Speaking in Malay at the 2026 National Day Rally on Aug. 23, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said the team of Malay/Muslim office-holders and MPs will keep being renewed and strengthened, even though the current group is working well.
Younger office-holders are stepping up, he said. He named Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim, 45, Minister of State for Home Affairs and Foreign Affairs, and Syed Harun Alhabsyi, 40, Senior Parliamentary Secretary for National Development and Education. Both became office-holders after the 2025 General Election and came from the private sector. Zhulkarnain, who entered politics in 2020, was a lawyer. Syed Harun was a psychiatrist. They join Rahayu Mahzam, 46, who has been Minister of State for Health and Digital Development and Information since 2024.
New leadership, new committee
The team is led by Zaqy Mohamad, the Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs and Senior Minister of State for Defence. He took over in July after Faishal Ibrahim resigned from political office over a “lapse of judgment” in handling his interactions with a woman.
Wong said the group is advancing the Committee for Economic Resilience, announced in April to prepare Malay/Muslim workers and businesses for changes in the economy. Two MPs lead it: 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,” Wong said. Other initiatives will be announced “in due course.”
M3+ and senior care
M3, the tie-up of self-help group Mendaki, the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore and the People’s Association Malay Activity Executive Committees Council, has widened to M3+ with more partners and resources. “When we work hand in hand, we can achieve more,” Wong said.
He pointed to the Santunan Emas programme as proof. It gives seniors and caregivers religious guidance, social engagement and healthcare support. Al-Muttaqin Mosque, the private religious education provider Ma:een and the Muhammadiyah Active Ageing Centre started it in 2024 for seniors in Ang Mo Kio, and it has drawn on expertise across the M3+ network. It will now extend to Yishun, Sembawang and Woodlands, so more seniors can “live their golden years with dignity and purpose.”
Another partnership, launched in May, links the Singapore Islamic Scholars and Religious Teachers Association with the Association of Small & Medium Enterprises. Enterprises led by Islamic religious teachers get ASME’s advisory support, digital tools and business networks, and firms gain from the community’s cultural and language expertise as they expand regionally.
Wong said more Malay/Muslim Singaporeans are making their mark in the public service, military, judiciary and business. “They are contributing to Singapore’s progress, while remaining firmly rooted in their community and heritage.”
He acknowledged that many in the community worry about cost pressures and jobs. Quoting the saying “berat sama dipikul, ringan sama dijinjing” (a burden shared is a burden halved), he said: “The Government will continue to work closely with community leaders and organisations so that we are better prepared for the challenges ahead. Our goal is clear. We want every member of the Malay/Muslim community to have the confidence, capabilities and opportunities to succeed.”
Sources
- NDR 2026: Team of Malay/Muslim office-holders, MPs to be continually renewed and strengthened
- National Day Rally 2026: Effort supporting Malay-Muslim seniors to be expanded to 3 more towns
