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1) From your findings, what are some common practices for Singaporeans?

2) How do you think these common practices will Singaporeans feel about Singapore (i.e Singaporean identity)?

3) What are other common practices among Singaporeans that are not listed in the resources?

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1) Based on the following resources, what is one thing that catches your attention/you find interesting about Singapore's culture?

2) Based on your response in Q1, what can you say about Singapore's cultural scene?

3) How do you think such a cultural scene will make Singaporeans feel about Singapore (i.e Singaporean identity)?

4) How do you think such feelings towards Singapore and its culture can shape Singaporeans' relationship with one another?

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1) From your findings, How can Singaporeans participate in making Singapore a better place to live in?

2) Why do you think it is important for Singaporeans to participate in making Singapore a better place?

3)  How will an individual participation help in the creation of a Singaporean identity?

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1) Based on the resources, what are the two ways that Singaporeans can contribute to the society? Support with examples from the resources.

2) What does it mean to participate in Singapore society?

3) In your opinion, how will their actions shape relationships between Singaporeans and the larger Singapore society?

4) Based on the ideas gained from the resources, in your opinion, why do you think it is important for Singaporeans to participate in society?

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Pledge and National Anthem | National Day Parade 2021

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Yet, for their supposed competitive streak, Singaporeans proved they were not as money-minded or success-oriented when push comes to shove. As part of the street poll, the respondents were also asked which of the four indicators - health, wealth, success and loved ones - they valued the most. An overwhelming majority chose loved ones (51 per cent) and health (37 per cent).

Of the indicators they valued the least, almost half (49 per cent) selected wealth and 43 per cent said success.

Naturally, more among the older respondents cherished health compared to the younger crowd, the majority of whom put loved ones as top priority.

"When we are young, many of us feel invincible. We are brimming with life and energy, and ill health is a remote consideration," said Dr Chia Shi-Lu, MP for Tanjong Pagar GRC and Government Parliamentary Committee for Health.

"As we grow older, we can feel it in our bodies and see some of our friends and loved ones succumb to ill health, and our own mortality becomes all the more real to us, so we start paying more and more attention to keeping healthy."

But what accounts for the intriguing incongruence in Singaporeans' attitude towards life - that while many survey respondents affirm the Singapore identity to be kiasu and competitive, strangely, their priority is not to accumulate wealth or success?

This lack of monetary ambition is also borne out in a separate online survey TODAY conducted with 665 Singaporeans to get their views on how they perceive concepts of home, work, and play. When asked what mattered most in their jobs, two in three respondents chose job satisfaction and work-life balance over pay packages.

Are Singaporeans really not motivated by materialistic rewards? Clearly, some are driven by money. But what the survey findings reveal is Singaporeans' peculiar personality, said analysts, which could be attributed to pragmatic concerns of survival rather than simply making money.

There are two seemingly contradictory factors behind such attitudes. One, Singaporeans have grown up with a narrative of the country's vulnerabilities and hence the need to stay competitive which only worsened in recent years with the influx of foreigners. Two, growing affluence has led to Singaporeans wondering why they are striving so hard for and placing more value in non-monetary pursuits, as can be seen in calls for slower economic growth and a more relaxed pace of life.

While some Singaporeans yearn for a more chill-out environment, they will never shake off the kiasu spirit - a trait that some say the Government evidently encourages as it fears citizens, if not hungry enough, will result in the economy being overtaken or swallowed by rivals. Good is not good enough, one has to be extraordinary to excel.

The fear of being left behind in this globalised world where the city state, as an open economy that is welcoming of foreigners, could also be spurring Singaporeans to keep pace with the competition or risk losing out in schools or jobs and eventually their lifestyle and even homes once incomes are lost.

This concept of exceptionalism to compensate for Singapore's vulnerability due to its small size and lack of natural resources has been reiterated by Singapore leaders time and again, which could explain why the kiasu mentality is deeply ingrained among Singaporeans.

Some observers also note that domestic concerns such as the high cost of living is not helping, as it causes constant anxiety among Singaporeans who worry if they have enough. In fact, pricey goods and services is among the top peeves of the respondents in the street poll.

Asked what they disliked most about Singapore, many said the city was becoming too expensive and too crowded due to the surge in the number of foreigners recently. Many were also unhappy with the stressful lifestyle and the hot, humid weather.

Mr Hri Kumar could empathise with concerns of over-population. "It is natural to want more space, whether at home, at work, on the roads or places of leisure. But crowdedness is a feature of a vibrant city-state. It is wishful thinking that you can have fewer people and expect everything else to remain the same."

As for the rising cost of living, he noted that this is a common concern in countries all over the world. "Costs will inevitably increase as living standards improve, and in Singapore, we have seen a dramatic improvement in a single generation," he said. "The more important question therefore is how Singaporeans can best deal with the impact of these increases in the short, medium and long term, while still ensuring that our children will be better off than we are."

In the short term, policymakers need to pay particular attention to elderly Singaporeans, "who worked when wages were low and now find that their savings cannot keep up with inflation", he added.

But for all of the gripes, there are several things which Singaporeans like about their country. Among those polled, the oft-cited attractions were safety (almost one-third) and the wide variety of good food (17 per cent).

It is no surprise that Singaporeans were appreciative of the city's safe environment, said Dr Damien Cheong, research fellow at the S Rajaratnam School of International Studies whose area of expertise likes in homeland defence and security studies.

"As Singaporeans are well-travelled, they know that in many countries, they have to be extremely careful about personal safety, which can ultimately restrict activities. Here, the fact that one can walk, jog and cycle along the streets after dark anywhere one pleases, gives one much more autonomy," he said.

As Singapore continues its journey as an economic powerhouse, the country seems forever tied together by a curious combination of its "scared to lose" mentality and stress, dislike of escalating population and prices, and love of security and food.

What does it actually say about the Singapore identity? Nobody can quite tell, except for a simplistic perspective that Singaporeans are high-strung foodies who dislike crowds. But it does explain their top choices to kick back and unwind.

In the online poll with over 600 Singaporeans, among the top leisure activities enjoyed the most are sleeping, hanging out with friends and family (typically to eat) and going online - two out of three are solo and passive activities.

The fact that sleeping and surfing the Internet rank so highly did not surprise National University of Singapore sociologist Tan Ern Ser.

"Singaporeans may be tired out from having to balance family responsibilities and work commitments, particularly if they have young children and/or elderly parents to look after. I reckon sleeping is a good way to recharge...while going online involves no additional running around and therefore highly accessible," said Dr Tan.

Tampines GRC MP Baey Yam Keng, an avid Internet user, felt that online surfing is a phenomenon that is not unique to Singapore. "Going online allows anyone to escape into a different world - be it connecting with friends, shopping or watching videos and playing games. It is an avenue for immediate gratification," he says.

"But it may be more popular for Singaporeans as an avenue in dealing with stress and frustrations due to our pace of life, high smart phone penetration and our sophisticated telecommunication infrastructure which all make it easy to go online anytime."

Mr Baey could not have said it clearer, confirming the poll results that Singaporeans are stressed-out individuals who require sleep and online therapy to loosen up. At least they can seek solace in Singapore's food paradise - but rising prices could lead to another bout of stress. REPORT BY: CHIA SUE-ANN, SERENE LIM, SIAU MING EN, ROBIN CHOO, ELGIN CHONG, EMMANUAL PHUA AND EMILIA TAN

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The Big Read: As a nation celebrates, we ask: What makes us Singaporean?

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SINGAPORE - After 50 years of nation building, meteoric economic growth and progress, the picture that emerges of the Singapore identity - described by Singaporeans themselves - is not exactly charming or cheerful.For many Singaporeans, the words that come to mind are "kiasu", "hardworking" and

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https://www.oursgheritage.gov.sg/hawker-culture-in-singapore

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How do we make our heritage landscape even more vibrant? Share your ideas while learning about our nation's plans to safeguard our heritage and culture.

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https://www.roots.gov.sg/ich-landing/ich/rojak

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Rojak

Rojak is a popular salad dish in Singapore. Although the name of the dish, rojak, is of Malay origin, there are different variations of rojak available in Singapore. The dish incorporates ingredients from the region and different ethnic groups, and reflects the cultural diversity of Singapore. Chinese rojak in Singapore generally consists of cucumber, radish, pineapple, dough fritters, and dried beancurd puffs ( taupok) all drenched in sauce. The Malay version also contains deep-fried fermented soya beans ( tempeh) and fried beancurd ( tahu goreng). For Indian rojak, customers choose their ingredients from a displayed array of food items such as squid, fried beancurd, and battered prawns, which are then deep-fried, diced up, and served with vegetables and sauce on the side.
Read more...

Geographic Location

Today, rojak is widely available across Singapore. It can be found in hawker centres, food courts and coffee shops.

Variations of rojak are also present in countries in the region such as in Indonesia and Malaysia.

Communities Involved

Rojak is enjoyed by both locals and tourists alike. The rojak stalls are usually run by the respective ethnic communities. For example, most Chinese rojak stalls are owned and run by Chinese Singaporeans, while Indian stalls are often owned and run by Indian Singaporeans who have been in the trade for a long time. The stalls are mostly family-run, and their recipes closely guarded.

Experience of a Practitioner

In 1970, Mr Cheng Kong Sang started selling rojak at his stall, which was then located in Toa Payoh. Today, he still makes rojak at his present stall at Old Airport Food Centre, where he has been for the past 17 years. He decided to sell rojak as he felt this versatile dish would appeal to the Singaporean community across ethnic and cultural backgrounds. In seeking to make the most delicious version of Chinese rojak, he believes he has pioneered the grilling of dough fritters and dried beancurd puffs.

Despite his age, Mr Cheng still puts in 15-hour work days, starting with the preparation of ingredients at 9am. Once the ingredients are ready, he needs only two minutes to prepare a dish of rojak. In the afternoon, his daughter, Regina Cheng, and her husband, Lim Swee Seng, take over, after which Mr Cheng soldiers on until midnight.

To Mr Cheng, rojak is both a personal and national heritage. Being a rojak seller has enabled him to provide for his family. Also, he has been invited to the Istana to make the dish for distinguished guests. He feels privileged to have been recognised in these ways for his efforts in the trade. He hopes that rojak will continue to be hand-made-one dish at a time-for freshness and quality, and to safeguard the integrity of the dish.

Associated Social and Cultural Practices

As a local salad, rojak can be taken as a main meal or as a side dish. The key to rojak lies in the freshness of the ingredients and the flavour of the sauce. The Chinese rojak sauce features prawn paste or hei ko mixed with lime juice and tamarind, ginger buds, sugar, vinegar, and a little water with optional chilli paste. For Malay rojak, shrimp pasteor belacan is used instead of prawn paste; the sauce is also pounded rather than mixed. The sauce for Indian rojak is a thickened mix of chilli, peanuts, and spices.

There are loyal customer bases built up over the decades during which the stalls have been in operation. These informal networks around the love of the dishes help facilitate the continuation of knowledge surrounding the practice of making the dishes, its origins, and the hawkers preparing them

Present Status

Rojak has enjoyed a widespread and enduring popularity. The humble dish has made it into onto the world food stage via the prestigious Michelin Guide in its 2016 Singapore edition, with the Bib Gourmand award given to Mr Lim Ngak Chew's Balestier Road Hoover Rojak stall.

Rojak has also been incorporated into cooking classes of culinary schools, as well as through culinary heritage and food trails. We can look forward to rojak being offered and continually enjoyed by both locals and overseas visitors.

References

Reference No.: ICH- 069

Date of Inclusion: March 2019
References
Chua, Beng Huat and Ananda, Rajah. "Food, Ethnicity and Nation." In Chua, Beng Huat(ed), Life is Not Complete Without Shopping: Consumption Culture in Singapore Singapore: NUS Press, 2003.

Duruz, Jean and Gaik, Cheng Khoo. Eating Together: Food, Space and Identity in Malaysia and Singapore. Rowman and Littlefield, 2014.

Kong, Lily and Sinha, Vineeta. Food, Foodways and Foodscapes: Culture, Community, and Consumption in Post-Colonial Singapore. Singapore: World Scientific Publishing, 2015.

Tay, Leslie. The End of Char Kway Teow and Other Hawker Mysteries. Singapore: Epigram Books, 2010.

Temasek Polytechnic. Singapore Hawker Classics Unveiled: Decoding 25 Favourite Dishes, Singapore: Marshall Cavendish International (Asia) Pte Ltd, 2015.

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Rojak Rojak is a popular salad dish in Singapore. Although the name of the dish, rojak, is of Malay origin, there are different variations of rojak available in Singapore. The dish incorporates ingredients from the region and different ethnic groups, and reflects the cultural diversity of Singapore.

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Celebrating Commonalities: Festive Customs in Singapore

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Parliament: All secondary school students to have personal digital devices by 2028, $200 Edusave top-up to support purchase

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Schools can choose a device from a given list and students will have to purchase them on their own. Read more at straitstimes.com.

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1) Based on the resources, identify the three rights that we have as Singaporeans? Elaborate with some details from the resources provided.

2) Based on your understanding of the different resources provided, what do you understand by the idea of 'rights'?

3) Do you think it is necessary to have the Singapore Constitution? Why or why not?

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https://www.gov.sg/article/who-can-organise-and-take-part-in-events-at-hong-lim-park

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What is the Maintenance of Religious Harmony Act?

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As a colloquial term for coffeeshops in Singapore, kopitiam is an integral part of any Singaporean. Very much like the microcosm of local culture, Kopitiams effectively capture the multi-racial fabric of our society - from the food choices to languages spoken. Even the word kopitiam itself is a mishmash of two different languages. ' Kopi' means coffee in Malay while ' tiam' is the Hokkien dialect for the word stall. Indeed, our kopitiam lingo is a curious and eclectic mix grounded in Singlish, and the result is that of a unique language system surrounding this humble and traditional eatery.

Spend some time at your neighbourhood kopitiam and I'm sure you'll pick up a whole slew of lingo that is baffling to the uninitiated. These diverse stall owners themselves are a reflection of the Singapore culture. With all of them under one roof, the various languages have blended together over the years to create an eclectic concoction of kopitiam lingo. Let us explore this curious lingo and at the end of it all, I'm sure you'll get the hang of kopitiam talk one lah.

Bottoms Up

Ordering a cup of coffee or tea at Kopitiams is in itself an art form. With so many suffixes that can be attached to the stem word of coffee or tea, getting your caffeine fix from Kopitiams might be a little daunting especially if you're new to the scene. Fret not, for with the help of this flowchart, you'll find yourself ordering your cuppa like a Singaporean in no time.

I'd Drink To That

It won't be surprising to hear drink stall owners echoing something completely different after ordering a drink. Many of the drinks have alternative names affectionately coined by drinks sellers. Let's uncover some alternative names of drinks that have caught on with the Kopitiam culture.

￼From these Kopitiam lingos, we can see how language has revolved around this eatery, making it the perfect representation of Singapore itself. From Malay, Chinese and dialects, it really is amazing to see these various cultures blend into one.

Also, read Look How Far Singapore Has Come! We Compare The Now & Then

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Kopitiam Talk - The Art Behind Your Everyday Kopi O Siew Tai

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As a colloquial term for coffeeshops in Singapore, kopitiam is an integral part of any Singaporean. Very much like the microcosm of local culture, Kopitiams effectively capture the multi-racial fabric of our society - from the food choices to languages spoken. Even the word kopitiam itself is a mishmash of two different languages.

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SINGAPORE- Some low-income families can expect to benefit from a community initiative at the foot of a Housing Board block, with part of a bomb shelter being repurposed into a minimart for them in the Bukit Batok area.

The minimart, which also doubles as one-stop integrated community service centre, was launched on Saturday (Sept 11).

The centre, also known as Jampacked @ Bukit Batok, is a joint project between Jamiyah Singapore and the Bukit Batok grassroots organisations (GROs).

Mr Murali Pillai, MP for Bukit Batok SMC, said the idea for this initiative came up about 1½ years ago, after Jamiyah Singapore president Mohd Hasbi Abu Bakar approached him.

Speaking at Block 188 Bukit Batok West Avenue 6 during the centre's opening, Mr Murali said this initiative shows the importance of community-run programmes.

"With a food bank, we can involve the entire community," he said. "The entire community can come together, particularly in times like the pandemic. It is when people help each other with the government's help, that's when the bond becomes even stronger."

The items in the minimart are from Jamiyah Singapore, the Bukit Batok GROs and corporate partners, with donations from the public as well.

Senior Minister and Coordinating Minister for Social Policies Tharman Shanmugaratnam, who was also at the opening, said this initiative shows a spirit of multi-racialism, giving, compassion and volunteering.

He said: "This is a journey, but it's a journey that is powered by emotion, empathy and a desire to make sure that no one ever feels left out in Singapore."

Beneficiaries will be provided with $50 in credits every month to spend at the minimart. There are about 400 low-income families in Bukit Batok SMC, and about 50 of them are already beneficiaries of Jamiyah.

The minimart will be open from 2pm to 8pm from Mondays to Fridays, and from 9am to 1pm on Saturdays, and will be for the beneficiaries only.

This credit system would allow Jamiyah to track which items are popular, to help manage stock availability, said Dr Hasbi.

He added that Jamiyah is open to using the concept in other constituencies as well, but factors such as the needs of residents in the area would have to be considered.

MP for Bukit Batok SMC Murali Pillai, and Senior Minister and Coordinating Minister for Social Policies Tharman Shanmugaratnam inside the new Jampacked @ Bukit Batok. ST PHOTO: DESMOND FOO

Without the minimart, beneficiaries would have to collect a pre-packed food bundle every two months at West Coast or at Jamiyah's food bank in MacPherson.

One of them is Madam Saliana Salleh, who had to make a one-hour trip to West Coast once every two months to collect the package. She lives in a three-room flat with her husband and 10 of her children, about a 15-minute walk from the minimart.

Madam Saliana Salleh inside Jampacked @ Bukit Batok. ST PHOTO: DESMOND FOO

Apart from the convenience, the 40-year-old housewife also enjoys the freedom of choosing her own food.

She said: "In the food pack, there were some canned food items that I was not used to eating, so I had to share them with my brother. But now I can choose what I want to get for my family."

There is also space within the minimart for community programmes, such as advisory sessions with Jamiyah's staff.

Madam Salleh said: "It would be nice for me and the kids to make friends and even have gatherings with other families as well."

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Some low-income families to benefit from new community minimart in Bukit Batok

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SINGAPORE- Some low-income families can expect to benefit from a community initiative at the foot of a Housing Board block, with part of a bomb shelter being repurposed into a minimart for them in the Bukit Batok area. The minimart, which also doubles as one-stop integrated community service centre, was launched on Saturday (Sept 11).

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When we think of the benefits of volunteering, we commonly think of traditional social values, like helping the homeless, feeding the hungry, and engaging disadvantaged youth.

But did you know that the benefits of volunteering reach even farther? In fact, they do.
Studies show that volunteering can lead to more engaged citizens.
Let's examine how:

What Is an Engaged Citizen?

Engaged citizens are commonly understood as those who actively participate in cultivating their "vision of societal well being." Active participation includes being involved in community service, voting, learning about civic life, and taking a lead in identifying and ameliorating social ills. Engaged citizens have a keen understanding of social problems and how they arose. With the help of social connections, they can develop strategies to effect change.
Key Factors that Turn Volunteers into Engaged Citizens
The Points of Light study, "Social Impact of Volunteerism," shows how regular volunteering weaves a social fabric that sets the stage for positive change to take place. Volunteering engages people in social issues, and it connects volunteers to people they wouldn't have otherwise encountered. Embedded in the plight of social woes, volunteers identify gaps, build bridges, and nurture a cohesive community built on trust.

Such a role develops important qualities in volunteers, which closely mirror the qualities of an engaged citizen.

Understanding community needs: Regular volunteers develop strong social ties with the communities they serve. Such relationships yield an in-depth understanding of problems the community faces. In her article, "Giving and Volunteering as Distinct Forms of Civic Engagement," Keely S. Jones writes, "Volunteering induces people to participate more frequently in public concerns, exposes them to a greater variety of shared problems, and consequently encourages greater public deliberation of a wider range of collective issues."

Setting the stage for lifelong volunteers

Volunteers become engaged citizens because their personal experiences with social problems give them the confidence and tools to do more. Such outcomes present a massive resource to make a real difference, so it is essential to identify steps to maximize this resource's potential.

Role modeling: Parents and educators should set the example, and expose children to volunteering. Acquainting children and teenagers with the social values of volunteering will instill compassion and a sense of civic responsibility. Adults should also allow teen volunteers to make decisions and take action on their own, which will give them a sense of ownership. Their successes will build confidence, and mistakes will offer valuable learning experiences.

Education, service, and reflection: Studies show that volunteering which involves learning, planning, and reflection (i.e., service-learning), makes volunteers almost three times as likely to believe they have made a difference and volunteer again. Lewis University's Laura Wilmarth encourages educators to provide "disruptive community experiences" through volunteer work. Such experiences challenge students to learn from differences, reflect on their own fortunes, and determine ways to mobilize others for change. This reflection, she says, is essential to creating engaged citizens.

Family ties: People are motivated to volunteer by close friends, colleagues, and relatives. In fact, studies show that volunteers are moved to serve more often because a family member, colleague, or friend invited them, not because the cause itself was so moving. So, volunteers should remember that by inviting a friend or family member to join them, they are potentially galvanizing a force of lifetime volunteers.

Just think of the potential that each community, each organization, and each individual has to take direct action in improving the world. All things considered, it is no wonder that volunteering has been called "the essential act of citizenship."

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How Volunteering Makes People Better Citizens

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When we think of the benefits of volunteering, we commonly think of traditional social values, like helping the homeless, feeding the hungry, and engaging disadvantaged youth. But did you know that the benefits of volunteering reach even farther? In fact, they do. Studies show that volunteering can lead to more engaged citizens.

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Semoga Bahagia - May you achieve happiness

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1) What do you think is the definition of 'responsibility' of a member of a country?

2) What are some responsibilities of  Singaporeans / Permanent Residents?  Support your findings with examples from the source.

3) Why do you think Singaporeans / permanent residents need to be responsible citizens?

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SINGAPORE: National swimmers Joseph Schooling and Quah Zheng Wen's deferments for National Service (NS) have ended and both will be enlisted, said the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) on Thursday (Sep 16).

"As their deferment until 31 August 2021 has ended, both Mr Schooling and Mr Quah will proceed to fulfil their NS obligations, as agreed to when they applied for deferment," said the ministry in a statement issued to the media.

"They will be enlisted once the necessary pre-enlistment procedures have been completed."

Schooling has been on long-term deferment from NS since 2014, and Quah since 2015.

"As previously explained in Parliament, such deferment from full-time NS is granted very selectively for exceptional sportsmen assessed to be potential medal winners at international competitions like the Olympic Games and who are able to bring national pride to Singapore," MINDEF said.

Their deferments were due to expire after the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, but were extended after the Olympics was postponed to 2021.

In its statement, the ministry noted that both swimmers have qualified for and represented Singapore at the 2016 and 2020 Olympic Games.

Schooling won Singapore's first Olympic gold medal at the Rio de Janeiro Games in 2016, in the 100m butterfly, and set a new Olympic record. Quah reached the semi-finals of the 100m and 200m butterfly in that edition of the Games.

Both swimmers did not qualify for the semi-finals of their events at the Tokyo Olympics.

In a statement, Schooling said he will continue with the pre-enlistment procedures and await the next steps from MINDEF.

"As a son of Singapore, I am honoured to serve my country. More importantly, now more than ever, my family needs me. It is time for me to fulfil my filial duties," he said.

Schooling added that he is grateful for the support he received from MINDEF and the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY) for their "non-wavering support" in his swimming career.

"Without a doubt, I would not have achieved the results I've had without deferring my national service," said Schooling.

Quah said in response to CNA queries that enlisting and serving NS had always been a part of his plan.

"I'm grateful to MINDEF and MCCY for the privilege of a deferment earlier, where I was able to train and prepare for the Olympics in 2016 and 2020 as well as the other major competitions like the Asian Games and the SEA Games.

"Looking ahead, my plans remain the same - to continue to compete at the international stage and fly the Singapore flag high."

His "most immediate goal" is the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games in 2022, as well as the 2024 Paris Olympics, he added.

"I'm looking forward to working with MINDEF, MCCY, SSA (Singapore Swimming Association) as well as the coaches and support teams to see how I can continue to pursue these plans and train at elite-levels while fulfilling my NS.

"I am always thankful for the opportunity to represent Singapore - whether it is through enlisting or swimming," he said.

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Joseph Schooling and Quah Zheng Wen's deferments end, to serve National Service

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SINGAPORE: National swimmers Joseph Schooling and Quah Zheng Wen's deferments for National Service (NS) have ended and both will be enlisted, said the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) on Thursday (Sep 16). "As their deferment until 31 August 2021 has ended, both Mr Schooling and Mr Quah will proceed to fu

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SINGAPORE - The public can use booths and kiosks in areas such as Toa Payoh HDB Hub and more than 20 locations around the island to offer their views and suggestions ahead of Budget 2020, which is scheduled to be delivered in Parliament in February next year.

The Government is seeking feedback from Singaporeans on a range of topics, including how existing schemes to encourage families to offer mutual care and support can be improved, and the impact the United States-China trade tensions have had on internationalisation efforts by companies.

In a joint statement on Sunday (Dec 1), the Ministry of Finance (MOF), government feedback unit Reach, and the People's Association (PA) said: "Individuals, households, and businesses are welcome to provide feedback on topics such as business growth, training and employment, support for families, and support for seniors."

The public can also provide views and suggestions at the Reach Budget 2020 microsite from Sunday.

Feedback can be given in person as well, through various initiatives during a six-week exercise from Monday, ending on Jan 10.

Reach will have Listening Points booths islandwide in areas such as Toa Payoh HDB Hub and Raffles Place for Singaporeans to give feedback. Information on dates and venues can be found on its Budget 2020 microsite.

MOF is also partnering the PA and grassroots organisations in the Ask Kopi Kakis initiative to reach out to Singaporeans at 25 locations islandwide from Dec 8 to Jan 5. Grassroots volunteers will set up kiosks in communities for Singaporeans to give their views for Budget 2020.

An initiative by PA, Ask Kopi Kakis is available at all community centres for residents to learn more about government policies and schemes. More information on the 25 Ask Kopi Kakis kiosks that will be set up for Budget 2020 feedback can be found at www.pa.gov.sg/Newsroom/News/Detail/Share-Your-Views-Ahead-of-Budget-2020

There will also be a Pre-Budget 2020 Dialogue on Dec 3, open to about 120 members of the public.

The dialogue will be chaired by Ms Indranee Rajah, Minister in the Prime Minister's Office and Second Minister for Finance and Education. Reach chairman Sam Tan, Minister of State for Social and Family Development, and Foreign Affairs, will co-chair the dialogue.

People can also give their feedback through the Singapore Budget website, and Reach's social media channels and feedback form.

The feedback being sought has five broad themes.

On security and external relations matters, in light of ongoing threats of terrorism and cyber warfare, the Government wants to find out how else Singaporeans can play a part in enhancing the Republic's security aside from existing efforts and programmes.

On business growth amid current uncertainties, the Government wants to know what businesses need in order to compete better.

It is also looking for feedback on how the internationalisation efforts in industries are progressing and, in light of the ongoing US-China trade tensions, what some of the challenges and opportunities in internationalisation are for industries and companies.

ST's Budget coverage

Get real-time updates and watch livestreaming on straitstimes.com on Feb 18.

Follow the proceedings on ourand accounts.

Receive a special-edition Budget newsletter. To get the newsletter, sign up for ST Evening Update here.

Under training and employment, while there are schemes to support firms and workers, the Government wants to know what are some of the barriers to workers taking up more individual-based training, and the barriers for employers sending their workers for training, as well as how these barriers can be addressed.

On support for families, the Government wants to know how existing schemes to encourage families to offer mutual care and support can be improved.

These schemes include the Proximity Housing Grant and the Married Child Priority Scheme, as well as tax reliefs for topping up the Central Provident Fund (CPF) accounts of family members.

Finally, for support for seniors, aside from the current measures to deal with Singapore's ageing population, the public can suggest how the Government can further encourage and support older workers in continuing employment.

For seniors who are unable to work longer due to health or personal reasons, the public can suggest ways their family, relatives or community groups could partner the Government to support their needs.

Outside of the five themes and in the spirit of SG Together, the Government seeks Singaporean's views on longer-term issues by asking how it can form stronger partnerships to address future opportunities and challenges facing Singapore.

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Public feedback sought ahead of Budget 2020

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SINGAPORE - The public can use booths and kiosks in areas such as Toa Payoh HDB Hub and more than 20 locations around the island to offer their views and suggestions ahead of Budget 2020, which is scheduled to be delivered in Parliament in February next year.. Read more at straitstimes.com.

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Mr Lee was responding to a letter from Dr Nasir, in which the Mufti welcomed the recent updates on the likely shift in the Government's stance.

"We are assured that the Government can see reasons why Muslim nurses can wear the tudung if they choose to do so and note that a decision will be made when discussions with stakeholders on this matter are concluded," said Dr Nasir in his letter dated Mar 27 and released on Wednesday.

"With the review, we hope the Muslim nurses will find comfort and continue to excel in their professionalism."

He added: "The Muslim community fully appreciates that this is a complex decision with many difficult and competing considerations.

"In our multireligious society, it is indeed not easy to manage different aspirations and expectations and maintain a high level of trust and confidence between communities at the same time.

"We fully support the government's secular and neutral stance in treating various religious groups evenly, while it consults the community and considers the impact of its policies on society."

Dr Nasir said that MUIS appreciated the opportunities to provide feedback and input, and that many policies consider and support the needs of the Muslim community.

He pointed to the Human Organ Transplant Act, the functioning of madrasahs and mosques, and measures to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic.

"While the Muslim community has specific religious needs, we strongly believe that our religious principles and values underscore the importance of good citizenry," he said.

Dr Nasir said his fellow asatizah, or religious teachers, shared this view and supported the approach.

"On the tudung issue, in my many conversations with them over the past year, they agree that any policy change should be done sensitively without undermining our social cohesion.

"We also agreed that as social challenges become more complex, we must strive towards public discussions that are thoughtful and respectful, and driven by a desire to strengthen the common good and social harmony.

"In pursuing one step forward, we should not inadvertently take a few steps back," said Dr Nasir.

The issue of Muslim nurses wearing the tudung in the workplace re-emerged recently after Member of Parliament Faisal Manap (WP-Aljunied) brought it up in Parliament last month.

Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Masagos Zulkifli had said the public service's policy on uniforms cannot be tilted towards any particular religious beliefs, in his response to Mr Faisal earlier this month.

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Government appreciates growing significance of tudung to Muslims, considering how nurses can wear it with uniforms: PM Lee

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SINGAPORE: The Government appreciates the growing significance of the tudung to Muslim Singaporeans, and is considering how Muslim nurses can wear the headscarf with their uniform if they wish to, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.Mr Lee conveyed his views in a letter replying to the

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5UBprWgWIg

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The Singapore Government Explained - Part I: The 3 Branches of Government