The Hon. Muneer Mulaffer - Deputy Minister of Religious and Cultural Affairs

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees, thank you for the opportunity.

¶ 02 Let me note: we never promised to fulfil every policy pledge within one year. We have a five-year mandate, and we will deliver responsibly across that period.

¶ 03 On this debate to abolish MPs’ pensions, I must address a recent media claim by an SJB MP alleging that appointees to the Wakf and Waqf-related bodies are socially undesirable or carry serious allegations. Since the end of the war in 2009, no one questioned the composition of mosque management or Wakf appointments like this. Are some returning to old divisive tactics—stoking suspicion between communities and faiths to regain political power? If there are allegations, let’s correct wrongs and strengthen the Wakf Board, not demonize the entire Muslim community as suspicious or untrustworthy. Are you trying to resurrect a politics that once incited mobs to burn mosques and attack places of worship, and now question our appointees? The Shura Council is not yet appointed; nominations have been proposed. If there have been past irregularities, we will rectify them to ensure the Board functions well.

¶ 04 Before entering politics, we worked for coexistence and peace at grassroots level across communities. Those hurling accusations should reflect on their own past conduct. Our duty—even in this pensions debate—is to serve the people who entrusted us with power, not engage in character assassination. Thank you.