PM Lee Hsien Loong accepted Madam Halimah Yacob’s resignation as Speaker of Parliament and Member of Parliament and penned a 3-page letter (1,181 words) to thank her for contributions.
Here’s the TL;DR version for people with short attention span like you and I.
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7 August 2017
Madam Halimah Yacob
Speaker of Parliament
Dear Speaker Halimah,
Thank you for your resignation letter.
Because of what you’ve done to help the poor, the old, the sick and the ones who are often left behind, Singapore is in a better place today.
You have been fighting for the workers for 40 years (since 1978)! I heard you even had the opportunity to lead labour leaders all around the world but you gave it up because your heart is in Singapore.
You made history by becoming Singapore’s first female Malay MP. I know your residents love you. Your good work is also recognized by your colleagues in Parliament.
Your Marsiling residents told me that you continued to see them a few times a week despite your busy schedule as Speaker of Parliament. They also said you are always there for them.
Having five children of your own and taking care of your then elderly mother, you could relate well to working mothers and seniors.
You are objective in making judgement but it doesn’t stop you from being a people-person. People warm up to you easily.
While you always find meaningful ways to contribute back to the Malay community, your support for social causes always extend beyond this community.
As Speaker of Parliament, you are fair to everyone including the non-PAP MPs.
I know it’s not easy to be a President but you have my unwavering support. Don’t worry about your Speaker and MP duties, your residents will be in good hands.
I have faith in you. Jiayou.
Yours sincerely
LEE HSIEN LOONG
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Click here to read PM’s 3-page letter to Halimah Yacob.
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