History
4PM came into being at a time when nationalistic sentiments were prevalent in Singapore, and the country was recovering from a crisis of administration after the Japanese occupation of Southeast Asia officially ended on 12 September 1945. Several Malay organisations including 4PM were set up to address the challenges, and fulfil the aspirations of the Malay community at that time. The emphasis on youth and literary (more broadly, education) defined the early identity of 4PM as a Malay organisation.
Acknowledging the importance of education in the development of the Malay community in those early years from the 1940s to the 1960s, 4PM’s youth leaders established a couple of community schools, initiated tuition classes, provided bursaries to students, and organised oratorical contests. 4PM also became an active member of the Malay Education Council when it was formed in the 1950s to uplift the educational standard of Malay students. In the field of Islamic education as well, 4PM organised Quran-reading classes, and also started the first Islamic kindergarten in Singapore in 1963 so that Malay students could have the best of both secular and religious education. Pursuant to the education theme, 4PM played an instrumental role in the arts and cultural scene in Singapore. Under the stewardship of Nongchik Ghani and others like Kalam Hamidi, Djamal Tukimin, Nadiputra, Fatimah Yassin, and Yusof Latiff, 4PM organised and participated in artistic activities on a regular basis. Several arts groups also began to branch out of 4PM, but continued to maintain links with the organisation.
Given that the moral test of any society is how it treats its most vulnerable members, 4PM made a concerted effort to raise funds, and disburse goods and services for those families in need. In addition to running the Ponggol Malay Welfare Association, 4PM instituted a comprehensive financial assistance scheme to help specifically low-income families such as through educational assistance for their children, food supplies, and family life education. Further to this, 4PM also provided aid and clothing to the victims of the severe Malaysian flood of 1967, and the 1964 riots in Singapore. Even in its early years, 4PM was already a fast-growing and transformative organisation in Singapore.
Milestones
2018
4PM reached yet another significant milestone as the organisation celebrates its 70th Anniversary with a gala dinner on 13 July 2018 at the Mandarin Orchard Hotel. Also gracing the event was Her Excellency President Halimah Yacob.
2015
4PM was conferred the Singapore Youth Award Medal of Commendation (Team) – Community and Youth Services, for its exceptional humanitarian efforts and for cultivating a spirit of volunteerism and leadership among youth.
2014
2013
4PM celebrated her 65th Anniversary Celebration at The Fairmont Singapore. Guest Of Honour was President of Singapore, Dr Tony Tan Keng Yam.
4PM was awarded the MENDAKI Partnership (Platinum) Award
2012
FRENZ graduation, GOH Dr Maliki Exchange visits by UWCSEA Tampines Kindergarten and 4PM Kindergarten. Remaja Resilien, a programme for the youth, planned by the youth, held a Talent Arena Competition with the theme “On Stage Performance Seh!” at Institute of Technical Education College East. Guest of Honour Mr Zaqy Mohamad, MP for Choa Chu Kang GRC presented the awards to the winner “The Running Cats”.
FRENZ Graduation Ceremony @ ITE CE
GOH : Dr Maliki Osman Cambodia’s first participation in Bahas Muhibbah.Soft launch of Akamedia Bahas. Ms Nurul Maulidah Saion and Ms Siti Zulriah Md Rahmat received the Most Dedicated and Creative Podz Mentor and Most Inspirational Podz Mentor awards by Ministry of Community Development (MCYS) under the Podz Youth Mentoring programme respectively. The first time 4PM mentors was awarded since MCYS introduced the award in 2011.
2011
The first Mentoring Conference – Let’s Chat Mentoring, with speakers from various fields – Professor Gabrielle Maranci from National University Singapore on “Stereotyping and Youth Issues”, Mdm Muzaiyanah Hamzah, a well-known Social Worker and President of Clubilya on “Positive Youth Development and Mentoring” and Mr Mohd Johari Mohd Johan, 4PM Board Member on his “Journey as a Mentor”. Participation of Remaja Resilien youths in national event, Earth Hour at Hong Kah North Community Club.
Three band groups from Remaja Resilien performed at National Youth Council YEP Community Service Marathon at Scape, Orchard.
Partnership with Victoria Junior College on their Service Learning Venture for the following projects :
- Youth Mentoring
- Cooking Madness with ITE students in the FRENZ programme. The cookies baked from this collaboration was sold to raise funds for Ramadan on Wheels
- Art from the Heart and Kindergarten Day Camp with 4PM kindergarten children
Volunteer Mr Mohammad Abdul Razak Bin Zulkiflee, represented 4PM at the 16th Singapore-Malaysia Youth Camp.
Visit by students from Myongji University, Korea to know more on 4PM’s outreach to the youths and in working with volunteers. They also met and interacted with ROW 2011 committee members.
Participation on Mr Ahmad Firdaus Rashid, 4PM volunteer in the Belia MABIMS(Mesyuarat Menteri-Menteri Agama Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia dan Singapura), organised by the Islamic Religious Council (MUIS).
23 clients benefitted from a tour to the Singapore Flyer and watch the Formula 1 race followed by dinner with Mr Teo Ser Luck, Senior Parliamentary Secretary (MCYS) and Mayor for NECDC at Sky Suite 1.
River Valley High School students held a Car Wash for Charity. Proceeds were channeled to Ramadan on Wheels (ROW).
Invitation to tour the USS George Washington, an American nuclear-powered super carrier, the sixth ship in the Nimitz class and the fourth United States Navy ship to be named after George Washington, the first President of the United States. It was built by Newport News Shipbuilding and was commissioned 4 July 1992.
4PM was awarded the People’s Association Community Spirit Awards for her community outreach programme for the low-income families through Ramadan on Wheels project with North East Community Development Council as one of its partners since 2007.
To commemorate the 10th year of Bestari Award, Mr Mohd Johari Mohd Johan and Mr Mohd Hasni Hashim were presented with the Bestari Exemplary Awards by Guest of Honour Mr Heng Swee Kiat, Minister for Education. Both award winners were from ITE, who has shown potential as volunteer leaders in the committees they led in 4PM.
Visit by HRH Prince Azim and delegates from Brunei Darussalam. Visit by delegates from Komunitas Pemberdayaan Masyarakat Jakarta
2010
FRENZ Mentoring Programme was piloted by 4PM for ITE first year students at ITE College East.