MClub was launched in 2000 by then-DPM Lee Hsien Loong and constantly seeks new and interested individuals
to be part of its growing community. As a registered society affiliated to the Malay/Muslim Self-Help Group Yayasan
MENDAKI, the activities and programmes of MClub are largely organised and run by volunteers from a wide range
of professions and backgrounds.
Vision
A dynamic and progressive young generation of Malay/Muslim Singaporeans with a strong commitment to society
and plugged into the global community.
Mission
Our mission is to engage young Malay/Muslim Singaporeans through Thought and Action. We do this by fostering
a community of young Malay/Muslim professionals which:
• Build bridges within the Malay/Muslim community, and between our community and other communities, to
promote mutual understanding and cooperation
• Participate actively in discussions on current developments in the local and global arena
• Engage in strategic youth development initiatives to act as positive agents of change in the community and
nation
contents
Advisor’s Message | 02
President’s Message | 03
MClub Conversations | 12
Contributions
T
he Malay/Muslim community has made significant progress over the
past 25 years. Higher levels of educational attainment, increasing
household incomes, and higher levels of home ownership indicate this
progress that we have made together with fellow Singaporeans.
Since its formation in 2000, MENDAKI Club has worked actively to engage young
Malay/Muslims to help them fulfil their own potential, and, at the same time, channel their
thoughts and energies towards giving a helping hand to the less well-off.
As we resolve issues at home, globalisation also affects us. Globalisation gives an added dimension to economic and
social challenges. At the same time, it creates many opportunities that we cannot afford not to tap especially when, as
Singaporeans, we are well-placed to do so. In this regard, MENDAKI Club will need to continue to nurture our youth
to appreciate and capitalize on the opportunities that globalisation presents.
I am pleased that MENDAKI Club has contributed to the Community Leadership Forum (CLF) efforts on globalisation
and has developed and strengthened several of its programmes targeted at secondary and JC students, in particular
Young Minds’ Club and the Talent Development Programme.
While we nurture our youth to harness such opportunities, MENDAKI Club has also played a useful role in facilitating
our youth and young professionals to involve themselves in the community and the national scene. Through focus
group discussions and seminars on topics such as new media, foreign relations, and entrepreneurship, MENDAKI
Club has generated interest and involvement in pertinent issues. I hope that this will continue, and more young
professionals will develop greater awareness in issues affecting society, and in turn be motivated to come forward and
give back to the community and nation.
The quest for a Singaporean Malay/Muslim community of excellence is a continuing pursuit. MENDAKI Club must
continue to adapt and remain relevant, so as to be able to play a pivotal role in engaging young Malay/Muslim
professionals.
I wish the members of and the MENDAKI Club all the very best for the coming year.
Dr Yaacob Ibrahim
Minister for the Environment and Water Resources
and Minister-in-Charge of Muslim Affairs
D
emands on young professionals today are intense. This is especially so
with diverse and challenging work portfolios, and an interconnected
world where travel and working across time zones is becoming
increasingly common. Coupled with the strong demand for talent
globally, young professionals are not only busier, they are increasingly mobile.
Set in this context, the role of MENDAKI Club (MClub) has never been more
important - engaging young professionals to the community, be it “through
thought” - via discussions on pertinent issues, or “through action” - via strategic
programmes that make a distinct impact on youth. The aim of this is to create a
vibrant community of Malay/Muslim youth who care about society, and who want to
make a difference. This group will in turn drive the continued progress of the Malay/Muslim
community in Singapore.
2007 was a watershed year for MClub, with changes to all the key office bearers, and 6 new Exco members coming
on board. With the previous Exco led by Nizam Idris setting in place the foundations of many of our key programmes,
the energised and enthusiastic new Exco, as well as a strong team of committed volunteers and Secretariat, sought to
strengthen on the core while developing new ideas.
As part of the Community Leaders Forum (CLF) efforts on globalisation, MClub held two follow-up events to a series
of Focus-Group Discussions held by the Malay Members of Parliament in the middle of 2007. These two events
comprised detailed discussions on harnessing the opportunities of globalisation, where speakers were invited to share
their first hand experience at expanding businesses overseas to work or studying abroad.
A new programme “MClub Conversations” was also initiated in August 2007. MClub Conversations provides a regular
platform for young professionals to meet, learn and discuss pertinent issues affecting society and the community. Six
sessions have been held between August 2007 and March 2008, reaching out to 95 participants.
Our flagship programme for Secondary School students, Young Minds’ Club, saw the 4th batch of 132 students being
inducted into the programme, bringing the total number of students in YMC to 416. It was also a notable year to see
the pioneer batch of students come full circle, as they graduated from our programme after 4 years.
Talent Development Programme (TDP) for JC students, in its second year running, was expanded to include more pre-
university institutes. TDP’s second batch comprised of 214 students from 5 JCs.
Towards the end of 2007, MClub also welcomed new members on board into the secretariat. With the departure of
Zahara Mahmood, Azlinah Arif has assumed the role of Manager, Volunteer Relations and will concurrently head up
the MClub secretariat team. Other new members of the Secretariat are Siti Nur Hannah Hardy, Sarah Adam, and Rizal
Rasit with the departure of Noorhizah Abdul Rahman and Satria Razeri.
Looking forward, 2008 promises to be a challenging and exciting year. MClub will continue to focus on enhancing
the effectiveness and outreach of our programmes, as well as on strengthening our internal capabilities. We will
also aim to better understand the needs and interests of young professionals, so as to be better able to tap on their
contributions for the good of the community.
Through these efforts, MClub will strive to continuously attract young professionals to come forward to contribute to
the community, and in doing so continue to remain relevant.
Esa Masood
President, MENDAKI Club
Esa undertook his tertiary education in the US, at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology where
he received a Masters and Bachelors in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science in 2002. Prior
to joining MENDAKI Club, he was a volunteer youth mentor and was involved in various community
youth projects.
He has many interests, including sailing, inline-skating and basketball, among other sports. He also enjoys reading books
on a range of topics that he finds interesting. Aside from that, he likes to travel when time permits, as it provides him with
the opportunity to experience various cultures and languages, explore historical sites and soak in the calm and expanse
of wide mountain ranges, forests and rivers.
He is an ardent believer that the catalysts for greatness and change can be found in each and every
individual.
“If you think you can do it, or you think you can’t do it, you are right!”……Henry Ford
Siti likes to work with kids of all ages (even the overgrown ones). Since her university days, she has been an active volunteer
with Yayasan MENDAKI , and often helps out at their activities for the young beneficiaries. She has been involved with
MClub’s Young Minds’ Club since 2005, and has since enjoyed her Saturdays spent with the members. She is also a Youth
Research Program mentor with IBN, and has had numerous attachment students over the school holidays, guiding them
to do research projects independently.
In her free time, or whatever is left of it, Siti spends it with family and good friends, often indulging in food and good
conversation. Unfortunately for her wallet and savings, she also likes to de-stress herself with retail therapy. She also tries
to find time to read stuff like Booker prize winning novels in contrast to the daily scientific mumbo-jumbo (occupational
hazard) and occasionally dabbles in arts and crafts projects when bitten by the creative hands bug.
Indeed, she feels that being a researcher at the forefront of science and technology, and a volunteer is not all that different.
It is about taking steps, no matter how small, for the betterment of society and mankind; albeit though different means.
She was awarded an honours degree in English Language from NUS where she majored in English Language
and Mathematics and had a wild time, academically. She was recently nominated by MENDAKI Club and National Junior
College for the Outstanding Youth in Education Award 2006 awarded by the National Youth Council.
In her free time, she reads, experiments with food and music and watches movie trailers.
During National Service, he picked up the bad habit of running, and has since remained addicted. He has run
the Singapore Marathon once, and like all addictions, cannot stop training for ever more races.
National Service also imbued in him a love for Nature where trees, wildlife and beautiful scenery are abundant and
humans much less so. He hopes you will invite him if you are going trekking; he promises to be quiet and not disturb your
contemplation of Nature.
Apart from serving in MENDAKI Club, he is also involved with other volunteer organizations with the limited spare time
that he has left. The rest of his spare time is spent exclusively with his family of four daughters and a beautiful and
wonderful wife. At the end of the day, he hopes to see that he could affect a positive development and change to the
Malay/Muslim community with his small contribution.
An active youth leader since her student days, Hidayati served two terms on the NTU Muslim Society, first as Finance Officer
and later as Vice President. She was also an active member of the NTU Welfare Services Club, looking into the development
and social integration of young probationers. Since graduation, she continues this work as a volunteer with the Singapore
Boys Home. In mid-2005, she took on a new challenge as a member of the MENDAKI Club Executive Committee, adding
on to her other community portfolios. She is also a Council Member of Perdaus, a Malay/Muslim organisation with a focus
on human enrichment.
In her free time, Hidayati seeks nature as her refuge, and spend quiet weekends at her family home in Johor
Bahru. One of youngest members of the MENDAKI Club Exco, she believes and hopes that her life has yet to bloom, her
leadership yet to grow, and her experiences and learning yet to make a significant change to the community.
Following his NS, Jalees was given a place at NTU’s School of Communication and Information. After
deciding that he had enough of dancing mass dances in JC, Jalees decided to try out something that all
along he only thought about but never really tried: study until the cows came home. No cows showed up,
but he was placed in the Dean’s List twice, inducted as an NTU President’s Research Scholar and in the grand
finale, presented first class honours. In between studying, he took breaks to play lead roles in his School’s annual
drama productions in 2004 and 2005. Jalees was awarded the Singapore Indian Education Trust Achievement Award, the
MENDAKI Anugerah Cemerlang Award and the SINDA Academic Excellence Award in 2006. Jalees is now with the Ministry
of Community Development, Youth and Sports.
To occupy his free time, Jalees volunteers at the neighbourhood mosque by trying his level best to get hyperactive youth
interested in the intricacies of tajwid. He enjoys reading books on Islamic history, contemporary politics and science, loves
eating good food and hates jogging afterward to prevent fat build-up in the arteries but still does it because it needs to be
done. Jalees also loves to indulge in mindless Tamil and Hindi movies and songs regularly as catharsis.
Hirman Abdullah
Despite desiring little publicity but maximum impact while performing community work, Hirman’s
reputation as ‘he of large girth and mismatched appearance (Chinese face, Malay name, non-
existent Mandarin proficiency)’ precedes himself. His trademark fidgetiness and impatience to get
things done was thankfully put to some good use in his previous career incarnation as an ‘enforcer’,
although the only enforcement now in his life is that of his healthy diet, and being a good role model
to his pet cat.
Despite being of aforesaid large girth, Hirman is surprisingly nimble and therefore he can be found pounding (literally)
the pavements in the early hours of the morning, amongst other surprisingly active and cardiovascular feats. Hirman also
loves a good song, although it rarely extends to singing it (as it is usually out of tune). Hirman hopes that his simple Shrek-
like existence (it has to be, given some of the ‘cartoon’ characters comes across with alarming frequency in his daily life) will
ultimately benefit not just himself, but also the wider community of idealists who desire a better tomorrow – the Cinderellas,
Gingerbreadmen and Prince Charmings who do believe in fighting the right fight, following the yellow brick road and of
course, the wisdom of linguistically gifted cats such as Puss in Boots. Although he has yet to come across the last..
Ratna had worked as a communications professional in the private and public sectors since graduating from
NTU’s School of Communication and Information in 2004. 2008 is a sabbatical year for her as she travels, explores
new career/business opportunities and, together with her husband, eagerly awaits the new addition to their family.
Faizal is overall-in-charge of the Young Mind’s Club (“YMC”) Program. In his opinion, the YMC program has
highlighted to him two inalienable truths: one, that teenagers should constantly be challenged and given opportunities
outside the conventional, tried-and-tested academic environment to shine, and two, that, he derives considerable enjoyment
from the constant interaction with students in such an informal, though structured, setting [he, however, stresses that he
makes no representation as to whether such enjoyment of company is mutual]. Outside of his commitments with MClub and
YMC, and work, Faizal has taught, in adjunct capacities, at the Faculty of Law in the National University of Singapore and the
Singapore Management University and, volunteers his time in a couple of other organisations as well.
In his free time, Faizal enjoys travelling and spending time with his oft-neglected loved ones. He also enjoys the occasional
game of sepak takraw, though given the acutely sparing amount of time that he spends playing the game, he readily confesses
that any (already limited) flexibility and skill that he possessed in his university days in the game have all but disappeared.
So he set out to see the world. He journeyed far and wide, picking up a Bachelor’s and a Master’s in
Economics along the way, as well as a love for good food, good music and good humour - absolute
necessities to survive many a bitter winter’s night in Chicago.
At the end of his journey, he found himself back home in sunny Singapore, and realized what had been obvious
all along - that change begins at home. Coincidentally, he joined Mendaki Club around this time, and has been striving to
change himself, amongst other things, ever since.
Now, still 12 at heart, Ramzi works for change in Community Relations at the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports.
Being immersed in the technological world, Azhar has a voracious appetite for new experiences both
online and in the real world. As such, when he is not finding excuses to travel to the plethora of island
getaways in Asia, Azhar is an avid observer of the interactions of society and the new media who believes that the
Digital revolution can and will empower.
He speaks and writes English, German and Malay relatively well although his proficiency may wax and wan in tandem with
the moon. Believing that life must be lived to the fullest, he also hopes to do as much good to others as he can and is
enjoying the personal satisfaction, development and growth in developing activities of value in MClub.
Azlinah Arif
Head of Secretariat at MENDAKI Club, Azlinah enjoys the company of people. She believes that
each individual has unique personality that adds vibrancy to life. Like a string of pearls, individuals
connected through various means, have a unique glow that should be appreciated.
“Only through our connectedness to others can we really know and enhance the self. And only through
working on the self can we begin to enhance our connectedness to others” Harriet Goldhor Lerner
“Success seems to be connected with action. Successful people keep moving. They make mistakes, but they don’t
quit.” Conrad Hilton
Sarah Adam
A (wo)man of few words, Sarah can most only say this of herself: “Man cannot discover new
oceans unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore.” – Andre Gide
That is what she believes in, and that will be her driving force in life. In whatever she does, she
must find meaning. Thankfully at this young phase of her life, she got herself into MENDAKI – serving
MENDAKI Club. The past three months have enlightened of another face of volunteerism she did not
know before. Finally, although this doesn’t flow, Sarah has met a newfound love for Indian ghazals & sufi music.
Oh yes, perhaps her rediscovery of her ethnic roots – the Indian part we mean.
The past year has represented a watershed period of sorts in our history. Started
four years ago, YMC saw its pioneer batch graduate. Their involvement in the
programme culminated in an overnight graduation camp in April 2007 which,
together with the assistance of our friends from National Junior College
Malay LDDS’ team, involved elements of fun, games, reflections and even
aspects of career planning (all of this despite going without sleep throughout
the entire course of the two day camp!).
YMC launch 2007 at The Arts House
As those involved in YMC are aware, its raison d’etre is the equipping
YMC
of young Malay/Muslim students with personal development skills, mem
bers
role-p
laying
as well as to raise awareness and sensitivity towards community, national and at a w
orksh
op
global issues, so as to facilitate their development into successful all-rounded
YMC mem
believe that the above list of activities are not exhaustive and,
bers
in fact, represent no more than a small fraction of the events
that took place in 2007. That YMC has been able to achieve
so much in such a short period of time can be attributed to
three main factors: first, the continued support of MENDAKI
in the form of funding and Secretariat support, second, the
ever-wonderful kids who have time to time again made us
question our assumptions on the limitations of their potential
and talents and finally (and perhaps most importantly), to the
amazing volunteers who we have had the privilege of working
with in the YMC Sub-Committee and who spend many hours
doing work for which the only reward is the development of
the YMC kids and the wish to help out for the greater good
of the community. For all of this, YMC is blessed.
Seminar
at a TDP
Speakers
In March, Ustaz Nazirudin Mohd Nasir, Head, Office of the Mufti at MUIS,
discussed with participants a topic close to many of our hearts – The
Singapore Muslim Identity. One of the personal insights that Ustaz Nazirudin
shared was the result of different foundations and rituals of Islam for the
different cultures and communities around the globe.
Speakers
MENDAKI Club (MClub) was involved in these discussions, as part of its for “Maki
ng Cents
of the Glo
bal Econo
new Young Professionals Outreach, a new programme targeting young my”
Participan
ts at the e
vent
The Harvard National Model United Nations 2007 is one of the most
established and distinguished Model United Nations conference for youth
in the world today. Thus, I felt very fortunate to be a part of this prestigious
event which is held annually in February at the luxurious Boston Park Plaza
Hotel in Boston, Massachusetts. February is considered one of the coldest
months in Boston where the temperature regularly reaches subzero levels.
Nonetheless, the thought of donning layers of clothing did not deter me from Ayuni and other representatives from Singapore
enjoying myself and leaning as much as possible from the conference.
The five days conference provided the delegates with ample opportunities to
discuss and debate over critical contemporary world issues. The tools of
diplomacy were used to achieve a county’s stand regarding on a wide array
of problems on the table.
During the opening ceremony, several important people were invited to give speeches at the grand ballroom. Flags representing
the different countries participating in the conference were displayed all over the grand ballroom, creating the UN-effect.
There were more than ten committees in HNMUN 2007 and thus, delegates were spoilt for choice. The topics being discussed
in each committee were very interesting which range from hard security issues to trade and human rights programmes. With my
team-mate, Nur Fadhillah, we chose the Special Political and Decolonization Committee where one of the issues was on the Iraq
problem. During the pre-conference, delegates were given a comprehensive guide on the issues which would be discussing.
Delegates were encouraged to research on their chosen country’s stand regarding the various issues. Also, there was a workshop
for first-timers who might not be familiar with the mechanisms of a United Nations committee session. Indeed, these were
necessary for healthy and vibrant discussions to take place, where diplomacy would be at its best.
The venues for the committee sessions were located all over the hotel compound which was very convenient since many of the
delegates were staying at the Boston Park Plaza Hotel. Besides being accessible, the venues were spacious and comfortable;
making the whole conference seemed very professional.
Our SPECPOL committee voted for the Iraq problem and thus, we spent the next five days creating working papers and draft
resolutions while engaging in lively debates in order to find concrete solutions. The sessions were enriching and there were
injections of crisis simulations, making the whole discussion very realistic. Delegates were given ample opportunities to socialise
amongst themselves as alliances need to be created in order to reach an agreement.
In my opinion, the Chairs of various committees were able to conduct the sessions very well and most of the delegates came
very prepared for the conference. Many of the delegates were experienced MUN-ers. Since it was my virgin MUN experience,
I was rather confused with the mechanism and rules of procedures. We represented our own homeland, Singapore. Of course
we played the card, Singapore-style. We formed alliances with big powers in order to have a greater voice regarding the issue.
Therefore, I was very glad that we were able to create working papers and later, draft resolutions with big powers that were
running the show.
In order to celebrate our last night in Boston, the whole team from Singapore decided to have dinner together at a posh Italian
restaurant. It was a merry event filled with exciting stories from the conference. The next day, we went to the prestigious Harvard
University for a day trip, before packing our luggage for the excitement that was impatiently waiting for us, in New York City!
Indeed, the whole experience of HNMUN was a mixture of intellectual indulgence and at the same time, pure fun!
than an Eid Gathering for the old and new. On 24 October 2007,
MClub held our first Eid Gathering at one of the newest and more
great conversation.
sushi, seafood pasta, Italian chicken and a carving beef sirloin station,
Although the sky was still dark, member of the YMC batch of ‘09
members began to walk through the gates of the Boys’ Brigade
Campsite in Sembawang, where we were to hold our Leadership Camp,
dubbed “Hand in Hand we Lead”. This camp was to be the culmination
of several months’ worth of meetings, correspondences and planning.
It was no surprise that all of us were very excited to play host to about
twenty-five kids that came from less privileged backgrounds for two
days.
In their own groups led by two YMC members as facilitators, the kids
YMC mem
bers and were given ample opportunity to shine as leaders, and in their own way
participan
ts
each and every one of them did. Whether it was directing the group while
manoeuvring a difficult obstacle course, screaming his head off on stage
in front of everyone as part of a play, or even designing a sculpture
and defending it from water bombs hurled by other groups, they took
charge, deciding for themselves in which direction they were to take
their efforts.
We had time to sit and talk with them during lunch, free time, and while
waiting for activities to get started. Not surprisingly, we discovered
that these kids, although less privileged than we are, were deep
down inside very much alike. We shared common passions such as
The camp ended with a bang, with a campfire made out of candles
painstakingly lit into the shape of our camp logo and the letters
‘YMC’. Now visibly more confident than when we first met them,
they kids put on their plays for everyone to see, showcasing
their interpretation of our camp theme. After several rounds of
campfire songs, the day was done. We were undoubtedly sad
to see the kids go, but were certain that in one way or another
we left a good impression on them, and left feeling that we had
accomplished what we had set out to do.
YMC membe
rs guiding the
participants
It was a camp encircling three main ideas – Dance, Dikir and Drama – that we
had decided to organise for the Education Trust Fund (ETF) beneficiaries. We
designed the camp for kids ranging from 8-12 years old not only to experience
something new and enriching, but at the same time to ensure that they too
had fun whilst learning important lessons in co-ordination and teamwork. YMC members and participants
We divided the kids into 3 groups and started off the event with icebreakers.
Though they took some time to warm up to each other, as the day went on,
such was the excitement that built up with each passing moment that before
long, they were exemplifying the mantra that “kids just want to have fun!”
The main idea of the camp was to allow each group to try out the 3 categories
of activities before the facilitators eventually allocated each group a specific
category to work on. The camp culminated with a performance from each
group, showcasing their hard work and originality.
Though the group that had performed the Dikir definitely stole the limelight
after their amazing presentation and co-ordination meant that they won
the showcase, the event ended off on a good note for everyone, with each ity
king activ
ts in an ice-brea
of the beneficiaries being given a special souvenir to bring home for their Participan
outstanding performances.
Nothing beats the satisfaction of successfully pasting a smile on the faces of those
young kids!
Our Partners