Former security officer surprises Halimah Yacob at walkathon
Former president Halimah Yacob was surprised by a special guest when she attended a community event on June 1.
One of her former security officers, Ms Lim Hwee Yi, turned up at the Peace and Prosperity Singapura SG60 Walkathon, where Madam Halimah was the guest of honour.
Speaking to The Straits Times after the flag-off at about 5.30pm, Madam Halimah said: "I didn't expect to see her, but I'm so happy that she can accompany me on the walk today."
Ms Lim, 27, told ST that she was approached by the organisers to join the former president for the walk.
She added: "I was very keen because that meant I could see Madam (Halimah) again. The last time I met her was when she invited some of us to her home for Hari Raya last year."
Ms Lim resigned from her job as a security officer in the police force in May 2024 to help out at her parents' porridge stall at One Punggol Hawker Centre.
Said Madam Halimah, who is now Chancellor of the Singapore University of Social Sciences: "I spoke to her about her porridge stall, and I'm really happy that she's supporting her parents' business and she's doing it well."
The 5km walkathon, which started at Hong Lim Green, saw over 2,000 participants walking through the city, passing landmarks such as the Esplanade, the Singapore River and Gardens by the Bay.
It was organised by social service organisation Tao One Care, together with the Singapore Wushu and Dragon Lion Dance Federation, the International Long Shi Trading Hub and film-maker Jack Neo's PaPaZao, a community initiative that encourages healthy living and social connection through leisurely walks, especially among seniors.
Another highlight of the event was a display of 60 nine-metre tall flags, each bearing a Chinese blessing. ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI
Also joining the event were Mr Dinesh Vasu Dash, Minister of State for Culture, Community and Youth as well as Manpower, and Jurong East-Bukit Batok MP Lee Hong Chuang.
The walk ended at Marina Barrage, where Madam Halimah was welcomed by lion dancers and traditional Malay kompang and Indian drum performers.
Addressing participants at the end of the walkathon, she said: "It might look like a simple walk, but it's more than that. It is the spirit of Singapore and Singaporeans. We all come together to walk, to affirm our multicultural, multiracial and multi-religious society."
Former president Halimah Yacob writing Chinese calligraphy at the Peace and Prosperity Singapura SG60 Walkathon at Marina Barrage on June 1. ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI
At Marina Barrage, the former president was invited to complete a Chinese calligraphy piece. She wrote the characters "tian fu", meaning peace and prosperity.
Another highlight of the event was a display of 60 nine-metre tall flags, each bearing a Chinese blessing. The display earned a spot in the Singapore Book of Records for the largest flag display in Singapore.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Times
24 minutes ago
- Business Times
Asean walks trade war tightrope
WITH its pauses and U-turns, Donald Trump's tariff agenda continues to defy firm forecasts. Still, it remains worthwhile to explore how the US president's trade wars have impacted South-east Asian economies and could continue to do so going forward. South-east Asian economies are strategically important to both China and the United States as trading partners, geographical interests and military bases, particularly for the US. Yet, for the past decade, the region has repeatedly found itself caught in the middle as these two global powers compete for economic supremacy. With a population of over 690 million – or around 8 per cent of the world's population – Asean accounts for over 3.5 per cent of global gross domestic product and 7.4 per cent of global exports, demonstrating the bloc's increasing importance to the world's economic activity. Asean is China's largest trading partner, while ranking as the US' fourth-largest trading partner, after Mexico, Canada and China. First Trump term: Unintended beneficiaries During Trump's first presidency, tariffs of 10-50 per cent were imposed on various categories of Chinese products, primarily aimed at addressing concerns over intellectual property theft, forced technology transfers, and the substantial trade deficit with China. While tariffs were subsequently halved on the premise that China would import an additional US$200 billion from the US, only around US$30 billion in additional US goods were actually imported to China between 2020 and 2024. The tariff on Chinese imports created an unexpected opportunity for Asean and Mexico through supply chain realignment. Vietnam and Mexico emerged as particular beneficiaries. Vietnam's exports to the US surged from just US$49 billion in 2018 to US$137 billion in 2024, while Mexico's exports rose from US$344 billion to US$506 billion over the same period. The rapid increase can be attributed to the relocation of Chinese manufacturing facilities and rerouting of goods, reflected in the parallel rise in goods imports from China to both Asean countries and Mexico, predominantly in partially finished or finished goods. China's supply chain realignment strategy proved remarkably successful. Mexico is now the largest exporter to the US, replacing China in 2023, while the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) now ranks as the fourth-largest exporter to the US after Mexico, China and Canada. A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU Friday, 8.30 am Asean Business Business insights centering on South-east Asia's fast-growing economies. Sign Up Sign Up Strategic positioning and political complexity This shift was hardly surprising, as Asean has long been strategically important to China from multiple angles: as manufacturing bases, investment destinations and for political influence. The region's significant overseas Chinese population and close proximity to China have helped Asean countries grow closer to the country over the years. Since 2018, the bloc has become a critical hub for Chinese companies seeking to mitigate tariff exposure from the US-China trade war. Chinese firms have rerouted exports through Asean or established factories in countries like Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand and Malaysia to bypass tariffs, making the definition of 'origin of goods' and 'value-adding' increasingly opaque. Deja vu: The second Trump term Fast-forward to 2025, and investors face a deja vu moment as Trump's second presidential term took off with the strongest push yet for broad-based tariffs, maintaining significant focus on China. This reflects growing concerns about America's enormous total trade deficits with the world, which have grown to just shy of US$1 trillion. The US now understands the implications of imposing tariffs on China alone – the supply chain realignment has rendered previous tariffs ineffective in reducing the trade deficit. Asean economies once again find themselves caught in the crossfire between the world's two largest powers. This time, however, the implications are far more significant. The realignment of China's manufacturing supply chains has created jobs and entire industries over the past five years. Another shift could unwind parts of this manufacturing ecosystem and threaten people's livelihoods. The geopolitical balancing act There is also a broader geopolitical challenge. With escalating US-China tensions, Asean faces increasing pressure to align with one side or the other. Thailand and the Philippines, as examples, are notably taking a more muted stance towards geopolitical alignments. This balancing act is particularly delicate – both countries host existing US airbases while also relying heavily on China for investments, tourism and manufacturing. Given China's strong dominance as a trade partner and investor in the region, plus with the US serving as both a major export destination and source of political influence for many Asean economies, this equilibrium requires careful navigation. Asean must continue to strengthen intra-regional ties and leverage trade deals such as the RCEP and CPTPP to insulate itself from global volatility. The path forward for Asean economies must be both strategic and deliberate to safeguard the region's long-term interests. The group should focus on maintaining a delicate balance between the two global superpowers by adopting a neutral stance, while simultaneously strengthening internal resilience through enhanced intra-regional trade and improved competitiveness in manufacturing, trade and foreign direct investments. To prepare for potential geopolitical decoupling, Asean should diversify its network of economic partners and deepen institutional integration, drawing lessons from the European Union to strengthen its collective influence on the global stage. For businesses and investors, this evolving landscape presents dual-edged prospects: risks of supply chain disruptions, but also significant opportunities to position Asean as a key hub in future global trade and supply chain. Implications for bond investors While the temporary pause in new trade tariffs has brought some relief to bond investors, we view Trump 2.0 as bringing unprecedented growth risks for Asean. We expect a further economic decoupling between China and the US, which will negatively impact global growth as trade declines. In the near term, this uncertainty warrants further rate cuts from Asean central banks as inflation stabilises, growth slows and unemployment inches higher. Local currency bonds should therefore remain well-supported. We also expect to see some net international investment position flows from US assets returning to Asia, lending further support to local currency asset prices and Asian currencies. However, we remain mindful of the longer-term effects on potential economic growth from supply chain realignment and global slowdown, which can have lasting impacts on Asean economies. The writer is portfolio manager, Asia Fixed Income, at M&G Investments
Straits Times
2 hours ago
- Straits Times
Trump says he may support Israel-Iran ceasefire ‘depending on circumstances'
US President Donald Trump talking to reporters upon his arrival in Morristown, New Jersey, on June 20. PHOTO: REUTERS Trump says he may support Israel-Iran ceasefire 'depending on circumstances' WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump said on June 20 he might support a ceasefire in the week-old aerial conflict between US ally Israel and its regional rival Iran 'depending on the circumstances'. Asked by reporters if he would support a ceasefire while negotiations are ongoing, Mr Trump said: 'I might, depending on the circumstances.' Europe would not be able to help much in the war between Iran and Israel, Mr Trump added. 'Iran doesn't want to speak to Europe. They want to speak to us. Europe is not going to be able to help in this one,' Mr Trump said. Iran's foreign minister met European counterparts in Geneva on June 20 for talks aimed at establishing a path back to diplomacy over Iran's nuclear programme. European foreign ministers urged Iran to engage with Washington over its nuclear programme, but the talks ended with few signs of progress. 'Well, I'm not going to talk about ground forces, because the last thing you want to do is ground forces,' Mr Trump said, when asked if ground forces would be needed to defeat Iran. The air war began on June 13 when Israel attacked Iran and has raised alarms in a region that has been on edge since the start of Israel's war in Gaza in October 2023. Mr Trump and the White House say he will decide in the next two weeks whether the US will get involved in the Israel-Iran war. Mr Trump has kept the world guessing on his plans, veering from proposing a swift diplomatic solution to suggesting Washington might join the fighting on Israel's side. Israel is the only country in the Middle East widely believed to have nuclear weapons, and said it struck Iran to prevent Tehran from developing its own nuclear weapons. Iran, which says its nuclear programme is peaceful, has retaliated with its own strikes on Israel. Iran is a party to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, while Israel is not. Israel's strikes have killed 639 people in Iran, according to the Human Rights Activists News Agency. Israel says Iranian attacks have killed 24 civilians in Israel. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
3 hours ago
- Straits Times
Ohio man charged for allegedly threatening US Congressman Max Miller
U.S. Republican congressional candidate Max Miller speaks during former U.S. president Donald Trump's rally in Youngstown, Ohio, U.S., September 17, 2022. REUTERS/Gaelen Morse/File Photo Police in Ohio said on Friday they had arrested a man after he allegedly ran a U.S. Congressman off a road, threatened the politician and his family, and yelled antisemitic slurs and waved a Palestinian flag before fleeing. Police in Rocky River, Ohio, said in a statement that they had arrested Feras Hamdan, 36, of Ohio, in connection to the alleged targeting on Thursday of U.S. Representative Max Miller, a Republican representing Ohio, in the suburb about 10 miles (16 km) west of downtown Cleveland. Hamdan, police said, voluntarily turned himself into police. Hamdan was arraigned on Friday and charged with aggravated menacing and ethnic intimidation, according to Deborah Comery, the Rocky River Municipal Court clerk. Hamdan, who could face up to five months in jail, pleaded not guilty and is being held on a $500,000 bond. Hamdan's attorney, Issa Elkhatib, said in a written statement that the allegations against Hamdan were "baseless and outrageous" and that they "amount to defamatory attacks on his character and reputation." Elkhatib said that Hamdan was a respected local doctor who had no prior criminal history, and that he was confident "the truth will win and that Dr. Hamdan's good name will be fully vindicated." Political violence in the U.S. has been on the increase. A man in Minnesota was arrested on suspicion of assassinating a state lawmaker and her husband last weekend, and shooting and injuring another lawmaker and his wife. The Rocky River police statement said that Miller called 911 on Thursday morning to report that he was run off the road while traveling with his family on Interstate 90 in Ohio. The police said Miller reported an assailant yelled antisemitic slurs and waved a Palestinian flag. "The deranged hatred in this country has gotten out of control," Miller wrote on social media. "As a Marine, a proud Jewish American and a staunch defender of Israel, I will not hide in the face of this blatant antisemitic violence," he wrote. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
