RPD 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 compiled by the Research and Planning Department (RPD) of Yayasan MENDAKI. The key highlights for this month are: • The PMD ban highlighted the vulnerable nature of employment in the Gig Economy as PMD riders found their livelihoods suddenly disrupted. Intense discussions occurred over the month, with opinions on whether the gig economy should be promoted, discouraged or better supported in view of its necessity being laid out. • The Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) announced the appointment of 10 Social Service Agencies (SSA) as one-stop Parenting Support Centres across Singapore. The centres would provide programmes providing parenting knowledge and skills. • MENDAKI announced enhancements to the Education Trust Fund scheme. Primary school and secondary school students under assistance scheme will receive a transport allowance of $100 from next year onwards in addition to stationery vouchers.

1. November 2019

2. What is RPD Bites?
RPD 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 Planning Department (RPD) of Yayasan MENDAKI.
RPD 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 RPD 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 RPD@mendaki.org.sg to feedback.
RESEARCH &
PLANNING
DEPARTMENT
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3. Overall Coverage
• With a total of 216 articles Governance (72 articles), Economy (37 articles) and Community (37
articles) emerged as the top 3 categories for November.
• Notably, Governance news trended strongly with a total of 72 articles from Straits Times and
Berita Harian. This could be attributed to the ASEAN summit in early November, the Personal
Mobility Device (PMD) Ban and its spill-over effects and President Halimah’s and PM Lee’s visits
to the Middle East and Brazil respectively.
43
18
10
29
19
27
72
37 37
Governance Economy Community
No. of Articles
ST BH/BM Total
*From 1 Nov 19 to 25 Nov 19
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4. Overall Coverage
• In the Economy, Education and Employment
Issues, the breakdown is as follows: Economy
(37), Education (14) and Employment (21)
• In the Social-related and Community Issues, the
breakdown is as follows: Social (14), Community
(37), Health (12) and Elderly (2)
Economy,
37, 51%
Employment,
21, 29%
Education
, 14, 20%
Economy, Education and
Employment Issues
Community,
37, 57%
Elderly, 2,
3%
Health,
12, 18%
General
Social
Issues,
14, 22%
Social-related and Community
Issues
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5. Emerging Themes & Trends
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6. Governance
ASEAN Summit
• The ASEAN summit dominated the news in early November. There
was a focus on the finalisation of the 16-member Regional
Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), which would be the
world’s largest trade deal if successful. Despite substantial
progress made and the signing to commence in 2020, India has
pulled out of the bloc over domestic concerns. (ST, Nov 3)
• In the spirit of regional multilateralism, PM Lee also emphasised
on the need for ASEAN to stay united especially in view of
unfavourable global headwinds affecting the region. (ST, Nov 3)
President Halimah’s Middle East Visit
• President Halimah Yacob made state visits to Kuwait and Saudi
Arabia in early November. In addition to enhancing bilateral ties,
the visit saw accompanying delegations promoting Singapore’s
business interests in the region (ST, Nov 3).
• President Halimah also did Umrah while in Saudi Arabia,
concurrently raising the issue of Haj quotas for Singaporean
Muslims (ST, Nov 8; BH, Nov 9).
Source: Straits Times (ASEAN Summit)
Source: Berita Harian (Pres. State Visit)
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7. Governance
Personal Mobility Device (PMD) Footpath Ban
• The Government announced an immediate ban on PMDs from
footpaths on Nov 5 in light of the need to address pedestrian
safety after a slew of accidents, including fatal ones, that have
occurred over the past few years (ST, Nov 5).
• The immediate ban has caused a stir amongst food delivery riders
who suddenly found their livelihoods impacted, sparking a series
of debates between the Government and themselves (ST, Nov 8;
BH, Nov 6).
• In response, the Government announced a $7m scheme on Nov 8
to address these concerns by providing trade in grants (ST, Nov 8).
PM Lee’s Visit to Mexico
• On the invitation of President Andres, PM Lee made a 4-day visit
to Mexico to discuss opportunities for deeper cooperation
between Singapore and Mexico. The visit saw several memoranda
of understanding (MOU) being signed, and the visit reaffirmed
bilateral ties between the two countries (ST, Nov 17).
Source: Straits Times (PMD Ban Dialogue)
Source: CAN (PM Lee’s Visit)
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8. Economy
Special Transfers Made in Budget 2019
• The multi-party parliamentary Estimates Committee, tasked to
review the Budget spending, reported that $15.3b has been set
aside for special transfers (such as the Merdeka Generation
Package) in Budget 2019.
• The committee noted this figure to be “significant”, and
recommended for the Government to ensure the fiscal
sustainability of the such transfers (ST, Nov 15).
Singapore in Top 10 Most Competitive Places for Talent
• Singapore made it to the top 10 rankings of the most competitive
places for talent, and is the only Asian country in the list (ST, Nov 19)
Outlook for Economy in 2020
• The Singapore economy is expected to perform modestly better in
2020, with MTI reporting expected growth of 0.5-2.0 per cent
compared to 0.5-1.0 per cent this year. This would be driven by
recoveries in the manufacturing and electronics sector (ST, Nov 22).
Source: Today Online (Budget 2019)
Source: Straits Times (CBD Singapore)
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9. Employment & Employability
Enhanced Protection for Security Guards
• The Security Industry Council (SIC) will be taking steps to support
private security officers who suffer abuse while doing their jobs. This
is in consideration of a high-profile incident over parking charges at a
condominium that occurred earlier in the year (ST, Nov 6).
Better Training for Rail Workers
• The Government will inject $100m to ease the cost burdens of rail
operators’ in boosting the capabilities of rail workers in Singapore.
This will be rolled out under the Rail Manpower Development
Scheme (RMDP) (ST, Nov 10; BH, Nov 10).
Concerns over the Gig Economy
• The incident with food delivery riders arising from the PMD ban
highlighted the vulnerable nature of employment in the Gig
Economy. Intense discussions occurred over the month, with
opinions on whether this sector should be promoted, discouraged
or better supported in view of its necessity being laid out (ST, Nov
17).
Source: Straits Times (Training for Rail
Workers)
Source: Straits Times (Gig Economy
Concerns)
9

10. Education
More Childcare Places
• 2000 more government-supported childcare places would be
made available in Yishun by 2022. This is in consideration of the
need to provide more affordable childcare services in the area
(ST, Nov 6).
Instilling a Sense of Identity from a Young Age
• The Ministry of Education (MOE) is reviewing its Citizenship and
Character Education (CCE) syllabus to put greater emphasis on
moral education at the lower primary level. The effectiveness is
hoped to be increased through greater engagement at a younger
age (ST, Nov 9).
Boosting Resources for Pre-Schoolers
• NTUC First Campus announced that it will be spending $3m to
help teachers enhance their capabilities and for research projects
focusing on the children. Additionally, resources will be developed
for parents as well (ST, Nov 13).
Source: Straits Times (More Childcare Places)
Source: Straits Times (NTUC First Campus)
10

11. Education
Parenting Support Centres
• The Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) announced the
appointment of 10 Social Service Agencies (SSA) as one-stop Parenting
Support Centres. These centres across Singapore would provide
programmes providing skills such as child behaviour management and
discipline (ST, Nov 14).
Expansion of LASALLE College Campus
• Following a donation of $50m from the Ngee Ann Kongsi, LASALLE
College announced that it would be expanding its campus to
accommodate its growing needs. With this, students will be able to
have all their classes in one campus by 2025 (ST, Nov 15).
NTU to Expand Student Admission Using Broader Criteria
• NTU announced that it would aim to admit 50% of its new students
using a holistic broader criteria. This is and increase from 38% in 2019,
and expected to potentially increase opportunities for more students
(ST, Nov 17).
More schools join hands for lessons on inclusivity
• More mainstream schools and special education (SPED) schools are
reported to be joining hands to plan activities for their students to
mix under MOE’s Satellite Partnership Programme. This is hoped to
allow students to learn how to interact with peers who may be
different (ST, Nov 8).
Source: Straits Times (LASALLE Expansion)
Source: Straits Times (NTU)
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12. Malay/Muslim Community
Haj 2020
• MUIS has announced the appointment of 12 travel agencies, including
7 consortiums to offer Haj packages for 2020. Pilgrims can choose from
a total of 32 approved packages from them (BH, Nov 23).
Anugerah Guru Arif Budiman (AGAB)
• 6 teachers have been awarded AGAB in 2019. The award recognises
these teachers’ excellent contributions to the teaching and
development of the Malay Language in Singapore.
• In this spirit, Minister Ong Ye Kung who gave out the awards
emphasised the importance of bilingualism for Singapore (BH, Nov 10)
New Appointments within Malay Muslim Organisations
• Mr Nur Effendi Md Esa was appointed as the new General Manager for
Wisma Geylang Serai (WGS). Mr Effendi envisions WGS to become a
vibrant community node for the people (BH, Nov 2).
• The Singapore Sepak Takraw Federation (PERSES) has appointed a new
President, Mr Mohd Nasri Haron. Mr Nasri intends to strengthen the
administration of the federation to support the vision of developing
youth talent and elevating the status of the national team (BH, Nov
17)
Source: Berita Mediacorp (AGAB)
Source: BH (New WGS General Manager)
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13. Malay/Muslim Community
Haj 2020
• MUIS has announced the appointment of 12 travel agencies, including
7 consortiums to offer Haj packages for 2020. Pilgrims can choose from
a total of 32 approved packages from them (BH, Nov 23).
Anugerah Guru Arif Budiman (AGAB)
• 6 teachers have been awarded AGAB in 2019. The award recognises
these teachers’ excellent contributions to the teaching and
development of the Malay Language in Singapore.
• In this spirit, Minister Ong Ye Kung who gave out the awards
emphasised the importance of bilingualism for Singapore (BH, Nov 10)
New Appointments within Malay Muslim Organisations
• Mr Nur Effendi Md Esa was appointed as the new General Manager for
Wisma Geylang Serai (WGS). Mr Effendi envisions WGS to become a
vibrant community node for the people (BH, Nov 2).
• The Singapore Sepak Takraw Federation (PERSES) has appointed a new
President, Mr Mohd Nasri Haron. Mr Nasri intends to strengthen the
administration of the federation to support the vision of developing
youth talent and elevating the status of the national team (BH, Nov
17)
Source: Berita Mediacorp (AGAB)
Source: BH (New WGS General Manager)
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14. MENDAKI x M3
MENDAKI-IPS Policy Dialogue
• MENDAKI and IPS held their inaugural joint-policy dialogue that
discussed issues relating to education affecting Malay/Muslim youths
(BH, Nov 1).
• The forum raised several issues, from how youths can be engaged
more as community stakeholders to how agencies can support them
better in achieving their aspirations.
M3’s Launch of Focus Area 2 and Project FITRAH Updates
• M3 officially launched its Focus Area 2 – supporting those who are
vulnerable as well as their families – in November. It will build on the
success of FITRAH, which supports inmates, former offenders and
their families as part of the rehabilitation process.
• FITRAH has seen early successes, with MUIS having increased the
number of its religious counsellors, from 54 to 130 and MENDAKI
having run therapy sessions under the Family Excellence Circles for
caregivers of children whose parents are in prisons (ST, Nov 19; BH, Nov
17)
Enhancements to the Education Trust Fund
• MENDAKI announced that primary school and secondary school
students under the Education Trust Fund (ETF) assistance scheme will
receive a transport allowance of $100 from next year onwards in
addition to stationery vouchers. This is hoped to encourage better
school attendance amongst fund recipients (BH, Nov 25).
Source: Berita Harian (YM-IPS Seminar)
Source: Straits Times (Launch of F.A. 2)
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