Latest news with #MadamHalimah
New Paper
4 days ago
- Politics
- New Paper
Former security officer surprises Halimah Yacob at walkathon
Former president Halimah Yacob was surprised by a special guest when she attended a community event on June 1. One of her former security officers, Ms Lim Hwee Yi, turned up at the Peace and Prosperity Singapura SG60 Walkathon, where Madam Halimah was the guest of honour. Speaking to The Straits Times after the flag-off at about 5.30pm, Madam Halimah said: "I didn't expect to see her, but I'm so happy that she can accompany me on the walk today." Ms Lim, 27, told ST that she was approached by the organisers to join the former president for the walk. She added: "I was very keen because that meant I could see Madam (Halimah) again. The last time I met her was when she invited some of us to her home for Hari Raya last year." Ms Lim resigned from her job as a security officer in the police force in May 2024 to help out at her parents' porridge stall at One Punggol Hawker Centre. Said Madam Halimah, who is now Chancellor of the Singapore University of Social Sciences: "I spoke to her about her porridge stall, and I'm really happy that she's supporting her parents' business and she's doing it well." The 5km walkathon, which started at Hong Lim Green, saw over 2,000 participants walking through the city, passing landmarks such as the Esplanade, the Singapore River and Gardens by the Bay. It was organised by social service organisation Tao One Care, together with the Singapore Wushu and Dragon Lion Dance Federation, the International Long Shi Trading Hub and film-maker Jack Neo's PaPaZao, a community initiative that encourages healthy living and social connection through leisurely walks, especially among seniors. Another highlight of the event was a display of 60 nine-metre tall flags, each bearing a Chinese blessing. ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI Also joining the event were Mr Dinesh Vasu Dash, Minister of State for Culture, Community and Youth as well as Manpower, and Jurong East-Bukit Batok MP Lee Hong Chuang. The walk ended at Marina Barrage, where Madam Halimah was welcomed by lion dancers and traditional Malay kompang and Indian drum performers. Addressing participants at the end of the walkathon, she said: "It might look like a simple walk, but it's more than that. It is the spirit of Singapore and Singaporeans. We all come together to walk, to affirm our multicultural, multiracial and multi-religious society." Former president Halimah Yacob writing Chinese calligraphy at the Peace and Prosperity Singapura SG60 Walkathon at Marina Barrage on June 1. ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI At Marina Barrage, the former president was invited to complete a Chinese calligraphy piece. She wrote the characters "tian fu", meaning peace and prosperity. Another highlight of the event was a display of 60 nine-metre tall flags, each bearing a Chinese blessing. The display earned a spot in the Singapore Book of Records for the largest flag display in Singapore.
Straits Times
4 days ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Halimah Yacob's former security officer surprises her at walkathon
SINGAPORE - Former president Halimah Yacob was surprised by a special guest when she attended a community event on June 1. One of her former security officers, Ms Lim Hwee Yi, turned up at the Peace and Prosperity Singapura SG60 Walkathon, where Madam Halimah was the guest of honour. Speaking to The Straits Times after the flag-off at about 5.30pm, Madam Halimah said: 'I didn't expect to see her, but I'm so happy that she can accompany me on the walk today.' Ms Lim, 27, told ST that she was approached by the organisers to join the former president for the walk. She added: 'I was very keen because that meant I could see Madam (Halimah) again. The last time I met her was when she invited some of us to her home for Hari Raya last year.' Ms Lim resigned from her job as a security officer with the police force in May 2024 to help out at her parents' porridge stall at One Punggol Hawker Centre. Said Madam Halimah, who is now Chancellor of the Singapore University of Social Sciences : 'I spoke to her about her porridge stall, and I'm really happy that she's supporting her parents' business, and she's doing it well.' The 5km walkathon, which started at Hong Lim Green, saw over 2,000 participants walking through the city, passing landmarks such as the Esplanade, the Singapore River and Gardens by the Bay. It was organised by social service organisation Tao One Care, together with the Singapore Wushu and Dragon Lion Dance Federation, the International Long Shi Trading Hub and Jack Neo's PaPaZao. Also joining the event were Mr Dinesh Vasu Dash, Minister of State for Culture, Community and Youth as well as Manpower, and Jurong East-Bukit Batok MP Lee Hong Chuang. The walk ended at Marina Barrage, where Madam Halimah was welcomed by lion dancers and traditional Malay kompang and Indian drum performers. Addressing participants at the end of the walkathon, she said: 'It might look like a simple walk, but it's more than that. It is the spirit of Singapore and Singaporeans. We all come together to walk, to affirm our multicultural, multiracial and multi-religious society.' At Marina Barrage, the former president was invited to complete a Chinese calligraphy piece . She wrote the characters 'tian fu', meaning peace and prosperity. Another highlight of the event was a display of 60 nine-metre tall flags, each bearing a Chinese blessing. The display earned a spot in the Singapore Book of Records for the largest flag display in Singapore. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
Straits Times
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
S'pore must never allow divisive rhetoric to erode mutual respect and unity: Faishal Ibrahim
Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Faishal Ibrahim said more understanding, not division, is needed. PHOTO: AFP S'pore must never allow divisive rhetoric to erode mutual respect and unity: Faishal Ibrahim SINGAPORE - Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Faishal Ibrahim has expressed grave concern about remarks made by a Facebook page that former president Halimah Yacob is 'complicit' in a few humanitarian disasters, warning against allowing such divisive rhetoric to erode the mutual respect and unity built up in Singapore. In a Facebook post on May 23, Madam Halimah said that being silent on the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza 'makes us complicit' in the violation of humanitarian laws. She said the trickle of aid that is now entering Gaza following a three month-long blockade is far below what is needed to stop the ongoing starvation, and that more than 14,000 children have been killed by the Israel Defence Forces. 'Keeping quiet makes us complicit in the violations of international humanitarian laws and encourages similar aggressions elsewhere. Our world is all the poorer for it. Uphold humanity,' said Madam Halimah. In response, Facebook page Critical Spectator said the former president is complicit in 'quite a few humanitarian disasters'. 'If 'keeping quiet' about Gaza 'makes us complicit' in the violations there it stands to reason that remaining silent about every other such crisis makes us complicit in it as well,' read a post by Critical Spectator on May 23, citing the situation in places such as Sudan, Libya, Yemen and Myanmar. 'And yet I've tried searching if Mdm Halimah expressed her horror and grief about the torment of millions of people in these and other countries - and I, sadly, found nothing.' The post then went on to say: 'By her own words, then, the former president of Singapore is complicit in the ongoing starvation of up to 3.2 million children in Sudan alone, with close to 800,000 facing severe malnutrition... Looks like Mdm Halimah is complicit in quite a few humanitarian disasters.' Critical Spectator is run by Polish national Michael Petraeus. Condemning the post by Critical Spectator , Associate Professor Faishal said that while it is valid to draw attention to suffering elsewhere, 'we should reject any statement that minimises the suffering of Palestinians'. In a Facebook post on May 23 , Prof Faishal said that like many Singaporeans, he has been following the recent developments in Gaza with a heavy heart. 'The immense suffering of innocent civilians, especially women and children, pains us all deeply.' He said he shares Madam Halimah's sentiments, and has made his views public that Israel's actions in Gaza are 'oppressive and unacceptable'. 'Mdm Halimah is a deeply respected national figure. Her concern reflects the compassion and moral courage we know her for - and that many in our community share. We must not lose sight of our shared humanity, especially in times of crises,' said Prof Faishal. He added that the Singapore government has not been silent on the conflict, and that it has consistently called for a humanitarian ceasefire and the protection of civilian lives, as well as supported the Palestinian people's right to a homeland. Singapore has, for example, consistently voted in support of UN General Assembly resolutions that reject Israeli settlements in the West Bank, and also continues to support the Palestinian Authority in building capacity for eventual statehood through the Enhanced Technical Assistance Package, said Prof Faishal. He added that Singapore and Singaporeans have collectively contributed over $19 million in aid to Gaza. Prof Faishal noted that many in Singapore's Muslim community, as well as Singaporeans from all walks of life, continue to feel deeply about the tragedy unfolding in Palestine. 'That includes our former President, Mdm Halimah Yacob, whose views are widely respected across our communities,' he said. 'In times like these, we need more understanding, not division. We must never allow dismissive or divisive rhetoric - local or foreign - to erode the mutual respect and unity we have worked so hard to build in our multicultural society.' Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
Straits Times
17-05-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Seniors should initiate legacy planning to provide clarity for loved ones: Halimah Yacob
Former president Halimah Yacob said the younger generation may not have the courage to broach the topic of death. ST PHOTO: TARYN NG SINGAPORE - The number of seniors is increasing in Singapore, but many still have not made plans for when they die, said former president Halimah Yacob, urging them to initiate such discussions. It is important to do so to make the process easier for loved ones and grieving children when the time comes, she said on May 17. Recognising that legacy planning is a sensitive topic, Madam Halimah said that the younger generation may not have the courage to broach the topic of death. 'Conveying our last wishes, or communicating to our loved ones our preferences regarding funeral rites and religious traditions, is critical so that they have clarity,' she said, speaking at a symposium on legacy planning by the Silver Caregivers Cooperative. It will make things easier for our loved ones when they know our wishes, so they are spared of confusion and everyone has peace of mind, she added. Madam Halimah said that like many, she has thought about legacy planning for a long time, but has not taken the first step to start. 'I'm 71 years old now, so I think I should do something about it,' said the mother of five. Legacy planning includes estate and asset distribution plans, drafting a will, making a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) to ensure a trusted person can take charge if one loses mental capacity, and discussing advance care plans to settle preferences for medical care. Digital assets – like financial accounts, e-mail, social media, online business accounts and tech devices – are increasingly being discussed in wills and end-of-life documentation. Some law firms have seen a significant increase in queries from people asking about cryptocurrencies or other types of digital assets like non-fungible tokens. The symposium, held at the Lifelong Learning Institute in Paya Lebar, was attended by around 120 people who signed up to learn more about legacy planning. Associate Professor Thang Leng Leng from the National University of Singapore, who spoke during a presentation at the event, said that beyond asset distribution, legacy planning also includes values, wishes and preferences. This includes how you want to be taken care of if you need long-term care, funeral arrangements, and passing down family values and traditions. Prof Thang said that one thing she regrets is not asking for family recipes from her grandfather, who cooked Hakka dishes. 'I am no longer able to taste that special food from my grandfather,' she said. Another speaker, Dr Adeline Lam, a senior consultant at Tan Tock Seng Hospital, spoke about the importance of establishing advance care plans. Advance care planning allows people to discuss their medical treatment preferences in advance, and enables them to designate someone to decide on medical care for them if they become mentally incapacitated. This helps to circumvent conflict when difference in opinions arise between family members regarding medical treatment for a loved one, she said. 'Having conversations and letting your family know your wishes so that they know what to do is important, so the burden of guilt is not there. They know that 'This is what Mum wants', for example,' she said. Lawyer Norhakim Md Shah urged the audience to make a LPA. He said the process to be appointed as a deputy under the Mental Capacity Act takes a long time. This process is initiated when a person loses mental capacity and does not have an LPA for a trusted person to make decisions on their behalf. 'Doing an LPA cuts short a problem you can foresee. Nobody lives forever, and there are things we can do to help the people around us so that they do not get themselves in a complicated situation just because we have chosen not to do anything to prepare.' The LPA application fee, which is usually $75, is waived for Singapore Citizens until the end of March 2026. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
