Election of Speaker of Parliament

Mdm Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to extend to you my heartiest congratulations on your election as the first female Speaker of the Parliament of Singapore.

Since the news of your nomination, many Singaporeans of all races, languages, religions, political affiliations and gender, have shown overwhelming support of you, both online and in traditional media.

Your stellar performance in your 30-year career as a legally trained unionist, a parliamentarian and as an office holder has been well covered in the local media. Our Prime Minister, no less, has commended you on the practical and compassionate voice you had brought to his Cabinet.

You have commanded the respect of many of your colleagues in the union. Many have no doubt that you will do a fine job as a Speaker, without fear or favour. Those who serve in the social services sector bid you a reluctant farewell – happy that you have been promoted but also confessing that they will miss interacting directly with a passionate and tireless supporter such as you. You have been especially known as a strong advocate for workers, women and the Malay/Muslim community.

On the personal front, despite your stellar rise, you have maintained a humble lifestyle of voluntary simplicity, a much aspired lifestyle choice for those who wish to travel lighter in our life journeys. You are indeed and truly a national asset.

Madam, your election as the first female Speaker of Parliament puts to rest the barrier of a glass ceiling for capable women in our country. With the recent additions of eminent female colleagues such as Ms Indranee Rajah and Mrs Josephine Teo in the Cabinet, women are now much better represented in our country's senior leadership.

As ex-Chinese leader Mao Tze Tung, once said, women hold up half the sky. Women who aspire to climb the corporate or political ladder now know that it is not impossible to reach the top, if that is what they wish.

Madam, I personally missed your company in the backbench when you were promoted in 2011 to become an office holder. I remember fondly an incident during our backbench days. Through exchange of views and notes across the seats, MP Christopher de Souza, your good self and I made a decision to not vote "yes" to the 2009 Human Organ Transplant Bill when the Whip was lifted. This was primarily due to our discomfort with some of the issues arising from payment to the donor.

As a new MP, I learnt, from watching you, how an effective backbencher can skillfully prepare and present an argument without being unnecessarily harsh whilst making a stand according to one's conscience.

I will miss you now in the social services sector as you take on your new role as Speaker. In the last one year, you were making your presence felt as Minister of State in the Ministry of Social and Family Development. Thank you for responding both with speed and heart whenever I sought your help for the children and families who needed an extra leg up in the charities we serve.

Please continue to support me with speed and heart and not ignore me when I raise my hand or try to catch your eye for an opportunity to continue to speak up for them in this House.

Finally, Madam, a wish for you. I am confident that with your capability and communication talents, your eloquence, you will carry out your duties as Speaker with fairness and dignity. My special wish for you is this - that beneath that power suit that you now don as our Speaker, you will always remain the same Halimah Yacob whom we have all come to like, love and respect. Borrowing from the words of British Nobel laureate Rudyard Kipling in his poem "If", I hope that you will continue to "talk with crowds and keep your virtue" and "walk with kings, yet not lose the common touch". Walk with kings, yet not lose the common touch.

With that, our beloved Mdm Speaker, I pledge to you my utmost support.

Madam, before I end off, please allow me to express my appreciation of Mr Michael Palmer; your immediate predecessor.

When Michael Palmer was first elected as Speaker, those of us who were used to Speaker profiles who were far older, did not know what to expect of young Mr Palmer. He took over Speakership at a time when a fair and steady hand was needed even more to manage the dynamics of a House with a mix of PAP MPs and a total of six elected Opposition MPs, three NCMPs and nine Nominated MPs.

As time would tell, Mr Palmer quickly learnt the ropes and took to his Speaker duties well. I am sure many in the House would agree that Mr Palmer has discharged his duties as Speaker of the House with professionalism, fairness and confidence.

Personally, I was blessed to also serve the disadvantaged with Mr Palmer, outside this House. We briefly co-chaired a Disability Committee set up by Mayor Teo Ser Luck in his District. I recall that Michael was often patient and generous whenever we discussed individual appeals for help.

On other occasions, although I have never directly approached him for help in my volunteer work in the charities, he would direct donors to help the needy and disabled I serve. Mr Palmer indeed had used his influence to do good. I am sure I have the support of many in this House to register our appreciation for our ex-Speaker, Mr Michael Palmer.

With that, let me end off and again extend my warmest congratulations for our new Mdm Speaker Halimah Yacob.

It has been a long wait from the day she entered politics in 2001, to the day she is elected to this significant position – more than 10 years. But as ex-British Prime Minister Winston Churchill once said, "Everyone has his day; and some days last longer than others."

Kakak Halimah, may your days as the Speaker of this House last a long, long time. Congratulations.