The Malay/Muslim community is much better off today compared to 25 years ago, said Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.

PM Lee made the comment in his speech at community self-help group Mendaki’s 25th anniversary dinner and awards presentation at the Orchid Country Club this evening.

A comprehensive report to show how far the community has progressed since 1982 was also given out during the celebrations.

The report shows how far the community has come over the last 25 years.

“Whether in education, socio-economic levels, or housing, we see a new Malay/Muslim community, confident that it is progressing with the others, and succeeding through its own efforts,” PM Lee said. 

One of the key achievements the PM highlighted in his speech was that more than 80 per cent of Malay students are now making it to post-secondary education, into the ITEs, polytechnics and pre-university centres.

And the percentage entering tertiary institutions – the polytechnics and universities – has also increased sharply from 1.3 per cent in 1980 to 34 per cent in 2005. 

And these successes in education has fed through and raised the socio-economic status of the Malay/Muslim community. 

There is a growing middle-class with increasing purchasing power.  Malay/ Muslims are holding higher-skilled and better-paying jobs.  Incomes have correspondingly increased. 

More Malay/Muslim households have upgraded to better housing. 

PM Lee also said that various indicators have reflected that the community is enjoying higher living standards and better quality of life.

However, he noted that the community still had some pressing and spiky issues to tackle. One of these is dysfunctional families. 

While dysfunctional families form a minority within the Malay/Muslim community.  PM Lee said that they must be helped to sort out their problems and catch up.  “Otherwise though they may be a minority, they will become a serious social problem, besides being a human tragedy.”

The PM also called on Mendaki to seize the abundant opportunities all over Asia, especially China, India and the Middle East, saying it is “important to gird ourselves, upgrade our skills, and stay abreast of our competitors.”