Khwaish Oct 2015

MICA (P) 148/01/2015 October 2015
a s p i r a t i o n s
Publication of Young Sikh Association (Singapore)
The Future of Singapore
IN THIS ISSUE…
Editor’s Note
From the President’s Desk
Singapore’s Future?
Sixth YSA Ministerial Dialogue
10 – First Decade
YSA marks 10th anniversary
Project Khwaish XIV
Certificate Presentation Ceremony
YSA’s SG50 Initiative
Singapore at 50!
50 Sikhs and Their Contributions
Khwaish on Wheels
Charity Adventure in Phuket
YSA Football Tournament 2015
Promoting Multi-racialism and Healthy
Lifestyle
Dalreena Poonam Gill
Young Lady with Big Dreams
Thinking Aloud!
Piece on ASEAN
Speaking Softly!!
Piece by YSA EXCO member
YSA’s Forthcoming Activities
• Project Khwaish XV
• YSA ‘Racial Harmony’ Football Tournament
Activities by Other Youth Organisations
• National Youth Council
• Sikh Sewaks Singapore
• SINDA Youth Club

Young Sikh Association (Singapore)
Panel of Advisors
Dr Mohamad Maliki Osman
Minister of State for Defence;
Minister of State for
National Development; and
Member of Parliament for East Coast GRC
Mr Inderjit Singh
Member of Parliament for Ang Mo Kio GRC
Mr Davinder Singh
Chief Executive Officer
Drew and Napier LLC
Mr Kirpa Ram Sharma
Managing Director
Pars Ram Brothers (Pte) Ltd
Young Sikh Association (Singapore)
Executive Committee 2014-16
Mr Malminderjit Singh
President
Mr Kulwant Singh
Vice President
(Administration)
Mr Sarabjeet Singh
Vice President
(Corporate Relations)
Ms Sheena Kaur
Honorary Secretary
Ms Sukvinderpal Kaur
Assistant Secretary
Mr Kuldip Singh
Honorary Treasurer
Ms Balveen Kaur
Assistant Treasurer
Ms Shakti Sadashiv
Committee Member
(Editor, Newsletter)
Ms Harsimar Kaur
Committee Member
(Corporate Communications)
Ms Sharanjit Kaur
Committee Member
(Intellectual and Professional Development)
Ms Harjean Kaur
Committee Member
(Intellectual and Professional Development)
Ms Sithara Doriasamy
Committee Member
(Conferences and Seminars)
Mrs Rosvinder Sidhu
Committee Member
(Conferences and Seminars)
Mr Nirmal Singh
Committee Member
(Sports and Culture)
Editor’s Note
I want to start this editorial by wishing all our members a
happy SG50! It is remarkable how we are celebrating the 50th
independence of the little red dot that we all call home and
which many thought would not amount to anything; much less
a bustling city-state that is also one of the most globalised and
boasts many achievements. Indeed, we have much to celebrate.
On that note, I am pleased to share that YSA will be adding to
the SG50 celebrations by launching ‘Singapore at 50 – 50 Sikhs
and their Contributions’, a publication that I believe represents
a valuable gift by the Sikh community to the nation. It will also
serve as a way for us to take stock of what the community has
accomplished for and with the nation, and to seek inspiration
from the individuals featured as we look ahead to the future. More information on the
publication launch event details are found in this issue of Khwaish.
As I work on this editorial, Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel has just crossed the finish line to
win the 2015 Formula 1 night race in Singapore. This is the eighth instalment of the race
in Singapore and in its short history the annual event has since earned itself the title of
‘jewel in the Formula 1 crown’. My interest in F1 started with my Honours thesis as an
undergraduate. Specifically, I uncovered the ways in which partnerships between private
enterprise and good leadership in government have made possible another first for
Singapore and the world – a night race in a dense city circuit. Over the years that the race
has been hosted here, it has made me give some thought to how Singapore has markedly
moved away from the metaphor of the “air-conditioned nation”. As such, it dawned on me
that perhaps the ultra-high technology F1 car has now come to replace the air-conditioner
as the metaphor to capture the state of Singapore and the ways in which it will move
forward.
On the heels of the recent General Elections and an outcome that surprised many,
government leaders have acknowledged that it can no longer operate as it used to in the
past. At this year’s Ministerial Dialogue organised by YSA, Mr K Shanmugam, Minister
for Foreign Affairs and Law, also shared how greater consultation, involvement and
collaboration with all stakeholders will enable our country to continue its course by being
competitive and remaining relevant in a world that now comprises complex webs of geopolitical
and economic linkages. He also stressed that the government is looking even
closely at ways to ensure no one gets left behind and that all groups in society benefit in
ways that are more equitable. However, in this high stakes race in which Singapore is but
one player, we must not lose sight of the need to carefully consider and calculate each
decision. In this race, a misstep would most certainly be disastrous.
Therefore, for Singapore to win the race of the next 50 years there needs to be a concerted
effort where all team players – the public, private organisations and the government –
come together and work on the basis of consensus and trust. Definitely, just as the F1
car represents cutting edge technology, Singapore needs to continue to be an advanced
frontier city which will position it well in order to better navigate the many twists, turns,
risks and uncertainties on the road ahead.
With that, the work starts now if we want to conceive of a future of Singapore where we
can celebrate at the finish line in SG100!
Sarabjeet Singh
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Editorial Information
Khwaish is a newsletter of Young Sikh Association (Singapore).
Please feel free to forward your comments and feedback to:-
Ms Shakti Sadashiv 8 Jalan Bukit Merah, Singapore 169543
Editor, Khwaish Mobile: 9459 4594 Fax: 6319 8277
Young Sikh Association (Singapore) Email: shakti.sadashiv@gmail.com
No part of this newsletter should be published without the consent of the Editor, Khwaish.

From the President’s Desk…
“
Greetings from YSA and a very happy 50th National
Day to all Singaporeans! This issue of the Khwaish
newsletter comes at a period which, in many ways, is an
inflection point for Singapore.
"
Mr Malminderjit Singh
The nation just held its jubilee
celebrations in August, and a month
later, it held its general elections to vote
in place a government for the next five
years.
During the course of the year,
Singapore’s 50th anniversary
celebrations provided all of us with a
glimpse of the country’s ascendance
and development in its short history.
Many commentators refer to Singapore
as nothing short of an economic
miracle, in reflection of how the nation
defied all odds to progress from a small
settlement to a developed economy in
a short span of time. Indeed, narratives
such as these provided great source of
pride for Singaporeans.
It should, however, also provide an
opportunity for greater introspection
and to compare the challenges
Singapore still faces, despite evidently
having come a long way in its
development. The nation’s first Prime
Minister, Mr Lee Kuan Yew, himself said
that it would be “a political, economic
and geographic absurdity to have an
independent Singapore”. While many
historians and political commentators
have decoded Mr Lee’s statement
to be a provocative catalyst for the
citizenry to overcome adversity and
drive Singapore to defy these odds, the
question perhaps to ask, as we stand
in this milestone year is, is Singapore’s
future survival still as absurd now or is
it more of a certainty?
I will not delve into my take on
Singapore’s existential probabilities
here since I have discussed this in detail
in a separate piece inside this issue.
I will, however, point out that, since
Singapore still has to deal with such
apocalyptic questions, perhaps more
so than any other developed nation,
highlights its vulnerability as a vibrant
city, state and nation. Singapore still has
to deal with some of the uncertainties
that its founding generation sought
to address 50 years ago – how can it
be economically active, relevant and
dynamic in the future despite having
a dearth of natural resources, a small
market and the lack of a hinterland?
Just as was the case five decades
ago, doomsayers still continue to
doubt Singapore’s future due to its
population challenges, which in turn
leads to the concern if the young nation
can continue to unearth high-calibre
leaders to govern it.
Singapore’s challenges have not gone
away even though the country has
progressed in most indicators by
leaps and bounds. And, perhaps, these
challenges may never go away and may
continue to loom over Singapore, due
to its inherent limitations. However,
these should not stop us. It should,
in fact, spur us a nation to continue
to defy odds and that can perhaps
be the mission of each generation of
Singaporeans – to continue to take
the country forward and prove that it
can continue to be this absurdity for
everyone to marvel over. That will give
purpose and meaning to the notion of
‘Majulah Singapura’, enshrined in our
national anthem.
That takes to me the other big event in
recent times – the General Elections (GE)
2015. For our founding generation to
build Singapore from an absurd concept
to an economic miracle required,
among other things, two necessary
pre-requisites – good leadership that
can rally its citizens to achieve clear
objectives and a strong nexus between
the people and the government so that
the latter can push ahead with difficult
but necessary decisions. The results
of GE2015 have given the government
a strong mandate to take Singapore
forward amidst an uncertain future and
it should leverage on its strong position
to rally Singaporeans towards clearly
defined goals.
Perhaps, unlike 1965, the nexus now also
calls for a greater role for a new player in
this equation –civil society. At YSA, we
believe firmly that civil society groups
will play a key part in Singapore’s future,
particularly as a unifying and rallying
objective force in a more pluralised and
partisan Singapore. As an organisation
dedicated to advance the spirit of
volunteerism, youth activism and
promoting a multi-racial society, YSA is
looking forward to contributing greater
to Singapore’s future.
All hands are needed on deck if
Singapore is to continue to overachieve.
Anything less in itself will be
an absurdity by the young nation’s
standards.
Khwaish
3

Cover Story
Sixth Ministerial
Dialogue
The Future of Singapore
It is also important for Singapore to build resilience within society
and deal with the challenges – be they relate to terrorism, social
or economic issues. This is the key reason for the need for
community resilience, and inter-religious and inter-racial harmony
for Singapore.
Singapore’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Law, Mr K Shanmugam,
said this at a dialogue session with more than 100 participants
from the Sikh community on 2 September 2015. Organised by YSA,
the Sixth Ministerial Dialogue was titled “The Future of Singapore”.
On the key international challenges, Mr Shanmugam stressed that
relationships between the big countries – China, US and Japan – is
a serious issue and should not be taken lightly. It has implications
for us (Singapore) and the space that we have enjoyed so far.
Focusing on regional developments, Mr Shanmugam stated,
“Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia – what is happening in those
countries. At all times in our history, all these can impact on us
because they are such close neighbours, we have such close
economic relationships. And political economic changes or
challenges that they face would have a serious impact on us, and
that is a second major facet.”
Domestically, Mr Shanmugam said that, “…our demographic
challenge; it is, I think, a very serious one. We just have five persons
working now for every one person who is below 65 years. It used
to be 17 to one in the early 1970s. But in 15 years, it is going to go
down to two persons below 65 years for every one person above
65 years. So it is a very significant challenge. Ageing society – we
are one of the fastest ageing societies in the world. What does it
do to your economy? What does it do to your social policies, your
availability of manpower for a whole variety of things, including
medical care?”
The two-hour dialogue also focussed on discussions on Sikh
representation in government, leadership succession, ASEAN
economic cooperation and aspirations of young Singaporeans,
among others.
Replying to a question from the floor on why the People’s Action
Party did not field a Sikh candidate in this year’s elections, Mr
Shanmugan said that the Indian community here should not expect
to have a representative in Parliament for every “Indian race”. He
remarked, “If we start getting into the different Indian races, Tamils,
Malayalis and so on, we would have endless problems.”
However, he urged the Sikh community to suggest possible
candidates. “You give us names. If there are people who can make
it through the system, we will take them. But they will go through
the same process that everybody else goes through. They will not
be selected because they are Sikhs. They will be selected because
they can represent all Singaporeans.”
Mr Shanmugam was also asked if Singapore was ready for a non-
Chinese prime minister. He replied that while it is possible, what was
more important was for the candidate to have the ability needed
for the position. “If you were ask the Cabinet today, philosophically,
would there be any objection to a non-Chinese becoming the prime
minister, I think the answer would be no. There is no philosophical
objection, starting with the Prime Minister himself.” He cautioned,
though, that the candidate, however, cannot just appeal to just one
particular group. “If, politically, you cannot appeal to the majority
community, the party will be in trouble.”
The event also saw the launch of YSA’s 10th Anniversary Publication,
“10 – First Decade”. The pictorial presentation represents YSA’s
humble beginnings and its journey to becoming an important
and integral part of the Sikh community and the youth sector in
Singapore.
The dialogue session was supported by the National Integration
Council and Narpani Pearavai.
4 Khwaish

10 – First Decade
YSA publishes 10th anniversary book
The year 2014 marked the first decade of YSA’s establishment. During the last 10 years, YSA has initiated or has been directly involved
in more than 120 activities or programmes locally and overseas. This amounts to approximately one event every month. This is indeed
a remarkable feat. What is perhaps more remarkable was the fact that, when YSA was formed, it did not have a penny in its coffers and
the founding members contributed funds from their own pockets to get it going. It is also equally impressive that these activities and
programmes have been spearheaded by YSA’s Executive Committees which comprise entirely of volunteers. Like the founding members,
successive Executive Committee members have strongly believed in YSA’s founding principles. Each and every individual on the Executive
Committee has worked tirelessly and passionately set out to translate YSA’s values into tangible programmes.
To mark its first decade, YSA published “10 – First Decade”. The book was officially launched by Mr K Shanmugam, Singapore’s Minister for
Foreign Affairs and Law, during the Sixth YSA Ministerial Dialogue on 2 September 2015. The launch ceremony witnessed Mr Shanmugam
unveiling the book design and signing the poster to mark a simple but symbolic launch of the publication.
The 136-page publication captures YSA’s key achievements and milestones since its inception. This pictorial presentation represents
YSA’s humble beginnings and its journey to becoming an important and integral part of the Sikh community and the youth sector in
Singapore. The journey in the first decade has been nothing short of exciting and exhilarating.
The publication of the book was made possible by funding from the Lee Foundation.
If you would like to receive a complimentary copy of the publication, please write to Ms Simar Kaur at simar28@hotmail.com. We will
contact you on the collection of the publication. Alternatively, you can pick up a copy at any of the Sikh temples.
Khwaish
5

Project Khwaish XIV
Certificate Presentation Ceremony
Fifteen young Singaporeans spent the
better part of their December holidays
last year helping schoolchildren in Mehma
village in Ferozepur, Punjab, India. The
volunteers, made up of multi-racial
Singaporeans, were part of Project Khwaish
XIV, the community service project of
Young Sikh Association (Singapore).
During the expedition at the secondary
and primary schools, the participants
developed two libraries comprising 3,000
books. They also cleaned, refurbished
and painted the whole school compound.
Furthermore, they flattened the uneven
assembly ground, helped build a walkway
for rainy seasons and laid tiles on the
ground so that the students and teachers
did not have to worry about muddy shoes
during wet weather. At the same time,
the team helped lay underground pipes
to prevent flooding and clogging of the
sewage, thereby reducing the chances of
water borne diseases. It also installed two
new school gates, a signboard, fans and
lights in the schools. The participants also
distributed gifts to the students and clothes
to the needy in the local community. In
addition, they spent time interacting with
the local community.
Singapore’s Minister of State for Education,
and Communication and Information,
Ms Sim Ann, presented certificates of
participation to the participants at the
Singapore Management University on 24
February 2015.
The expedition showed the drive,
determination and dedication of these
young Singaporeans to venture out of
their comfort zones and spend time in a
village. They had basic living conditions,
ate simple meals with the villagers, worked
in cold weather conditions, and travelled
in less than comfortable transportation.
The young Singaporeans showed the
qualities that are essential in doing well
and succeeding in life, regardless of the
challenges.
One of the participants, Gurnihal Singh, 19,
echoed the view of his team that painting
the school and laying pipes in the cold
Punjab weather was physically challenging
but the effort was worth it: “We saw the
tremendous gratitude from the students.
On the last day, one of the students from
the primary school came up to me and told
me that he really appreciated how we have
cleaned up and made his school a more
conducive environment for learning. Our
efforts would now motivate him to study
hard.”
Another participant, 16-year old Kenny
Tay, appreciated the work-life balance of
the host community: “They have a strong
community spirit largely due to the way
they relate to one another at work. Whilst
they do their work with their heart, they
also find time during lunches and tea
breaks to know one another better through
conversations, sharing snacks, talking
about their lives, their families, their joys
and struggles. Maybe, we in Singapore can
reflect on this and consider slowing down
at times.”
The project was supported by the Youth
Expedition Project at the National Youth
Council, the Lee Foundation, TriStar
Electronics, Thakral Group, Modern
Montessori International, Singapore Indian
Development Association (SINDA), SINDA
Youth Club, and individual donors and wellwishers.
Air India was the official airline for
the project.
“Beyond looking at physical needs of the
school, you spent time bonding with the
children and the local community and
distributed clothes to the needy. You were
ambassadors of goodwill for Singapore,”
she said.
6 Khwaish

YSA’s SG50 Initiative
Singapore at 50 - 50 Sikhs and Their Contributions
A publication project almost one and
a half years in the making is now near
its completion. YSA’s SG50 publication,
‘Singapore at 50 – 50 Sikhs and their
Contributions’ will be officially launched at
the end of November this year.
The publication is the Sikh community’s
contribution to Singapore’s 50th
anniversary celebrations. The coffee-table
book will highlight 50 Sikhs who have
contributed to Singapore at the national
level or to nation-building.
More than 250 nominations of Sikhs in
Singapore from diverse fields and sectors
were received by the YSA Secretariat.
These include business, academia, politics,
media, arts and culture, uniformed
groups, government and non-government
organisations, civil society and sports,
among others. Nominations were also
received from Singapore Sikhs living
overseas.
A Panel of Reviewers, chaired by Professor
Tan Tai Yong, Executive Vice President
(Academic Affairs), Yale-NUS College; and
Former Nominated Member of Parliament,
was appointed with the task of deliberating
and deciding on the final list of 50 Sikhs
for the publication. Representing different
strata of Singapore society and with
intimate knowledge and understanding of
the Sikh community, the panel members
spent more than six months before
arriving at the final list of 50 Sikhs for the
publication.
Professor Tan stated, “It was important
for the panel to go through and each and
every nomination carefully and thoroughly.
The panel spent many hours deliberating
all nominations, and when we did not
have enough information on a particular
nominee, we sought more details on that
person. We wanted to give all nominees
fair and careful consideration based on
the criteria for selection. The process was
comprehensive and detailed. My panel and
I strongly believe that the contributions of
these 50 Sikhs will highlight the significant
role played by Singapore Sikhs in the
country’s development and progress.”
The criteria for the nomination and selection
were three-fold. Firstly, the nominees’
contributions must have made an impact
at the national-level or to nation-building.
Secondly, the contribution must be for at
least five years. And lastly, since this year
marks the 50th anniversary of Singapore’s
independence, the contributions must have
been made in the post-1965 era.
Another member of the panel, Dr Narinder
Kaur, Chief Organisational Excellence
Assessor/Quality Service Management
at the National Library Board, added that
“These criteria put into context the level of
contributions made by the nominees and
as well as the impact of their contributions
on the national landscape. As there were
several hundred nominees, these criteria
certainly guided the panel in making a
clear assessment of each and every one of
them.”
A team of researchers engaged by the YSA
Secretariat then conducted interviews with
the nominees and/or their family members
as well as arranged for photography
sessions with the nominees. The choice
of young Sikh undergraduates and young
working adults is reflective of the book
project being part of the Sikh community’s
effort. The diverse backgrounds of the
researchers are reflected in their respective
approaches and styles adopted in writing
the individual profiles of the 50 Sikhs. As
such, one can expect the publication to
comprise an eclectic mix of narratives
that capture the stories of the 50 Sikhs in
interesting and unique ways.
It was especially striking that these young
Sikh researchers readily came forward to
contribute to the project, fully realising the
challenges of research and the expectations
of rigour in the work they were expected
to undertake and deliver. Each of them,
in turn, found the experience extremely
rewarding as they went on several journeys
down memory lane – to understand and
appreciate the trials, tribulations and
triumphs of the 50 Sikhs.
According to Shinderjeet Kaur, a young
working adult and one of the researchers,
“The experience has been an eye-opener
in terms of the many ways and different
sectors in which Sikhs in Singapore
have made significant contributions
to Singapore. Some of these Sikhs are
unsung heroes and many of us would not
know about them if not for this project.
Sometimes, hearing from them, you get the
sense that all it would have taken was just
one different decision and their lives would
have followed a very different course. It
has been very inspiring to meet and hear
from individuals who have contributed to
raising the profile of Sikhs as a community
in Singapore.”
Another researcher, Pavandeep Singh,
added, “It has really been exciting to be
involved in this initiative. It is not often
that one gets the opportunity to meet
with Sikhs who have made a mark at the
national level. From a personal perspective,
it was an educational exercise. I learnt
much about the significant contributions
made by my community to the country.
The whole experience has also been highly
motivational. These are individuals all youth
can look up to in the ways in which they
have paved the way forward for the next
generation of Sikhs to continue making
contributions for a better Singapore for all.”
The book will represent an important
opportunity in highlighting the
contributions of the Sikh community to
Singapore. Equally importantly, it will be
the Sikh community’s lasting contribution
to a significant milestone in Singapore’s
history. Do be part of the launch ceremony!
Official Launch of Publication
The launch of the publication, “Singapore at 50 – 50 Sikhs and Their Contributions”, will be held at Raffles Town Club on 28
November 2015. Singapore’s Prime Minister, Mr Lee Hsien Loong, will be the Guest-of-Honour for the event.
The event, which is jointly organised by YSA, Singapore Sikh Education Foundation (SSEF) and Sikh Sewaks Singapore, will also
include a fund-raising effort, with proceeds being used for educational and community initiatives by the three institutions.
The gala dinner will involve members of the Sikh community as well as representatives from the larger Singapore society.
For enquiries on the event, please contact Mr Gurdip Usma (SSEF) at 93399600 or gurdips1950@gmail.com.
Join us and be part of this milestone event!
Khwaish
7

Khwaish on Wheels
Charity Adventure in Phuket
Six young Singaporeans set off in the
wee hours of 5 April 2015 on a 1,300km
motorcycle trip to Phuket all in the name of
charity – they helped to set up a bakery in
an orphanage.
Called “Khwaish on Wheels”, the project
by YSA witnessed the men distributing
S$18,500 to the Home and Life Phang-
Nga Foundation. It was set up in 2006 for
children who lost their parents in the 2004
tsunami.
The home, which has a coffee shop, has
about 25 orphans aged seven to 17. It
educates them, gives them job training
and, also runs small businesses to sustain
itself.
The men consulted the home and listed
down what was required for the project
– ovens, fridges, ingredients and baking
materials costing S$18,500. YSA helped
raised S$15,000. The group raised the
remainder of the money for the project.
The motorcyclists reached Phuket on 6
April 2015 to pay for the delivery of ovens
and fridges. They stayed on till 10 April 2015
to ensure that the items are in place before
returning to Singapore the following day.
One of the motorcyclists, Angad Singh, 31
said, “We were not able to conduct lessons
the children or build something concrete
for them as we did not have the time.
So we decided combine our passion for
adventure with doing good by providing
the children with material goods to teach
them baking skills.”
YSA’s President, Malminderjit Singh, said,
“Our association is pleased to be part
of the project. Firstly, it is a ground-up
initiative deserving of support. Secondly,
it is a cross-border project and highlights
the softer side of Singaporeans. Most
importantly, there is goodwill at the end of it
and we hope this will give the beneficiaries
in Phuket the life skills they need to start
their lives afresh.”
Following the mission, the group will stay
in touch with the orphanage to assess the
success on the bakery and to see how else
it can help the children.
YSA Football Tournament 2015
Promoting Multiracialism the Sporting Way
Mr Edwin Tong, Member of Parliament for Moulmein-Kallang GRC,
lent his support to the tournament’s objective by kicking it off
through an exhibition match involving players from various ethnic
groups.
The tournament’s multi-racial thrust saw not only teams from
different ethnic groups but also a multi-ethnic component within
each team. This is line with its aim of closer interaction and
networking among youth of different backgrounds, to promote
greater cultural and racial understanding and respect in Singapore
and, at the same time, encourage a healthy and dynamic lifestyle.
The tournament also looked towards providing a platform for
the Sikh participants to play an active and responsible role in
nation-building by propagating the values synonymous with the
Singapore ethos.
A carnival atmosphere descended upon Uber Sports Football
Courts at East Coast Park on 4 April 2015 as more than 500
players and supporters from various ethnic groups, new citizens
and expatriates participated in a unique football tournament with
a multi-racial and charitable element.
Organised by YSA, the event witnessed the participation of 56
teams from different ethnic groups, backgrounds and age groups,
including the self-help groups, new citizens and expatriates.
Following some 120 matches in the preliminary and knockout
stages, MIB 2 emerged champion in the ‘Open’ category while La
Plata Dynamics took top honours in the ‘Veterans’ category. In the
‘Youth’ category, RSA Hawks emerged victorious and RSA Falcons
were crowned champion in the ‘Junior’ category.
The football tournament was supported by the National Integration
Fund, Harmony Fund (Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth),
Lee Foundation, Football Association of Singapore, Singapore
Indian Development Association (SINDA), SINDA Youth Club and
Narpani Pearavai.
8 Khwaish

Realising the
ASEAN Economic Community
Prospects and Challenges Mr S Pushpanathan
Introduction
The year 2015
is indeed
going to be
a watershed
year for the
Association
of Southeast
Asian Nations
(ASEAN). It is
also the year
of Malaysia’s
Chairmanship
of ASEAN
as ASEAN
makes the
final lap to the
ASEAN community by December 2015.
The Prime Minister of Malaysia, Dato Sri
Mohd Najib Razak, in his message to the
11th ASEAN Leadership Forum in May
2014 in Myanmar, said that, as the ASEAN
Chair in 2015, Malaysia would strengthen
people connectivity and make ASEAN a
more people-centred community. He also
said that, the ASEAN community should
evolve to become more people-friendly
and enable the younger generation to have
a better sense of ASEAN consciousness.
ASEAN Economies Today
The growth story of the ASEAN economies
remains strong. ASEAN has a population of
617 million, which is growing at a faster rate
than China and India at an annual average
rate of 1.45 per cent. ASEAN is expected to
achieve an economic growth rate of five to
six per cent from now till 2017. Its combined
gross domestic product (GDP) was about
US$2.4 trillion and total trade stood at
US$2.5 trillion in 2014. ASEAN accounts
for seven per cent of global exports
and its members have developed more
sophisticated manufacturing capabilities
and their exports have diversified. Going
forward, ASEAN is likely to surpass Japan
to be the fourth largest economy by 2030
after the European Union, United States
and China.
In terms of investment, ASEAN is pulling in
about US$128 billion, which is seven times
more than the flow to India and slightly
more than the flow of US$117 billion to
China in 2013. ASEAN also has a higher
rate of return on foreign direct investment
(FDI) at 11 per cent for the period 2005 to
2010 compared to the world’s average of
6.9 per cent and of developing countries at
nine per cent for the same period. ASEAN
is home to 227 of the world’s biggest
companies with more than US$1 billion in
revenue or three per cent of the world’s
total.
In terms of macroeconomic stability, the
region has proven to be resilient in the
aftermath of the 2008 global financial crisis
and has a stronger fiscal position now. It has
certainly learned its lessons from the 1997
Asian financial crisis. Government debt is
under 50 per cent of GDP and savings has
remained steady since 2000 at about a
third of the GDP.
Based on the statistics from the Asian
Development Bank (ADB), the size of the
middle class in ASEAN will rise from 24 per
cent in 2010 to 65 per cent in 2030. By 2017,
the number of middle class households in
ASEAN is expected to reach 85 million, up
from the 40 million registered in 2010. The
number could reach 125 million middleincome
households by 2025 making ASEAN
a key consumer market of the future.
Most strikingly, the region’s under-30
population will account for nearly half of
the total population. As their purchasing
power increases, consumer demand for
educational services, household goods and
services, communications, infrastructure
and energy will also increase.
Besides, extreme poverty is rapidly
declining. In 2000, 14 per cent of the
region’s population was below the
international poverty line of US$1.25 but by
2013, the share has fallen to three per cent.
Urbanisation is another phenomenon
impacting consumer growth and ASEAN
cities are leading this march. Almost 22
per cent of ASEAN’s population now
lives in cities and they account for 54 per
cent of the region’s GDP. An additional
54 million people is expected to move to
cities by 2025. Interestingly, midsize cities
are outpacing the megacities of ASEAN in
leading economic growth. About 40 per
cent of ASEAN’s GDP growth through 2025
is expected to come from 142 cities with a
population of just 200,000 to 5 million.
Progress of AEC Implementation
Thus far, ASEAN has achieved steady
progress under the four pillars of a single
market and production base; a highly
competitive economic region; a region
of equitable economic development; and
a region fully integrated into the global
economy. Based on ASEAN statistics,
ASEAN has achieved about 82.1 per cent
implementation of its priority measures
under the ASEAN Economic Community
(AEC).
The ASEAN Free Trade Area was realised on
1 January 2010. The average intra-ASEAN
preferential tariffs have been reduced to
almost zero with 0.04 per cent remaining
for the more developed ASEAN-6
countries. For CLMV countries (Cambodia,
Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam), the share
of tariff lines at zero per cent preferential
duty has significantly increased to 67.6 per
cent in 2012, with efforts to expedite the
reduction of the remaining tariffs based on
the timelines agreed upon.
A Regional Work Programme on
addressing Non-Tariff Measures has been
adopted and a ASEAN Trade Repository
is to be established to provide detailed
trade related information of all 10 member
countries, which will facilitate not only
intra-ASEAN trade but would also support
ASEAN’s trade with its partners.
ASEAN is in the final stages of implementing
a region-wide self-certification, which will
allow selected registered exporters to
certify export documents on their own.
This will assist the business community to
move goods across the region swiftly and
at reduced costs. It has also completed
the scaled down version of the pilot
stage of the ASEAN Single Window that
seeks to promote a seamless exchange
of electronically transmitted trade related
documents among ASEAN members.
ASEAN is also drafting a legal protocol
to provide the needed assurance for the
businesses to engage in the electronic
exchange of trade documents.
As an integral requirement for making
ASEAN function as a single production base,
the region is now working on harmonisation
of standards and conformance procedures
and discussing or implementing Mutual
Recognition Arrangements (MRAs) in the
priority integration sectors identified by
ASEAN to accelerate the establishment of
the AEC. The sectors include electronics,
automotive, agro-based product,
cosmetics, and traditional medicine and
health supplements.
ASEAN also aims to realise free flow of
services and investment within the region
under the AEC. ASEAN is improving the
environment for ASEAN investors and
service suppliers alike to secure greater
market access and national treatment.
This is being achieved through progressive
or further liberalisation under the ASEAN
Framework Agreement on Services and
the ASEAN Comprehensive Investment
Agreement (ACIA).
Under the ASEAN Framework Agreement
on Services, to date, eight packages
of commitments have been concluded
and the region is now in the process of
finalising the ninth package. Under each
package, the ASEAN member states are
opening up their services sectors for
Khwaish
9

other member states. MRAs have been
concluded to facilitate recognition of
professionals, including accountants,
architects, surveyors, engineers, dental
practitioners, medical practitioners, nurses
and tourism professionals. In November
2012, the ASEAN Agreement on Movement
of Natural Persons was signed to facilitate
the temporary movement of natural
persons including skilled labor across the
region in the areas of trade in goods and
services, and investments.
On the investment front, the ACIA aims to
improve the investment environment and
make it more conducive for the private
sector. The ACIA reservations lists would be
reduced as more sectors are opened up for
investments by 2015. These measures are
aimed at ensuring transparency, stability
and predictability for businesses. One of
the major pillars of the ACIA is investment
protection, which ensures that investors
and their investments not only enjoy the
benefits of non-discriminatory treatment
but also of investment protection relating
to treatment, compensation against strife,
transfers of funds, unlawful expropriation,
and investor-state dispute, among others.
ASEAN is enhancing investment facilitation
and promotion too. Initiatives are being
undertaken through regional projects
that would help member states address
bottlenecks and red tape to investing in the
region, thereby reducing the cost of doing
business.
Infrastructure development also figures
prominently in the pillar to create a
competitive economic region. Transport
and IT infrastructure are essential for
movement of goods, capital, labour, people
and ideas across ASEAN member states.
The signing of the ASEAN Multilateral
Agreement on the Full Liberalisation of
Passenger Air Services and its protocol
provided a framework for the realisation of
the ASEAN open skies. To facilitate ASEAN
shipping services, a strategy towards the
integration of an ASEAN Single Shipping
Market was developed. Other infrastructure
10 Khwaish
plans involving the rail, road, energy
and information technology are being
implemented. This includes the transport
facilitation agreements involving multimodal
transport and inter-state transport
as well as the Master Plan on ASEAN
Connectivity.
ASEAN infrastructure requires an annual
investment of about US$60 billion up to
2020 but actual investment by ASEAN
members has been much lesser. The
ASEAN Infrastructure Fund is now in place
and it is expected to lend up to US$4 billion
and leverage up to US$13 billion for the
region’s infrastructure needs until 2020
based on figures released by the ADB. More
needs to be done in the connectivity area
and ASEAN is looking at public-private
partnership models to accomplish part of
this. People to people connectivity should
also be vigorously promoted and tourism
will be one aspect of this which should be
supported by a visa free regime and easy
travel for businessmen through an ASEAN
business travelers’ card.
ASEAN had in place five free trade areas
(FTAs) with China, Japan, South Korea, India
and Australia and New Zealand by 2010.
The FTAs are now in full operations and
amendments are being made periodically
to upgrade them. The FTAs are assisting
in boosting trade and investment with
these partners. In November 2012, ASEAN
initiated the Regional Comprehensive
Economic Partnership (RCEP) with its FTA
partners. Negotiations began in 2013, and
are expected to be concluded in 2015. The
RCEP will create the largest free trade area
in East Asia with the biggest economic
space for businesses to operate in. It will
have a population size of three billion and
global trade share of 27 per cent with a
GDP of US$21 trillion, which is about a third
of the world’s current annual GDP.
Diversity, Innovation and SMEs
Southeast Asia is the most diverse region
in the world in terms of geography;
natural resources endowments; type of
government; economic systems; and
stage of economic development. ASEAN
is considered the most diverse regional
grouping in the world.
Does this mean diversity is an impediment
for economic growth and development
and for integration? Certainly not! In fact,
ASEAN’s more developed economies are
powered by their technologies, research
and innovation while the rest leverage on
the abundance of their natural resources
and competitive labour cost. Because
wages and skills vary across the ASEAN
region, companies have taken their
operations from manufacturing to legal to
accounting, break them into chunks and
put these chunks where they can be done
best and at a competitive price. Some of
the multinational companies are just doing
that in building their supply chains with
call centres in the Philippines, IT services
in Kuala Lumpur and financial operations
in Singapore. Besides, the diversity will
grow creativity and innovation as it brings
about different perspectives and ways of
thinking. This is the plus factor of diversity,
which we often underestimate.
Innovation is a core element of robust
productivity growth. While ASEAN falls
short of this to China, South Korea and
Taiwan in East Asia, the good news is that
most ASEAN member states included in
the Global Innovation Index are among the
top ranking in their income groupings, best
exemplified by Malaysia leading the upper

middle income countries; Singapore being
the 8th best globally; and even Cambodia
ranking fifth among the low income
economies as the Conference Board (2013)
estimates of total factor productivity
growth shows. The challenge will be to
push the process further towards a more
innovative ASEAN in terms of investments
in research and development, investments
in human capital, and the strengthening of
the policy and institutional environment
for quality assurance, technology diffusion
and innovation, which should figure
prominently in the future plans for post-
2015 community building.
Innovation does not exist by itself. It
tends to happen in industries which are
plugged to regional and global production
networks. Innovation will also need
financing, availability of specialised skills
and services, and large integrated markets,
which the AEC is creating. Technology
diffusion and innovation benefit from
investments and from trade-investmenttechnology
nexus of production networks,
which will be facilitated by FDI into ASEAN.
ASEAN attracted about US$128 billion in
FDI in 2013 alone, which is the highest in
the history of ASEAN.
Here, the small and medium enterprises
(SMES) play an important role. They
constitute 95 to 99 per cent of firms in
the ASEAN economies. Together, they
provide between 43 to 97 per cent of the
employment; contribute between 23 to
58 per cent to the GDP; and 10 to 30 per
cent in total exports of ASEAN. Since the
SMEs have a direct impact on the ASEAN
economies, their competitiveness and
robustness are key to building a resilient
ASEAN single market. In this regard, more
have to be done in strengthening SMEs,
which will include improvement in human
resources, provision of access to finance,
technology and innovation, amongst
others.
Opportunities and Challenges for AEC
So what are the opportunities and
challenges for AEC? Recent surveys
conducted by the Economist Corporate
Network and the ASEAN Business Advisory
Council indicate that most companies
are confident that the AEC would have
significant impact on their businesses and
they plan to invest more in ASEAN. The
multinational companies surveyed by the
Economist see opportunities for short-term
and long-term potentials supported by the
economic growth and increasing middle
income and young population. ASEAN is
becoming a manufacturing hub and the
region’s pent-up demand for infrastructure
and other fixed assets like housing and
factories is expected to spur further growth
in the region.
However, building the AEC is not a bed of
roses. Southeast Asia is one of the most
diverse regions in the world. Forging a
community is, therefore, a daunting task
but ASEAN has been doing this quite
admirably. What will be needed would
be for ASEAN to focus on implementing
the remaining measures expeditiously
and to focus on specific priorities such
as trade integration and liberalisation;
removal of non-tariff barriers to trade as
well as barriers to investments; building
up regional connectivity in terms of
roads, railways, air and maritime links;
trade facilitation especially customs,
standards harmonisation and regulatory
convergence; freer movement of skill
labor and professionals through the
implementation of existing mutual
recognition arrangements and new ones;
and completing the RCEP negotiations on
time .
Importantly too, ASEAN member states will
have to transpose the regional commitments
they have made in ASEAN into national
obligations through their respective
domestic processes and at a quicker pace.
The domestic legal enactments relating to
ASEAN commitments should be monitored
as part of the ASEAN Scorecard process.
This will help to boost the implementation
of the AEC measures and bring ASEAN
closer to achieving its AEC in 2015.
In building the AEC, the role of the private
sector in ASEAN should not be underestimated.
It needs to be better engaged
as it is the principal driver of regional
economic integration. There should be
regular sector-specific dialogue with the
business community so that ASEAN can
address the private sector’s concerns and
create a more facilitative environment for
doing business in the region. More technical
meetings of ASEAN in the economic arena
could also be opened up to the participation
of the private sector. The SMEs must be an
integral of the private sector participation
in the AEC and they should benefit from
the progress of the AEC.
ASEAN must exert more effort in
narrowing the development gaps, which
will significantly impact the quality and
pace of ASEAN’s economic integration
initiatives. While work is ongoing in this
area, ASEAN is experiencing tremendous
resource constraints. There has been
considerable difficulty in the less developed
ASEAN economies in transposing regional
commitments, both intra-ASEAN and extra-
ASEAN commitments, into domestic laws
and regulations due to lack of capacity and
financial resources. There is also a need
to intensify communication efforts to the
business community, especially the SMEs
to keep them updated on AEC’s progress
and initiatives.
At the same time, ASEAN will have to work
together as one single unit in addressing
external challenges. In an inter-connected
and interdependent world, ASEAN will not
be spared from economic uncertainties
from other parts of the world that could be
transmitted to the region. The Chiang Mai
Multilateralisation Initiative, the ASEAN+3
Emergency Rice Reserve and the Regional
Comprehensive Economic Partnership are
some examples of how ASEAN has reacted
to the external challenges. This has also
helped to reinforce ASEAN’s relevance
and strengthened its ability to maintain
ASEAN’s centrality in the evolving and
dynamic regional architecture.
Conclusion
ASEAN should start looking at building
a people-oriented community so that
community building will be sustainable as
without the involvement of all stakeholders
of the single market. Here, the role of the
private sector must be further strengthened
and new important issues like environment,
food security, and energy security must be
addressed.
The potentials of the youth in contributing
towards the ASEAN community building
process must be recognised and ASEAN
awareness must be encouraged through
different platforms to promote sharing of
perspectives and ideas as wells promoting
people-to-people exchanges.
In short, community building is the best
option for ASEAN to be more integrated
and connected so that diversity could
become a real asset for the region and
creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship
could thrive. This is help in reinforcing
ASEAN’s centrality in the evolving and
dynamic economic architecture in East
Asia. The best for the ASEAN single market
is yet to come and it will germinate, develop
and flourish in the minds and hands of our
future leaders, the youth of today.
Mr S Pushpanathan is the Managing
Director Asia-Pacific of a global strategic
consultancy, EAS Strategic Advice. He was
formerly the Deputy Secretary General of
ASEAN for ASEAN Economic Community.
The views presented in this article are
personal and do not necessarily reflect
those of YSA.
Khwaish 11

Speaking Softly!
Can Singapore Survive?
Mr Malminderjit Singh
Singapore’s 50th anniversary presents
an opportunity to all of us to reflect
on the nation’s past tribulations and
achievements. While we revel in the
undoubted economic miracle that
Singapore has come to be, it is opportune
to also consider Singapore’s future,
which inevitably leads to the often ask
apocalyptic question – Can Singapore
survive?
I was recently asked to give my thoughts
on this topic at a youth symposium and
I thought it useful to also share some of
these perspectives with our readers to
kindle some thoughts on the existential
future of Singapore.
Back to the question – “Can Singapore
Survive?” Singapore is unique in the sense
that it has served all of three functions – a
city with vibrant economic opportunities
while being a sovereign state and a young
nation with common values, ideals and
aspirations.
It appears unlikely to me that Singapore’s
sovereign existence will be under any
real threat in the future, if present
circumstances remain. With a strong
defence as a deterrent, Singapore’s place
and relations in the global networks also
strengthen its sovereign position.
However, that could change and we
should not take these factors for granted.
For one, defence spending in Southeast
Asia is the fastest in the world. According
to a McKinsey report, Southeast Asia was
the world’s second largest import market
for defence between 1997 and 2012.
While much of this may be to replace
ageing fleets, we cannot discount that
we have also seen a corresponding rise in
aggression in the region. Naval aggression
is one way in which this ambitious
aggression has manifested, especially
with Indonesia in recent times blowing up
foreign illegal fishing boats in dramatic
fashion and splashing reports and pictures
of these attacks all over their media in a
bid to flex their muscles.
In this respect, Singapore’s position in
global networks or its military deterrence’s
ability to act as a protective layer for
the country will depend on a number of
factors. Let me focus on two, which, in my
view are critical.
The first is economics. There are
hindrances to Singapore’s ability to remain
as a dynamic and relevant economy
and these warnings should not be taken
lightly. There are several reasons for these
concerns.
One, much of our economic success in
the past has been built on our ability to
be nimble and restructure. By virtue of
our resource constraints, we have often
faced times when we were losing our
competitiveness in our key industries.
However, each time that happened, we
restructured and moved up the value
chain.
I believe though that we have neared
the end of the road in terms of that
strategy. Firstly, our business costs have
hit dangerous levels and, secondly, other
countries are also catching up quickly,
reducing the room for us to manoeuvre in
moving higher up the value chain.
In this scenario, our economic strategy
hinges primarily on productivity. However,
national efforts to boost productivity
have not quite taken off. In fact, our
productivity growth has declined for three
consecutive years. With low population
growth, low immigration levels, low
12 Khwaish

productivity and high business costs, we
face a serious prospect of a stagnating
economy. This high-cost, low-productivity
scenario that we may slip into has plagued
other developed economies around the
world. However, Singapore, being a small
and vulnerable economy, may come out
worse than others in the same boat. Much
will depend on national skills upgrading
plans to make sure our labour productivity
increases substantially.
This brings me to my next point about
identity. There are two issues here. The
first is that stagnating economic growth
may mean that there will be a reduction
of opportunities for Singaporeans in the
future. We may be forced to look out of
Singapore for more dynamic and vibrant
opportunities – be these in the workforce
or in business.
Tagged to this point is social mobility. It
could be argued that for much of the 50
years of the nation’s history, the identity
of being Singaporean was driven by
economic development where, along
with the country’s progress, citizens also
moved up the social ladder as rapidly in
their lifetimes. There are considerable
doubts though that future generations
of Singaporeans can see those levels of
social mobility purely because they are
already starting from a much higher base.
Thus, if because of these factors, more
Singaporeans move away for economic
opportunities, will their sense of
belonging and rootedness to Singapore
be impacted? Will they still want to come
back and serve in our national service and
forces? If no, then this immediately affects
our military deterrence.
If our economy becomes less dynamic and
relevant, will we still feature prominently
in global networks? Will we still have
global partners who will stand up for us
should there be a perceived threat to our
sovereignty?
So while we may still exist as a sovereign
state, whether we can continue being a
dynamic city and a nation of hope faces a
much bigger hurdle.
Mr Malminderjit Singh is the Chief
Executive Officer at the Singapore Indian
Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He
is also the President of YSA. The views
presented in this article are personal and
do not necessarily reflect those of YSA.
Twelfth ‘Racial Harmony’ Football
Tournament
Tournament
Join us in promoting racial harmony and
understanding through fun and sports!
YSA is organising its 12th ‘Racial Harmony’ 4-a-side football
tournament in February/March 2016. There will be five categories
– Open, Veteran (45 years and above), Ladies, Youth (15 years and
below) and Junior (12 years and below).
For enquiries, please contact
Mr Nirmal Singh at 94570926/nimz@khalsa.com or Mr Kulwant
Singh at 90265910/redkul@gmail.com.
Do look out for more details which will be out soon!
Khwaish 13

Activities by Other Youth Organisations
NATIONAL YOUTH COUNCIL
Young ChangeMakers
With
Grant
Best Compliments From
Good news for all Young ChangeMakers (YCM) applicants!
YCM is celebrating Singapore’s 50th birthday! If you’ve a great
idea for a project that celebrates our nation’s milestone, bring
it to life by applying for YCM now!
That’s not all!
All YCM applications will now be assessed on a weekly basis.
Take the first step into making your ideas a reality!
This grant scheme supports youth initiated projects that
benefit the Singapore community and society. It also helps to
empower youth as decision makers to evaluate projects and
mentor project applicants. To find out more about the YCM
Grant, please visit www.resourceportal.nyc.sg/nycp.
To apply, please complete the required documents and submit
them via the resource portal at least six weeks before the start
of your project.
Greetings!
YSA’s Executive Committee wishes its Sikh and Indian members
a joyous Diwali, its Christian members Merry Christmas and to
all members a prosperous and God-blessed New Year!
14 Khwaish

Khwaish 15

16 Khwaish