[Slonopotam845]

This is really pathetic.

Firstly, the whole scheme clearly and obviously smacks of racial politics again, aimed at maintaining Chinese-Indian supremacy in the affairs of state as Singapore moves on, and they have the cheek to obfiscate by all manner of gobbledygook and high-falutin' talk.

Secondly, they could not find another person around the present MPs or Cabinet to defend the status of malay language except to get the High Com back from Kenya to talk, and an ex-Senior Parl Sec to boot.

Thirdly, it is also inaccurate to say that a knowledge of malay "will be 'of tremendous advantage' to those looking to expand their businesses in the region, which is home to 300 million users of the language", because Bahasa Indonesia is different from Malay. Until one can converse properly with his Indonesian maid using Malay, one cannot honestly make such claims before foisting it over 300 million users of the language (sic).

Fourthly, as far as "expanding businesses" to a "home of 300 million users", what a load of poppycock! Beyond Batam, and perhaps some constant chatter of Riau archipelago, nobody has moved further any of their business.



http://www.todayonline.com/Singapore...tion-proposals

Call for bilingual education proposals
Members of the public invited to submit their ideas to the Lee Kuan Yew Fund
by Ashley Chia 04:47 AM Jul 07, 2012


SINGAPORE - Members of the public with ideas on how to promote bilingualism among children at the pre-school level are invited to submit their proposals to the Lee Kuan Yew Fund for Bilingualism.

Launched last November, the Fund is aimed at promoting bilingual education to address the eroding use of mother-tongue languages among Singaporeans.

It also aims to supplement the Ministry of Education's efforts in the teaching and learning of English and mother-tongue languages.

Senior Parliamentary Secretary (Education and Law) Sim Ann, who serves as the Vice-Chairman of the Fund's board, said there is no cap on funding for successful proposals as the quality of the proposals will be considered before all else.

The Fund currently stands at S$119 million, including the Government's one-for-one matching of donations up to S$50 million.

It hopes to roll out its first project by next year.

Proposals will be judged according to whether the Fund's objectives are met, the potential impact on and benefit to the larger community, as well as its sustainability and plan to monitor and evaluate results.

Priority will be given to projects that are co-owned and co-funded.

One example of what can be funded is professional fees for speakers, trainers or research assistants employed specifically to carry out the funded project. What will not be funded include manpower-related expenses, such as staff overtime and outsourcing of research work, as well as the purchase of office equipment and other operating expenses.

Applicants are to possess a good track record and have the relevant experience to implement the proposal. Organisations should be of sound financial standing.

According to Ms Sim, bilingualism will help strengthen the heritage and Asian roots of Singaporeans and give them a competitive edge amid the rise of China and India.

But with the rise of these two countries as economic powerhouses, would Malay-language speakers, who do not speak Mandarin or Tamil, lose out?

The High Commissioner to Kenya, Mr Yatiman Yusof, a former Senior Parliamentary Secretary, assured Malay-language speakers that they need not worry.

The Malay language will be "of tremendous advantage" to those looking to expand their businesses in the region, which is home to 300 million users of the language, said Mr Yatiman, who sits on the Fund's board.