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Straits Times
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
New leadership development programme to train young Chinese community leaders
Minister for National Development Chee Hong Tat speaks to the council members during a luncheon held at Singapore Federation of Chinese Clan Associations on June 13. PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO SINGAPORE - A new programme is being drawn up to train the next generation of leaders for Chinese community groups, including clan associations. As a first step, leaders from the Singapore Federation of Chinese Clan Associations (SFCCA) will meet with their counterparts from the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry to set up a task force on the issue. 'We want to see how we can better attract more young people to join the Chinese community organisations and to strengthen our leadership pipeline, to be future-ready,' said Mr Chee Hong Tat, the newly appointed chairman of the Chinese Community Liaison Group (CCLG). Mr Chee, who is also Minister for National Development, said on June 13 that leadership development and succession will be one of his key focus areas for CCLG and Chinese community organisations. 'We do need to bring in our young leaders and give them time to gain experience, to learn, to get to know the Chinese community before they have to take over,' he said. 'The best time to do it is when the seniors are around and they can share their experiences and guide our young leaders to take on different roles and responsibilities.' Mr Chee was speaking to reporters after an introductory visit to the SFCCA in Toa Payoh, where he met with community leaders over a Teochew porridge lunch. He succeeded Law Minister Edwin Tong as CCLG's chairman on May 23. Mr Tong, who had held the post since November 2020, will continue to serve as CCLG's adviser. SFCCA president Thomas Chua said the issue of leadership succession is not a new one for clan associations. His organisation is the apex body of Chinese clan associations in Singapore, with about 250 members. 'Some of our clan members have successfully attracted more youth,' Mr Chua said. 'We should also get them to share their learning points in this process.' Minister for National Development Chee Hong Tat said on June 13 that leadership development and succession will be one of his key focus areas for CCLG and Chinese community organisations. PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO Mr Chee said the new leadership programme could be organised annually, so cohorts of young leaders can be developed every year. The CCLG was set up in 2000 to deepen the Government's relationship with Chinese community organisations and strengthen cooperation among Chinese community groups. The group comprises political office-holders and MPs, who regularly engage the Chinese community. Strengthening cohesion within the Chinese community, as well as between the Chinese community and other groups in Singapore, is also on Mr Chee's agenda. 'Social cohesion is one of the key pillars of our social stability and social compact,' he said. 'And we also want to look at the integration of new immigrants as part of our work.' Mr Chee said immigration is important in rapidly ageing Singapore, as immigrants augment the Republic's population and contribute to its society. Asked about the potential of foreign influence affecting the community, given incidents where measures under the Foreign Interference (Countermeasures) Act were invoked, Mr Chee said the Chinese community – like all other communities here – should strengthen the Singaporean identity and enlarge the common space. 'Ultimately, we have to bear in mind that what is important is that we are all Singaporeans, and there's the common space that we have regardless of race, language or religion,' he said. He noted that Singapore is 'very open, globalised, and connected to the world, so we will have different influences coming from different parts of the world'. But the Republic's politics, development and destiny must be decided by Singaporeans, Mr Chee said. He added that it is important to develop social resilience so that community bonds are strong enough to withstand the challenges posed by episodes of foreign interference. A third priority is to help Chinese community organisations, especially clan associations, to modernise and transform their operations, Mr Chee said. 'They need to adopt new ways of working, new technologies, so that they are better able to meet the needs of the community and attract more young people,' he said. Chin Soo Fang is senior correspondent at The Straits Times covering topics such as community, politics, social issues, consumer, culture and heritage. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
CNA
13-06-2025
- Politics
- CNA
Integrating new immigrants is one priority of Chinese Community Liaison Group: Chee Hong Tat
SINGAPORE: Integrating new immigrants to foster social cohesion will be a priority of the government's Chinese Community Liaison Group (CCLG) going forward, according to its new chair, National Development Minister Chee Hong Tat. Singapore's approach in doing so is to share and enlarge the "common space" rather than wanting new immigrants and minorities to assimilate, Mr Chee said on Friday (Jun 13). "We don't see integration as a reduction, but actually an enhancement, an enlargement and an addition to what we already have," he told reporters after meeting clan leaders at the Singapore Federation of Chinese Clan Associations (SFCCA). Singaporean identity and culture are not static but evolving, and being able to "absorb positive elements" from new immigrants is a plus for society, said the minister, who was appointed CCLG chair in May, succeeding Law Minister Edwin Tong. Using Singapore's food scene as an example, Mr Chee noted that in the past, Chinese immigrants to Singapore largely came from the south of China and brought their cuisine with them. These dishes – like Teochew fishball noodles, Cantonese wanton mee and Hokkien mee – have since become local staples. "But in more recent times, we also have additions to our food scene, with new items like dao xiao mian, biang biang mian, shou gan mian, and all different kinds of noodles from other parts of China. "Do they take away our traditional food like wanton mee and Hokkien prawn mee and fishball noodles? No, we continue to retain our traditional food favourites, but now we have additional options that our people can choose from. "So I think we should see immigration and integration positively, that they don't dilute what we have," said Mr Chee. "If we are able to maintain a strong sense of identity, if we are able to have that good process of integration, we actually are able to bring on board positive elements and further strengthen our sense of belonging, our identity and our common space." He noted that immigration is important to augment Singapore's rapidly ageing population. Elaborating on Singapore's different approach to integration, Mr Chee said: "We want every community to be able to preserve and retain their features that are important to them, the heritage, the traditions, the language, the food. "But then when we come together as Singaporeans, we enjoy one another's traditions and food and culture, and we enlarge the common space that all of us feel a shared sense of belonging." FOREIGN INTERFERENCE Strengthening cohesion within the Chinese community and with other communities is important because this is a "key pillar" of Singapore's social stability and social compact, Mr Chee said. Asked about foreign interference and the role of clan associations in strengthening Singaporean Chinese identity, he noted that Singapore is a "very open" society in which interference can come from different sources. "Singapore's politics, Singapore's development, Singapore's destiny must be decided by Singaporeans," he said, adding that there are laws and safeguards in place for this. "But what is equally important is to develop that social resilience in our community, so that when we come across episodes of foreign interference or developments that happen overseas that may cause an impact on our social cohesion, our community bonds are strong enough to be able to withstand these challenges." This is an area where the CCLG hopes to work with Chinese community organisations and the media to raise awareness, said Mr Chee. There are two other priorities CCLG has identified - to attract more young people to join Chinese community organisations and strengthen their leadership pipelines, and to modernise and transform the operations of clan associations. New immigrants could also form part of the leadership renewal of Chinese community organisations, said Mr Chee. "Some of them go to school in Singapore, they marry locally born Singaporeans, they set up families here. Some of the guys have done their NS (National Service). They are now working in Singapore, taken up citizenship," he said. "I think they are very much part of our society, and we should welcome them. We should try to see how we can tap on their strengths and their expertise to contribute back to society, including the Chinese community." Mr Chee, who was making his introductory visit to CCLG, said he had floated the idea of a leadership development programme that the government, SFCCA and Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry could work on together. Clan associations must also move with the times and adopt new technologies and methods of working in order to attract more young people, he added. The CCLG was established in 2000 to improve the government's relationship with Chinese community organisations and enhance cooperation among Chinese community groups. On Friday, CCLG also announced the 32 members of parliament joining Mr Chee in the group. Among them are five new office-holders:
AsiaOne
24-05-2025
- Politics
- AsiaOne
Chee Hong Tat to chair Chinese Community Liaison Group, succeeding Edwin Tong, Singapore News
National Development Minister Chee Hong Tat has been appointed chairman of the Chinese Community Liaison Group (CCLG) by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, with effect from Friday (May 23). Chee will succeed Minister for Law and Second Minister for Home Affairs Edwin Tong, who was chairman of CCLG since November 2020. Tong will continue to serve as advisor to the group. In a statement on Friday, PM Wong said of Chee as the new chairman: "Minister Chee Hong Tat has been a member of CCLG since 2015. He has been actively involved with the Chinese community and regularly engages various segments, in particular the clans and business associations. "I look forward to Hong Tat working closely with key Chinese community organisations to strengthen leadership renewal so that they can remain relevant and dynamic. I am confident that Hong Tat will continue the good work of CCLG and further deepen ties between the Government and the Chinese community." PM Wong also thanked Tong for his contributions to CCLG since he assumed the chairman position, noting that he had done much in engaging the Chinese community. He said: "During the Covid-19 pandemic, Edwin and CCLG members worked with key Chinese community organisations to identify innovative ways to maintain contact with the members of the Chinese community and provide support to vulnerable segments. "Notably, Edwin also played a key role in successfully mediating the settlement between the Teochew Poit Ip Huay Kuan and Ngee Ann Kongsi over redevelopment plans for the historic Teochew Building." The CCLG was set up in 2000 to deepen the government's relationship with Chinese community organisations and strengthen cooperation among the various Chinese community groups. The group comprises office-holders and Members of Parliament that regularly engage the Chinese community. The Singapore Federation of Chinese Clan Associations (SFCCA) has also recognised and expressed its appreciation for Tong's contributions as former CCLG chairman. In a statement on May 23, the federation said: "As chairman of the CCLG, Minister Tong has consistently championed the development of the Chinese community. He has provided strong support for the River Hongbao and attending its Chinese New Year's Eve countdown celebrations for five consecutive years. "During his tenure, he regularly visited various clan associations and community groups, actively listening to their views while strengthening mutual trust between the government and the community. "The federation extends heartfelt thanks to Minister Tong for his steadfast support and contributions and wishes him every success in his new role." SFCCA also welcomed Chee as the new chairman and recognised his role in maintaining close ties with the Chinese community since he entered politics. The federation said that in Chee's capacity as a key member of the CCLG and a Member of Parliament for Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC, Chee has actively participated in significant SFCCA events and served as the guest of honour at dialogue sessions coorganised by the federation and Reach. "These sessions have played an important role in deepening public understanding and facilitated valuable feedback on national policies. The federation looks forward to working more closely with Minister Chee to promote social cohesion and build a more inclusive and harmonious society." [[nid:718285]]
Straits Times
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Chee Hong Tat takes over as chairman of Chinese Community Liaison Group from Edwin Tong
Minister for National Development Chee Hong Tat succeeds Minister for Law Edwin Tong as CCLG chairman from May 23. PHOTOS: ST FILE, JOO CHIAT CONSTITUENCY OFFICE Chee Hong Tat takes over as chairman of Chinese Community Liaison Group from Edwin Tong SINGAPORE – Minister for National Development Chee Hong Tat has been appointed chairman of the Chinese Community Liaison Group (CCLG), a group tasked to deepen the Government's relationship with Chinese community organisations and to strengthen cooperation among the various Chinese community groups. He succeeded Minister for Law and Second Minister for Home Affairs Edwin Tong as CCLG chairman on May 23. In a statement from the Prime Minister's Office on the same day, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said Mr Chee, as a member of CCLG since 2015, had been actively involved with the Chinese community and regularly engaged many of its members, in particular the clans and business associations. PM Wong said he is confident that Mr Chee will continue the CCLG's good work and further strengthen ties between the Government and the Chinese community here. Established in 2000, the CCLG comprises office-holders and MPs who regularly engage the Chinese community. 'I look forward to Hong Tat working closely with key Chinese community organisations to strengthen leadership renewal so that they can remain relevant and dynamic,' said PM Wong. The Singapore Federation of Chinese Clan Associations (SFCCA) said separately on May 23 that it warmly welcomed Mr Chee as the new CCLG chairman. The federation, the apex body of Chinese clan associations in Singapore, noted that Mr Chee had been maintaining close and lasting ties with the Chinese community, such as by participating in SFCCA events, and that he was the guest of honour at dialogues co-organised with government feedback unit Reach. Mr Tong, who had held the post since November 2020, will continue to serve as CCLG's adviser. PM Wong thanked Mr Tong for his contributions to the group, and said Mr Tong and other CCLG members had done much in the past five years to engage the Chinese community. 'During the Covid-19 pandemic, Edwin and CCLG members worked with key Chinese community organisations to identify innovative ways to maintain contact with the members of the Chinese community and provide support to vulnerable segments,' he said. 'Notably, Edwin also played a key role in successfully mediating the settlement between the Teochew Poit Ip Huay Kuan and Ngee Ann Kongsi over redevelopment plans for the historic Teochew Building.' The SFCCA also thanked Mr Tong for his contributions, and said the former culture, community and youth minister had been 'instrumental in advancing cultural legacy and fostering social cohesion'. As CCLG chairman, Mr Tong consistently championed the development of the Chinese community, such as through his strong support for the annual River Hongbao. He also made regular visits to various clan associations and community groups and actively listened to their views, it noted. The federation said it looked forward to working more closely with Mr Chee to promote social cohesion and build a more inclusive and harmonious society, and with Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth and Senior Minister of State for Education David Neo to further promote cultural and community development. 'Looking ahead, the federation will continue to work closely with the broader Chinese community to deepen collaboration with the 4G leadership team,' said SFCCA president Thomas Chua. 'We remain committed to serving as a bridge between the Government and the community, working together to contribute to Singapore's long-term social and national development.' Chin Soo Fang is senior correspondent at The Straits Times covering topics such as community, politics, social issues, consumer, culture and heritage. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
AsiaOne
26-04-2025
- Politics
- AsiaOne
Noor Deros not permitted to preach in Singapore, says Asatizah Recognition Board, Singapore News
The Asatizah Recognition Board (ARB) has responded to queries regarding religious preacher Noor Deros, in a media statement today (April 26). The ARB clarified that identifying Noor as a Singapore Islamic teacher is "inaccurate and misleading" as he has not received recognition under the Asatizah Recognition Scheme (ARS) and is therefore not permitted to preach in Singapore. It added that he had applied for recognition in 2017 but was unsuccessful as he refused to comply with the ARS Code of Ethics despite being counselled by the ARB. The ARS Code of Ethics is a framework that ensures accountability and integrity among religious teachers while safeguarding Singapore's unity, peace and harmony. The board said there are currently over 5,000 qualified teachers who are authorised to teach Islam in Singapore. Noor, who is based in Malaysia, had claimed in a series of Facebook posts that he had spoken to the Malay/Muslim candidates from the Worker's Party (WP) about prioritising the rights and concerns of the Malay/Muslim community in Singapore, Malay language daily Berita Harian reported. He also claimed, among other things, that he had urged WP and other election candidates to reject the normalisation of LGBTQ+ issues, take a strong stance against Israel, and recognise the state of Palestine. 'No foreign entity should interfere in our voting process' Meanwhile, the Sikh Advisory Board (SAB) and Singapore Federation of Chinese Clan Associations (SFCCA) released separate statements today to highlight the importance of protecting racial and religious harmony in Singapore. The SAB said Singapore election must be protected from outside influence. "No foreign entity should interfere in our voting process... Our choices should be made by us, without pressure or manipulation from others." SFCCA said that in "an increasingly fragmented and polarised world", there is a greater need to deepen collective commitment to the nation. "We will continue our efforts to promote mutual understanding and trust between different ethnic groups to strengthen our social cohesion. SFCCA will remain committed to work with all citizens, to build a more united, harmonious, and stable Singapore," it added. [[nid:717255]] syarifahsn@ No part of this article can be reproduced without permission from AsiaOne.
