News Bites is a monthly scan covering issues and trends surfaced in various local mainstream media sources that would be of relevance to the Malay/Muslim community. It is produced by the Research and Design Department (R&D) of Yayasan MENDAKI. The key highlights for May 2023 are: • The commercial property market will not have a significant impact from the latest round of additional buyer’s stamp duty (ABSD) hike because the drivers of the residential and commercial property markets are very different. (ST, 11 May)​ • Capitation funding aims to incentivise healthcare providers to place a greater emphasis on preventive care, as this funding model pays them a predetermined amount for each resident in the are under their charge, regardless of whether the person is healthy or not. (ST, 10 May)​ • The Singapore Muslim Women’s Association (PPIS) and PMBM Scholarship Fund Board (LBKM) collaborate to offer postgraduate scholarships for women majoring in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), gerontology, women studies and community work. (BH, 03 May)

1. May 2023

2. 2
What is News Bites?
News Bites is a monthly scan covering issues and trends surfaced in various local
mainstream media sources that would be of relevance to the Malay/Muslim community. It is
produced by the Research and Design Department (R&D) of Yayasan MENDAKI.
News Bites begins with an article count across different media sources which are
categorised into these main areas: education, economy, employment and employability, social
and community, and Malay/Muslim affairs. Other salient areas for the month are also
highlighted. It then delves into emerging themes and trends observed.
We hope you find this month’s News Bites insightful and useful for your needs. We
look forward to your continued partnership and support, and welcome any suggestions you
might have. You can reach us at RD@mendaki.org.sg to feedback.
RESEARCH &
DESIGN
DEPARTMENT

3. Overall Coverage
• With a total of 179 articles, Community (43), Economy (15) and Health (22) news were widely
reported in May 2023. This reflects Singapore’s growing concern over the community, effects of
inflation, rising cost of living and efforts in improving healthcare and moving toward a healthy
and active community.
32
11
17
0
10 10
11
4 5 5 6 4
43
15
22
5
16 14
Community Economy Health MMA Education Employment
No. of Articles
ST BH/BM Total
3

4. Emerging Themes & Trends
4

5. Community
Finances
• COE prices ended mostly lower in the first tender under the new
three-month quota period. (ST, 05 May)
– Motorcycle COE plunged by 58.93 per cent to $5,002
– Smaller car up to 1,600 cc and 130 bhp COE down 2.62 per cent from
the previous high of $103,721 to $101,001
– Large cars COE dip by 1.23 per cent from the previous $120,889 to
$119,399
– Open category COE down 0.4 per cent from $124,501 to $124,002
– Commercial vehicle COE increase of 0.34 per cent from $75,334 to
$75,589
• Eligible Singaporean will receive up to $400 in cash under the
2023 Cost-of-Living Special Payment in June, with more given to
the lower and middle income groups. (ST, 11 May)
• 46 people have lost about $750,00 after falling victim to a
job scam in which conmen impersonated employees of
Shopee. (ST, 23 May)
Source: ST
Source: ST
5

6. Community
Family
• Victims of family violence will have better protection against
their abusers if proposed changes to the law are passed under
the Women's Charter (Family Violene and other matters)
Amendment Bill. (ST, 9 May)
– Three new provision: 1) Stay-away provision, 2) No-contact provision,
and 3) Treatment provision.
• The Agency for Intergrated Care (AIC) launched a campaign 'If I
give up, what will happen to my parents?', to shine a spotlight on
caregivers, and to recognise the important role they play in the
community. (ST, 19 May)
Source: ST
Source: ST
6

7. Community
Housing
• Prices for HDB resale flats climb 1.1% in April, the second straight
month it has gone up which decreased the number of flat sold by
4.3 per cent. (ST. 05 May)
– 5-room flats recorded the highest increase of 1.9 per cent,
followed by 1 per cent for executive flats. 3-room flat rise by 0.7
per cent, and 4-room flats by 0.3 per cent.
• Over 900 flats will be built along Sin Ming Road in Upper
Thomson slated for completion in the second quarter of 2027,
the first new project since 1988. (ST, 05 May)
• Income assessment period changes to 12 months for HDB buyers,
instead of the most recent 2 or 6 months. Housing grants will be
split equally between a first time buyers who are a couple
comprising a Singaporean and a permanent resident (PR). (ST, 10
May)
– Allow a more consistent and clearer assessment of applicants'
income levels, especially for those whose incomes fluctuate from
month to month.
Source: ST
Source: ST
7

8. Economy
• Singapore will find it harder to grow its economy and create jobs in
an increasingly dangerous and troubled world, said Deputy Prime
Minister Lawrance Wong. (ST, 02 May)
– Competition to attract investments will be tougher as trade rules are
changing, geopolitics is shifting investment flows and advanced
economies are rolling out massive subsidies to boost their strategic
industries.
• The commercial property market will not have a significant impact
from the latest round of additional buyer’s stamp duty (ABSD) hike
because the drivers of the residential and commercial property
markets are very different. (ST, 11 May)
– For SG citizens, the rate will be raised from 17 per cent to 20 per cent for
those buying their second residential property, and from 25 per cent to 30
per cent for those getting their third and subsequent property.
– Singapore permanent residents (PRs) buying their second residential
property will see the rate rise from 25 per cent to 30 per cent, and from
30 per cent to 35 per cent for third and subsequent properties.
• After easing in March, SG core inflation stays firm at 5% in April (ST,
23 May)
• Vegetable, seafood and egg production in the Republic fell in 2022
due to dulled demand for local produce and delays in the building
and upgrading of farms due to the Covid-19 pandemic. (ST, 19 May)
Source: ST
Source: ST
8

9. Health
• Capitation funding aims to incentivise healthcare providers to
place a greater emphasis on preventive care, as this funding
model pays them a predetermined amount for each resident in
the are under their charge, regardless of whether the person is
healthy or not. (ST, 10 May)
• Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH) and Care Corner Singapore are
actively reaching out to general practitioners (GPs) in Toa Payoh
to help residents live more healthily. (ST, 14 May)
– More than 60 family doctors practicing in the neighbourhood are
aware of the health and social services available within the
community.
• The Chief Executive of the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness
Innovation (Cepi) said, the stepping up of vaccine production in
Singapore and other ASEAN countries can allow the region to
play key role in fighting the next pandemic, which may happen
in larger outbreaks of disease due to disruptions to the
ecosystem caused by climate change. (ST, 17 May)
Source: ST
Source: ST
9

10. Health
• Some Singaporean children and young adults have missed
an average of 24 days of school in the past year due to
symptoms of depression and anxiety. (ST, 19 May)
– A total of 39% of the young people missed one month of
school or more, and 13 % missed three months or more.
– 77% received healthcare treatment for their mental
health condition over the past three months.
• The number of seniors in Singapore undergoing major
surgery, such as large bowel surgery, breast cancer surger and
colorectal surgery, increase as population ages. (ST, 21 May)
Source: ST
Source: ST
10

11. Education
• A total of 142 secondary schools and 20 JCs are participating
in the Direct Admission exercise that will allow students to
gain direct entry to the schools based on their talents and
potential, beyond their performance at the national
examinations. (ST, 04 May)
– Students need to decide to take up the offer before their exam
results are released and will only be guaranteed a place if they
meet the minimum requirements for admission.
• Pre-school children with development needs will receive
more support in the classroom, with the new ‘Development
Support Specialist (DSS)’ programme by NTUC First Campus
(NGC) that started in January 2023 as a three-year pilot. (ST,
10 May, BH, 11 May) Title in BH: Program sokong kanak-kanak
dengan keperluan perkembangan di prasekolah
– Aims to provide tailored strategies and hands-on help to address
each child’s learning needs while also guiding teachers to improve
their classroom management.
– “Over the next two years, we will be adding 1,400 more places to
support children with developmental needs. We will serve 80
percent of children with developmental needs requiring medium
to high levels of early intervention support by 2027, up from 60
percent today” – Ms Sun Xueling, Minister of State for Social and
Family Development.
Source: ST
Source: ST
11

12. Employment
• The Building and Construction Authority (BCA) will roll out new
train-and-place programmes and courses under the SkillsFuture
Career Transition Programme for mid-career workers who plan to
switch to the built environment sector. (ST, 11 May)
• Growing Autistic talent for Engineering Sector (Gates) programme
by Trampolene, a research and technology non-profit organisation,
allow tertiary-educated adutls with autism to be trained and
placed in jobs in the engineering sector. (ST, 15 May)
– The $340,000 committed by upfront funders will be repaid if trainees
stay in a job for nine months and other outcomes of job training and
placement are achieved.
• The hybrid option is now firmly embedded in our work culture
long after Covid-19 pandemic restrictions were lifted. (ST, 19 May)
• ComfortDelGro, a subsidiary of transport giant, has terminated
school bus contracts with four primary schools due to lack of
drivers. (ST, 22 May)
– The revenue from the current contracts does not allow firm to raise
salaries to retain these drivers while coping with the rising cost of
operation.
– Up to 10% of the company’s fleet of more than 60 buses is lying idle
due to the driver shortage.
– The industry could lose 30% of bus drivers between 2023 and 2025.
Source: ST
Source: ST
12

13. Malay/Muslim Affairs
• The Singapore Muslim Women's Association (PPIS) and PMBM
Scholarship Fund Board (LBKM) collaborate to offer postgraduate
scholarships for women majoring in Science, Technology,
Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), gerontology, women studies
and community work. (BH, 03 May) Title in BH: PPIS, LBKM kerjasama
tawar biasiswa possiswazah bagi wanita.
• The 'Saham Kesihatan M3' programme is in line with Healthier
SG whose aim is to make prevention a personal commitment by
motivating the community to take proactive measures and have
regular health screening, an active lifestyle and eat nutritious
food. (BH, 11 May) Title in BH: Program kesihatan M3 selari dengan
inisiatif SG Lebih Sihat: Wan Rizal
• The Mufti urges religious teachers to constantly upgrade in order
to be equipped in handling the more multi-dimentional issues
that are prevalent today. (BH, 10 May) Title in BH: Asatizah perlu di
barisan hadapan fahami kerumitan, bimbing masyarakat: Mufti
• A framework has been initiated with the aim to involve multiple
organisations including the Malay Muslim organisation (MMO)
in order to reduce the number of repetitive Malay offenders in
Singapore. (BH, 23 May) Title in BH: Rangka kerja selaras usaha badan
Melayu/Islam, pihak berkuasa bantu pesalah dan keluarga dilancar
Source: BH
Source: BH
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14. Published by
MENDAKI Research and Design Department
(December 2022)
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