| 04th January 2003 Editor , Mass Media Political Desk PRESS RELEASE PKMS PRIMARY OBJECTIVES AND POSITION ON TUDUNG ISSUE AND MADRASAH Singapore Malay National Organisation (PKMS) has been established since 1961. The primary objectives are:- 1. To safeguard and work for the implementation of the special rights of the Malays in Singapore as enunciated in the constitution of the republic of Singapore. 2. To foster and promote the goodwill and harmony among the citizens of various races in Singapore and to promote the growth of a strong and united nation. 3. To take steps as may be necessary for the welfare and the advancement of its members and the citizens of Singapore generally. 4. To take steps as may be ncessary for the advancement of the Malay language and culture. 5. To safeguard and to promote the advancement of Islam without interfering the affairs of other religions. 6. To uphold and safeguard the principles of parliamentary and democratic form of government. 7. To work against any form of colonialism. With regards to the tudung issue, it is not new to PKMS, but rather PKMS has taken cases for the past years. For last year alone PKMS has been writing to the education Ministry and Muslim religious council to meet for seeking and explanation on the issue but instead received no response from them. In September 2002 PKMS wrote a press statement stating that we asked the government to allow students to wear the tudung in national schools. The wearing of tudung does not identify wether a person is a moderate or extreme Muslim in nature. It is the right of Muslim women to wear the tudung upon reaching puberty and should be accepted by the govenment so as not to be seen as the government is putting pressure on the Malay Muslim of Singapore. PKMS also state that madrasah students also contribute in the development of Singapore. If madrasah is lacking in quality the government should level the standard with the other national schools. On 30th December 2002 PKMS press statement asking the government to explain as to why the quota for 6 madrasahs is set to 400 students only whereby the Muslim community contributed the upgrading and improvement of the madrasah for the purpose of more intakes and better facilities. Secondly if Muslim students were to wear tudung in national schools, will they be suspended, as it contradict the idea of implementing compulsory education. Thirdly PKMS is asking the government to give an assurance to the Malay Muslim community that all madrasahs is not going to be closed and should be relevent even though the result of the madrasah student need to be seen in 6 years time. PKMS would like the government to explain to the Muslim community on the above question so that the Malay Muslim community do not have any suspicions towards the government for the betterment of Singaporeans regardless of race and religion. From : Singapore Malay National Organisation ( PKMS ) |
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