Politics
DPM Wong commends Halimah for “asking rigorous questions” on reserves, enabling successful COVID-19 response
Singapore’s Deputy Prime Minister, Lawrence Wong, lauded former President Mdm Halimah Yacob for her remarkable leadership during the demanding Covid-19 pandemic.
He commended Mdm Halimah for her diligent approach to her duties, “asking rigorous questions to understand the rapidly evolving situation”, and ensuring that the requested draws on reserves were necessary and justified.
![](https://gutzymedia.s3.ap-northeast-2.amazonaws.com/wp/2023/09/17062616/Halimah1-1.jpg)
SINGAPORE: On Wednesday (13 Sep), Singapore’s outgoing President Halimah Yacob marked the conclusion of her term as the nation’s eighth President.
The 69-year-old former Member of Parliament, Singapore’s first female President, bid farewell to Istana staff members and government officials as she left office.
Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam, having won the presidential election with 70.4% of the vote, is slated to take the oath of office on 14 September.
Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore, Lawrence Wong, expressed his gratitude for her service on Thursday through a Facebook post.
Mdm Halimah resigned from her position as Speaker of Parliament and her Parliamentary seat for Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC in August 2017, a month before she joined the Presidential Election bid.
DPM Wong, who was her former colleague, remembered their time together and praised her authentic leadership.
He recalled the bittersweet moment in 2017 when both he and the residents of Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC were saddened by Madam Halimah’s departure.
“But we were also very proud to have you serve in the highest office of our land, and as our first female President! ”
DPM Wong, who also holds the role of Finance Minister, acknowledged that her authentic leadership had illuminated the path forward, inspiring a more caring and inclusive society.
He expressed deep gratitude for her exceptional leadership during the challenging Covid-19 pandemic period.
“We interacted many times in the course of the crisis. As you said, the President’s office is not meant to operate as a parallel Ministry of Finance (Singapore). ”
DPM Wong expressed satisfaction that both Madam Halimah and his team “had a clear understanding of each other’s roles and responsibilities”.
He praised Madam Halimah for diligently carrying out her duties, “asking rigorous questions to understand the rapidly evolving situation”, and ensuring that the requested draws on reserves were necessary and justified.
“In the end, you approved the emergency funding, enabling us to mount a successful pandemic response.”
DPM Wong commended Madam Halimah for her distinguished service as President and highlighted her legacy of service, compassion, and strength.
“You have helped us to be a more united, compassionate and inclusive society,” DPM Wong expressed his heartfelt appreciation and extended his best wishes to both Madam Halimah and her husband, Mohammed Abdullah Alhabshee, as they embark on the next chapter of their lives.
Mdm Halimah’s unconventional path to Presidency raises questions of independence and public representation
Mdm Halimah’s presidential election was somewhat controversial because it was the first reserved race election.
In the backdrop of her term, Mdm Halimah’s rapid transition from a prominent member of the People’s Action Party (PAP) in 2017 as both a Member of Parliament and Speaker of Parliament to her role as the non-partisan President in just over a month had garnered significant attention.
Questions arose about her ability to act independently from the PAP and serve as an effective check on the government.
Her being the sole eligible candidate in the presidential race – after two potential candidates from the Malay community were disqualified – had left many Singaporeans shocked, feeling deprived of their political voice.
The President receives the same monthly salary as the Prime Minister, which includes the 13th month and the annual variable component, but excludes the performance and national bonuses. This totals S$1.54 million.
![](https://gutzy.asia/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Gutzy-Logo-whiteS.png)
-
Politics1 week ago
Jamus Lim on Minister Chee Hong Tat’s remarks on fiscal policy: Calls for genuine debate over rhetoric
-
Politics2 weeks ago
SM Lee: Singaporeans must ‘change attitudes’ as Govt promises ‘bold and necessary changes’
-
Community1 week ago
Toast Box faces backlash and boycott calls amid price increases
-
Media1 week ago
Notice to Our Readers: Moving Back to The Online Citizen
-
Singapore2 weeks ago
Singapore introduces new scheme in April 2025 offering up to S$6,000 in financial support for retrenched workers
-
Politics1 week ago
Jamus Lim raises concerns over high cost of living and its impact on Singaporeans’ sense of belonging
-
Opinion1 week ago
Chee Hong Tat’s call for fiscal prudence rings hollow amid contradictory government spending
-
Singapore1 week ago
Tan Suee Chieh: Sacrificing NTUC Income’s values for short-term gains undermines its foundation
Executive Order 13818: Everyone, All Of Them Are Complicit.
https://t.me/John_Kennedy_Official/1743
WEF Professor Who Supported Lockdowns Begs Public for Forgiveness: “What We Did Was Evil”
https://t.me/ProphecyUpdate777/167603
CAN YOU??
https://t.me/c/1776965825/2638
CAN YOU HANDLE THE TRUE TRUTH!?
https://t.me/c/1776965825/2638
AFRICA LAST.
REALLY?
https://t.me/missionoftruthchat/96763
https://t.me/Dr_DavidMartinWorld/1918
https://interestofjustice.substack.com/p/judge-orders-nuremberg-public-hearing
The Real News.
https://t.me/BreakingNewsReport/238
More True Truth About The COVID HOAX.
https://www.unifydhealing.com/antidote
Why mRNA Queen Hanged At GITMO, Just The Same With The White House Coronavirus Task Force??
https://realrawnews.com/2023/09/mrna-queen-hanged-at-gitmo/
is “sign where?” considered a rigorous question?
probably …
What rigorous questions did she ask? Does MILO come in ‘less sugar’ version?
Can MILO be served cold? Will MILO go bad overnight if left out in the open?
Plucked by her masters and put into the seat and told what to say. Is that what you call President?
Legacy my A$$.
Can anyone in the PAP give me one specific example of that woman did as President besides drinking Milo? Just one specific example is all I ask.
Indeed! Only few leaders leave legacies.
She will always leave us a legacy as Milo Ambassador
Outrageous compliments, … from one seat warmer to a fake unelected multi~raced president !!!
To be perfectly honest, I was hugely disappointed, … the ovation was not accompanied by tears of appreciation and acknowledgment !!!
That would’ve wrapped up the six year wayang, … just Singaporelarly !!!
Funny LawlanWong can say that, because during covid period, Singaporeans hardly saw halimud “unifying” the nation. Certainly we didn’t see her asking rigorous questions on use of our reserves, like why a PURPOSE-BUILT millioln$$$ FW dorm supposedly to contain the covid situation among FWs also can become a main source of covid infections. (Like say building an expensive unsinkable ship, and yet on launch, the ship SANK.) Oh, wasn’t LawlanWong on the covid MTF; he also didn’t explain why that dorm had so high infections, hor. No accountability. Yet all we hear is that the MTF did a great job.… Read more »
Really?
Janet Yellen Arrested For Treason.
https://realrawnews.com/2023/09/janet-yellen-arrested-for-treason/
But the MOST rigorous question she DIDN’T ask was WHY she was selected as the president 🙂
Our GGGG new leaders all smiles.
I think they are happy to see her Go.
This is not like a boss writing farewell message to his subordinate.🤣👌