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Straits Times
a day ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Ownership through a ‘shared vision': Prof Faishal Ibrahim's hopes for the Malay/Muslim community
Associate Professor Faishal Ibrahim hopes to achieve what he described as a 'shared vision' for the Malay/Muslim community. PHOTO: BERITA HARIAN SINGAPORE - One of the ways in which Associate Professor Faishal Ibrahim tries to engage with young people is by being active on social media and personally replying to messages he receives on his social media accounts. 'They want to be heard. They would like to have an open conversation,' he said on June 4. Acknowledging that he is 'not young,' Prof Faishal said other ways he engages with younger people is by working with younger MPs, speaking to youth during his public engagements as well as creating more mentoring opportunities via Mendaki and other Malay/Muslim organisations. These are some ways in which the newly minted Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs hopes to achieve what he described as a 'shared vision' for the Malay/Muslim community – one shaped in part by the community itself, so they feel a sense of ownership over it. Achieving such a vision would take some time, said the 56-year-old, adding that he would share updates at different milestones. Prof Faishal was speaking to reporters at the KopiCuts cafe and barbershop at community hub Wisma Geylang Serai – where he serves as lead adviser – in his first sit-down interview since taking being appointed to the role on May 21. He replaced Social and Family Development Minister Masagos Zulkifli, who had held the portfolio since 2018. Married with two children, Prof Faishal was previously an associate professor at the National University of Singapore's Department of Real Estate. He said he received a warm reception from residents following his recent appointment. 'It is very heartwarming to see the responses from our community where they say that they want to cooperate with me and my colleagues, to continue the effort to develop our community and our country,' he said. 'And more importantly, they feel that the Prime Minister listened to their concerns and aspirations regarding our community leadership.' He thanked his predecessors Mr Masagos and retired cabinet minister Dr Yaacob Ibrahim, who served as Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs from 2002 to 2018. Prof Faishal noted he had worked closely with both men, describing them as having had the heart to serve the community and help it progress. It was also by working with both men that he saw the challenges associated with the role, as well as what needs to be done, he said. 'I know this is not an easy responsibility, some have told me they know it's not easy but they want to support this effort,' he added. Prof Faishal joined politics in 2006 at the age of 38, as part of a six-member PAP team representing Marine Parade GRC. Following the 2011 elections, he became an MP for Nee Soon GRC, where he served for three terms. During the 2025 General Elections, he returned to the newly-formed Marine Parade-Braddell Heights GRC as part of a five-member PAP team, led by Speaker of Parliament Seah Kian Peng, which won the constituency uncontested. In 2012, Prof Faishal became Parliamentary Secretary at the health and transport ministries, and in 2017 was promoted to Senior Parliamentary Secretary in the education as well as social and family development ministries. He subsequently became Minister of State for National Development and Home Affairs in 2020, and following the 2025 GE was appointed Senior Minister of State for Home Affairs as well as Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs. While the community has progressed tremendously over the years, making strides in areas such as post-secondary education, there are still areas for improvement, Prof Faishal said. These include working with government agencies to meet the needs of needy families as well as addressing the drug problem in the community. He also highlighted the need to have more Malay/Muslim children enrolled in pre-school education, saying that he would work with Mendaki chairman Zaqy Mohamad, who is also Senior Minister of State for Sustainability and the Environment, and Defence, to address the issue. Beyond the M3 framework, Prof Faishal said other Malay/Muslim organisations, as well as professional bodies and informal groups, can play a role in meeting the needs and aspirations of the community. M3 refers to a tie-up between self-help group Mendaki, the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore and the People's Association Malay Activity Executive Committees Council. He added that he would like to see more ground-up initiatives, citing the example of Bersamamu – a programme which provides Muslim couples with mentoring from their solemnisers in their first two years of marriage. He noted that Bersamamu was initiated by veteran religious teacher Ustaz Pasuni Maulun and other solemnisers, before it received the support of the Government. 'This is an example of how we can work together,' he said. When asked how he would address views which differed from the those of the authorities, Prof Faishal said the Government is 'well-intentioned' and tries to meet all needs. However, it has to take in account all viewpoints, he said, adding that some more complex issues may require more time to be addressed. 'There may be issues that are not easy but we know that the Government's intention is to help, to solve these issues together.' A long-time supporter of English football club Liverpool, Prof Faishal says the club's motto You'll Never Walk Alone – derived from Gerry and the Pacemaker's 1963 single of the same name – can be applied to Singapore's Malay/Muslim community. The community will never walk alone as it has the support of its leaders and community organisations, he said. 'And I will also never walk alone, because I have the Malay/Muslim community and the people of Singapore with me to continue this effort,' 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.
Malay Mail
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Malay Mail
‘We're in this together': Singapore Malay-Muslim success a collective effort, says acting Muslim affairs chief
SINGAPORE, May 26 — The success of Singapore's Malay/Muslim community must be a shared mission, the republic's acting minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Faishal Ibrahim said. Faishal stressed the importance of working closely with the M3, a collaboration between Singapore's Islamic Religious Council (Muis), its Council for the Education of Muslim Children (Mendaki), and the Malay Activity Executive Committees Council, under Singapore statutory board People's Association to promote social, cultural and community cohesion. 'We're in this together,' he was quoted by the Straits Times of telling reporters yesterday during Cyclation 2025, a community cycling event organised by Wisma Geylang Serai where he also serves as lead adviser. He called on all segments of the community to play a role and 'create closer, more effective networks to work towards the community's success'. Every individual, he said, should feel they have a stake in shaping the community's future. 'We want to give space for them to share their views, share their aspirations on how we can shape a successful Malay/Muslim community,'Faishal was quoted as saying. He noted that this engagement is especially vital now as the global climate becomes more challenging. Faishal took over the ministerial role on May 21 from Masagos Zulkifli, who held the portfolio since 2018. Cyclation 2025 was part of SG60 Bersama, a series of celebrations marking the Malay-Muslim community's contributions to Singapore on its 60th anniversary of independence. Some 90 cyclists participated in the 15km route. Faisal said the Gerak-Gerak Geylang, a free weekend fitness programme, is an example of Muslim success, adding that this kind of engagement is an extension of his political journey, which began in 2006 as an MP for Marine Parade GRC. Faishal said such inclusive engagement will ultimately benefit all communities in Singapore. 'I would like to listen. I would like to see how your suggestions can contribute to the development of the Malay/Muslim community. 'I think what is key is that we are in this together, and I hope to bring as many people on board this journey,' he was quoted as saying.
Straits Times
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Faishal Ibrahim to be Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs
SINGAPORE - Associate Professor Faishal Ibrahim, who is being promoted to Senior Minister of State, will be appointed Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs, as part of Cabinet reshuffle moves. Prime Minister Lawrence Wong announced on May 21 that Prof Faishal will take over the Muslim Affairs portfolio from Minister for Social and Family Development Masagos Zulkifli, who held the position for seven years. During a press conference about the reshuffle, PM Wong also said that Senior Minister of State Zaqy Mohamad will take over the chairmanship of self-help group Mendaki. He is currently deputy chairman. 'So Faishal and Zaqy, together with other Malay/Muslim office-holders and MPs, will continue to engage the Malay/Muslim community closely, building on the strong foundations we have today and working with the community to realise our shared goals,' said PM Wong. He added that he too will work closely with the community. 'Engaging the Malay/Muslim community was a priority for me in the last term, and it will continue to be a priority in this new term of government,' said PM Wong. Leadership transition in the Malay/Muslim community has been a matter that PM Wong said he had discussed with Mr Masagos. PM Wong noted that Mr Masagos had done a good job during his tenure, having advanced many initiatives such as M³ – a partnership between Mendaki, the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis), and the People's Association Malay Activity Executive Committees Council (Mesra). Mr Masagos had also championed efforts such as the establishment of the Singapore College of Islamic Studies. These contributions, PM Wong added, were valued and appreciated by the community. Both he and Mr Masagos had agreed that it was time to refresh the Malay/Muslim leadership and give new and younger office-holders the opportunity to step up, engage the community, and work with them to achieve shared goals. In consultations with his Cabinet colleagues and Mr Masagos himself, it was agreed that Prof Faishal would be the best person to take over as Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs, said PM Wong. PM Wong said Mr Zaqy would assist Prof Faishal, alongside other Malay/Muslim office-holders. New additions to the team include Mr Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim, who will be a Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Social and Family Development, and Dr Syed Harun Alhabsyi, who will serve as a Senior Parliamentary Secretary for the Ministry of National Development and the Ministry of Education. They will join Minister of State for Health and Digital Development and Information Rahayu Mahzam. PM Wong said that together with the other Malay/Muslim MPs, these individuals will work hard to engage the Malay/Muslim community and listen to their concerns and aspirations. Responding to a question on what his priorities for the community would be, Prof Faishal said that he was grateful for the trust placed in him by PM Wong, adding that he recognised the significant responsibility that comes with his new appointment. 'This is a very important area, and it's a big responsibility,' he said. Thanking Mr Masagos for his contributions, Prof Faishal said that he intended to continue and build on key programmes in the community. Reflecting on his experience, Prof Faishal noted that he has been involved with the Malay/Muslim community for nearly 30 years, beginning as a grassroots and community leader before becoming an MP and subsequently holding roles in government. In those roles, he worked with the community across a range of areas, from education to social and family development, housing, and most recently, the rehabilitation and reintegration of offenders. Through his work, he said, he has found value in connecting both widely and deeply with the community. Prof Faishal said that when he works closely with residents, people become more involved as they begin to understand the challenges involved in supporting others. He noted that this approach allows the community to celebrate small victories, which cumulatively lead to larger achievements. But Prof Faishal also acknowledged that progress takes time and effort, and that building momentum requires bringing people together and creating opportunities for collective action. 'What is key is how we work together as a community,' he said. PM Wong was also asked about the chairmanship of the Chinese Community Liaison Group (CCLG), which was established in 2000 to strengthen the Government's relationship with Chinese community organisations and deepen its understanding of the Chinese community. He said the role, currently held by Mr Edwin Tong – who will be taking over the Ministry of Law – will be handed over to Mr Chee Hong Tat, who will be appointed Minister for National Development. Hariz Baharudin is a correspondent at The Straits Times covering politics. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
