Simon Tay: Mdm Halimah down-to-earth, yet has standing to carry us internationally [The Straits Times]

SIIA Chairman Simon Tay was quoted by the Straits Times in a feature on Madam Halimah Yacob’s first year in office. An excerpt from the article is below.

Halimah Yacob’s 1st year in office: President with a common touch

by Tham Yuen-C, Senior Political Correspondent

Indeed, it is President Halimah’s common touch and concern for the ordinary Singaporean that is brought up again and again by those who have met her.

As President, she continues to champion them in her own way, “not out of duty but because of genuine concern”, said Singapore Institute of International Affairs chairman Simon Tay, one of the assentors for her candidature last year.

Her down-to-earth approach may have become a hallmark of her first year in office, but Madam Halimah is as comfortable meeting foreign dignitaries as she is in interacting with heartlanders.

She represented Singapore at the funeral of Thailand’s King Bhumibol Adulyadej last year, made a state visit to Brunei this year, and hosted various foreign leaders here.

Prof Tay, who has known her since 1998, said: “This is perhaps an underrated trait of hers, but she has the patience and standing to carry us internationally. In Singapore, people don’t see it, but I’ve seen her overseas, speaking at meetings at the International Labour Organisation, where she got a standing ovation.”

Full Article: Halimah Yacob’s 1st year in office: President with a common touch [The Straits Times, 14 Sep 2018] (Requires Login)

Photo Credit: President Halimah Yacob visited Sparkle Care @ Yew Tee, Office of the President of the Republic of Singapore