In Singapore’s first general election in 1968, the People’s Action Party (PAP) won all 58 seats in Parliament. On Saturday (May 3), Singaporeans voted in the country’s 14th general election.
Among them was 97-year-old Maylvaganam Sabapathy, a resident of Sree Narayana Mission Nursing Home, who cast his vote on Saturday morning. He shared his memories of past elections with Tamil Murasu.
Mr. Maylvaganam recalled that as a young man living in the Serangoon constituency, he once stood as a candidate in an election, running against a PAP candidate who was regarded as having leftist views. He noted that the PAP candidate won that election by a narrow margin.
“Singapore has seen good development over the years,” he reflected.
Mr. Maylvaganam was one of several residents from Sree Narayana Mission Nursing Home who voted at various polling stations on Saturday.
Care staff accompanied six wheelchair-bound elderly residents to a nearby polling station at Block 734, Yishun Avenue 5. Sree Narayana Mission has also arranged for the remaining nine residents to vote at polling stations near their home addresses.
Suryakumaran Subramaniam, 86, a resident and former business owner, said the organisation had made the voting arrangements well.
“We were brought in carefully and with proper security. Voting was smooth. I extend my best wishes to the most deserving candidates,” he said.
S. Devendran, CEO of Sree Narayana Mission Nursing Home, said the home is committed to supporting residents who wish to vote.
“We arranged staff and transportation to assist residents going to the polling stations. The Elections Department also made various provisions, including wheelchair ramps, to help elderly and wheelchair-bound voters,” Mr. Devendran said.
Mahalakshmi Annamalai, 39, manager of Sunlove Home, said that elderly residents under their care were transported in wheelchairs to polling stations near their homes.
“We safely transported about 30 elderly residents to the polling stations. They were happy to be able to vote despite their limited mobility,” said Ms. Mahalakshmi.
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As part of the Tamil Language Festival 2025 celebrations, the Singapore Chapter of the Jamal Mohamed College Alumni Association organised a literary lecture titled “Tamil is the Milk of Our Youth!”
The event took place on Sunday, 20 April at 6.00pm at the Umar Pulavar Tamil Language Centre, with the support of the Valar Tamil Movement.
Approximately 300 people—including community leaders, Tamil activists, parents, students, and members of the association—participated in the event.
This year’s programme was specially curated to spark interest in the Tamil language among youth, with a focus on the festival’s central theme of “Youth.”
“Youth is a season that can be described as happiness, future, spring, and excitement. We planned this event to show that our mother tongue, Tamil, also embodies the essence of youth,” said Dr M. A. Kader, President of the association.
He added, “We wanted to attract the youth of this country, instil pride in the Tamil language, and encourage their participation in such cultural celebrations.”
During the event, the association announced that it would celebrate its 15th anniversary later this year.
Dr Syed Harun Alhabsyi, former Nominated Member of Parliament, attended as the special guest. Emphasising the importance of preserving the mother tongue, he praised the educational and social welfare initiatives of the Jamal Mohamed College Alumni Association (Singapore Chapter), which has organised 144 programmes over the past 15 years.
The event featured a student segment titled “Tamil and Youth”, with participants Ishaq Ibrahim, Amina Junaira, and Srinidhi Rengaprasad. Parents such as Mr G. Rengaprasad and Mrs Saradhamani also contributed to the discussion, highlighting the family’s role in sustaining the language.
A highlight of the programme was the musical performance of “Amude Tamile!” by renowned musician and singer Parasu Kalyan, accompanied by his students—Shruti Karthik, Sai Katyayani, Parasuraman Shai Siddhanth, Parasuraman Shai Vedhanth, Vyasan Venkatesh, Ishaan Karthik, and Akkshara Karthik.
Senior journalist Muhammad Ali delivered a short talk titled “Tamil is Not a Subject”, in which he emphasised that Tamil is not merely an academic subject, but a way of life and a core aspect of identity.
Mr S. Devendran, Chief Executive Officer of Sree Narayana Mission (Singapore), was honoured with the Jamalian Award for his four decades of community service across various organisations, including the Singapore Armed Forces.
In addition, a certificate of appreciation was presented to Abdul Rahman, a student of Yishun Town Secondary School, in recognition of his excellent performance in the GCE ‘O’ Level examinations.
The event concluded with a special address by veteran Tamil teacher and poet Joe Arul Prakash, known for his appearances on Vijay TV.
“The desire to develop the Tamil language does not need to be sought externally—it lies within us,” he said.
“Just as a brass vessel gleams when polished with tamarind, we must uncover and express the pride and love for Tamil that resides within our hearts.”
He concluded by affirming that Tamil, a language that guides human life, comforts the weary, inspires households, and conveys values suited for all ages, will continue to thrive for generations to come.
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Over 300 volunteers came together to support children affected by the crisis in Gaza during the holy month of Ramadan. The non-profit organisation ‘Humanity Matters’ organised a relief aid drive at the Sree Narayana Mission Nursing Home on Sunday, 2nd March.
Volunteers packed gift bags for 5,000 children, filling them with toys, snacks, water bottles, and more. Despite it being the weekend, the volunteers gathered early in the morning to contribute to this noble cause.
Prime Minister Lawrence Wong attended as the special guest and commended the volunteers for their dedication. He was joined by Minister of State for Home Affairs and Law K. Shanmugam, Minister of State for Home and National Development Associate Professor Dr. Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim, and other MPs from the Nee Soon GRC.
“Ramadan is a time of giving. Singaporeans, regardless of race or religion, have united to help those in Gaza. While Gaza may seem far away, its people’s suffering resonates with us. Singapore will continue to work with its Middle Eastern partners to support Gaza,” said Prime Minister Wong in his speech.
He added, “Beyond humanitarian aid, Singapore will also support the Palestinian Authority’s efforts and their aspirations for self-governance. Although we are a small nation, we will always do our best to assist those in need. The crisis in Gaza highlights the global struggle, but when Singaporeans come together, we can overcome any challenge. This unity is what defines Singapore.”
The event also featured an iftar ceremony at the nursing home, attended by representatives from the Presidential Council for Minority Rights (PCMR), the Presidential Council for Religious Harmony, other interfaith groups, and community leaders.
During the event, Pacific International Airlines signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Humanity Matters, presided over by Minister Shanmugam. This partnership will enhance the organisation’s relief efforts.
“As Singapore approaches its SG60 celebrations, this event demonstrates that even a small country like ours can make a big impact,” said Mr. Devendran, CEO of Sree Narayana Mission, the host of the aid project.
Mr. Ganesan, a 70-year-old volunteer who has been with Humanity Matters since its inception, expressed his pride in seeing people from all backgrounds come together to help.
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The ongoing conflict in Gaza highlights the current state of the world, where the global order is shifting, and signs of danger and escalating unrest are becoming more apparent. Prime Minister Lawrence Wong emphasised that Singapore can only navigate these changes successfully if its citizens remain strong and united, during his attendance at an aid-packing and iftar event organised by Humanity Matters on 2 March.
“What’s troubling is that the ongoing conflict in Gaza reflects the broader state of our world today. Major global powers are deeply engaged in fierce competition, and global institutions and norms are weakening. Unfortunately, the world is starting to resemble a lawless jungle, where strength is seen as the ultimate right,” said Prime Minister Wong.
“We are entering a new and challenging phase, and we can only overcome it if we stand strong and united as a people. So tonight, as we extend our help to those in need overseas, we must also appreciate and protect what we have here—a society that lives in peace, regardless of race or religion,” he added.
He further emphasised that this unity is what makes Singapore unique and will empower the country to face challenges and build a brighter future.
The event, held at the Sree Narayana Mission (SNM) in Yishun, brought together 300 volunteers from various racial and religious backgrounds to pack 5,000 “Kidz Comfort Packs” (KCPs) for child victims in Gaza.
Prime Minister Wong noted that even though Gaza is far from Singapore, “as fellow human beings, we can still feel some of their suffering.” He stressed that Singapore cannot ignore the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and must continue working with its partners in the Middle East to address the critical needs of the Gazan people.
“Apart from providing humanitarian aid, Singapore will fully support international efforts to establish a homeland and a state for the Palestinian people as part of a negotiated two-state solution,” he said. “We will continue supporting the Palestinian Authority’s capacity-building and helping the Palestinian people when they govern their own country in the future.”
At the event, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between Pacific International Lines (PIL) and Humanity Matters to collaborate on humanitarian efforts and community development, with a focus on ASEAN and Middle Eastern countries.
Also attending the aid-packing and iftar event were Minister of State for Home Affairs and Law, Mr. K. Shanmugam; Minister of State for Home Affairs and National Development, Associate Professor Dr. Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim; and other Nee Soon GRC MPs.
This marks the fourth aid-packing event organised by Humanity Matters, following the successful packing in March 2024 and the delivery of 5,000 KCPs to Gaza in July 2024. Volunteers were joined by community leaders and grassroots members for the collective iftar meal.
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The ongoing conflict in Gaza and other regions highlights the increasing instability in the world, where the powerful exploit the vulnerable. Prime Minister Lawrence Wong reminded Singaporeans that the world is entering uncharted territory, and for Singapore to navigate this period successfully, unity is crucial.
Prime Minister Wong made these remarks while addressing the Gaza situation at a humanitarian packing event for Gaza’s civilians, held at the Sree Narayana Mission Nursing Home in Yishun on Sunday, 2nd March. The event was organised by the non-profit group Humanity Matters.
Also in attendance were the Minister for Law and Home Affairs, K. Shanmugam, Minister of State for Home Affairs and National Development, Associate Professor Dr Faishal Ibrahim, along with Nee Soon GRC MPs Louis Ng, Carrie Tan, and Derrick Goh, who participated in their capacities as grassroots organisation advisors.
“Although Gaza is far away, we cannot ignore the humanitarian crisis there,” Prime Minister Wong emphasised. “Our shared humanity compels us to feel the suffering of civilians worldwide.”
Israel and Hamas reached a ceasefire agreement in January, with the first phase concluding on Sunday. However, the second phase of negotiations remains stalled. Prime Minister Wong acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding how the Gaza situation will develop in the coming days, weeks, or months.
He pointed out that the conflicts in Gaza and other regions reflect the global challenges facing Singapore. Major powers are engaged in fierce competition, and international institutions and norms are weakening. “Sadly, the world is increasingly resembling a lawless jungle, where the strong prey on the weak. With each passing day, we see more signs of danger and disorder around us,” he said.
Despite these challenges, Prime Minister Wong urged, “We are in uncharted waters, but if we remain resilient and united, we can navigate these difficulties successfully.”
Approximately 300 volunteers from various religious backgrounds gathered at the nursing home on Sunday to pack 5,000 “Kidz Comfort Packs” for children in Gaza. This marked the fourth round of relief packaging organised by Humanity Matters. The previous round took place in March last year, with 5,000 children’s heat packs sent to Gaza in July.
After packing the supplies, volunteers from different faiths and communities shared an Iftar meal with 500 community leaders and grassroots members, symbolising unity, sacrifice, and empathy.
Prime Minister Wong reminded Singaporeans that while supporting others abroad is essential, it is equally important to appreciate and safeguard what Singapore has. “We may have differences, but we are one community, united in peace and harmony, regardless of race, language, or religion,” he said.
Singapore has contributed over S$19 million in aid to Gaza. The Singapore Air Force recently delivered the seventh round of relief supplies to Jordan, which will be dispatched to Gaza shortly.
In addition to the Humanity Matters event, M³ (M-Cube), a Malay organisation, launched a donation booth at the Geylang Serai Hari Raya Bazaar on 1st March in support of the Quan Fu Foundation’s fundraising efforts.
Prime Minister Wong reiterated Singapore’s commitment to providing humanitarian aid to Gaza and collaborating with partners in the Middle East to address urgent needs. He also reaffirmed Singapore’s support for international efforts to establish a homeland for the Palestinian people through a negotiated two-state solution. “We will continue to support the Palestinian Authority in its capacity-building efforts and in governing their own state,” he stated.
Additionally, Humanity Matters and local shipping company Pacific International Lines signed a memorandum of cooperation on Sunday, ensuring continued logistical support for delivering humanitarian aid to conflict zones and regions affected by extreme climate conditions.
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