I’ve recently returned from a meeting with a MP as well as a group of Malay ‘thinkers’ from NTU. Fai asked me if I would be interested in joining and meeting the MP. Of course, I had to say yes. It’s an opportunity for me to expand my network. The situation was quite awkward for me at first when introductions were being done as I was the only graduate there and I DID NOT attend any of the local universities (the rest of them were NTU undergrads). Also, the ONLY ONE who majored in Liberal Arts.
Anyways.. the main topic of discussion was about NTU’s Malay Society (NTUMS) and how they can help and benefit the Malay society (obviously!). The formation of such societies is to develop future Malay thinkers so that the next generation will be far more sophisticated, educated, not dysfunctional, will have a better life and will not be left behind in this demanding rat race. However, as noted by Fai and some of his friends, this Malay/Muslim societies in the end becomes a port for promoting strict Islamic values. Now, don’t get me wrong here. Do not think for a moment that I don’t support any organisations that supports Islamic values. I DO!! The main objective for a Malay Society or Muslim Society is to unite thinkers from the Malay/Muslim community no matter how religious or liberal they are. By having such notions that a Malay/Muslim society should be run in extremes is wrong. No wonder a lot of Malay/Muslims shy away from such organisations. Their reason, they get the ‘eye’ look for dressing differently or for having a more liberal view.
Another thing which they touched on and made me raise my opinions was helping the unfortunate. So our dear MP asked what agendas are currently on their list and how funding is like for them. The response he got from these students are, that they’re preparing an expedition to help the less fortunate overseas and they need a whopping S$50K for the expedition. A little far fetched isn’t it?! Mr MP politely explained that these expeditions are romantic notions of us wanting to do good when in reality, we are just creating more problems for the less fortunate overseas. Of course, I had to agree entirely with him. I’ve helped out with a few organisations as well such as PPIS and Mendaki. There are plenty of room and avenues to help the less fortunate here in Singapore. Especially our Malay/Muslim community. Furthermore, the funding needed is probably less than S$50K or nothing at all. For example, NTU and NUS undergrads from these societies can approach neighbourhood schools and offer free tuition service as an after school program. By having such programs, the less fortunate kids will have someone to look after them, mentor them, guide them and even help them in their studies. So when the girl next to me asked, “are you implying that the expedition is pointless?” I felt like screaming, “YOU DO NOT NEED TO GO TO LAOS OR CAMBODIA WHEN THERE ARE PLENTY OF AVENUES HERE RIGHT AT YOUR DOOR STEP!!!”
My conclusion from the whole meeting with students boasting “Vice Presidency” from NTUMS etc etc etc… is that they are a naive lot who would like an impressive CV hence the expeditions to Laos. (Hold that thought!! After all, this is still my ranting page. Hehe.. 
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Nur @ ilovelookinggood
P.S. Finally, the journalist in me surfaces. My first opinion piece. 
About FaiNur
Dear Nur,
Thank you for this posting.
I am glad that there are Malay intellectuals like your good self to have the wherewithal to state clearly how you feel about your community and the impact of adverse behaviour on the larger community.
I agree with you that before you put other’s houses in order, you need to put your own house in order. As a former executive director of a NGO, I know for a fact how challenging it can be when you have enthusiastic persons wanting to do stuff overseas but not wanting to offer that same assistance in Singapore. Help your neighbour first before helping outside the country.
ben
Hehe.. Thanks Ben!!
Hmm.. I agree. Uh-huh. Absolutely. And ben is spot on when he said that (if I may quote) “before you put other’s houses in order, you need to put your own house in order”.
I have to commend them on their good intentions of helping the less fortunate. Also bear in mind that there are plenty of avenues to help the less fortunate right here in Singapore. One does not necessarily need to go overseas to help the less fortunate.
$50,000 is a lot of money. Raising it requires a lot of effort. I think that if that target could be achieved, instead of using it to go overseas to help those unfortunate ones there, why not use it to help the ones closest to us first? I’m sure that 50Grand would go a loooooong way in helping out those who are less fortunate in Singapore.
Nice to know that we have young and caring Malay/Muslims organising such meetings. It’s just a waste that they didn’t look closer to home first before reaching out overseas.
Pity, isn’t it?
I agree with you on the overseas trip. But they’ll defend by saying they do that too such as Alterisk. In actual fact, what they want is name, and smth to be seen on their CV.
Another point, what I disagree abt is them using the name of Islam to do this overseas trip. Great, just great. For all those who wear tudung or said to follow Islam strictly, would your parents allow you to go overseas with your friends? So just becos its under some sch’s org’s name, its ok??