Speech by President Halimah Yacob at the Goh Chok Tong Enable Awards Ceremony

Mr Goh Chok Tong, Emeritus Senior Minister

Distinguished Guests

Ladies and Gentlemen

Good afternoon. I am pleased to join you today at the Goh Chok Tong Enable Awards ceremony, to recognise the achievements and potential of persons with disabilities. Today’s celebration reminds us of three things. First, how everyone, regardless of whether he is typically abled or differently abled, can contribute to society. Second, the close partnerships forged across the public, private and people sectors to support persons with disabilities. Third, our continued drive and progress to build a caring and inclusive society.

This afternoon, we are presenting the awards to 13 recipients whose talents range from performing arts to visual arts, sports to cooking, and volunteerism. They have much to contribute. Perhaps we should coin the term disabled people differently, and instead recognise them as people with special abilities. All the recipients are outstanding contributors to our society in different ways. Let me share three of the many positive stories among the awardees:

• Mr Michael Ngu, who has polio, is well-known in the architecture industry. Michael started his career in architecture back in the 1980s, and is today the President and CEO of Architects 61, an award-winning local architect firm. His firm’s projects are seen not just in Singapore but also overseas – in China, India, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha. Closer to home, Architects 61 has had a hand in designing several notable local buildings including Terminal one at Changi airport, the AXA tower, Trilight apartment buildings, and Ferrell residences. Beyond work, Michael has found time to give back to community, contributing to Cheshire Home and the National Integration Working Group for Workplaces.Michael even went on to demonstrate his sporting talent at the age of 58, when he represented Singapore in Hand cycling at the 2014 Asian Paralympic Games.

• Mr Tan Guan Heng lost his sight at the age of 28 due to retinal detachment in both eyes. Since then, Guan Heng has dedicated his life to championing the visually impaired community in Singapore. He was the first visually impaired President of the Singapore Association for the Blind (now known as Singapore Association for the Visually Handicapped) from 1975 to 1980, and also served as its President from 2006 to 2012. Guan Heng has also authored several books, one of which, “The People's Verdict”, was recently transcribed into braille, while another, “My Love is Blind”, was adapted into a musical. I attended the performance and it was very good.

• Ms Yip Pin Xiu was born with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, a neurological condition, but this did not deter her from achieving her dreams.Pin Xiu started competitive swimming at age 12, and just 4 years later, at age 16, clinched the first Paralympic gold medal for Singapore. More sporting success followed, including a prestigious best athlete award from the World Para Series. At age 26, Pin Xiu made history again as the youngest person to be appointed as a Nominated Member of Parliament.

Just like Michael, Guan Heng and Pin Xiu, many nominees of the inaugural Goh Chok Tong Enable Awards have similarly achieved and contributed much to our community. Their stories remind us that everyone is unique and differently-abled, and can contribute back to the society in their own ways.  I hope today’s awards will inspire everyone to go the distance with our endeavours.

Recognising the achievements of persons with disabilities would not be complete if we do not mention an important group of people – their family members and caregivers.  I hope that with this new Award, we will also continue to extend our utmost support to them, as they play a vital role in being pillars of support for their loved ones with disabilities. I also hope that more caregivers can step forward to share their experiences and support each other. 

I am glad that since the launch of our first Enabling Masterplan in 2007, many stakeholders and partners in the community have worked hand in hand with the Government to roll out various programmes and initiatives.  These programmes and initiatives cover:

• Quality and affordable early intervention services for young children;

• Support for students with disabilities in their schooling years;

• Post-schooling intervention services;

• Inclusive hiring and support for employers;

• Support for caregivers.

We are now into the Third Enabling Masterplan. The Government is actively engaging persons with disabilities and their caregivers to better understand their aspirations, needs and challenges. The Government is also working with social service agencies and tripartite partners to improve education, training and job placement for persons with disabilities, and identify suitable employment opportunities for them. With better employment prospects, persons with disabilities will be better able to lead more fulfilling and enriching lives, and contribute to their families and society. Inclusive hiring is a journey, and I hope employers, family members and persons with disabilities will walk this journey with us. Employment for persons with disabilities is very close to my heart. I hope that in the years to come, we will continue to push this even more vigorously and move the needle more than where it is at now.

Together, we can build a more caring and inclusive society, where persons with disabilities are recognised, empowered, and given every opportunity to achieve their fullest potential, and actively participate as integral and contributing members of society.

Let me conclude by thanking the various stakeholders, such as Mediacorp and SG Enable, as well as Singapore Totalisator Board and UBS, for making today’s celebrations possible. Once again, my heartiest congratulations to all the award recipients today. Thank you for showing us that we can all make a difference, as long as we set our heart on it. I wish all of you every success as you continue to inspire us through your actions.  Thank you.