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: • Singapore's economy is expected to rise by 6% or more this year, according to the government's most recent prediction. • Following the cabinet reshuffle on May 15, seven of the 15 ministries will be led by new ministers. • Restrictions should be eased if the Covid-19 situation improves and the number of community cases lowers further.

1. May 2021

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
12
22
19
22
42
17 19
15
54
38 38 54
Malay/Muslim Affairs Education Community Employment and
Employability
No. of Articles
ST BH/ BM Total
• With a total of 168 articles, MalayMuslim Affairs (54), Education(39), Community (38) and
Employmentand Employability(37) news were widely reported in May2021. Thisreflects
Singapore’son-going efforts in engaging the MalayMuslim Community, including
endeavoursto aid the community and workforce to overcome the fourth wave of the COVID-
19 pandemic.
3

4. Emerging Themes & Trends
4

5. Economy
• Singapore'sPurchasingManagers'Index (PMI)
increased for the tenth month in a row, rising 0.1 point
from March to 50.9. This is the highest since December
2018, when the PMI was 51.1. (ST, 03 May)
• Singapore's small and medium-sizedfirms(SMEs) have
mostly recoveredfrom the depths of last year's Covid-
19-induced recession. Thisis the first time the OCBC
SME Index has turned expansionary, exceeding 50,
since the pandemic began a year ago. (ST, 05 May)
• Retailsales continuedto recover in March as the
Singaporeeconomy rebounded. Takings at the till grew
by 6.2 per cent in March on a year-on-year basis,
compared with the revised 5.3 per cent increase
recorded in February. (ST, 05 May)
Source: ST
Source: ST
5

6. Economy
• Singapore's economyis expected to rise by 6% or more
this year, according to the government's most recent
prediction.(ST, 12 May)
• Singapore-basedfintech firms raised over S$656
million in the first quarter of 2021, a 355 percent
increase over the previousyear.
• Fintech funding in Singaporehas been on the rise
in recent years. From 2016 to 2020, funding
increased at a rate of 47% each year, reaching
over S$1.4 billion. Singaporebecame the first
government in South-east Asia to award digital
banking licenses last year. (ST, 20 May)
Source: ST
Source: ST
6

7. Employment and Employability
Employment & EmployabilityTrends
• Emergency legislationis being drafted to alleviate the
tremendousdisruption to the building industry caused
by migrant worker admission restrictions. (ST, 01 May)
• The National EnvironmentAgency (NEA) has moved
442 daily rated employees to a monthly salary
scheme, which means they are now earning greater
wages and receiving more bonuses. (ST, 06 May)
• Singapore'sapproachto changing its construction
sector is to re-engineer construction jobs and
processesto demand a high degree of productivityand
expertise in exchange for competitive compensation.
(ST & BH, 11 May)
• Government has made it a priority to protect
vulnerablegroups in society, and it has been working
with companies and the labormovement to expand
the ProgressiveWage Model. (ST, 01 May)
Source: ST
Source: ST
7

8. Employment and Employability
Financial Assistance
• The National TradesUnion Congress has establisheda
foundationwith an initialinvestmentof $250 million,
which will be used to fund financial aid programsand
grants for its lower-income union members and, those
whose incomes have been significantlyreduced. (ST &
BH, 01 May)
• Construction, marine, and process industries are
receiving assistancedue to Covid-19 regulations that
limit the intake of foreign labor. (ST, 11 May)
National Wages Council (NWC) Recommendations
• NWC recommends for businesses that are growing or
recovering from the Covid-19 impact to take efforts to
restoretheir workers'wages, reward them
appropriatelythrough variable payments, and move
hiring plans forward.(ST, 14 May)
• NWC suggestions strike a pragmatic balancebetween
encouraging enterprises that are doing well to raise
wages and preserving flexibilityfor enterprisesthat
have been impacted by new regulations. Covid-19
constraints(ST,14 May)
Source: ST
Source: ST
8

9. Government
Cabinet Re-shuffling
Source: ST
Source: ST
Minister New Portfolios
Mr Lawrence Wong Finance
Mr. Chan Chun Sing Education
Mr Gan Kim Yong Trade and Industry
Mr Ong Ye Kung Health
S. Iswaran Transport
Dr Tan See Leng Manpower
Mrs Josephine Teo
Communicationsand Information
Cyber Security Agency of Singapore
Smart Nation Initiative
9

10. Education
Direct School Admission(DSA) Exercise
• More students are choosing the DSA path to earn a
secondary school slot based on talentin sports or co-
curricular activities,or aptitudein specific academic
areas. (ST, 04 May)
• Last year, 30,500 people applied for DSA. About 33%
were admitted to IntegratedProgramme (IP) schools
(ST, 04 May)
Graduation Ceremonies
• Convocation ceremonieswere held last week at the
five polytechnicsas well as the SingaporeUniversity of
Social Sciences (SUSS). (ST, 14 May)
• Due to a recent spike in Covid-19 cases, two of
Singapore'slargest universities have decided not to
hold in-person graduation ceremonies. The National
University of Singapore(NUS) will hold its ceremonies
online,while NanyangTechnological University (NTU)
has decided to cancel all in-person events. (ST, 20 May)
Source: ST
Source: ST
10

11. Education
Home-Based Learning (HBL)
• Madrasahstudents and those attendingaLIVE (Study
Islamic ValuesEveryday) seminars , will begin home-
based learning on Wednesday (May 19). However,
madrasahswill stay open for the minorityof pupils
whose parents are unable to make alternative
childcare arrangements.(ST, 17 May)
• Followingthe suspension of in-person teaching at
privatetuition and enrichment centers, home-based
providerswill have to shift these sessionsonline as
well. (ST, 18 May)
• Schoolsand students are now better preparedfor HBL
(ST, 19 May)
• Organizationsthat assist those in need anticipate a rise
in demand for laptop computersand free hot meals
during the HBL time. Schoolsare also preparedto give
emotional support as children begin HBL on
Wednesday (May 19) and continueuntil May 28. (ST, 19
May)
Source: ST
Source: ST
11

12. Health
PM Lee Hsien Loong's address on Covid-19
• Restrictionsshould be eased if the Covid-19 situation
improves and the number of community cases lowers
further.
• Self-administeredtest kits will be availablefor
purchase at pharmacies soon.
• People who appearto be in good health in normal
work, social, or community contexts should be tested
on a frequent basis.
• Household membersof people who have been
identifiedas close contactsof a confirmed Covid-19
case will need to isolate themselves.
• Singaporehas received further confirmationof
expedited vaccine deliveries over the next two
months.
• While the globalpandemic will subside one day, Covid-
19 not expected to disappear.(ST, 31 May)
Source: ST
Source: ST
12

13. Health
COVID-19 Updates
• Sinovacvaccinationwas found to be 67% effective in
avoiding symptomaticillness. However, HSA is
currently evaluatingSinovacand a few additional
vaccinations,and the public will be informed when
progress is achieved. (ST, 11 May)
• At least one dose of the vaccine had been administered
to 1.8 millionpeople. Approximately 1.2 million of
these personshave received their second dose and
finished the entire immunizationschedule. (ST, 11 May)
Integrated Plan (IP) Insurance Changes
• Ministry of Health (MOH) will look intomaking
Integrated Shield Plan (IP) insurance truly portable,
albeit this could mean much higher premiums. (ST, 10
May)
Source: ST
Source: ST
13

14. Community
• Under proposed revisionsto the legislation,it will be
mandatoryto register the birth of every child in
Singapore, but there will be no requirement to register
the death of a family member. (ST, 10 May)
• As part of Mother's Day celebrationson Saturday,the
People's Action Party (PAP) Women's Wing donated
$250,000 for nursinghomes through an online charity
event. (ST, 08 May)
• This year, NTUC First Campus (NFC) intendsto assist an
estimated 2,500 low-income families through a
$350,000 Food and Nutrition Programme. (ST & BH, 11
May)
• Household obligations and having to care for family
membersweigh heavily on mothers,with slightly more
than half of them, or 51%, indicatingin an Ipsos study
that they feel anxiousat times or find it very stressful
and difficult to cope. (ST, 06 May)
Source: ST
Source: ST
14

15. Sustainability
Combating Climate Change
• Consultationswith stakeholders and the general public
on a carrier bag charge are expected to be concluded
by the end of this year. The fee, which is meant to
discourage the excessive use of disposablebags and
promote the use of reusable bags, will not be a silver
bullet. (ST, 10 May)
• Singaporeis collaboratingwith industry partners and
experts to increase the confidence and verifiabilityof
carbon credits. The objective is to identify and
communicatethis strategy to businessesas they
prepareto align with Singapore's Green Plan 2030 and
its carbon emission reduction targets. (ST, 11 May)
• SingaporeAirlines will attainnet zero carbon emissions
by 2050 through a combinationof strategies. These
include investments in next-generation aircraft, the use
of sustainableaviationfuels, and the procurement of
high-qualitycarbon offsets. (ST, 24 May)
Source: ST
Source: ST
15

16. Sustainability
Green Initiatives
• The National ParksBoard has recognized27 parksand
developments in Singapore for exemplary landscape
design and management under an improved
certificationprogram (NParks). (ST, 05 May)
• Continueto improve the quality, cost, and
environmentalsustainabilityof our transportation
system, while also retaining Singapore's role as an air
and sea center in the post-Covid-19 world.(ST, 15 May)
• Garden of Peace, Singapore's first inland ash-scattering
garden, will open on Monday.The National
EnvironmentAgency's (NEA) 9,500 sq m garden will
provide another option for the handling of cremated
human remains in Singapore'sland-scarce city-state.
(ST, 12 May)
• The SG Eco Fund, which was establishedto aid in
sustainabilityinitiatives, will provide awardstotaling
$3.7 million to 37 green initiatives.(ST, 22 May)
Source: ST
Source: ST
16

17. Housing
Delayed Build-To-Order (BTO) Completion
• BTO housingprojects maynow be delayed by a year or
more due to the Covid-19 situation(ST, 10 May)
• Due to BTO buildingdelays,demand for interim rental
flats under the HDB programmemore than doubled
last year. (ST, 13 May)
• Over 2,000 BTO Housing Board flats have been
constructed, with 50 to 70% of them occupied as of
February 26. The other owners are currently renovating
and moving into their new homes. (ST, 10 May)
• Housing Board launchedfor sale 3,879 BTO flats across
four housing projects in four estates, albeitsome may
take more than five years to finish. (ST, 25 May)
Source: ST
Source: ST
17

18. Malay/Muslim Affairs
COVID Raya 2021
• Wisma Geylang Serai (WGS), a Malaycultural and social
hub, has organized a campaign to remind the
community not to let their guard down and to
celebrate responsiblythis Hari Raya. (ST, 08 May)
• As part of an initiativeby the Muslim voluntarywelfare
organization Jamiyah Singapore,2,000 familiesin need
in Singapore will receive a gift pack containingpoultry
and other food items ahead of Hari Raya Aidilfitri.(ST &
BH, 09 May)
• Ain Society provided Hari Raya Aidilfitri tokens and
hampers,as well as cash, to 400 beneficiaries. (ST &
BH, 10 May)
• Muslimsdealing with the second Hari Raya Aidilfitri,
which was marred by Covid-19 restrictions, have been
lauded for their resilience.(ST, 12 May)
Source: ST
Source: ST
18

19. Malay/Muslim Affairs
• In light of the Covid-19 outbreak, plans to construct
additional mosques,includingone in Tampines North,
would be postponed. (ST & BH, 08 May)
• Mufti Nazirudin Mohd Nasirencouraged residents to
be watchful and take the appropriateprecautionsto
protect our elderly, families,and community. (ST, 13
May)
• To effectively meet the needs of the Malay/Muslim
population here,collaborationsmust be strengthened,
and community organizations toexperiment with new
approachesof collaborating and grooming the next
generationof leaders. (ST & BH, 21 May)
Source: ST
Source: ST
19

20. MENDAKI
• To commemorate former Deputy Prime MinisterGoh
Keng Swee's 11th death anniversary on May 14, a total
of $1.2 million was contributed to the NUS Yong Loo
Lin School of Medicine in support of financially
disadvantagedmedicalstudents. (ST, 14 May)
• Another $650,000 was distributed to self-help
organizationssuch as YayasanMendaki(ST, 14 May)
• Students can now receive informalcareer guidance
from professionals atany time through the Young
MendakiClub (YMC) Instagram account. (BH, 25 May)
• Teacher-run primary school preparation,as well as
increased support for familiesliving in rental
apartments and Muslim offenders,are among the
programmes being developedin conjunctionwith
M3. (BH, 26 May)
• MalayMuslim Organizations(MMO) will receive
funding for programsthat aligned with M3's focus
areas, as well as for continuallygrowing cooperation
among them to benefit the community. (BH, 21 May)
Source: ST
Source: ST
20

21. Published by
MENDAKI Research and Planning Department
(May 2021)
21