GE2025: PAP's multiracial approach key to Malay/Muslim community's progress, says SM Lee

Straits Times

01-05-2025

SINGAPORE – The Malay/Muslim community's progress has been made possible by its support of the Government's multiracial policies, which have been central to Singapore's approach since independence, said Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong.
He was speaking at the PAP's rally for Tampines GRC on May 1 - the last day of the campaign before Polling Day on May 3. Also present was the five-membe r PAP team contesting the GRC, led by Minister for Social and Family Development Masagos Zulkifli, who is also Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs.
Addressing residents in Malay, SM Lee called on Singaporeans to continue supporting these policies by giving the PAP a strong mandate in the upcoming general election.
'All this was possible because the Malay community has supported the Government's multiracial policies since the very beginning,' he said. 'Let us continue to build on the progress we have achieved thus far.'
Almost one in four residents in Tampines is Malay, making it the GRC with the highest proportion of Malay voters.
In his rally speech, SM Lee pledged that the Government will continue working with all racial and religious groups to enlarge the common space in society, with a special focus on ensuring that minority communities are not left behind.
'This will continue with the 4G team, because this is a fundamental principle in the PAP's political approach,' he said, referring to the next generation of PAP leaders.
SM Lee noted that the Malay/Muslim community has made significant progress in education and employment, and has taken full advantage of opportunities to fulfil its potential and aspirations. Compared with other advanced countries and compared to Malay communities elsewhere, its progress is significant, he said.
He credited this to years of close cooperation between the Government and the community, including targeted support through initiatives like self-help group Mendaki to strengthen education and lifelong learning, and the M3, which is the tie-up between Mendaki, the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore and the People's Association Malay Activity Executive Committees Council.
'All this hard work has helped to tackle social issues which the community still faces,' he said.
But SM Lee also acknowledged that many Malay/Muslim families, like others in Singapore, continue to face anxieties. These range from the cost of living and housing, to concerns about raising children or securing retirement.
The Government, he said, will keep working with the community to address these issues and ensure policies reflect their aspirations and priorities.
He also held up how the community had come together to help those in need. This includes both domestic efforts, such as supporting low-income families and helping children in their studies, and international humanitarian work.
One example of the latter was how the community worked with Singaporeans of other races and religions to provide humanitarian aid to Palestine.
SM Lee also pointed to how the Government has expanded the space that the Islamic community has to practice its faith. It is building a new Singapore College of Islamic Studies and continuing its mosque-building programme, with a new mosque set to be constructed in Tampines North.
He called on residents to support Mr Masagos and his team, which comprises Senior Minister of State for Manpower and Sustainability and the Environment Koh Poh Koon, Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Transport and Sustainability and the Environment Baey Yam Keng , and new faces Charlene Chen and David Neo.
They are facing a multi-cornered fight against the WP, National Solidarity Party and People's Power Party.
All the progress Singapore has achieved is the result of its national success, said SM Lee. With the country's resources and a government that has worked closely with its people, Singapore has been able to uplift lives across communities.
But SM Lee stressed that as the country grapples with new challenges, it is very important that Singapore stays united and works together to ensure the country continues to progress.
'But all this depends on your support, in Tampines and also in other districts. We need your support for a strong mandate, to do what is right and what is needed by Singapore and Singaporeans,' said SM Lee.
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