The Malay community has prospered with each generation, and has achieved much in a range of fields.

And more still can be done, if all parties work together in the spirit of "gotong royong" and give-and-take, said Mr Zaqy Mohamad at a People's Action Party rally in Choa Chu Kang last night.

The world is changing and new challenges lie ahead, he said. The global economy, for one thing, is slowing.

"How will we deal with it? It will not come easy. It will come with cooperation between the citizens and a government with a strong leadership team," said Mr Zaqy in Malay. "Only you can decide on your team of leaders - a strong team that you can be confident of and trust."

He also noted that the Government pays great attention to social harmony, and supports the community's efforts to inoculate itself against influences that may shatter this harmony, such as that of the terrorist group Islamic State in Iraq and Syria.

Outgoing Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Education and Manpower Hawazi Daipi, too, made the point that the Government has succeeded in maintaining harmony among the races here.

Speaking at a rally in Bukit Panjang, Mr Hawazi said: "Support the party and the candidates that have already contributed to our harmony."

He also felt that parties should not focus on single issues such as the Central Provident Fund, or wearing of the tudung in the workplace. Both topics have been raised frequently at the rallies held by opposition parties over the past few days.

Mr Hawazi was at last night's rally for Dr Teo Ho Pin, who is standing in Bukit Panjang SMC.

Both entered politics in 1996, when they were elected MPs for Sembawang GRC.

The Malay/Muslim community has progressed in education, employment, language and culture - as well as in their religious life, said Mr Hawazi.

And the Government has supported the community too.

New mosques have been built and though funds came from the community, the land had been set aside by the Government.

Mr Hawazi said: "The Government has in place a system that allows it to support the Malay community, without making the other communities feel overlooked."

He added: "There is no community in Singapore that comes before any other."

Nur Asyiqin Mohamad Salleh