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Malay Mail
22-04-2025
- General
- Malay Mail
Puan Noor Aishah, Singapore's first First Lady, dies at 91
KUALA LUMPUR, April 22 — Puan Noor Aishah, Singapore's former first lady and widow of the country's first president Yusof Ishak, passed away peacefully at the Singapore General Hospital early this morning. She was 91. Her death was announced by Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong in a Facebook post today. Wong said he was deeply saddened by her passing, describing her as a 'steadfast pillar of support' during Singapore's early years of nation building. 'With grace and quiet strength, she stood by Encik Yusof Ishak and steadfastly supported him throughout our tumultuous years of nation building,' Wong wrote. He also highlighted her charitable contributions through organisations such as the Singapore Red Cross and the Singapore Muslim Women's Association. According to the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), Puan Noor Aishah will be laid to rest at Kranji State Cemetery alongside her husband. As a mark of respect, her final journey will include the honour of being borne on the Ceremonial Gun Carriage. Born in Selangor in 1933, Puan Noor Aishah grew up in Penang and married Yusof Ishak at the age of 16. She moved to Singapore when her husband became the country's first president following independence in 1965, according to The Straits Times. Stepping into her role as first lady at just 26, Puan Noor Aishah quickly became a symbol of local heritage and culture. Known for her grace and compassion, she contributed to Singapore's early nation-building efforts and championed causes supporting women, children, and the disadvantaged. Her efforts to preserve Malay traditions included revitalising the Istana menu with local dishes and wearing the kebaya at state events. She also served as a patron of the Girl Guides and several welfare organisations, earning her the Pingat Bakti Chemerlang (Distinguished Service Medal) in 1964. Puan Noor Aishah is survived by her three children — daughters Orkid Kamariah and Zuriana, and son Imran — as well as several grandchildren. According to The Straits Times, President Tharman Shanmugaratnam paid tribute to her contributions, calling her a 'force for good in her own right' who will be remembered for her grace, compassion, and service to others.
Business Times
22-04-2025
- Politics
- Business Times
Puan Noor Aishah, wife of Singapore's first President Yusof Ishak, dies at 91
[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.' A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU Friday, 8.30 am Asean Business Business insights centering on South-east Asia's fast-growing economies. Sign Up Sign Up 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
