SELF-HELP GROUPS (Review of model)

Mdm Ho Geok Choo asked the Acting Minister for Community Development and Sports, after September 11 and the recent development of Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) activities, (a) are there plans to (i) review the model of self-help groups and (ii) enhance the concept of cohesiveness by amalgamating them under one umbrella body without disrupting their individuality at the same time; and (b) what more can be done and how can we ensure that there is more collaboration of resources among these self-help groups.

The Acting Minister for Community Development and Sports (Assoc. Prof. Dr Yaacob Ibrahim): Sir, September 11 and the arrests of the Jemaah Islamiyah members reinforce the need for a concerted effort to build harmony and trust among Singaporeans. But they have nothing to do with the self-help groups' role in Singapore.

The self-help groups were set up to help the underachievers in their community to level up. While national programmes and CDCs can cater to most Singaporeans, the self-help groups are more effective in reaching out to the last 5% that need help, given their cultural affinity, language and networks. Moreover, different communities have different priorities to address. A community self-help approach allows each community to focus on the issues and problems that are most pressing for that community. The existence of self-help groups should not be perceived as a weakness but as complementary to our multi-racial approach. If the multi-racial approach was not well accepted, we would not be able to form self-help groups without creating communal tension.

The self-help groups recognise that their programmes should promote and not undermine multi-racialism. Where feasible, they pool their resources and organise joint programmes. For example, the students can now attend tuition classes run by any of the self-help groups island-wide.

Self-help groups are governed by boards of management and overseen by MCDS. Amalgamating them under one umbrella body may not be necessary, and could in fact impede their ability to respond quickly to the needs of their community. The self-help groups should continue to network regularly and consciously seek out areas of collaboration among themselves and with other agencies. This will also enable them to pool resources and minimise duplication.