Speech by President Halimah Yacob at The Straits Times Singaporean of the Year 2021

Mr Khaw Boon Wan, Chairman of SPH Media Trust

Distinguished Guests

Ladies and Gentlemen

Good afternoon. We are here once again to celebrate the best of the Singapore spirit.

This year, we have before us a group of worthy finalists for the Singaporean of the Year 2021 Award. From acts of courage and generosity beyond the call of duty, to sacrifices that have brought sporting glory to the country, these individuals remind us of what it means to serve a purpose greater than ourselves.

We have lived with COVID-19 for two years. I understand that some may feel a sense of fatigue or frustration, having to continue abiding by restrictions to social activities. We have also had to get used to taking necessary precautions, like going for booster shots and getting tested regularly. Many of you celebrated Lunar New Year under these circumstances. We must remember that we do not take these precautions only for our own sake. We do this to protect those around us, including our loved ones and those who are at-risk, and to safeguard our healthcare capacity.

Last year, the Singaporean of the Year Award went to COVID-19 frontline workers. Many of us appreciate the work that they do. But a few weeks ago, it was reported that the number of healthcare workers in public institutions who were abused or harassed had risen over the past four years. We must show greater compassion towards those who are putting their own safety on the line to protect the rest of us. I hope that the uplifting stories of the finalists of this year’s Singaporean of the Year Award will reinforce the positive values that ought to define us as Singaporeans.

Team Singapore athletes – rower Joan Poh, shuttler Loh Kean Yew, and swimmer Yip Pin Xiu – displayed grit and tenacity in their endeavour to represent Singapore on the international stage. As a frontline nurse, Joan had put her Olympic training on hold to answer the call for medical reinforcements. Kean Yew’s humility in victory struck a chord with many Singaporeans. Pin Xiu has been a champion in more ways than one – not just at the Paralympics, but also in Parliament where she championed greater inclusivity in sports.

This is not to say that we must be capable of athletic feats to make a difference to the lives of others. Canteen stall operators Asanul Fariq Sani and Norhasyimah Awaludin set up a free grocery corner outside their Tampines home for neighbours in need. Porsche Poh and her charity Silver Ribbon worked tirelessly to promote awareness and fight the stigma on mental health conditions. Their contributions are especially pertinent during the pandemic, which has exacerbated some of the challenges faced by these groups.

Total strangers Azlee Abdul Shukor and Johnson Chia came together to rescue a female driver trapped in her car in a horrific accident. Sakthibalan Balathandautham gave a part of his liver to a stranger and is now an advocate for organ donation. These selfless acts exemplify the best of Singaporeans and our capacity to care for others, even those we do not know.

True to the spirit of this award are also finalists with bold vision. Abdul Malik Hassan grew his father’s nasi lemak business in lieu of his ambitions of becoming a pilot. Today, he mentors other hawkers to help them expand their business. In sharing his experiences with them, his success benefits not only himself but also others. John Cheng aspires to create sustainable solutions through food innovation, with the goal of feeding the global population. Lynn Wong quit her pursuit of a PhD in business studies to promote Chinese heritage, reaching out to youth through food and festivals.

They come from all walks of life, but they share some common traits. They demonstrate the strengths of character that we admire, and which underpin the kind of society that we aspire to achieve. I say aspire to achieve because we are still a work in progress. We’ve done well, but we can do better. The ST Singaporean of the Year finalists challenge us to think and act beyond our ordinary capabilities. They make us feel uncomfortable to continue living in our comfort zones occupied with ourselves but to exceed even our own expectations. In the current pandemic, when our everyday lives can appear rather gloomy and mundane, they lift our spirits and show that nothing can stand in the way of humanity.

Only one finalist will be the ST Singaporean of the Year, but all are worthy of our respect. In a world where we are daily reminded of unsolved conflicts and untold sufferings, such acts of courage and kindness, and new ideas to build a more inclusive and sustainable society, are truly motivating.

In conclusion, let me also thank the families and friends of the finalists who have supported them. I know that there are many other Singaporeans who have put others above self in their own ways. Some of them, like healthcare workers, have been featured in the book ‘In This Together: Singapore’s COVID-19 Story’ published by The Straits Times. Others contribute quietly, for example, by donating to COVID-19 relief initiatives. We must continue to appeal to our sense of community and rise above negativity to tide through Omicron. 

Congratulations to all the finalists and the winner of The Straits Times Singaporean of the Year 2021 Award. As role models to the rest of society, I urge you to use your influence to bring benefit to the lives of those around you and forge ahead to build a better Singapore.

Thank you and happy Lunar New Year to all those who are celebrating.