Ishak Ismail: Singapore's first Muslim Malay army general

In the meritocratic society, such a news should not be overly publicized. Ishak Ismail is a general in SAF because he has earned his place! The fact that he is a Malay or Muslim or both is secondary. And should be of no importance with regards to him being the general.

Congratz, Mr. Ishak Ismail!

To hear Colonel Ishak Ismail, 46, tell it, his decision to become a regular officer in the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) was greeted with some incredulity.

Yesterday, his time in the military was capped in historic fashion - he has become the first Malay general in the SAF.

His promotion marks a milestone in Malays' efforts to be fully accepted in the military, a controversial issue ever since it was disclosed in 1987 that the SAF adopted a cautious approach in placing them in key positions.

Four other colonels were promoted to the rank of Brigadier-General or Rear-Admiral (One-Star) this year.

They are: Commander, Air Defence and Operations Command, Colonel Kwek Kok Kwong; Head, Joint Communications and Information Systems Department, Colonel Lee Shiang Long; Chief of Medical Corps, Colonel (Dr) Seet Hun Yew Benjamin; and Commander, Maritime Security Task Force, Colonel Tan Wee Beng.

The SAF is promoting 464 officers from the army, navy and air force to the next higher rank with effect from July 1 this year.

From Asiaone, "SAF's first Malay general".

Singapore's military promoted a Muslim Malay to the rank of general for the first time since the predominantly Chinese city-state broke away from Malaysia 44 years ago.

Army Colonel Ishak Ismail, 46, will become a one-star brigadier general on July 1, the Defense Ministry said in a statement late Thursday. Ismail is currently commander of the 6th Division.

The government strictly regulates public speech on race and religion, fearing any hint of sectarian conflict could undermine stability and prosperity in the tiny, multiethnic island and strain relations with neighboring Malaysia, where Malays are a majority. Political parties based on race or religion are not allowed.

Malays, who comprise about 14 percent of the 4.8 million population, trail ethnic Chinese in education and income. About 5.4 percent of Malays attend public university compared to 30 percent of Chinese, and Malay households earn a median monthly income of 3,050 Singapore dollars ($2,093), a third less than the SG$4,570 average that Chinese families make, according to the Education Ministry and Statistics Department.

Muslim Affairs Minister-in-charge Yaacob Ibrahim, who is also Environment and Water Resources Minister, told the state-owned Straits Times that the promotion showed that hard work and playing by the rules would bring rewards in a meritocratic society, the newspaper reported.

"No Malays should now feel like they can't do it," Ibrahim said, according to the paper.

Ibrahim declined further comment on the promotion through his spokesman Peer Akbur.

Malays are making strides in the security, education and health care sectors, said Jufferie Rashid, a spokesman for leading Malay association Yayasan MENDAKI.

"The promotion is the armed forces' recognition of his contributions," he said. "We are confident that with the improving educational profile, we will see even more Malay Muslim professionals in the future."

From Taiwan News, "Singapore promotes first Muslim Malay army general".