Parkour instructor seeks to empower her female students and help them build confidence
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CNA
26 minutes ago
- CNA
More Singaporeans see religion influencing their views in other areas of life: IPS study
SINGAPORE: A growing share of Singaporeans see religion as a key element in their lives, with a majority saying their faith influences their views in other areas, according to a new study by the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS). Over three-quarters of 4,000 people polled in 2024 indicated that their ideas about religion or spirituality are one of the most important parts of their philosophy in life. And these ideas have a considerable impact on how they conduct themselves at work or in their business strategies. These proportions have increased compared to a prior study in 2018. Done by researchers Mathew Mathews, Teo Kay Key, Izzul Haziq Murad and Melvin Tay, the findings were released on Wednesday (Aug 20) in a working paper titled Religious Identity and Practice Among Singaporeans. "In terms of the importance of religion, 56.6 per cent of the total sample considered it important or very important in 2024. But when only respondents with declared religious affiliation were included, the proportion rose to 73.7 per cent," they wrote. The study found that 73.9 per cent of respondents agreed their spiritual beliefs give meaning to their lives' joys and sorrows, while 68.3 per cent said they try to find out what their God or religion thinks is the best course of action when faced with life choices. Over six in 10 agreed that daily life would be meaningless without a sense of spirituality; that they accept what their religious teachers tell them about how they should live their lives; and that having a religion is necessary to be fulfilled in life. "The general rate of agreement regarding the influence of religion on respondents' lives increased in 2024 compared to 2018 for all the statements presented to respondents," wrote the researchers. NATIONALITY AS TOP IDENTIFIER The surveys, which lasted about 45 minutes and comprised around 350 questions, were conducted from April to August last year. The questions covered topics such as identity markers, daily experiences in a multiracial society and various policy issues. "Across all waves of the survey, nationality was consistently rated as the topmost important part of their identity. Singapore was rated consistently as the most important identity component across waves and most demographic characteristics," wrote the researchers. Respondents were asked to rank the most important parts of their identity based on nine factors – race, religion, nationality, sexual orientation, country of origin, age, gender, profession and educational background. Nationality was the most popular option at 35.9 per cent, followed by race at 20.6 per cent and religion at 16.1 per cent. On the other hand, the country where respondents' families originally came from was consistently ranked lowest. The study also found that Muslims were more likely to find religion very important to their overall identity compared to those from other religions. Older, lower-educated and less affluent respondents were also more likely to view religion as important to their overall sense of identity. When it came to religious traditions, one in three respondents felt that religion should be kept as pure or traditional as possible, a slight increase compared to 2018. "Christians and Muslims were more likely to prefer religion in its pure or traditional form, while there was a significant decline in the proportion of Catholics who felt this way when comparing 2024 to 2018," wrote the researchers. They also found that praying outside religious settings - like churches and mosques - was the most frequent practice, with 15.7 per cent of respondents in 2024 saying they do it on most days. This was down from 20.4 per cent in 2013 and 16.3 per cent in 2018. IPS said Christian respondents reported lower frequencies of attending religious services and praying, but increasing frequencies of consuming religious media. For Muslim respondents, the frequency of all religious practices increased over the years. IMPLICATIONS FOR SINGAPORE SOCIETY The survey results show a growth in religious identity and orientation among religiously affiliated Singaporeans, said researchers. With the greater salience of religious identity here, there is a possibility of religious groups pushing more for their beliefs to be considered in policymaking, they added. "Religious individuals may also feel that their traditions should be given greater public attention and space. Currently, Singapore has managed to strike a balance between allowing for religious practices in the public space in relation to secularism," they wrote. They cited the example of Muslim female nurses being allowed to wear their tudung while at work. "While this stronger sense of identity and community amongst religious affiliates can help provide comfort and support, especially through difficult times, there may be implications to religious harmony, if these growing ties also lead to more jostling for space and influence between the various religious groups," said the researchers. Any potential rise in inter-group friction could be mitigated with Singapore's framework to maintain religious harmony, they said, but refinements will always be needed to manage the delicate balance. The researchers noted the importance of engaging religious stakeholders on matters of social cohesion, and also as channels for the dissemination and support of national priorities, such as vaping, online harms or other public health and societal concerns. The survey results also show that a substantial number of people look to religion for guidance on a range of issues, said the researchers.
CNA
an hour ago
- CNA
Singapore basketball fraternity fears league match-fixing allegations could set sport back 'many years'
SINGAPORE: Allegations of match-fixing are damaging to both a Singapore basketball league which has improved over the years as well as the sport at large, say members of the local fraternity. On Tuesday (Aug 19), the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) said nine people had been arrested for their suspected involvement in fixing matches in the 2025 K. Star National Basketball League Division 1 competition. Investigations are ongoing against the nine, for suspected offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act. The individuals - eight Singaporeans and one permanent resident - are aged between 19 and 35. Some of them are players for teams participating in the league. On Wednesday, the Basketball Association of Singapore said in a statement that league games, running from Jul 14 to Aug 30, would go on. "As we do not have concrete evidence that the BAS NBL Division 1 is compromised, and in fairness to the players and teams who have trained hard for this competition, BAS will let the ongoing tournament continue as per schedule," it said. "Any officials or players under arrest or who have been arrested will be immediately suspended from all league activities." BAS earlier said it was cooperating with authorities on the case. Speaking to CNA, an official of a Division 1 club said he was surprised by the news, but added it was probably the actions of "a few black sheep". "When people go to the stadium and watch a team play, they have every right to see a good competition rather than a fixed game," said the official, who asked to remain anonymous. "Somehow or another, this will affect the reputation (of the league)." A former national team player, who also spoke on condition of anonymity, said he was "furious" at how the allegations had brought "disrespect" to the game. He said the league, founded in 2011, had improved since his time playing in it - with younger, talented players coming through the ranks. "It is damaging for the league, and just Singapore basketball in general," the player said. "It will set us back many years." BOILS DOWN TO "INTEGRITY" One of the games that was allegedly fixed was between Tagawa and Tong Whye on Aug 1, which the former won 66-43. In a post in the Tong Whye Basketball Facebook group, the Tong Whye Physical Association said it had not received "sufficient details" to comment further on the matter. "We take this issue very seriously. Tong Whye Physical Association enforces a strict zero-tolerance policy against any form of match-fixing. If any team official or player affiliated with Tong Whye Physical Association is found to be involved, we will take firm and immediate disciplinary action," the post said. "Tong Whye Physical Association is fully committed to cooperating with the authorities and will provide any assistance required. We also encourage anyone with relevant information to step forward and support the investigation." The 2025 K. Star National Basketball League Division 1 comprises eight other teams: Adroit, SBA, Chong Ghee, Eng Tat Hornets, SG Basketball, Siglap Basketball Club and Xin Hua Tung San. Official sponsor K. Star, a karaoke bar, said in response to CNA's queries that it was not involved in the organisation or management of matches, nor in the ongoing investigations. It said no decisions have been made regarding sponsorship of future league seasons. "We remain committed to supporting sportsmanship, fair play and the positive values that the league brings to its community. We trust that the organisers and relevant authorities will handle the matter with due diligence." The former national team player told CNA there had been rumours of match-fixing previously. "Any game that has live stats can be bet on; and any game that can be bet on can be fixed. It really boils down to the integrity of individuals," said the player. "At the end of the day, coaches or mentors ... need to educate children, the next generation. Teach them values, teach them integrity, so that even if such opportunities arise ... they won't be bothered." Speaking to CNA, Mr Grayson Ong, who is part of local basketball academy Triple Threat's management team, noted that playing in Division 1, the top tier of basketball in Singapore, is a goal for young players. The match-fixing allegations, if confirmed, would erode the integrity of the sport, he said. Still, despite the headlines, Mr Ong believes that passion for basketball among the younger generation will remain. "I don't think this will stop kids or stop anyone from loving the sport," he added.
Independent Singapore
an hour ago
- Independent Singapore
Commuter says uncle ‘challenged him to a fight' after he asked to move plastic bag from MRT seat
SINGAPORE: People often encourage us to be brave and to speak up whenever a stranger or fellow commuter inconveniences us. And while this advice does occasionally work wonders, it sometimes backfires in ways no one quite expects. Recently, one man shared online that his attempt at 'speaking up' ended with the other party challenging him to an actual fight. Recounting his experience on the r/singaporehappenings subreddit, the man shared that he had simply asked the uncle if 'he could move his plastic bag so he could sit.' 'The train was full, and this uncle was sitting with his plastic bag taking up the seat next to him. I asked him nicely if he could put it on the floor so I could sit. Instead, he shouted at me and started arguing. He started shouting across the train and even challenged me to fight. I was just stunned lol,' he wrote. 'The bag wasn't even that big, just a small/medium plastic with food inside, but he claimed it was 'too heavy' to put on the ground.' See also Aliff Aziz gets into another fight The man added that this was not the first questionable behaviour he had observed from the same individual. Earlier at Bishan MRT station, he claimed the uncle had blatantly cut the queue, stepping directly in front of the train doors while passengers were still alighting. Reflecting on the bizarre exchange, the commuter turned to fellow Redditors for their views. 'Am I in the wrong for asking an uncle to move his plastic bag so I could sit? Lately, I've been seeing a lot of entitled behaviour from some elderly — cutting queues, being super loud, etc. Anyone else kena similar nonsense before?' 'Why ask people to put their food on the floor?' In the comments, one user shared that this had happened to him 'a lot of times' already and even encouraged the man not to be intimidated next time. 'Just fight, lor,' they said. 'Usually, most uncles talk only.' Another assured him that he was not 'in the wrong' in this case, writing, 'No, it's just that they [old people] always think they can get away with it. Now they are even smarter, wear sunglasses and masks, so they can do whatever with no repercussions. So I am now doing the same.' See also Is Singlish declining? Singaporeans express concerns A third user added, 'Should have asked him to take it outside at the next stop and try to time it such that he steps out and you can get back on before the door closes lol.' Not everyone was against the uncle, though. Some came to his defence, arguing that his reaction wasn't entirely unreasonable. One said, 'LOL… hrmm… why ask people to put their food on the floor? Especially if it's cooked food. Just ask him to hold lar.' Another shared, 'Pretty sure there was a video uploaded not too long ago about an auntie putting food containers/tins/plastic bags on MRT seats. She challenged that the food was too hot to put on her lap and too unhygienic to be placed on the floor.' In other news, a 20-year-old seamstress took to social media to share her experience of working at a 'slightly well-known' vintage boutique, where she says she was grossly underpaid, overworked, and constantly belittled by the 'toxic and narcissistic' store owner. See also Year Ender 2020: The Top 5 Kardashians stories In her post on the r/SingaporeRaw forum, the woman explained that she had first joined the boutique as an intern for four months before leaving to continue her studies. After graduating, she returned to the same workplace, but resigned just two months later, citing mental health struggles and unrealistic expectations from her boss, who was paying her only S$16 an hour. Read more: 20 y/o seamstress speaks out after being overworked, underpaid, and insulted by 'toxic' boutique owner
