Yellow Ribbon Songwriting Competition – Speech by Assoc Prof Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim, Acting Minister-in-Charge of Muslim Affairs and Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Home Affairs

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

Ms Shie Yong Lee, Commissioner of Prisons,

Partners and friends of Yellow Ribbon,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Introduction

1. A very good afternoon to all of you. When I arrived, I could already sense the anticipation and excitement in the air, and watching the video heightened it further. Today marks the finale of the Yellow Ribbon Songwriting Competition 2025. After months of training and preparation, we have our five finalists from more than 30 participants. I want to congratulate every one of you for putting in the effort, and having the courage to step forward and share your stories through your compositions. Please join me to give them a big round of applause.

2. Music has a unique power to heal, to inspire, and to connect us — no matter where we come from or what challenges we face. Your songs represent more than just melodies and lyrics. They are expressions of your journeys, hopes, and resilience.

Rehabilitation and Reintegration through Songwriting

3. The first songwriting competition for inmates started in 2004 as part of the Yellow Ribbon Creative Festival, where inmates made use of poetry and songs to express their desire for change, and for societal acceptance. Today, original songs by inmates and ex-offenders from previous editions of the songwriting competition can be heard on platforms like YouTube and Spotify. This shows not only how our journey has grown, but also how we have put our efforts on higher platforms.

4. This year marks the 10th edition of the competition, with the theme "Celebrating Second Chances Together". This is in the spirit of what I saw when I came in. It is about being together. It is about providing the opportunity for all of us together. This is synonymous with the Yellow Ribbon Project’s refreshed tagline, “We Are Each Other’s Second Chances”, because an inclusive society embraces and gives equal opportunities to those who desire and are ready to change. Through their songwriting journeys over the past few months, these participants have reflected on their motivation and determination to make a fresh start. I hope they will remember their commitment and make good on the trust and support that the community, their families and friends, have given to them. We certainly look forward to their eventual reintegration as contributing members of society.

5. I am very convinced that this is possible because I have met many desistors out there who are not only able to journey this, but also support others along the way. So we have the opportunity to grow further in this aspect.

6. I am also heartened to see that this initiative has gained the support of many community partners over the years. They have since become our strong advocates and supporters.

7. In particular, I would like to highlight our songwriting mentors, such as Inch and Nicodemus, who are no strangers to the Yellow Ribbon cause. Nicodemus, himself a desistor, has been involved in multiple editions of the competition as a producer and mentor since 2015. Inch has also served as a judge and trainer in previous editions. And of course, for this year’s edition, we are delighted to also have acclaimed local songwriter and producer, Wei Song, joining us as a guest judge again today. Thank you, Wei Song. Your presence in the competition means a lot to us. I really appreciate it. Joining us as judges today, we also have Aaron and Chi Sheng, who, since 2014, have walked alongside inmates and ex-offenders using music to inspire confidence, healing and hope. Thanks to you, and all the partners, for being part of this very meaningful event!

8. For the first time, and with their consent, the inmate finalists’, trainers’, and mentors’ stories of the Songwriting Competition, from auditions through training to the semi-finals have been shared publicly on social media. This year, the inmates’ performances are also presented without digital masking, allowing their true faces and voices to be seen and heard, and enabling all of us to connect more deeply with the meaning and emotions behind these songs. The Viewers’ Choice Show garnered a total of more than 44,000 views on the various social media platforms, and more than 1,000 votes, exhibiting strong community encouragement and support for second chances. So, congratulations to all of you.

Inspiring Stories

9. Indeed, it is because of the support from the partners and the community that many of the participants from past editions were able to pursue their passion in music, whether as a career or as an interest. For example, Sara, winner of the 2017 edition, continued developing her interest in music after her release. At the Yellow Ribbon Project’s 20th anniversary concert last year, she shared the stage with local singer, Shazza and delivered an emotional, awesome performance. In fact, all of us enjoyed that performance.

10. Others, who were previously part of the Performing Arts Centre Band in prison, have also continued to bond over their passion for music after their release, practicing together and performing at various events. They formed a group in 2020 known as AmplifySG, and I am very happy and proud to know that they have performed at platforms such as Red Dot August at the Esplanade, and NDP Heartland Celebrations. Later, we will get to hear one of their original compositions written by band member Upu, titled “You & I”. This song was specially written to commemorate the Yellow Ribbon Project’s 20th anniversary last year.

11. Among today’s finalists, we have Jasmine, who loved music since young. At the core of Jasmine’s rehabilitation journey is her family, especially her parents who have done everything they can to support her. Determined to go through her incarceration with a drive to change, Jasmine wrote the song “Shine” as a way of reciprocating the love of her family, and to spread the message of hope to others.

12. We also have Rashid, whose song “Thanks to You” honours his sisters as his role models after their mum passed away. They have been visiting him monthly in prison without fail, throughout his past ten years of incarceration. They have never given up on him, even during times when he doubted himself. He hopes to remind himself and others to always appreciate those who stood by them through thick and thin.

13. These inspirations behind the songs illustrate the crucial support of families and friends in the rehabilitation and reintegration journeys of our inmates and ex-offenders.

I want all of us to really, sincerely thank all of the family members.

Conclusion

14. I hope this competition has given the participants the skillset to use music as a medium for reflection and change. I encourage them to continue writing, singing, and believing in your ability to create meaningful songs, and to do good. Remember, your stories have the power to inspire others, both within and beyond these walls.

15. I also urge all participants to seize the rehabilitation opportunities given to you. We should all let go of the past and the people holding you back. Instead, draw strength from the support of your family and your loved ones, the community, and desistors who have walked this path before you. These are the pillars that will help you build a new life of purpose and hope. May this experience be a stepping stone towards new opportunities ahead, and many more opportunities in your life.

16. Again, before I end, my appreciation goes out to all our partners who have come together to make this event possible, as well the families who continue to stand by their loved ones through this journey.

17. I want to thank Yong Lee and her colleagues, Phillip and all the board members, and YRSG for working together and making the effort to connect YRSG, Singapore Prison Service (SPS) and the community together with all our friends who are serving and the ex-offenders who may have done well in their lives, and in their rehabilitation journey. What is key is how we can continue to provide the opportunity for them to journey this through and grow in their journeys out there.

18. So, thank you to all of you. I wish you an enjoyable evening.