Speech By Mr David Gerald, Founder, President & CEO Of SIAS At The Welcome Lunch For Chief Patron, Mdm Halimah Yacob, Held On 29 August 2024

Date: August 29, 2024

Good Afternoon Mdm Halimah Yacob, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen. Thank you for attending this lunch to mark the appointment of Mdm Halimah as Chief Patron and Mr. Sherman Kwek as a Patron of SIAS.

SIAS’s constitution states that the Chief Patron shall be a distinguished person, “outstanding in their contributions to the betterment of Singapore.” It is with this requirement very much in mind that SIAS approached Mdm Halimah to assume the post, and I am immensely grateful that she has accepted.

Throughout her career as a Unionist with a legal education and then politician, first as a Member of Parliament, then as a Minister of State, and thereafter as a Speaker of Parliament, and then finally as Singapore’s eighth President. Mdm Halimah has made it clear that her mission was to improve the well-being of all Singaporeans, especially the underprivileged and those with disabilities.

In her various offices, she reinforced this reputation by raising many issues successfully on behalf of less fortunate Singaporeans. She actively championed better wages, welfare, and work prospects. She took a special interest in the needs of lower-wage workers, working women’s rights and welfare at the workplace, as well as the challenges faced by mature workers.

She truly believed that for a society to “do good” its people had to “do it together.”
As Singapore’s eighth President and the first woman to assume the office that is the highest in the land, I can do no better than quote the then-Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong when, in thanking Mdm Halimah for her services to the nation as President, he described her as a powerful symbol of unity for all Singaporeans. He said, and I quote, “Throughout your tenure, you showed the way with grounded leadership and a warm heart for the people. Your ability to empathise and resonate with Singaporeans from all walks of life has brought our nation closer together and reminded us that we all have a role to play to make Singapore a better home.” We couldn’t agree more.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, Mdm Halimah worked closely with the Government to tap into the nation’s reserves to provide support for the economy and jobs. With her approval, the Government was able to withdraw $69 billion from the reserves over three years – of which about $40 billion was eventually used – an unprecedentedly large sum that went towards protecting the livelihoods of thousands of Singaporeans. Thanks to that generous and timely support, the country weathered the Covid-19 storm and emerged stronger and more resilient than before.

As President, she continued to be a strong advocate for gender equality, those with disabilities, and those who suffer from mental health issues, particularly the young. She is also an outspoken supporter of multiculturalism and meritocracy, which are central pillars of Singapore’s society and respect for which are crucial in ensuring social harmony.

In the international arena, Mdm Halimah represented Singapore with grace and distinction, ensuring that the country’s harmonious relations with the world at large remain strong and friendly. She has signed numerous bilateral agreements with several nations, thus creating many trade and business opportunities to advance Singapore’s interests.

I could go on for much longer, but I believe that Mdm Halimah’s achievements, values, and views have already been well-documented and are widely known. In many respects, the virtues she stands for are similar to those pursued by SIAS – looking after the rights of small individual investors while preserving their dignity, ensuring a level playing field for persons of all races and religions, and encouraging ethical and honest behaviour when dealing with our fellow men.

As a powerful unifying symbol for all Singaporeans and for her reputation for being close to the ground as a People’s President, I am overwhelmingly grateful that she has graciously accepted SIAS’s invitation to assume the mantle of Chief Patron of SIAS.

Additionally, we are honoured to welcome Mr. Sherman Kwek as a Patron of SIAS. Mr. Kwek, the CEO of City Developments Limited (CDL), has demonstrated exemplary leadership and commitment to sustainable urban development. Under his stewardship, CDL has been at the forefront of integrating green building initiatives and innovative real estate solutions that contribute significantly to Singapore’s reputation as a global city. His forward-thinking vision and dedication to corporate responsibility align perfectly with the ethos of SIAS. We are confident that his involvement will greatly benefit our mission and the broader community of investors. Mr Kwek is unable to be with us today as he is overseas.

Thank you, Madam.

Thank you all, please enjoy the lunch.