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: • President Halimah’s state visit to Germany in early December at the invitation of German President Steinmeier to reciprocate his state visit to Singapore in November 2017. This visit reaffirmed ties and longstanding friendship between the countries, and also collaboration in education and R&D. Seven MOUs on vocational training and education were signed, and Mdm Halimah was commending how education institutions and firms in Germany tie up to teach students. • Singapore ranked second in the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) benchmarking study. Students in Singapore notably had a greater fear of failure, compared to their peers abroad. The Singapore students from low-income families scored higher than their peers abroad. For the first time, Malay students here surpassed global average. • Many groups stepped forward to support the needy during the December festive season. These include the Boys’ Brigade, Helping and Empowering Our Neighbours, Food Bank Singapore, Food from the Heart, and a husband-and-wife architect duo.

1. December 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
2

3. Overall Coverage
• With a total of 384 articles Governance (91 articles), Education (50 articles) and Social (46
articles) emerged as the top 3 categories for November.
• Notably, Governance news trended strongly with a total of 91 articles from Straits Times and
Berita Harian/Minggu. This could be attributed to the implementation of the Protection from
Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (POFMA), Mdm Halimah’s state visit to Germany,
Personal Mobility Device (PMD) Footpath Ban, and Singapore-China collaborations.
56
31
4035
15 10
91
46 50
Governance Social Education
No. of Articles
ST BH/BM Total
*From 1 Dec 19 to 27 Dec 19
3

4. Overall Coverage
• In the Economy, Education and Employment
Issues, the breakdown is as follows: Education
(50), Employment (41) and Economy (7)
• In the Social-related and Community Issues, the
breakdown is as follows: Social (46), Community
(30), Health (29) and Elderly (5)
Economy,
7, 7%
Employment,
41, 42%
Education
, 50, 51%
Economy, Education and
Employment Issues
Community,
30, 27%
Elderly, 5,
5%
Health,
29, 26%
General Social
Issues, 46, 42%
Social-related and Community
Issues
4

5. Emerging Themes & Trends
5

6. Governance
Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (POFMA)
• The POFMA came into effect on 2 October 2019 to prevent the
electronic communication of falsehoods as well as to safeguard
against the use of online platforms for the communication of such
falsehoods.
• While Facebook (1 Dec) and Google (5 Dec) took the initiative to
uphold POFMA in their postings, the POFMA had to be used against
postings made by Singapore Democratic Party (15 Dec), Washington
Post (17 Dec) and The Economist (20 Dec) which had to be retracted or
amended
President Halimah’s State Visit to Germany
• President Halimah Yacob and some ministers made a state visit to
Germany in early December at the invitation of President Steinmeier. It
reciprocates his state visit to Singapore in November 2017. (ST/BH, 9
Dec)
• Both Presidents reaffirmed ties and longstanding friendship between
their countries, and spoke about more collaboration in education and
research and development (ST, 9 Dec).
• 7 MOUs on vocational training, education were signed (ST, 14 Dec)
• President Halimah points to how education institutions and firms tie
up to teach students in Germany (ST, 15 Dec), and how she hopes
Singapore can incorporate apprenticeship into our education system
as a social responsibility (BH, 15 Dec)
Source: Straits Times (POFMA)
Source: Straits Times (Pres.
State Visit to Germany)
6

7. Governance
Personal Mobility Device (PMD) Footpath Ban
• About 3,450 warnings issued to PMD riders since footpath ban (ST,
6 Dec)
• New training programme to help food delivery riders switch from
e-scooters to e-bicycles launched, training funds secured for 2,000
riders (ST/BH, 12 Dec)
Singapore-China Collaborations
• Singapore and Guangxi organisations (including DBS,
CrimsonLogic, *Scape) deepen ties with inking of 6 MOUs to
promote New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor, mutual
exchange of financial information, sharing of the benefits of the
digital economy (ST, 3 Dec)
• Singapore and Suzhou seek to broaden cooperation (ST, 3 Dec) for
the flagship Suzhou project to benefit Singapore firms in China
(ST, 24 Dec)
• S'pore-Nanjing project spurs closer work on tech solutions (ST, 18
Dec)
Source: Straits Times (PMD)
Source: Straits Times (Singapore-Guangxi)7

8. Economy
China's growing business presence in Singapore
• Its companies have pumped $41.8b, bringing with it cultural
influences and work practices. (ST, 2 Dec; BH, 3 Dec)
Weak consumption a likely challenge for Asia economic revival
• Even if exports recover from the trade tensions between US and
China, demand drivers like employment, credit may take some
time to rebound (ST, 25 Dec)
Singapore holds on to fifth place in global city index, but barely
• For the 11th straight year, Singapore was ranked fifth in the Global
Power City Index that measures 48 major cities worldwide by their
level of 'magnetism', released last month by Japanese think-tank
Mori Memorial Foundation (ST, 16 Dec)
Source: Straits Times
(China’s business presence)
Source: Global Power City Index
(Institute for Urban Strategies)
8

9. Employment & Employability
Level up to avoid creating digital divide: DPM Heng
• DPM Heng encouraged Singaporeans to keep up with the changes
introduced by new technologies which may render many jobs and skills
redundant, although it may be difficult to adapt or they may even lose
their jobs (ST, 1 Dec)
Singapore's global semiconductor hub
• Electronics output falls 20.9%, but 2020 turnaround expected for
semiconductors (ST, 27 Dec)
• French semiconductor firm Soitec regards Singapore as key player, to
raise headcount here (ST, 27 Dec)
Year-End Bonuses
• Lower 0.1-month bonus ($250–$1500) for civil servants amid weak
economic outlook (ST, 3 Dec; BH, 5 Dec)
• Companies in private sector plan to give bonus of 1-2 months, largely in
line with or lower than in previous years say ManpowerGroup, Robert
Half, Mercer (ST, 23 Dec; BH, 24 Dec)
• Possible higher bonus in sectors such as finance, insurance, real estate,
healthcare, transportation equipment and information technology (ST,
23 Dec; BH, 24 Dec)
Manpower Ministry (MOM) on Safety at Worksite Deaths
• Measures stepped up (extra 400 inspections) to boost safety (ST, 3 Dec)
in view of the mishaps in the construction industry (ST, 15 Dec; BH, 14
Dec), despite the ‘stagnating’ safety score
Source: Straits Times (Soitec)
Source: TodayOnline (Year-End Bonus)
9

10. Education
Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) Results
• Singapore's 15-year-old students ranked second (after China) in an
international benchmarking study that tests on application of
knowledge and skills, and problem solving (ST/BH, 4 Dec)
• However, the students have a greater fear of failure than those abroad
(ST/BH, 4 Dec)
• Students from low-income families score higher than their peers
overseas (ST, 4 Dec)
• Students' fear of failure tied to focus on results due to the culture of
merit being linked to academic showing (ST, 5 Dec)
• Prevalent monitoring via digital connections (e.g. online platforms and
chatgroups) add stress for both parents and children (ST, 19 Dec)
Part-time polytechnic and university students to pay lower fees
• New and existing Singaporean students in publicly funded part-time
courses at all five polytechnics and the autonomous universities that
offer such programmes are eligible (ST/BH, 18 Dec).
Lower exchange rate with Australian Dollar eases financial burden of
Singaporean students in Australia
• Students welcome the new exchange rate, greater savings (BH, 4 Dec)
Source: TodayOnline
Source: Straits Times (Part-time Polytechnic,
University Fees)
10

11. Education
Bonus Points for Admission into NUS benefit more
• 1,050 applicants gain entry into first-choice course this year,
compared with 700 last year (ST, 3 Dec)
High Pass Rates in GCE N Level results
• 99.5% of Sec 4 Normal (Academic) cohort passed; 76.6% qualified
for Sec 5 (ST/BH, 20 Dec)
• 98.1% of Sec 4 Normal (Technical) cohort passed (ST/BH, 20 Dec)
Work-study path for students
• In line with the recent state visit to Germany on adaptability of
employees in terms of skills mastery, Education Minister Ong Ye
Kung is proposing the work-study path for 12% of each student
cohort by 2030 (ST, 13 Dec; BH, 14 Dec)
• ‘Paying it forward' by hiring their juniors in two start-ups by ITE
alumni are among 268 firms in work-study diploma programme
(ST, 10 Dec)
Provision of pre-school centre based on Silicon Valley: latest research
• Trehaus, a workspace at Funan Mall which is integrated with pre-
school and childcare facilities, strikes a balance between work,
parenting and quality education for the children (BH, 3 Dec)
Source: Straits Times (GCE N Level results)
Source: Straits Times (State Visit to Germany)
11

12. General Social Issues
Supporting the Needy
• Boys’ Brigade calls for more halal-certified donations (ST, 8 Dec)
and transportation assistance with gift deliveries (ST, 19 Dec)
• Helping and Empowering Our Neighbours focuses on families and
partners larger organisations like Beyond Social Services and the
Asian Women's Welfare Association (Awwa) to plan and carry out
ad hoc activities for their beneficiaries (ST, 18 Dec)
• Architects Hsu Hsia Pin and Eunice Khoo help underprivileged
families renovate their homes for free (ST, 18 Dec)
• Landmark study highlights issues of homeless people aimed at
helping the homeless find shelter, tackling child abuse and
cleaning up the charity sector (ST, 18 Dec; BH, 16 Dec)
• The Food Bank Singapore and Food from the Heart are
redistributing the food to needy people, ensuring that the less
privileged will still have something to eat (ST, 27 Dec)
Source: Straits Times (Boys Brigade Share-a-Gift 2019)
Source: Straits Times (Landmark study on
homeless people in Singapore)
12

13. General Social Issues
Social Cohesion
• Minister Grace Fu stresses need for sensitivity in race relations to
avoid causing ill will to others (ST, 11 Dec)
• President Halimah: Chinese clans are key to passing on values and
building cohesion in the past and still important in today's rapidly
changing world (ST, 20 Dec; BH, 21 Dec)
• Founder of New Hainan Federation community group 'willing to
talk terms' with clan association to iron out dispute (ST, 24 Dec;
BH, 25 Dec)
Source: Straits Times (Visit to Singapore
Federation of Chinese Clan Associations)
13

14. Community
Increased charity efforts in season of giving
• A record 67 charities were lauded and awarded by Charity Council
for being well managed, having good disclosure practices (ST, 4
Dec)
• Keppel pledges $500k to boost skills of SPD's disabled
beneficiaries who are set to receive more support and training by
SPD and provide employment opportunities for people with
disabilities (ST, 4 Dec; BH, 4 Dec)
• Visually impaired gear up for race to raise funds in The Festive
Season Amazing "Raise“ to give them an opportunity to be
involved, and also let those with regular sight understand and
experience what it means to be visually handicapped (ST, 22 Dec)
• 5 international postgraduate students from NUS braved Everest
cold to raise suicide awareness and raise $5,000 for the
Samaritans of Singapore (ST, 22 Dec)
Source: Straits Times (The Festive Season
Amazing “Raise”)
14

15. Community
New Life Stories’ (NLS) Support for female inmates
• Female inmates write love stories to their kids, and these were
then illustrated and produced by NLS as part of its Early Readers
Programme, connecting female inmates with their children
through reading (ST, 22 Dec)
• NLS arranges for female inmates to meet their children who visit
them, enjoy a meal with them, read original stories and complete
personalised jigsaw puzzles (ST, 24 Dec)
Sultan Mosque’s open-door policy to the Homeless
• Sultan Mosque opens her doors to the homeless next year (BH,
16 Dec)
• Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) is now
collaborating with Sultan Mosque, together with four churches,
one temple and one welfare organisation, to prepare sleeping
areas for the homeless (BH, 16 Dec)
Source: Straits Times (female inmates)
Source: Straits Times (Sultan Mosque)15

16. Health
Healthcare
• New Outram Community hospital opens next to SGH, and it has
facilities resembling a public estate to help patients adapt before
returning home (ST, 8 Dec)
• Singapore’s largest polyclinic will be opened in Serangoon in 2025,
to be located at a 0.75ha site opposite the Nex shopping mall (ST,
10 Dec)
First Singapore case of cannabis-derived medication for epilepsy
allowed
• Associate Professor Yew Wen Shan said the vision is for the
Republic to produce therapeutic cannabinoids – chemical
compounds found in the cannabis plant – as medication in future.
(ST, 1 Dec)
Source: Straits Times (Outram
Community Hospital)
Source: Straits Times (Cannabis-derived
medication for epilepsy)
16

17. Elderly
Merdeka Generation Package rolled out for those born in 50s
• The Government has described the Merdeka Generation as
people who 'steered the labour force in turbulent times, building
a sturdy foundation‘ (ST, 16 Dec)
Would you let a robot take care of your mother?
• As the global population ages, robot companions are on the rise
(ST, 19 Dec)
Befrienders lend an ear to lonely seniors
• Led by The Living Way Church's pastor Joseph Tan, they found that
although many elderly people received help in the form of
donated items or goodie bags, they felt lonely (ST, 22 Dec)
• As part of Project Happiness which brings cheer to needy
Singaporeans during festive seasons, volunteers from a halfway
house bring festive cheer to rental flat residents (ST, 21 Dec)
Source: Straits Times (Merdeka
Generation)
Source: Straits Times (Befrienders
lend an ear to lonely seniors)
17
Source: phys.org (Robot Carers)

18. MENDAKI x M3
Charity event helps raise $8,000 for education fund
• Approximately $8,000 was raised from the car wash, charity sale and public
donations (ST 3 Dec)
• https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/charity-event-helps-raise-8000-
for-education-fund
MENDAKI, SUSS working to find out what affects students' grades
• The aim of the project is to understand the effectiveness of the group's
flagship programme, the MENDAKI Tuition Scheme, which it has been
running since 1982 (ST, 22 Dec)
• https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/education/mendaki-suss-working-
to-find-out-what-affects-students-grades
PISA Maths score a sign of Malay progress, says Minister Masagos
• It is first time Malay students here have surpassed global average (ST, 22 Dec)
Back to Work Women
• Many opportunities for women to rejoin the workforce, including support
from family and employers, the latter in the form of flexible work
arrangements (WorkPro grants) (BH, 9 Dec)
• More than 400 women participated in the programme to prepare their return
to the workforce organised by MENDAKI Sense (BH, 23 Dec)
• Personal soft skills are important homemakers’ assets as a mother, wife and
caregiver, and can be the main asset in an organisation (BH, 23 Dec)
Source: Straits Times (Charity Car Wash)
Source: Straits Times (MENDAKI-SUSS)
18Source: Straits Times (Back to Work Women)