Puan Noor Aishah, wife of Singapore's first President Yusof Ishak, dies at 91

Business Times

22-04-2025

[SINGAPORE] Puan Noor Aishah, Singapore's former First Lady and the widow of the country's first President Yusof Ishak, died on Apr 22.
She was 91.
Her death was announced by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong in a Facebook post on Apr 22, who said he was deeply saddened to learn of her passing.
'With grace and quiet strength, she stood by Encik Yusof Ishak and steadfastly supported him throughout our tumultuous years of nation building,' said Wong in his tribute.
'Beyond the Istana, she dedicated herself to serving others through organisations such as the Singapore Red Cross and the Singapore Muslim Women's Association.
'Her kindness and service touched countless lives – may her legacy continue to inspire us all.'
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She will receive a state-assisted funeral and the burial will take place at Kranji State Cemetery on Apr 22.
Puan Noor Aishah played a significant role in Singapore's early nation-building years, especially in the social and welfare sectors.
Born on May 21, 1933, in Selangor, Puan Noor Aishah was adopted by Fatimah Ali and Mohammad Salim Jusoh, an Eurasian man originally known as Barney Perkins, who had converted to Islam.
Growing up in Penang during the Japanese occupation, she had limited access to formal education but developed practical skills such as cooking and sewing, which helped her family make ends meet.
At the age of 16, she married Yusof Ishak, then the managing director and co-founder of Malay-language newspaper Utusan Melayu. He was then 39.
The couple later moved to Singapore, where Yusof was appointed as the Yang di-Pertuan Negara (Head of State) in 1959. Subsequently, in 1965, he became Singapore's first President following the country's independence.
This meant that Puan Noor Aishah became Singapore's first First Lady at just 26. Stepping into the role was an entirely unfamiliar experience, as she recounted in a book published by Straits Times Press in 2017, Puan Noor Aishah: Singapore's First Lady.
'I was not given any instructions or briefing at all; no guidelines on how to be First Lady. I had no task lists and no one briefed me on things such as etiquette, dress codes and protocol. We had to learn and manage on our own,' she said.
Nonetheless, she quickly made an impact. As detailed in the book, she familiarised herself with the workings of the Istana and soon revitalised it, teaching the cooks – who were still preparing English classics like roast beef and pudding – her own recipes for local dishes such as beef rendang.
In the Istana, Puan Noor Aishah kept Malay traditions alive in her own way, from putting Malay dishes and kuih on the Istana menu to wearing the kebaya at state events.
Puan Noor Aishah also became actively involved in the social and welfare sectors, working closely with organisations such as the Singapore Red Cross, the Young Women's Muslim Association, and the Singapore Leprosy Relief Association.
She became a key figure in the Girl Guides movement in Singapore, becoming its first Asian president in 1959 and later serving as its patron.
During her tenure at the Istana, she took steps to make the residence more accessible to Singaporeans by hosting social gatherings, charity events, and meetings with community leaders. She also took English lessons to better communicate with dignitaries and guests
In recognition of her contributions, she was awarded the Pingat Bakti Chemerlang (Distinguished Service Medal) in 1964.
When her husband's health started to decline after a heart attack in 1968, Puan Noor Aishah took on some of his social responsibilities.
President Yusof Ishak died on Nov 23, 1970, of heart failure, and was buried at Kranji State Cemetery.
Following his death, Puan Noor Aishah maintained a low public profile while continuing her involvement in charitable and community work. She remained a patron of several welfare organisations and continued to contribute to social causes.
Her contributions to Singapore's early years were formally recognised when she was inducted into the Singapore Women's Hall of Fame in 2018. She was acknowledged for her role in strengthening the country's social fabric and for her long-standing commitment to voluntary work.
Puan Noor Aishah is survived by her three children – daughters Orkid Kamariah and Zuriana, and son Imran – as well as several grandchildren. THE STRAITS TIMES