Malay woman who shamed politicians and Malaysians

 No News Is Bad News

 

A Malay woman who shamed politicians and Malaysians

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 20, 2023: For those who never heard of her or who she is - her name is Halimah Yacob, Singapore’s first woman president, also a Muslim.

She was elected president and ended her six years as the island state’s eighth president last week, saying she would be "grateful" if her career might inspire other women — particularly those from minority communities — to aim high.

She was also the first woman to serve as Parliament Speaker  and only the second Muslim, holding the role between 2013 and 2017.

Succeding her is former deputy prime minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam, 66, who was elected and sworn in on Sept 14.

What is remarkable of Halimah and Tharman is that they campaigned and for office without having to resort to racial-religious bigotry or rhetoric, unlike their shameless and mongoloid-like Malaysian counterparts.

The Chinese-dominated island republic wholeheartedly voted and supported both as capable and competent Singaporeans. Race and religion are of no criteria.

Once part of Malaysia, Singaporeans are basically “Malaysians” but they are highly politically mature and have worked tirelessly to develop their country into a developed first world nation, while Malaysia continues to struggle for developed-nation status.

Why are Malaysians (especially the Malays) so suspicious and fearful of multi-racial Malaysia? It is wholely due to their education, upbringing and political brainwashing by governments of the day in allowing the Taliban-like PAS and Muhyiddin “I Am Malay First” Yassin to exploit race and religion for political mileage, to the detriment national unity and harmony.

Political stability or instability affects investors’ confidence and thus, the country’s socio-economic progress and development.

Malaysians sure have nuch to learn from Singaporeans on how to live together peacefully and harmoniously, and how not to discriminate the minorities.

 

Instead of spending more time and energy on healing Malaysia’s RM1.5 trillion national debt, politicians from both sides of the political divide continue to dwell in non-productive politicking.

No News Is Bad News reproduces below ab ABC News analysis on Singapore’s presidency:

ANaLYSIS

Singapore's first female president Halimah Yacob changed perceptions of what Asian leaders should look like but her path wasn't always smooth

By Jason Dasey

Posted 3h ago3 hours ago

 Halimah Yacob at the Singapore Police Day Parade in June 2022.(Facebook: Halimah Yacob )

Halimah Yacob was a ground breaker in Singapore politics even before she became the nation's first female president.

She also was the first woman to serve as speaker of parliament and only the second Muslim, holding the role between 2013 and 2017.

Halimah, who ended her six years as Singapore's eighth president last week, said would be "grateful" if her career might inspire other women — particularly those from minority communities — to aim high.

Former deputy prime minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam, 66, was sworn in as Singapore's ninth president on September 14 to replace her.

 Halimah Yacob is followed by Lee Hsien Loong at the presidential inauguration ceremony in 2017.(Reuters: Wallace Woon)

Singapore politics is still dominated by men, with only 27 of 93 elected members of parliament being female, but Halimah hopes that may change.

"Many have shared with me about how uplifting it was for them to see a female head of state and its strong message about women's place in our society," Halimah said in her farewell speech last week at The Istana, the presidential palace.

"If I have been able to empower women in Singapore, to push the boundaries and reach their fullest potential, I am most grateful for the chance to do so."

Significantly, she was only the second Muslim — and the first in 47 years — to become president of Singapore since the island state broke away from Malaysia in 1965 to become independent. 

A grandmother who stands at just 1.55 metres and wears a tudung — the traditional headscarf worn by some Muslim women — she also reset the norms of what political leaders look like in South-East-Asia.

 Anthony Albanese meets Halimah Yacob in June.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese met Halimah for the first time in June during a visit to Singapore.

And last week, Australian High Commissioner to Singapore Allaster Cox credited her for helping strengthen the relationship between the two countries.

Pioneer in male-dominated politics

The 69-year-old is a Malay Singaporean, from a group that represents only 13.5 per cent of the population, with Singaporean Chinese making up almost three-quarters. 

"Halimah is a woman who is the embodiment of self-determination and strength," said radio host Michelle Martin who interviewed Halimah when she was member for parliament for Bukit Batok East.

"Halimah will be remembered as an unassuming yet unifying force — and president for all."

Although the role of president is more ceremonial than political — the current prime minister is Lee Hsien Loong, son of Singapore's founding father Lee Kuan Yew — Halimah did play a significant role during the pandemic, using the so-called "second key" to unlock the nation's vast finances.

The tiny island state — Singapore is roughly the same geographical size as Canberra — shut its borders for large parts of the COVID-19 outbreak, threatening the livelihoods of many of the nation's 5.5 million people, who are reliant on business with other countries.

 Halimah Yacob (front row, centre) at Hari Raya Haji event in Singapore in July 2022.(Facebook: Halimah Yacob)

In April 2020, Halimah approved the government's request to draw from its national reserves to boost wages of almost 2 million workers. Two months later, she allowed the government access to additional funds, totalling $S69 billion ($79 billion) over three years, although, in the end, only $S40 billion was used.

"It was an excruciating balance between saving for the future and immediate withdrawals to protect jobs and livelihoods," she said in her farewell speech.

Humble roots in a struggling family

They were eye-watering amounts of money for a woman who grew up in humble surroundings on Queen Street in central Singapore, near the bus station that today takes passengers across the border to Malaysia.

One of five children born to an Indian father and Malay mother, she helped her family sell nasi padang — a popular rice dish — to make ends meet when her father died of heart attack when she was only eight years old.

She would earn a law degree at the National University of Singapore and work in the labour movement before joining politics in the 2001 general election with the ruling People's Action Party (PAP).

 Halimah Yacob with host Michelle Martin during a radio interview in 2012.(Supplied: Michelle Martin)

But her down-to-earth nature and renowned thriftiness would never leave her. After the presidential election in September 2017, she chose to continue living in her public housing flat in the unfashionable suburb of Yishun before eventually agreeing to move out to a more secure location.

"When I had the honour of interviewing her, we talked about how her early experiences shaped her ... she never forgot them," said Ms Martin, who works for Money FM, a Singapore Press Holdings station.

"I was struck by her courage, and her frank willingness to let us into her life. She was never a remote figurehead."

Only candidate in 2017 election

While she leaves as a much-loved president, Halimah's entry in the position was bumpy.

The Singapore government, keen to maintain racial harmony, insisted that the successor to Tony Tan — a Singaporean Chinese who was president between 2011 and 2017 — be a Malay Singaporean. It was the first time that Singapore, which prides itself on being a meritocracy, limited the presidential selection to a single ethnic group.

 Halimah Yacob at a picnic at the Singapore Botanic Gardens in June 2022.(Facebook: Halimah Yacob)

Halimah, having been speaker of parliament, was deemed the only suitable candidate after others failed to meet the required financial criteria and ran unopposed, which ruffled some feathers in the community.

But further questions were raised about whether she was truly Malay or not because of her Indian father. The #notmypresident hashtag circulated on social media, echoing the slogan used a few months earlier in the United States after Donald Trump upset favourite Hillary Clinton in the 2016 US election.

However, the furore faded away as Halimah got down to work, turning out to be one of Singapore's most industrious presidents. She was the guest of honour at more than 1,400 community events in her six years, the Singapore Straits Times reported.

And even though the pandemic did clip her wings for a couple of years, she still made 21 overseas trips, including 12 state visits.

 US Vice-President Kamala Harris (left) meets with Halimah Yacob at the height of the pandemic in 2021. (Reuters: Evelyn Hockstein)

'President for everyone'

Having lived in public housing for most of her life, Halimah was determined to let regular people see the presidential palace, fully re-opening The Istana last year after it was shut for more than two years during COVID. She also made a point of ensuring the palace's gardens were enhanced to make it wheelchair accessible.

Prime Minister Lee described Halimah as the "president for everyone".

"Your efforts challenged gender stereotypes and heightened awareness of the biases still faced by women," Mr Lee said at Halimah's farewell reception.

He noted that she frequently encouraged Singapore companies to be more accepting of those with disabilities, praising her work with "our less privileged brethren".

Although she frequently rubbed shoulders with world leaders and royalty, Halimah never forgot where she came from, according to Ms Martin.

"She was a living reminder of the hard work and sacrifice of so many ordinary men and women who shaped the extraordinary Singapore story," she said. - ABC News