RPD Bites is a monthly scan covering issues and trends surfaced in various local mainstream media sources that would be of relevance to the Malay/Muslim community. It is compiled by the Research and Planning Department (RPD) of Yayasan MENDAKI.

1. February 2020

2. What is RPD Bites?
RPD Bites is a monthly scan covering issues and trends surfaced in various local
mainstream media sources that would be of relevance to the Malay/Muslim community. It is
produced by the Research and Planning Department (RPD) of Yayasan MENDAKI.
RPD Bites begins with an article count across different media sources which are
categorised into these main areas: education, economy, employment and employability, social
and community, and Malay/Muslim affairs. Other salient areas for the month are also
highlighted. It then delves into emerging themes and trends observed.
We hope you find this month’s RPD Bites insightful and useful for your needs. We
look forward to your continued partnership and support, and welcome any suggestions you
might have. You can reach us at RPD@mendaki.org.sg to feedback.
RESEARCH &
PLANNING
DEPARTMENT
2

3. Overall Coverage
• With a total of 1007 articles, Economy (258 articles), Social (198 articles) and Health (140
articles) emerged as the top 3 categories for February.
• Notably, Economy news trended strongly with a total of 258 articles from Straits/Sunday Times
and Berita Harian/Minggu. This could be attributed to relief-efforts in view of the ongoing COVID-
19 coronavirus outbreak cases and the Budget 2020 announcements on 18 February 2020.
203
144
80
55 54 60
258
198
140
Economy Social Health
No. of Articles
ST BH/BM Total
*From 1 Feb 2020 to 28 Feb 2020
3

4. Overall Coverage
• In the Governance, Economy, Education and
Employment Issues, the breakdown is as follows:
Economy (258), Governance (134), Employment
(103) and Education (57)
• In the Social-related and Community Issues, the
breakdown is as follows: Social (198), Health
(140), Community (79), Housing (17),
Technology (13) and Elderly (8).
Economy
258, 47%
Employment
103, 19%
Education
57, 10%
Governance
134, 24%
Governance, Economy, Education
and Employment Issues
General Social Issues
198, 43%
Health
140, 31%
Community
79, 17%
Elderly
8, 2%
Technology
13, 3%
Housing
17, 4%
Social-related and Community
Issues
4

5. Emerging Themes & Trends
5

6. Governance
COVID-19 Coronavirus Outbreak
• Previously named the Novel Coronavirus 2019, the World Health Organisation (WHO)
officially named it as COVID-19, short for COronaVIrus Disease 2019, the year when it was
first detected. (ST/BH, 13 Feb)
• Three hostels in NUS, NTU and SMU were designated as interim Government quarantine
facilities (ST/BH, 27 Jan)
• A 14-day leave of absence (LOA) is compulsory for any individual returning from mainland
China (ST/BH 31 Jan), including stricter control on
movement as dictated
by the Stay-Home Notice
(ST/BH 17 Feb).
• As of 27 Feb, there were
96 people who were
infected with COViD-19,
and 66 had been
discharged from
medical care.
Source: ChannelNewsAsia
(COVID-19 in Singapore) 6

7. Governance
President Halimah’s State Visit to Indonesia
• President Halimah Yacob made a 4-day state visit to Indonesia in early February at the
invitation of President Joko Widodo. (ST/BH, 2 Feb). A memorandum of understanding
(MOU) was signed to strengthen economic relations, including a tax agreement to prevent
multiple taxation of companies (BH, 5 Feb)
• Addressing about 200 Singaporeans residing in the country, President Halimah urged them
to continue forming meaningful relationships with Indonesians and 'demonstrate the best
of Singapore, our culture, traditions and even our famous dishes‘ (ST 5 Feb)
Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (POFMA)
• The POFMA had to be used against postings made by States Times Review (ST/BH 1 Feb,
ST/BH 16 Feb), Singapore Democratic Party (ST/BH 6 Feb), The Independent Singapore (ST
27 Feb) which had to be retracted or amended
• NTU undergraduates set up an exhibition in
favour of POFMA (ST/BH 16 Feb)
Source: Straits Times (Pres. State Visit to Indonesia)
7

8. Economy
Aviation Industry
• SIA and Japan's ANA ink pact for more flight, fare options. If approved by both
authorities, agreement is expected to boost Singapore's air hub (ST 1 Feb)
• DPM Heng confident aviation sector will weather the virus outbreak. He is also glad
countries are working together to contain the disease in this period of great
uncertainty (ST 11 Feb)
• Crisis could reshape global airline industry. Weakest players may not survive, stronger
ones set to benefit when recovery kicks in (ST 25 Feb)
Digital Economy
• UK keen on digital economy partnership with Singapore which can broaden, deepen
relationship between the two countries (ST, 11 Feb)
• A study shows that younger and high-income customers keen on digital banks. These
younger customers already conduct much of their daily lives via screens, making them
a 'natural fit for digital banks', while the affluent – those with more investable assets
and own a wider array of financial products – are seeking better and easier ways to
manage their money (ST, 11 Feb)
8

9. Economy
A Summary of Reliefs on Singapore’s economy following the Budget 2020 (viewable at
https://www.singaporebudget.gov.sg/docs/default-
source/budget_2020/download/pdf/fy2020_budget_summary.pdf
9

10. Employment & Employability
Skills Training
– Experts assured that accountants will still count in future, but the key is to be armed
with digital and soft skills, see job scopes expand amid digital transformation (ST 3
Feb)
– Prudential offers machine learning training for all 1,200 employees who will be
trained by data scientists from the public and private sectors, and will take scenario-
based assessments to show that they can apply what they have learnt (ST 11 Feb)
– National Environment Agency calls tender for VR solutions to train enforcement
officers. VR solutions can enhance training sessions for its enforcement officers in
areas such as dengue inspections and enforcement of offences such as smoking and
littering (ST 12 Feb)
SkillsFuture
– The Government has stepped-up efforts to retrain middle-aged workers for jobs of
the future, stay employable amid concerns over geopolitical tensions and the COVID-
19 virus outbreak (ST 3 Feb)
– More Singaporeans and firms are using skills training schemes, increasing to 124,000
in 2019 compared to 114,000 in 2018. (ST 8 Feb)
– Over 90% of SkillsFuture credit claims are work-related. (ST 25 Feb)
10

11. Employment & Employability
Increase in Job Opportunities
• At least 1,000 people to be recruited to provide samples in English
with Singaporean accent, which will be added to a database to
train chatbots (ST 8 Feb)
• Rolls-Royce to create 10% more jobs in Singapore. It will hire
technicians and engineers to raise production capacity and meet
regional demand. (ST 13 Feb)
• Twitter to set up engineering centre in Singapore. The 65 hires in
the next few years will be in product engineering, software
engineering, data engineering and data science. (ST 14 Feb)
Professionals, Managers, Executives and Technicians (PMETs)
• White-collar jobs in growth sectors: 3 in 4 filled by locals. Mrs
Josephine Teo assures that MOM works closely with agencies to
place locals in PMET jobs with good growth potential (ST 19 Feb)
• New job council aims to match retrenched PMEs with vacancies.
NTUC to tap 4,000 firms to help such workers find jobs fast (ST 27
Feb) 11
Source: Straits Times (Rolls Royce’s
media roundtable discussion)

12. Education
Online collection of exam results
• Noting that the atmosphere at these events is stressful, NMP Prof Lim Sun Sun said
allowing students to view exam results online would lessen the pressure (ST 4 Feb)
High Pass Rates in GCE A Level results (ST/BH 22 Feb)
• A-level class of 2019 attains best passing rate since 2006 with 93.4% of cohort score at
least three H2 passes and a pass in General Paper or Knowledge and Inquiry
• Candidates may choose viewing their results online on the Singapore Examinations and
Assessment Board (SEAB) website. From this year, all A-level candidates who are
Singapore citizens and permanent residents will receive digital certificates via the
MySkillsFuture Skills Passport
Source: Straits Times (GCE A Level results)
12

13. Education
Endeavour Space Camp Challenge – Astronaut Al Worden Endeavour Scholarship
programme
• Four Singapore students from Ping Yi Secondary School win a place to learn about
space, experience simulator training at U.S. Space and Rocket Center’s Space Camp in
Huntsville, Alabama
SMU wants students to 'interrupt' studies (ST 4 Feb)
• SMU President Lily Kong: We want to press home the point among school leavers that
there is value in seeking other experiences, be it work, doing a start-up or undertaking
community service, before starting on university studies and even during their studies.
13Source: Straits Times (Prof Lily Kong,
President of SMU)
Source: US Embassy in Singapore
(Endeavour Space Camp Challenge)

14. Housing
HDB Housing
• Over half of new 2-room flats bought by seniors. 92% of them
opted for short leases of 15 to 45 years, with 40-year lease
being most popular. (ST 10 Feb)
• HDB disburses $550 million under Proximity Housing Grant. A
total of 29,600 households so far have received the grant,
which was introduced in August 2015 to foster closer family
ties for mutual care and support. (ST 17 Feb)
• Bigger BTO flats in Toa Payoh, Sembawang draw most interest.
Competition stiff at 3 projects launched last week, with 3,095
flats for sale in HDB's first sales exercise of the year. (ST 18 Feb)
• More 2-room flats in non-mature towns Woodlands, Choa Chu
Kang, Tengah available at next BTO exercises (ST 24 Feb)
Upcoming executive condominium to offer telemedicine service to
residents (ST 5 Feb)
• This is the result of a partnership between HiDoc, a telehealth
startup and Anchorvale, the developer of an upcoming luxury
executive condominium called OLA, located in Sengkang. 14
Source: Straits Times (Artist’s
impression of HiDoc’s telehealth kiosk)

15. General Social Issues
Narrowed Income Inequality
• Income inequality narrows following the freezing of top-tier's earnings and transfers
by the Government which helped low-earners close the gap with others last year (ST
21 Feb)
• Household income of top 10% rose by just 0.4% last year. This figure is lower than that
for most other families, which grew by between 3.5% and 5.6%. (ST 21 Feb(
• Less income inequality, but issue not licked yet. The Progressive Wage Model and the
Wage Credit Scheme had given the incomes of low-wage households a much needed
boost (ST 21 Feb)
Helping the Needy
• New store lets needy families pick groceries they require. Carrying only donated
items, it is set to benefit 500 households in Mountbatten and MacPherson (ST 9 Feb)
15
Source: Straits Times
(Grocery store for the needy)

16. General Social Issues
Active Ageing
• Some seniors are hitting the books to learn a new language. Some do so to dig into
their roots (to learn their actual mother tongue languages after studying Malay
language as students) or discover a new culture, while others see it as a way to
upgrade themselves (ST 2 Feb)
• A whole new world, as described by seniors who attend the National Silver
Academy's digital courses which let them be savvier in this digital age (ST 2 Feb)
Elderly Care
• Rolling with the punches. Taking care of the elderly gives ex-offender new focus in
life (ST 17 Feb)
• Some hiring professionals to make care decisions in later years. Donees can decide
on matters like care arrangements if clients lose mental capacity (ST 19 Feb)
Some perks for the Elderly following Budget 2020
• 435,000 citizens qualify for new retirement savings scheme (ST 19 Feb)
• Cabbies aged 65 and above to take only one medical test (ST 19 Feb) 16

17. General Social Issues
Making an Impact to Society during the COVID-19 outbreak
• Singaporeans are banding together and showing care by assisting to distribute masks
to households (ST 1 Feb, ST 19 Feb).
• Cleaning efforts are stepped up in all public places. (ST 6 Feb)
• Supermarkets and minimarts have imposed a limit on purchases of necessities. (ST 10
Feb)
• Religious groups are taking more measures to prevent spread of the virus. (ST 19 Feb)
Supporting the front-line staff
• Healthcare Services Employee's Union president K Thanaletchimi: Healthcare staff
(e.g. nurses) follow strict hygiene protocol, so there is no reason to shun them when
in uniform (ST 17 Feb)
• 1-month bonus for front-line staff, and one-off grant for clinics in GPs network
(Today, 28 Feb)
Youths
• New WeConnect app helps match youths with mentors who can offer life advice and
will also give mentors access to training modules (ST 1 Feb)
17

18. Health
Mental Health
• Under a joint initiative by the Family Justice Courts and DBS Bank,
families with mentally incapacitated members that need money
urgently for daily needs, will gain expedited access to the bank
account for a one-time withdrawal of up to $5,000 with DBS and
POSB Bank, within three days of filing the application. (ST 1 Feb)
• Virtual reality (VR) video helps youths understand anxiety disorder.
Participants make choices for character with the disorder in a game,
are taught of its symptoms (ST 8 Feb)
• NMP Anthea Ong: Make mental healthcare more affordable (ST 27
Feb)
Common Health Concerns
• Kicking smoking habit can reverse lung damage. Within a few years
of quitting, many of the cells lining their airways showed no
evidence of damage from tobacco. The damaged cells are replaced
by healthy cells that have escaped the damage from cigarette
smoke. (ST 3 Feb)
18Source: Straits Times
(Kicking smoking habit)
Source: Straits Times (VR video
help understand anxiety disorder)

19. Malay-Muslim Community
including MMOs, M3 (MENDAKI, MESRA, MUIS)
MENDAKI succeeds in raising $6.3 million in three years for
Education Trust Fund (ETF) (BH 21 Feb)
• Minister Masagos Zulkifli shared that $2 million was disbursed
to students in 2019 in the form of subsidies, scholarships and
vouchers
M3 to strengthen the tripartite collaboration to continue to
succeed (BH 11 Feb)
• Collaborations have been enhanced amongst M3 agencies
within M3@Towns, community partners, and government
agencies
Saudi Arabia’s Restriction on Visitors (ST/BH 28 Feb)
• MUIS asks tour agencies to inform would-be pilgrims of Saudi
ban. More than 2,000 prospective pilgrims are affected by Saudi
Arabia’s ban amid fears of a COVID-19 pandemic
• Pilgrimage travel agents are ready to refund deposits/payments
• Would-be pilgrims understand Saudi Arabia’s and Israel’s stands
to restrict visitors from Singapore
Source: Berita Harian ($6.3m raised for
ETF)
Source: Berita Harian (M3 tripartite
collaboration)
19