Masagos Zulkifli, Chairman of the PAP Malay Affairs Bureau (MAB) has stressed the need for party activists to have an international perspective. He added that this includes an understanding of how Singapore operates in a region where our neighbours have predominantly Malay Muslims populations.
Mr Masagos, who is also Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs, led a nine-member delegation from the MAB executive committee on a study trip to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from July 25 to 26. The delegates included MAB Vice-Chairman Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim and MAB MUDA Co-Chair Nadia Ahmad Samdin.
Over the two days, they met with the leaders from six political parties: the United Malays National Organisation, the Malaysian United Indigenous Party (Parti Pribumi Bersatu), National Trust Party (Parti Amanah Negara), People’s Justice Party (Parti Keadilan Rakyat), Malaysian Islamic Party (Parti Islam Se-Malaysia) and the Democratic Action Party. The delegates discussed policy issues, youth development, political systems and explored networking opportunities between activists from the two countries.
Mr Masagos, also Minister for Social and Family Development, told Petir that MAB decided to undertake the study trip to strengthen ties and relationships with Malaysian political parties, pointing out party-to-party relationship are not as instinctive as they once were.
“Malaysian politics has evolved. In the past there was only one dominant party, now there are multiple Malay parties and those with Malay components. I thought it would be good for party activists to be introduced and build bridges with these parties and their personalities,” he said.
“We lost the natural and familial connection we had in the 1960s and 1970s. So, we must revive this. It is better for us and for them to know each other up close rather than just read about one another.”
Mr Masagos noted that as a government official, he has access to his counterparts and remains friends with some former ministers. The study trip, in his view, was as an opportunity for him to introduce party activists to their counterparts in Malaysia.
“They (MAB members) have never seen up close how relationships are built between ministers and former ministers on the other side, so they see how we interact with one another,” he said. “It was educational for all to hear the issues we share with one another. It is up to us to think about how this relationship can be forged at a party-to-party level, and learn from one another,” he added.
MAB hopes to connect with Malay components of political parties in Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand and Cambodia in future, Mr Masagos said, emphasising: “It’s good for members to have an international outlook, to understand how we operate in this region, where we are surrounded by countries who have majority Malay Muslims, whereas in Singapore, we are a minority Malay Muslim community.”
Working for, and advancing the interests of the Malay Muslim community: The importance of the MAB
As more professionals join the Party and volunteers become better educated, Mr Masagos said finding meaning in their work is also important for the new generation of volunteers.
“If you want them to join the Party, you must give them a purpose. Volunteers are very active in Meet-the-people sessions, house visits and party activities. But I thought it was also useful to deploy our Malay activists in a way that they relive the purpose of MAB – how do we help the Party to win over the Malay community?”
This is what Nadia Ahmad Samdin and Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim, both co-chairs of MAB MUDA, have been doing by bringing Malay Muslim youths together to discuss issues that resonate with them, helping them to understand such issues matter, and enabling them to resolve those issues, he pointed out. MAB MUDA was formed in mid-2022.
Mr Masagos stressed the importance of MAB in raising awareness of what the Party has done to protect the interests of the Malay community, promote their advancement, and why supporting the elected PAP government is crucial. He also hoped activists understand the role the PAP government has played for decades nurturing this relationship.
“The way we live is unique. The relationship we have built between races has ensured trust between communities and with the government. Our job is to ensure this trust is never eroded or fail when tested.”
“No matter how Singapore has evolved as a country, multi-racialism is always a work in progress. It’s only because we have made multi racialism succeed in Singapore, the country continues to function. Even when problems arise, we still maintain an even keel. But if you don’t maintain that relationship, and contribute to it, crises could divide us or cause trouble between races.”
Ms Nadia said that she was glad about the frank exchanges covering everything from education to the economy, culture, and people-to-people ties.
“As close neighbours, there is much we can continue to collaborate on and learn from each other. MAB Muda looks forward to more opportunities for meaningful exchanges with young community and political leaders in Malaysia. Many of our youth are interested not only in political advocacy in Singapore but also foreign affairs in the region and beyond, she added.
Executive Secretary of PAP MAB Executive Committee Hudzaifah Alyaman bin Adam said that the delegation had gained a better understanding of Malaysia’s different political parties’ political convictions, ideologies, and visions for the future of Malaysia’s political governance through the visit.
“Given our shared heritage, language, culture and beliefs, I am glad MAB had this opportunity to connect and strengthen regional links with Malaysia’s different political parties to exchange ideas and share experiences at the activists’ level,” he added.
Member of the PAP MAB Executive Committee Hamidah Aidillah Binte Mustafa described the study trip as an eye-opener. “We managed to observe the nuancing of thoughts expressed by Malaysia’s political leaders and youth leaders – especially given Singapore’s close diplomatic ties with Malaysia,” she said.
“As a volunteer, I truly enjoyed listening to the discussions and deeper sharing from some of Malaysia’s political leaders and the challenges they face in galvanising their own voters amid changing voter expectations.”
