SINGAPORE: Monthly contributions to the Mosque Building and Mendaki Fund by Malay/Muslims will go up for those earning above S$1,000.
This will boost total contributions by S$2.9 million. This amount will be on top of the S$10 million collected from the Malay/Muslim community annually.
Speaking at a news conference on Tuesday, Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs, Dr Yaacob Ibrahim, said increases will range between S$0.50 and S$5, and the change is expected to be implemented next February.
In his National Day Rally speech on Sunday night, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said the increase will fund programmes to help the community build on its achievements.
The plans include improving the quality of Islamic schools, fund programmes for dysfunctional families, as well as upgrade older mosques.
Dr Yaacob said: "The S$2.9 million will indeed be helpful, but it won't be sufficient. The reason is very simple. The changes we want to make to the religious sector are very wide and all-encompassing, from part-time to full-time religious education.
"The madrasah community will still have to raise their share, but we can reduce that burden so that they can then focus more attention on education and curriculum development."
- CNA/so