Speech by President Tony Tan at 4PM Charity Hi-Tea

Associate Professor Yaacob Ibrahim
Minister for Communications and Information

Mr Khaw Boon Wan
Minister for National Development

Mr Heng Swee Keat
Minister for Education

Mr Izzuddin Taherally
President, Malay Youth Literary Association, 4PM

Distinguished Guests

Ladies and Gentlemen

        Good afternoon.

        It is a great pleasure for me to join you at this Charity Hi-Tea to celebrate Empat PM’s 65^th Anniversary. Started in 1948 by volunteers to uplift the educational achievements among our Malay Muslim Community, Empat PM has stayed true to its motto of ‘Unite and Serve’, and grown to become an inclusive platform involving other voluntary welfare organisations, government agencies and volunteers to serve the Malay Muslim Community, particularly those from less privileged backgrounds. 

        Empat PM has over the years made significant contributions to the achievements of the Malay Muslim community not just in education, but also in the fields of sports, welfare and culture. More than just serving the needs of youths from less privileged families, Empat PM creates opportunities for the youths to serve in the spirit of self-help or gotong royong. Through its programmes, Empat PM reaches out to more than 20,000 youths. From amongst the youths, there are active volunteers, including beneficiaries of past Empat PM’s programmes, who have come forth to plan and execute programmes to engage other youths in meaningful activities that contribute back to the Malay Muslim community. 

        Examples of such ground up programmes include the Remaja Resilien or the “Resilient Youth” programme where activities are organised for youths to showcase their talents and in the process, to inculcate positive values, create confidence and develop their leadership skills. Since its pilot in 2010, the project had attracted participation from 1,200 youths. Another successful programme initiated by young volunteers is the Ramadan on Wheels (ROW) project. Young volunteers distribute food and daily essential items to the needy during the month of Ramadan. Over the years, the programme has expanded to include other components such as skills upgrading and home makeovers. Since 2008, ROW has helped some 1,700 families and mobilised almost 5,200 youth volunteers from all walks of life.

        By engaging our youths to give back to the community, Empat PM enhances our social capital and contributes to the building of a strong and resilient society, now and in the years to come. In fact, Empat PM’s contributions extend beyond the Malay Muslim community. It is a well-known fact that Empat PM has groomed and developed leaders from the community who have stepped up to serve Singapore in various capacities. Many, such as Mr Zainul Abidin Rasheed, Mr Yatiman Yusof, and Mr Hawazi Daipi, are in fact present at this event. I commend the leadership, staff and volunteers for your dedication towards Empat PM’s mission to “Unite and Serve”. 

        In conclusion, I would like to once again congratulate Empat PM on your 65th Anniversary and I wish you many more years of success.

        Thank you very much.