Message from Chairman

2 020 has the entire world in turmoil. The COVID-19 pandemic is, beyond a doubt, the biggest and most perplexing challenge we have ever faced in recent years, not just in Singapore, but across the globe. It has affected almost every aspect of our life from our work, to social relationships, and even our mental health. Almost the whole world was in some form of lockdown when the virus first started to peak – businesses were closed, a significant proportion of the world’s workforce was asked to work from home, movements were limited, and social visits became prohibited. It was a struggle for many. However, in the dreariness of it, we also saw stories of compassion, hope and giving.

Many in Singapore, as was the case for the rest of the world, were affected by the pandemic economically – some lost jobs while others received big pay cuts. The economy was spiraling and many began to feel the effects. Support packages were introduced by the government, and Singaporeans too started to rally together to find ways to help others in need. Some started sewing masks when it became difficult to find masks in the shops, some promoted home-based businesses on social media, while others raised funds to help those in need. In AMP, we rolled out the Temporary Assistance Package 2.0, which was first introduced in 2009 during an economic recession. The package, or TAP 2.0, offers assistance to families of workers who have been adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic for a period of one year until their household financial situation stabilises. For those who are unable to achieve stability after a year, they will be enrolled into our Adopt a Family & Youth Scheme. We have set aside $100,000 to serve the 400 beneficiaries who are currently under TAP 2.0 as well as others who may discover that they now need help for the family as the economic impact of the pandemic becomes more apparent.

Amidst the pandemic, we also found the opportunity to expand our scope of partnership with the Singapore Malay Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SMCCI) to enhance our Micro Business Programme. During the Circuit Breaker period, when the Housing & Development Board (HDB) announced that home-based businesses (HBBs) that didn’t meet certain criteria were not allowed to operate, the ensuing uproar showed how much the Malay/Muslim community relied on their HBBs as a source of income for their family. This also highlighted the need to enhance

support for the HBBs to scale up and expand their businesses. In response to this, the memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed between AMP and SMCCI will enable us to work together to develop specially-curated modules for those attending AMP’s Advanced Micro Business Programme. Graduates of the programme may also be offered the opportunity to participate in apprenticeships with SMCCI’s members while also leveraging on the available resources from SMCCI. This, I think, is a positive step towards giving the small businesses in our community a leg up to expand and scale up their operations.

It is unlikely for the pandemic to be resolved any time soon and this will have a devastating impact on the economy, which will in turn negatively affect the vulnerable in the community. There are many out there who still need help or will need help in the coming months. We need to be prepared for them. There could be those who have borrowed money to tide themselves over the last few months, who may soon face problems paying back their loans. There could be those who are currently on various temporary assistance schemes who may start struggling financially when the assistance comes to an end. This is why continued support from the public is critical for social service organisations like AMP during periods like this. Without support from our donors, it would be near impossible for us to assist those who are truly in need.

We are very thankful and grateful to the donors who have supported us especially this year. It is heartening and encouraging to see more coming forward when times are tough to play a part in helping others.

We remain committed to working closely with our partners to help Singaporeans especially through these difficult times. I have every confidence in our ability to weather this storm and emerge from it stronger. It is my hope that we will find our own way to thrive in the new normal and may 2021 be a better year for all of us. • DR MD BADRUN NAFIS SAION Chairman AMP