Latest news with #MuhammadFaishalIbrahim
AsiaOne
4 days ago
- General
- AsiaOne
Fire breaks out at Ubi coffee shop, 1 taken to hospital, Singapore News
A fire broke out at a coffee shop in Ubi on Friday night (May 30), involving the contents of a food stall on the first floor. The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said it was alerted to the fire at 301, Ubi Avenue 1, at about 11.35pm and extinguished it with two water jets. Seventy six residents were safely evacuated, with one senior citizen taken to Singapore General Hospital for follow-up and observation due to smoke inhalation. A few other stalls in the coffee shop also sustained heat and smoke damage, they added. The MP for Marine Parade-Braddell Heights GRC Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim thanked SCDF in a Facebook post and added that residents on the third and fourth floors could return to their units safely at about 1.40am. Grassroots volunteers provided water and biscuits. The cause of the fire is still being investigated. [[nid:718585]] syarifahsn@
Malay Mail
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Singapore Muslim affairs minister condemns Gaza remarks by expat commentator Critical Spectator, warns of threat to social harmony
SINGAPORE, May 24 – Singapore minister Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim has condemned recent anti-Gaza remarks made by social media commentator Critical Spectator, warning that such rhetoric risks undermining social cohesion in Singapore. The minister in charge of Muslim affairs said while it is legitimate to highlight suffering in other parts of the world, it is unacceptable to make statements that diminish the pain endured by Palestinians in Gaza. 'I'm gravely concerned about the recent remarks made by Critical Spectator,' Faishal said in a Facebook post yesterday. 'While it is valid to draw attention to suffering in other parts of the world, we should reject any statement that minimises the suffering of Palestinians'. Critical Spectator was reported to be the online pseudonym of Michael Petraeus, a Polish pro-establishment blogger and commentator based in Singapore known for his controversial and often provocative views usually directed at the Opposition. The Facebook account had mocked former Singapore president Halimah Yaacob who warned that any silence on Israel's atrocities in Gaza mean that the republic is complicit in the violations of international humanitarian laws and encourages similar aggressions elsewhere. Faishal stressed that such comments, whether from local or foreign voices, are harmful and could erode the mutual respect Singaporeans have worked hard to maintain in a multicultural society. 'In times like these, we need more understanding, not division. We must never allow dismissive or divisive rhetoric — local or foreign — to erode the mutual respect and unity we have worked so hard to build in our multicultural society,' he said. Faishal noted that many Singaporeans, including members of the Muslim community and Halimah, are deeply affected by the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. He praised Halimah's recent Facebook post on the issue, saying her concern reflects the compassion and moral courage shared by many across Singapore. Faishal also reaffirmed the Singapore government's position, stating it has consistently called for a humanitarian ceasefire and supported the rights of Palestinians to a homeland. He highlighted that Singapore and its citizens have contributed over S$19 million (RM64.5 million) in aid to Gaza and continue to support Palestinian state-building efforts through the Enhanced Technical Assistance Package. The minister previously described Israel's actions in Gaza as 'oppressive and unacceptable', remarks he said he has made publicly on various platforms, including a recent podcast.
South China Morning Post
24-05-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Singapore's new Muslim affairs minister lays down firm stance on Gaza issue
Singapore 's newly appointed acting minister-in-charge of Muslim affairs began his first hours in the role by condemning a controversial social-media commentator for attacking former president Halimah Yacob's support for Palestinians in Gaza – taking a markedly firmer stance than his predecessor. 'Many in our Muslim community, as well as Singaporeans from all walks of life, continue to feel deeply about the tragedy unfolding in Palestine. That includes our former president, Mdm Halimah Yacob, whose views are widely respected across our communities,' wrote Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim in a social media post on Friday night, just hours after being sworn into office. 'In times like these, we need more understanding, not division,' he urged. 'We must never allow dismissive or divisive rhetoric – local or foreign – to erode the mutual respect and unity we have worked so hard to build in our multicultural society.' Halimah was a 'deeply respected national figure', he said, adding that he shared her sentiments. This was in response to a post by the Critical Spectator, Polish national Michael Petraeus, known for his pro-establishment and often inflammatory commentary on political and social issues.
CNA
21-05-2025
- Politics
- CNA
Faishal Ibrahim appointed acting minister-in-charge of Muslim affairs in Cabinet reshuffle
SINGAPORE: Associate Professor Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim has been appointed acting minister-in-charge of Muslim affairs, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong announced on Wednesday (May 21) as part of changes to the Cabinet following the recent General Election. The full ministerial post had been held since May 2018 by Mr Masagos Zulkifli, who took over from Dr Yaacob Ibrahim. Mr Wong said Mr Masagos, who will remain minister for social and family development, had advanced many initiatives during his tenure that are now valued and appreciated by the Malay-Muslim community. 'We agreed in our discussion that … it's time to refresh the (Malay-Muslim) leadership and let new and younger office holders take over,' he said, adding that Assoc Prof Faishal was the 'best candidate' for the role. He will be assisted by Senior Minister of State Zaqy Mohamad, who takes over as chairman of the Yayasan MENDAKI self-help group. Mr Wong added that Assoc Prof Faishal, Mr Zaqy and other Malay-Muslim political officeholders – such as Minister of State for Health and Digital Development and Information Rahayu Mahzam, incoming Minister of State for Social and Family Development and Foreign Affairs Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim, as well as incoming Senior Parliamentary Secretary for National Development and Education Syed Harun Alhabsyi – would work hard to engage the Malay-Muslim community and listen to their concerns and aspirations. Assoc Prof Faishal said he appreciated the faith placed in him, and thanked Mr Masagos for his work over the past seven years, including the development of a new Islamic college in Singapore. 'Some of these programmes, I will continue and strengthen,' he said, adding that he has been involved in the community for close to 30 years. Engaging widely and deeply with the community has been useful in rallying it to do good and contribute to society, he said. Assoc Prof Faishal added that the Malay-Muslim community has received much support, and he reflected on how this was true even after the foiled 2001 bomb plot by the Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) militant group. At the time, Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean told grassroots leaders that Singaporean Malay-Muslims were part of the social fabric and not like JI members. 'I was really touched, and I told myself, not many countries would have that kind of position and that kind of care for the people,' said Assoc Prof Faishal, who was then serving as a community leader. 'This is something that is quite deep in my heart and mind. 'With this role, I want to rally the community to come together, to work together, help one another, not only to build and help to raise our young children and to provide opportunities for growth in the community; but also to contribute to the Singapore story.' Assoc Prof Faishal will also be promoted to Senior Minister of State for the Ministry of Home Affairs, but will no longer hold a position in the Ministry of National Development, where he had been a Minister of State since July 2020. In response to a question about the to-do list for Assoc Prof Faishal, Mr Wong said the starting point was continuing engagement, to better understand the community's concerns and aspirations. Some of the concerns are not unique, but there are also times when there will be disagreements, he said. 'That's bound to happen, but I think our differences and our diversity should not weaken us,' said Mr Wong. Instead, Singapore should find ways to forge consensus and become more united. 'Embrace our diversity, find, expand the common ground we have as Singaporeans, and through that sense of solidarity and unity, have confidence in Singapore's future,' he said.
AsiaOne
23-04-2025
- Politics
- AsiaOne
GE2025: PAP wins Marine Parade-Braddell Heights GRC in walkover, Singapore News
Singapore has its first electoral walkover since 2011 after the Workers' Party (WP) surprisingly pulled out of Marine Parade-Braddell Heights GRC on Nomination Day (April 23). The People's Action Party (PAP) team of Seah Kian Peng, Assoc Prof Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim, Tin Pei Ling and new faces Goh Pei Ming and Diana Pang were elected unopposed as they were the only candidates. Under the new electoral boundaries announced by the Electoral Boundaries Review Committee last month, Marine Parade-Braddell Heights GRC absorbed the whole of MacPherson SMC, some districts from Potong Pasir SMC and an adjacent polling district from Mountbatten SMC. The Chai Chee HDB estates and the Siglap private estates of Joo Chiat have been absorbed into East Coast GRC. During the 2020 General Election, PAP won Marine Parade GRC with 57.76 per cent of the votes over WP's 42.24 per cent. Apart from WP's surprise, PAP's slate also saw the last-minute replacement of its anchor minister Tan See Leng by Goh, a former army general and potential office holder. Tan himself took the place of Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong in Chua Chu Kang GRC, which saw DPM Gan moving to the new Punggol GRC. Marine Parade-Braddell Heights has 131,493 voters in the upcoming election. For our GE2025 microsite, visit here. [[nid:716991]]
