Yellow Ribbon Fund Charity Golf Dinner 2024 – Speech by Assoc Prof Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim, Minister of State, Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of National Development

Mr Edmund Cheng, Chairman of Yellow Ribbon Fund (YRF)

Mr Phillip Tan, Chairman of Yellow Ribbon Singapore (YRSG)

Ms Shie Yong Lee, Commissioner of Prisons

Mr Sunny Lee, CEO of YRSG

Mr Francis Woo, Vice-Chairman of YRF

Dr Jimmy Koh, Co-Chairman of the YRF Charity Golf and Dinner

Distinguished guests

Valued partners

Ladies and gentlemen

Introduction

1. A very good evening to all.  I am very happy to join you at this Charity Golf Dinner in support of YRF. The weather was perfect for golf today, and I hope that you enjoyed your game.

Yellow Ribbon Fund

2. Let me first congratulate the YRF on celebrating its 20th anniversary this year.

3. The YRF was launched in 2004. It is the first national charitable fund devoted to rehabilitation, reintegration and support programmes for inmates, ex-offenders, and their families.

4. Over the years, the YRF has brought together corporates, community partners, and good-spirited individuals, to better the lives of inmates and ex-offenders, and create a more inclusive society. This includes all of you. You have uplifted the lives of over 70,000 beneficiaries, and this number is growing every day.

5. This afternoon, I just visited two families of our ex-offenders. The ex-offenders are currently undergoing community-based programmes with their family members. They shared that they appreciate the support that we have been giving to them. Your support not only helps to provide them beyond second chances, but helps to rebuild the lives of their families. It is very important.

6. Earlier this week, I met more than 10 inmates at Cluster A and Cluster B. They shared that they are receiving very good support from the community, and this highlights the importance of the work that we are doing as a community. I hope we can continue this journey, because it really means a lot to our inmates, ex-offenders and their families.

7. The programmes and initiatives supported by the YRF complement the work of the Singapore Prison Service (SPS) and YRSG. Collectively, you help our ex-offenders start their reintegration journey on a strong footing.

8. I am happy to share that our strategies are working. Our latest two-year recidivism rate remains amongst the lowest internationally, at 22 percent. This is for the cohort released in 2021. Our five-year recidivism rate, which had been at about 40 percent or higher, has improved to 36.8 percent for the cohort released in 2018 – the lowest we have ever recorded. This good result was made possible because of the many supportive partners that we have, including the YRF and its donors. Thank you for your commitment in helping our ex-offenders reintegrate into the community.

Skills Training Assistance to Restart (STAR) Bursary

9. A key enabler of long-term desistance from crime is education. Education enhances the employability of ex-offenders, which in turn provides them and their families with a chance at a better future. Just today, a family member of one of our inmates wrote to me on Facebook Messenger. She said that she is very thankful for the support given to her son and his child. She family attached the results of her grandson, which showed that he had done very well in his exams. Your efforts and funds that you have raised, ultimately benefits our inmates and ex-offenders and their families.

10. The Yellow Ribbon Fund Skills Training Assistance to Restart Bursary (or STAR Bursary), was started in 2010, to provide financial assistance to low-income inmates and ex-offenders who wish to pursue tertiary education. Recipients are fully funded for academic qualifications, such as Nitec, Higher Nitec, Diploma and Degree courses. To date, more than 270 inmates and ex-offenders have benefited from the STAR Bursary.

11. One such recipient is Ridzwan, who is here with us today. Ridzwan was released from prison in December 2021. He was awarded a STAR Bursary, and is now pursuing his passion through a Diploma in Music Production & Sound Engineering. Your support as partners and donors has enabled Ridzwan to focus on his studies without worrying about the fees. Ridzwan now finds time amidst work and studies, to pay it forward as a vocalist in the Yellow Ribbon Performing Arts Centre Alumni band. In fact, he is a mini celebrity now – the band recently held a jamming session together with DPM Lawrence Wong. I watched the video on YouTube on the way here and was very impressed by Ridzwan’s talent – thank you Ridzwan for being an inspiration to all of us! Well done!

12. Ridzwan is one of the many examples of ex-offenders who are upgrading themselves by furthering their studies. And I am happy that the Yellow Ribbon Fund will be supporting them by expanding the STAR Bursary in April this year, so that skills-based training programmes will also be fully funded. These include Workforce Skills Qualifications (WSQ) certificate and diploma courses, and other industry-recognised accreditation programmes. This will support the aspirations of inmates and ex-offenders who prefer a different education pathway. It will also provide easier access to skills-based qualifications, in line with the wider national upskilling movement, and the efforts under the Forward Singapore exercise to empower all Singaporeans to reach their full potential.

Appreciation for Donors and Sponsors

13. The work of the YRF would not be possible without support from the community. Today’s event is a good example of how a community that accepts ex-offenders and believes in the power of second chances can come together to make a positive impact. Every contribution matters.

14. I would like to express my heartfelt appreciation to all donors and sponsors present here today. Your generosity and support will inspire others to come forward and contribute in their own ways too – whether it be through fund-raising initiatives, or partnering with the YRF to provide programmes and services.

15. I sincerely would like to thank all of you for giving the best of your fullest support. As shared earlier, the inmates, ex-offenders and their families are appreciative of this. I also want to thank my colleagues, and many other organisations that have been supporting this cause.

16. Tonight, I have heard a lot of positive feedback about Dr Jimmy Koh, who has supported many fundraising initiatives like this, to help the community, our inmates, ex-offenders and their families. It is my hope that Dr Jimmy will continue to help us. Thank you also to Mr Francis Woo for working together with Dr Jimmy to make this possible. YRF has such an important and meaningful cause, and my sincere thanks to Dr Jimmy and Francis for their support.

17. I would also like to thank all of you for your support, and attending this event tonight. Together, we can make Singapore a more inclusive and compassionate society.

18. Thank you for having me and enjoy the rest of your evening.