Monies Disbursed from Malay/Muslim Community Development Fund
Ministry of Digital Development and InformationSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns the disbursement of the Malay/Muslim Community Development Fund (MMCDF) and its impact on community organisations from 2013 to 2015. Mr Muhamad Faisal Bin Abdul Manap asked for the total amount disbursed, the number of beneficiary organisations, and the specific purposes of these funds. Minister Assoc Prof Dr Yaacob Ibrahim stated that nearly $10 million was disbursed to support initiatives in education, youth, social assistance, and employability. He noted that 53 organisations benefited in 2013, 51 in 2014, and 62 in 2015, although data on the total number of applications were not immediately available. Furthermore, the Minister clarified that mosques are ineligible for direct funding but can receive support through partnerships with registered Malay/Muslim organisations.
Transcript
10 Mr Muhamad Faisal Bin Abdul Manap asked the Minister for Communications and Information and Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs for each year between 2013 and 2015 (a) what is the total amount of monies that have been disbursed from the Malay/Muslim Community Development Fund (MMCDF); (b) how many organisations or agencies have benefited from this Fund; and (c) to what purposes have the monies been utilised.
The Minister for Communications and Information and Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs (Assoc Prof Dr Yaacob Ibrahim): Madam, MENDAKI's Malay/Muslim Community Development Fund, or MMCDF, was set up to support community initiatives by Malay/Muslim organisations (MMOs) in areas such as education, youth, social assistance and employability.
Nearly $10 million was disbursed through MMCDF between 2013 and 2015. Fifty-three MMOs benefited from the Fund in 2013, 51 in 2014, and 62 in 2015.
Mr Muhamad Faisal Bin Abdul Manap (Aljunied): I thank the Minister for the reply. I have two supplementary questions. First, can the Minister provide the number of funding applications received by the MMCDF Committee for 2013, 2014 and 2015? Secondly, I just want to clarify whether mosques are allowed to tap on MMCDF for their social programmes.
Assoc Prof Dr Yaacob Ibrahim: Madam, I do not have the figures for the three years, but I would be happy to provide the Member with the figures when I have them. Mosques do not qualify because they are not considered to be MMOs, but there have been instances where MMOs work in partnership with mosques and apply for funding from MMCDF.