NDR 2026: Team of Malay/Muslim office-holders, MPs to be continually renewed and strengthened
PM Wong said he understood that many in the community are concerned about issues such as cost pressures and jobs
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[SINGAPORE] The team of Malay/Muslim office-holders and MPs will continue to be renewed and strengthened, even as the current cohort is working well, said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on Aug 23.
Speaking in Malay during the 2026 National Day Rally, he said that younger office-holders are stepping up.
He cited Minister of State for Home Affairs and Foreign Affairs Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim, 45, and Senior Parliamentary Secretary for National Development and Education Syed Harun Alhabsyi, 40, as two who became office-holders after the 2025 General Election.
The two bring experience from the private sector with them, the Prime Minister noted. Zhulkarnain, who joined politics in 2020, was a lawyer, while Syed Harun was a psychiatrist.
M Wong noted that they joined Rahayu Mahzam, 46, who has held the position of Minister of State for Health and Digital Development and Information since 2024.
He added that the current team is working well and taking forward initiatives such as the Committee for Economic Resilience, which was announced in April to prepare Malay/Muslim workers and businesses for adapting to changes to the economy.
The committee is led by two MPs: labour MP Wan Rizal Wan Zakariah and Saktiandi Supaat, who chairs the Government Parliamentary Committee for Finance and Trade and Industry.
“They have received many thoughtful suggestions from the community. One key thrust is to support Malay/Muslim youths to develop their skills, broaden their exposure and seize opportunities in new and growing sectors,” said PM Wong.
He added that this is just one example of many efforts under way by the team of Malay/Muslim office-holders and MPs led by newly appointed Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Zaqy Mohamad.
“They will announce other initiatives in due course,” he said.
Zaqy, who is also Senior Minister of State for Defence, took over the Muslim Affairs portfolio in July after his predecessor Faishal Ibrahim resigned from political office over a “lapse of judgment” in handling his interactions with a woman.
PM Wong noted that M3 – the tie-up between self-help group Mendaki, the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore and the People’s Association Malay Activity Executive Committees Council – has been expanded to M3+, bringing more partners and resources on board.
“When we work hand in hand, we can achieve more,” he said.
This spirit of unity, which he described as a “key strength” of the community, can be seen in the Santunan Emas programme, which provides seniors and caregivers with religious guidance, social engagement and healthcare support.
It was started in 2024 as a joint effort by Al-Muttaqin Mosque, private religious education provider Ma:een and the Muhammadiyah Active Ageing Centre to support seniors in Ang Mo Kio.
The programme has engaged many there and has been able to tap expertise from across the community via the M3+ network, said PM Wong.
He announced that the initiative will be expanded to Yishun, Sembawang and Woodlands to allow more seniors to “live their golden years with dignity and purpose”, he said.
Partnerships are also being strengthened to create new opportunities, he said, giving the example of the collaboration between the Singapore Islamic Scholars and Religious Teachers Association and the Association of Small & Medium Enterprises (ASME) launched in May.
This allows enterprises led by Islamic religious teachers to utilise ASME’s advisory support, digital tools and business networks, while firms benefit from the community’s cultural and language expertise as they expand regionally, he said.
Such efforts are making a significant difference, PM Wong said, noting that more Malay/Muslim Singaporeans are making their mark across various sectors, serving with distinction in areas such as the public service, military, judiciary and business, among others.
“They are contributing to Singapore’s progress, while remaining firmly rooted in their community and heritage,” he said.
“That’s exactly what we want to see – not just a strong Malay/Muslim community, but Malay/Muslim Singaporeans making bigger contributions to Singapore.”
The Prime Minister said he understood that many in the community are concerned about issues such as cost pressures and jobs, as the world becomes more uncertain.
He said the authorities and the community could overcome challenges together, quoting the saying “berat sama dipikul, ringan sama dijinjing” (a burden shared is a burden halved).
“The Government will continue to work closely with community leaders and organisations so that we are better prepared for the challenges ahead,” he said.
“Our goal is clear. We want every member of the Malay/Muslim community to have the confidence, capabilities and opportunities to succeed,” he added. THE STRAITS TIMES
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