muslim community in a multi-racial, multi-religious and multi-lingual country like Singapore which upholds meritocracy can only succeed because the Administration of the Muslim Law Act and amendments thereto can bring forth the characteristics of society that are essential in the process of nation building.

One of the principles of nation-building is the fact that a society can progress only if every member of that society helps himself and helps ons another. MENDAKI was set up for the purpose of uplifting the level of progress of Muslim children. This amendment will enable every member of the Muslim community to participate on the basis of self-reliance, so that the objectives of MENDAKI can be realized. This indirect involvement will unite the Muslim community of Singapore because they can pool their financial resources, manifest their spirit of togetherness and, most important of all, demonstrate their attitude towards education which cannot be denied as being the key to the attainment of social progress in the years ahead. Besides unity, the spirit of self-reliance and gotong-royong can be enhanced. We can inculcate the spirit of sactifice and thrift in our community. There are many bendits to be derived directly as a result of the stability and size of MENDAKI's finances, ie our common objectives and aims can be achieved.

I would like to take this opponunity to express my appreciation, as a member of the Muslim or Malay community, to the Government of Singapore for its support during these 25 years towards the betterment of the Muslim community in Singapore. With the Administration of Muslim Law Act and its successes, the Government has made meritorious contributions for the betterment of the Muslim community of Singapore which will continue to make progress, strongly upholding the principles of Islam, united with its own identity. I am sure the Muslim community here will be loyal subjects of a multi-racial, multi-lingual and multi-religious Singapore.

Dr Ahmad Mattar: Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I must thank the hon. Members for Geylang Serai, Telok Blangah, Pasir Panjang and Kaki Bukit for supporting the amendment to the Administration of Muslim Law Act now before the House.

On the suggestion of the hon. Members for Geylang Serai, Telok Blangah and Pasir Panjang that MENDAKI must quickly develop a strong administrative infrastructure with good staff who are capable and who can plan and implement programmes which can effectively raise the educational level of Muslims, hon. Members may be pleased to know that MENDAKI is actively considering this. I fully agree with them that MENDAKI will only be able to achieve marginal success when its programmes are planned and carried out on a piece-meal basis by volunteers.

The Member for Telok Blangah has expressed concern that having produced the graduates, we could not make optimum use of the acquired education and skills. Here, Sir, I hope that the term "graduates" used by the Member for Telok Blangah does not only refer to University graduates but also graduates from the Polytechnics, from the Vocational Institutes of VITB; in fact, graduates from all levels of education.

Sir, I think the Member's fear is real and I agree with him that MENDAKI needs to sit down and address itself to this potential problem area. However, I am confident that with positive assistance from the Government and the sincerity of the other ethnic groups in Singapore, this problem, hopefully, would not arise.

The Member for Pasir Panjang would like to know of the facilities available at the new MENDAKI headquarters when we take over the Siglap Indah Primary School sometime next year. Among the facilities to be provided are a conference room, committee rooms, computer room, office for MENDAKI Secretariat, director's office and library. Renovations to the Siglap Indah Primary School are scheduled for completion in May 1985.

Question put, and agreed to.

Bill accordingly read a Second time and committed to a Committee of the whole House.

The House immediately resolved itself into a Committee on the Bill. - (Dr Ahmad Mattar).

Bill considered in Committee; reported without amendment; read a Third time and passed.