New minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Masagos Zulkifli has big plans to boost mother tongue

Mr Masagos at a Malay Activity Executive Committees Council dialogue with MPs Intan Azura Mokhtar and Saktiandi Supaat earlier this year. Mr Masagos Zulkifli participating in a water rationing exercise at a National University of Singapore residentia
Minister-incharge of Muslim Affairs Masagos Zulkifli, who is also Minister for the Environment and Water Resources, spoke of the need to promote Malay, saying ''it is through language that you can propagate good Asian values to the next generation''. ST PHOTO: KELVIN CHNG
Mr Masagos at a Malay Activity Executive Committees Council dialogue with MPs Intan Azura Mokhtar and Saktiandi Supaat earlier this year. Mr Masagos Zulkifli participating in a water rationing exercise at a National University of Singapore residentia
Mr Masagos Zulkifli participating in a water rationing exercise at a National University of Singapore residential college to mark World Water Day in March. ST FILE PHOTO
Mr Masagos at a Malay Activity Executive Committees Council dialogue with MPs Intan Azura Mokhtar and Saktiandi Supaat earlier this year. Mr Masagos Zulkifli participating in a water rationing exercise at a National University of Singapore residentia
Mr Masagos at a Malay Activity Executive Committees Council dialogue with MPs Intan Azura Mokhtar and Saktiandi Supaat earlier this year. BERITA HARIAN PHOTO
Published
May 5, 2018, 5:00 am SGT

Singapore recently saw a major Cabinet reshuffle, during which fourth-generation ministers stepped up to key positions. These younger leaders will also feature prominently in the new Parliament session that opens next Monday. In the first of a series of interviews with 4G ministers, The Straits Times speaks to the new Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Masagos Zulkifli. Minister has big plans to strengthen Malay network, while also forging links with other communities in Singapore

Business Correspondent
ngjunsen@sph.com.sg

Mr Masagos Zulkifli worries about something that is happening in many Malay homes in Singapore.

What is the language that children use when they speak to their parents and to one another? Is it Malay or is it English?

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on May 05, 2018, with the headline 'Boosting mother tongue and ties among communities'. Print Edition | Subscribe
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