Latest news with #MalikiOsman
Straits Times
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Dr Maliki Osman on his personal touch in foreign affairs, bringing social work into government
Building deep relationships helps Singapore establish a sense of trust with its foreign partners, said Minister in the Prime Minister's Office Maliki Osman. ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI SINGAPORE - Over his decade in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), Minister in the Prime Minister's Office Maliki Osman has tried to bring a personal touch to building relationships. Among the ways he has tried to do so is by inviting foreign ambassadors to his home for Hari Raya celebrations, together with his friends, neighbours and community leaders, to help establish a sense of friendship. Building such deep relationships helps establish a sense of trust, allowing Singapore to hold discussions with its foreign partners to negotiate new agreements and plans, said Dr Maliki, who is also Second Minister for Foreign Affairs. 'Because once you have trust, you know that you are working with a friend, you're not just working with a business partner,' he said. 'You know that these are people who have your mutual interests at heart. 'When you engage at the international level, you need to be sincere, honest and genuine, and that's what I have done over the last 10 years in the Foreign Affairs Ministry.' Galvanising like-minded partners Dr Maliki – who was first appointed as Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs in 2015 – was speaking to reporters in an interview at the MFA building in Sherwood Road on May 19. On April 21, he announced his retirement from politics after 24 years, ahead of the 2025 General Election. An assistant professor at the National University of Singapore's social work and psychology department when he joined politics in 2001 at the age of 36, he was part of a six-member team that won Sembawang GRC during the general election that year. After first becoming a political office-holder in 2004 as Parliamentary Secretary for the Ministry of Health, Dr Maliki served in various ministries, including the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of National Development. Following the 2020 General Election, he was appointed Minister in the Prime Minister's Office, as well as Second Minister of Education and for Foreign Affairs. Much of his work with MFA has involved travelling and advocating Singapore's interests, Dr Maliki said. Singapore's actions are in the country's best interests, he said. 'It's not self-centredness, but it's just being practical. Being a small country, we need to ensure our survival,' he noted. 'At the same time, Singapore's interest is not just about what Singapore means, but also galvanising like-minded partners, like-minded countries who are just like us, who face similar challenges,' he added. This includes initiating groupings such as the Forum of Small States and Forum for East Asia-Latin America Cooperation, as well as acting as a member of other groups such as Asean and the Indian Ocean Rim Association. Even amid trade tensions between the US and China, Singapore has sought opportunities by establishing partnerships in regions such as Africa and the Pacific Islands, allowing the country to 'put our eggs in other baskets', he said. Seeking longer-term solutions for Israel-Palestine On the issue of Israel-Palestine, Dr Mali ki reiterated the Republic's position that Israel's actions in the Gaza Strip have gone beyond what was allowed in international law. 'What we hope to be able to do is to encourage both sides, and the other interlocutors in the region, to bring them to the table to find longer-term solutions,' he said, adding that this was facilitated by Singapore maintaining a line of communication with Israel. This allowed the R epublic of S ingapore A ir F orce to be one of the few air forces given entry into Israeli airspace to deliver humanitarian aid via air drop in March 2024, he said, noting that Singapore had already delivered eight tranches of humanitarian assistance to Palestinian victims in Gaza. In December 2024, Dr Maliki – who noted he had visited Ramallah in the West Bank numerous times – represented Singapore at a ministerial conference in Egypt on the Gaza crisis. There, he met Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa and reaffirmed the Republic's continued commitment to supporting the Palestinian Authority's capacity-building efforts, such as by increasing the number of annual scholarships offered under the Enhanced Technical Assistance Package. And, in January, Dr Maliki travelled to Jordan to give $1.3 million in humanitarian support for Gaza. 'Our immediate priority now is to encourage the resumption of delivery of humanitarian assistance to the victims of Gaza,' he said. Creating a variety of pathways As Second Minister of Education, Dr Maliki said his greatest sense of satisfaction came from leading a review of the pathways and opportunities for students in polytechnics and the Institute of Technical Education (ITE), to better support their strengths and aspirations. 'I think it's important for us to create that variety of pathways, for students to know that they may develop at different paces, and they may have different talents. We want that diversity, to acknowledge those talents and to harness those talents.' He pointed to the 2024 enhancement to the work-study diploma programme, which allows students to work full time while concurrently attending diploma courses at ITE. New courses were added, allowing about 15 per cent of ITE graduates to progress to a diploma qualification. This has allowed those who may have to work to support their families to also pursue further education, so they can achieve salaries similar to those of polytechnic graduates, Dr Maliki said. Dr Maliki also spearheaded efforts to provide more resources for special education, such as by increasing funding to special education schools to raise teachers' salaries to attract and retain talent. 'We believe that every child, even with special needs, has the ability to harness their potential to the best of their ability, and we do want to do that. I think we can do more still, because more needs to be done,' he said. Dr Maliki, who has a PhD in social work from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, said his background in social work helped inform his political career. One of the most meaningful experiences was when he served in the Ministry of National Development (MND) – first as parliamentary secretary in 2005, before becoming Minister of State in 2013 – where he said the issues of people living in rental flats resonated with him. During his time in MND, Dr Maliki established Project 4650, which brought together different government agencies and community groups to help residents in two Bedok South Interim Rental Housing blocks become self-reliant. Project 4650 served as a key reference point for the Ministry of Social and Family Development when designing ComLink, which coordinates social service support for low-income families that face multiple challenges. 'It gives me a lot of satisfaction that what I've done with a group of families, challenging as they were , is now being implemented upstream to help families in rental flats, so that we can try to stabilise their lives and move them to purchase flats,' he said. Listening to differing views During his time in office, Dr Maliki – described by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong as 'a key member of our team of Malay/Muslim office-holders and MPs' – supported the Malay/Muslim community through initiatives such as Project Dian, which supports Malay families living in rental flats by connecting them with national and community initiatives. When asked if the expectations that Malay/Muslim voters have of their elected representatives have changed – given community matters had been a hot-button issue in the recent general election – Dr Maliki said the community was maturing, with younger people exposed to different ideas via avenues such as social media. 'Their view of the world may be very different, and that's why I think politics has to respond,' he said. Politicians must listen to the differing views of their constituents, but, at the same time, be able to articulate why the Government takes the position it does on certain issues, he stated. These views should not be disregarded as they may be based on rational opinions, Dr Maliki said. 'If things change, we may come back to those views again,' he said. Even as Malay/Muslims achieve greater academic and economic success, the community is also becoming increasingly interested in spiritual matters, Dr Maliki noted. In line with this, the Committee on Future Asatizah, chaired by Dr Maliki, was established with the aim of improving the development and competencies of Islamic religious teachers in Singapore. Another step taken to develop religious leaders here is the establishment of the Singapore College of Islamic Studies (SCIS), which will open its doors in 2028 and offer students a four-year full-time undergraduate course to major in either Islamic studies or social sciences. When asked if he would consider taking up a role in SCIS, given his own background in social work, Dr Maliki said he was keeping his options open. 'If, as I engage the different stakeholders, and if I see that it's of value for me to contribute, I'll be more than happy to contribute,' he said. His retirement from politics is a bittersweet move for his family, he said, noting that it is the end of making personal sacrifices to change people's lives, but also allows him to see his wife and two children more. His commitment to work, which sometimes saw him sleep just four hours a day, resulted in a number of health scares over the years, he said. Still, his family knows his passion for contributing to the community, he said, adding that he views his work as an amanah ('trust' or 'responsibility' in Malay). 'While they know my passion, while they know that I want to continue, they know that I will continue in other forms,' he said. Stepping down from politics has freed up his time. He noted that over the weekend he was able to catch two plays – Wild Rice's Tunggu Sekejap: The P. Ramlee Suite and the Singapore Repertory Theatre's production of Macbeth. Retirement will also allow him to travel more often with his family, he said, noting that his schedule previously limited him to only take vacations in December. 'Now, we can plan different times of the year to take a break,' he said. Zhaki Abdullah is a correspondent at The Straits Times. He is on the health beat, in addition to occasionally covering science, environmental, tech and Muslim affairs issues. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
AsiaOne
28-04-2025
- Politics
- AsiaOne
'Not an easy sandwich to bite': Pasir Ris-Changi GRC new face Valerie Lee to advocate for caregivers of parents and children, Singapore News
Singapore's sandwich generation needs more support, said People's Action Party's (PAP) Pasir Ris-Changi GRC candidate and newcomer Valerie Lee, expressing her intention to advocate for caregivers of ageing parents and children. Speaking at a rally for the constituency held at Tampines Meridian Junior College on Monday (April 28), Lee said: "Today, I don't just come before you as a political candidate. I stand here as a daughter, a parent, and a working Singaporean just like you. "So who do I want to advocate for? The sandwich generation. Caught in the middle caring for both ageing parents and young children, you hold everything together — often invisibly — juggling family, career, caregiving and so much more." "But the truth is, this is not an easy sandwich to bite into. Our family structures have changed. Family sizes have gotten smaller over time, and meeting these demands are increasingly challenging," she added. Lee continued that in speaking to residents, she has gathered that while the government has good initiatives that have improved over time, people need more support. Citing the Baby Bonus scheme, monthly caps for childcare fees and the Proximity Housing Grant among other support systems that have been rolled out and enhanced to reduce the burden of parents and caregivers alike, Lee said: "But we can do better, and we must go further because the situation is evolving." She said that more flexibility is needed at workplaces, not just in terms of policies but also a culture "where it's okay to say I need to bring my child to the doctor and not feel guilty about it". Lee also stressed the importance of having more affordable and accessible elder care and child care near homes as well as mental health support. "Helping the often-overlooked sandwich class is not a selfish move, it's strategic. It's how we build a Singapore that sustains itself across generations," she said. "Let's build a future where caregiving is respected and not hidden, where parenting and elder care is not a lonely road, but a shared journey, where being sandwiched doesn't mean being squeezed, it means being supported." Maliki Osman cautions against 'greater divisiveness' in politics The rally also saw speeches by the rest of PAP's slate for Pasir Ris-Changi GRC — consisting of Minister in the Prime Minister's Office Indranee Rajah, Senior Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office Desmond Tan and Sharael Taha. Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean, who helmed the former Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC, and former East Coast GRC MP Maliki Osman were also present at the event. Both have also recently announced their retirement from politics. Indranee thanked SM Teo in her speech for his guidance and openness to her ideas during the former's early days in politics, recalling various anecdotes. "This is what the PAP does. It is willing to work with people, to be open, to hear your ideas and then to implement [them] so that there is something better for everyone," she said. Dr Maliki and SM Teo also addressed residents and supporters during the rally. SM Teo spoke in Malay, Mandarin and English, drawing a huge crowd to the barricade in front of the stage which erupted into cheers. Dr Maliki touched on the recent discussion about race and religion mixing with politics, stating that race and religion entering Singapore's political space will only lead to "greater divisiveness" amongst communities. The PAP's team for the constituency will be going up against a Singapore Democratic Alliance (SDA) slate helmed by chairman Desmond Lim, comprising Abu Mohamed, Harminder Pal Singh and Chia Yun Kai. Chia had previously introduced himself, largely online, as part of a new Most Valuable Party but was revealed as a member of SDA's slate for Pasir Ris-Changi on Nomination Day (April 23). For our GE2025 microsite, visit here [[nid:717339]]
Business Times
21-04-2025
- Politics
- Business Times
GE2025: Maliki Osman retiring from politics after 24 years
[SINGAPORE] Minister in the Prime Minister's Office Maliki Osman announced his retirement from politics on April 21, ahead of the 2025 General Election. In posts on his social media accounts, Maliki noted that the PAP brings in new candidates during each general election as part of renewal efforts, in order to bring in younger, more diverse voices into Parliament. He added that, having served five terms since 2001, he and Prime Minister Lawrence Wong agreed it is a good time for him to make way for a new candidate and retire from politics. 'My immediate priority is to ensure a smooth transition and rally support for the East Coast GRC team in the coming GE. I am confident they will serve residents well,' said Maliki, who is one of the incumbent MPs for the five-member constituency. The 59-year-old had earlier introduced Hazlina Abdul Halim, former chief executive of Make-A-Wish Singapore, as his successor in East Coast GRC. 'Serving residents in Sembawang GRC, East Coast GRC, and as Mayor of South East CDC has been a deeply enriching and humbling journey,' he said. BT in your inbox Start and end each day with the latest news stories and analyses delivered straight to your inbox. Sign Up Sign Up In his post, Maliki thanked Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong for having entrusted him as a political office holder since 2004, describing it as a privilege to have worked alongside the former prime minister as well as PM Wong and others in Cabinet in 'navigating challenges and shaping Singapore's continued success'. He also thanked grassroots leaders, community leaders and staff at the ministries. Maliki said it had been especially meaningful to work with other Malay/Muslim MPs and community leaders to 'uplift lives through various social programmes'. He added: 'Thank you, dear residents, for welcoming me into your homes and lives, and allowing me to serve you over the past 24 years. I will always treasure our shared memories.' Maliki – who has a PhD in social work from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign – was an assistant professor in the National University of Singapore's social work and psychology department when he joined politics in 2001 at the age of 36. He was part of a six-member team, led by then-Deputy Prime Minister Tony Tan, which won Sembawang GRC during the General Election that year. He served as Parliamentary Secretary for the Ministry of Health between 2004 and 2005, and for the Community Development, Youth and Sports Ministry from 2004 to 2006. In 2005, Maliki was appointed Parliamentary Secretary for the National Development Ministry, before being promoted to Senior Parliamentary Secretary for the same ministry in 2010. During the 2011 election, he was part of a five-member PAP team that won East Coast GRC. He was also appointed Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Defence as well as South East District Mayor that year. In 2011, Maliki also began heading a work group overseeing the redevelopment of Geylang Serai, including the development of community hub Wisma Geylang Serai, which was officially opened in 2019. In 2013, he was promoted to Minister of State for Defence and National Development. At the National Development Ministry, Maliki chaired the community improvement projects committee as well as the private estates upgrading programme, in addition to overseeing food security, including food safety and the development of Singapore's agriculture sector. He became Senior Minister of State for Defence and Foreign Affairs in 2015. In December 2024, Maliki represented Singapore at a ministerial conference in Egypt on the Gaza crisis, highlighting the need for more to be done to address the humanitarian situation in the enclave. He also met Palestinian Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Mustafa on the sidelines of the conference and reaffirmed the Republic's continued commitment to supporting the Palestinian Authority's capacity-building efforts. This included increasing the number of annual scholarships offered under Enhanced Technical Assistance Package, from three postgraduate scholarships to a total of 10 scholarships for Palestinians to study in Singapore. In January, Maliki travelled to Jordan to give US$1.3 million in humanitarian support for Gaza. Following the 2020 General Election, Maliki was appointed Minister in the Prime Minister's Office as well as Second Minister for Education and Foreign Affairs. Dr Maliki is married and has two children. He can speak Mandarin and Hokkien, and had addressed crowds in both tongues at rallies during previous elections. His musical abilities are varied too, skilled at both the guitar and the guzheng. He performed on the guitar with indie band Surreal in 2006 as part of an anti-drug concert, and on the Chinese stringed instrument at a National Day reception in Batam in 2023, in a duet with his wife, who played the piano. THE STRAITS TIMES For more election coverage, visit our GE2025 microsite
