Calling Malay Muslim youths: Take action for the community with new Malay Affairs Bureau Muda

13/06/2022

Want to make a difference for the Malay Muslim community? Here’s your chance.

The Party launched the Malay Affairs Bureau (MAB) Muda – a youth movement to take action for the Malay Muslim community in Singapore – on June 12, 2022.

Co-chaired by Members of Parliament Ms Nadia Ahmad Samdin and Mr Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim, the MAB Muda expands on the work of the MAB, which has pushed for change and pursued policies that address the evolving needs and concerns of the Malay Muslim community since the Party’s inception in 1954.

As MAB’s youth wing, MAB Muda aims to better represent the concerns and aspirations of youth’s today and hopes to act as a conduit – raising ground’s concerns to Parliament.

Ms Nadia said: “Malay Muslim youths want to meaningfully contribute to our community and Singapore’s future. Many show interest in social causes and activism, including within the political space. MAB Muda is a platform for their voices and lived experiences, and to nurture their shared interests. Ultimately, we will take action together with partners and youths for positive change – we hear them, and we are here for them.

Survey findings

At the launch event, MAB also revealed the findings of a recent survey involving 162 Malay Muslim youths in Singapore aged 35 and below.

The survey found that our Malay Muslim youths see the need for active citizenry.

– One-in-four responses indicated a desire for more youth representation.

– One-in-four responses wanted more policy discussions between the youth and policymakers.

– One-in-six responses would turn to online platforms to convey their perspectives.

– Two-in-three respondents were also interested in politics.

And in terms of concerns, here are the results:

– Two-in-five responses indicated housing costs and security, and low salary as top challenges facing the community.

– 20 per cent of the responses were concerned about discrimination.

– More than 90 per cent of the responses did not rank under-employment and access to senior roles in employment as major challenges facing the community.

There was also a roundtable dialogue with key Malay Muslim youth organisations, individuals representing different industries and Party activists discussing the findings of the survey.

Mr Zhulkarnain said: “Today’s discussion was very insightful in identifying the issues that resonate deeply with today’s Malay Muslim youths – and in our interactions with our youth, there is a genuine and common desire to come together to do more, not just for the community but Singapore as a whole. MAB Muda is a continuation of our efforts to involve more youths from various backgrounds in our vibrant Malay Muslim community in Singapore, and to advocate for our collective interest towards a brighter future together.”

Join MAB Muda here.