Reviewing Operating Model for Korban Services in Singapore for Better Oversight

Mr Speaker, a question on korban disruption during this year's Hari Raya Haji was earlier addressed at the last Parliamentary Sitting on 7 July 2026. Nevertheless, I felt that it was important to address this matter again today because korban is a significant religious observance for our Muslim community.

To recap, on 21 May this year, the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura or MUIS) was informed of a delay in the arrival of 400 livestock, which affected local korban services at four local mosques. This occurred because a local korban vendor was unable to secure the necessary export approvals from the Australian authorities in time.

The incident had caused concern and disappointment, understandably, to those who had made korban arrangements at these mosques. At the same time, I was heartened by the way the community responded. Many showed patience, understanding and support during this period, and this reflects the spirit of the community in supporting one another through difficult situations.

MUIS has conducted a comprehensive review of the incident. In the two weeks since I have stepped into this role, I have discussed the findings and action plans with MUIS, and we will implement concrete measures to strengthen the current operating model and better support local korban operators.

Let me briefly recap three key measures that MUIS will implement.

First, MUIS will strengthen oversight of local korban operators, particularly for new vendors. We will work closely with vendors to ensure that necessary overseas regulatory approvals are obtained in a timely manner and that crucial milestones for korban operations are met.

Second, MUIS will introduce stronger contractual and operational requirements, including clearer service standards, contingency plans and obligations. This will provide operators with greater clarity on the standards that they are expected to meet and ensure that korban participants are better informed and protected.

Third, MUIS will start preparations for local korban earlier. Engagements with mosques and korban vendors will now start six to eight months before Hari Raya Haji to provide more time for overseas regulatory approvals and operational planning.

MUIS will continue to monitor the effectiveness of the above measures and make further adjustments if necessary.

The Government will continue to work closely with all stakeholders to ensure that members of the local Muslim community are able to perform their korban with confidence, whether locally or overseas.

Thank you, Speaker. I thank the Acting Minister for the responses. I have got three supplementary questions; two in Malay.

First, I appreciate that there is going to be tighter control of contractual obligations as well as service standards. Could the Acting Minister please share, aside from timeliness, what other measures of performance of these vendors will be instituted to uphold this "amanah" or the responsibility of the service provided? Mr Speaker, in Malay, please.

(In Malay): Thank you, Acting Minister, for outlining the measures that MUIS will undertake to enhance preparations for the upcoming korban season, especially the effort to commence it earlier.

To recap, it was mentioned that preparations would begin six to eight months earlier, which means we are almost at that stage. Could the Acting Minister perhaps clarify how far along the preparations are for the 2027 season? That is my first question. Secondly, I would like to seek some clarification from the Acting Minister on the latest update regarding the process of refunds to the sohibul korban (korban participants) who were affected during the recent 2026 season, which was supposed to have been settled by early August.

Mr Speaker, in Malay, please.

(In Malay): I understand that there are those who may be disappointed by what has happened. MUIS has already reviewed the korban 2026 process and we have improved the process so that we can carry out korban more smoothly in 2027.

We have made earlier preparations for next year's korban, and the Salam SG Korban 2027 Committee will be formed next month, in September, so that we can focus on further improving the korban process. I do believe this is important because we have not only extended our preparation period, but we are also looking at how we can improve our contracts and processes and take the necessary steps in our operations to further strengthen the korban process.

I have also been informed that some korban participants have received their refunds from The Meat Brothers, and for those who have yet to receive theirs, I ask for your patience. For those who still have outstanding issues or problems, please get in touch with MUIS, as we will do the follow up with The Meat Brothers. I have also been informed that The Meat Brothers have given their assurance that they will endeavour to settle all refunds by early August.

Overall, I would like to express my appreciation to MUIS and our colleagues for their efforts in managing this issue. At the same time, I would also like to thank the community for showing their patience and trust in us. InsyaAllah, we will continue to improve this process so that our ibadah korban can be carried out more smoothly and with greater confidence in the future.

Mr Speaker, in Malay, please.

(In Malay): I would like to declare that the owner of The Meat Brothers is my constituent and they have worked with me for some events. Thank you, Acting Minister, for your response. I have three supplementary questions.

First, will MUIS consider including enhanced compensation for any sohibul korban (korban participants) affected by disruptions as a future licensing criterion? For example, compensation could include allowing affected sohibul korban to participate physically in a live korban at a reduced rate in the coming years.

Secondly, will MUIS consider prioritising korban operators who source their livestock from countries other than Australia?

And thirdly, does MUIS have plans to work with MFA and our counterparts in the Australian Government to facilitate the process of obtaining export permits for livestock?

(In Malay): Thank you for the questions. For the first and second suggestions, I think we can consider them, but we will need to look at how they can be incorporated into our processes, or whether they are suitable for our current situation.

As for the approval process from the Australian side, I think that this is a matter outside Singapore's jurisdiction. So, in terms of process, we do not have control over Australia's processes, but we will endeavour to work with MFA to facilitate matters for our operators. I am confident in the process where we are giving more lead time, which is six to eight months, to carry out the operations this time. We can hand-hold our operators to give assurance to our community, whereby we will provide a longer timeframe for the operators to obtain approval from the Australian Government.

As for other source countries, we can consider it, but we also need to assess their ability to supply us with livestock in an on-time, on-delivery manner, so that we can have confidence in their operations as well.

So, if we look at the situation today, the issue is not with the source, because the other parties, the two other operators, did not face any problems.

(In English): So, the issue is not on the local front. It is not with the agencies because the other operators who have been very familiar with the process have not had issues. The Meat Brothers is a new operator who is not so familiar with the environment and of course, it was also found that the authorities in Australia had also taken longer because they were operating with a new supply chain.

So, therefore, we are catering for such arrangements in future when there are new operators. And therefore, we are giving more leeway and that is why we are extending the operations time now to six to eight months instead of what it is today.