2 weeks ago
78
Puan Noor Aishah was a steadfast pillar of support to President Yusof Ishak and was deeply involved in charitable causes, said the Prime Minister's Office.
Puan Noor Aishah at the launch of the book Puan Noor Aishah: Singapore's First Lady at The Arts House on Jul 18, 2017. (File photo: CNA/Nuria Ling)
New: You can now listen to articles.
This audio is generated by an AI tool.
SINGAPORE: Puan Noor Aishah, the wife of Singapore's first president, Mr Yusof Ishak, has died.
She was 91.
She died peacefully at the Singapore General Hospital on Tuesday (Apr 22) at 4.28am, according to a statement from the Prime Minister's Office.
"The Prime Minister and his Cabinet colleagues are deeply saddened by the passing of Puan Noor Aishah Mohammad Salim, the wife of Singapore’s first President Yusof Ishak. They extend their deepest condolences to her family during this difficult time," the statement read.
The PMO said that Puan Noor Aishah was a "steadfast pillar of support" to Mr Yusof throughout his tenure from 1959 to 1970, "a pivotal period in Singapore’s history marked by the challenges of building a new nation".
She was also deeply involved in charitable causes and championed various social initiatives, particularly in support of women, children, and the less privileged.
"Her grace, humility and unwavering dedication earned her the respect of Singaporeans from all walks of life, and continue to inspire us today," said the PMO.
To pay tribute to her contributions, the National Trades Union Congress awarded her the Special Medal of Honour in 1971, it added.
In recognition of her contributions, the government will assist her family with the funeral arrangements, said the PMO.
Puan Noor Aishah will be laid to rest at Kranji State Cemetery later on Tuesday alongside her late husband.
"As a mark of respect, she will be accorded the honour of being borne on the Ceremonial Gun Carriage for her final journey from Masjid Ba’alwie to Kranji State Cemetery," the statement said.
Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said that he was deeply saddened to hear of her passing in a Facebook post on Tuesday.
"With grace and quiet strength, she stood by Encik Yusof Ishak and steadfastly supported him throughout our tumultuous years of nation building," Mr Wong wrote.
"Beyond the Istana, she dedicated herself to serving others through organisations like the Singapore Red Cross and the Singapore Muslim Women’s Association."
"Her kindness and service touched countless lives — may her legacy continue to inspire us all," Mr Wong added.
"THRUST INTO THE SPOTLIGHT"
Born in Selangor in 1933, she was 16 when she married Mr Yusof in 1949. They went on to have three children.
She was just 26 years old when her husband was sworn in as head of state in 1959. He served three terms before dying of heart failure in 1970.
In the last few years of his presidency, his poor health led to Puan Noor Aishah taking on more of his social responsibilities, such as presenting the National Day Awards.
Puan Noor Aishah and then-Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the National Day Rally on Aug 17, 2014. (Photo: MDDI)
Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong also paid tribute to Puan Noor Aishah on Tuesday, saying in a Facebook post that she "adapted to her new responsibilities with grace and dignity" after being "thrust into the public spotlight at a young age".
"She managed a large household while carrying out her official duties. She made the effort to brush up her English, so that she could converse directly with visiting dignitaries," Mr Lee wrote.
"She helped keep Singaporeans united when times were tough, and stepped up with poise and a quiet determination to take on a bigger share of Encik Yusof’s public duties after he fell ill," he added.
"She was committed to a Singapore that was fair and just, regardless of race, language or religion. Her gentle spirit, sense of duty and grit left a deep impression on Singaporeans."
"I kept in touch with Puan Noor Aishah over the years, and was honoured to launch the book about her life in 2017. I send my condolences to the family and wish them comfort in this time of grief. She will be deeply missed," Mr Lee said.
TRANSFORMED THE ISTANA
In a separate tribute on Facebook, President Tharman Shanmugaratnam said that Puan Noor Aishah "will always be remembered for her grace, compassion and service to others".
Touching on Puan Noor Aishah's humble beginnings, Mr Tharman added that she grew up in a village in Penang where her adoptive parents had settled, and had "no more than two years of primary school education, owing to the disruptions of the war".
Puan Noor Aishah and President Tharman Shanmugaratnam. (Photo: Facebook/Tharman Shanmugaratnam)
Mr Tharman added that Puan Noor Aishah "more than rose to the challenge" after her husband became president, for example by organising receptions for visiting dignitaries, and transforming "the staid colonial style that the Istana inherited to give it a distinctive local elegance".
"Puan Noor Aishah became an emblem of heritage and local traditions - wearing the sarong kebaya at state events, using fabrics she bought from Arab Street and embroidering the kebaya herself," said Mr Tharman.
"She taught the Istana chefs - who were still preparing English classics like roast beef and pudding - her recipes for local favourites like beef rendang, epok epok and various kuih, which have remained part of Istana cuisine ever since."
When the President’s health began to decline, she stepped in to shoulder some of his social responsibilities, Mr Tharman added.
"But she was more than a pillar of support. She was a force for good in her own right, championing various social causes and being a dedicated patron to many organisations supporting the disadvantaged."
CHAMPION OF SOCIAL CAUSES
The Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS) said in a statement that the community had "lost a strong patron and supporter of many social services organisations who sought tirelessly to uplift the community".
MUIS said that Puan Noor Aishah had contributed most notably in supporting people with disabilities and women’s rights, and "created a deep impact on the lives of the Singaporean Muslims and the nation".
When plans for the construction of Masjid Yusof Ishak in Woodlands were announced in 2014, Puan Noor Aishah also lent her support, including fundraising and community outreach efforts, MUIS said.
She also donated plants from her private nursery to enhance the landscaping feature at the mosque, it added.
Since the mosque’s opening in 2017, Puan Noor Aishah has been a prominent figure at many events there, MUIS said.
"Her presence was always welcomed by congregants who remembered Puan Noor Aishah for her tireless support for the community," it added.
Puan Noor Aishah was the patron for several organisations – the Red Cross Society, the Young Women's Muslim Association (PPIS), the Children's Society, the Girl Guides Association, the Association for the Blind, the Spastics Association and the Association for the Deaf.
For her contributions, Puan Noor Aishah was inducted into the Singapore Women's Hall of Fame in 2018.
"Unlike Encik Yusof Ishak who passed away in 1970, Puan Noor Aishah lived to see Singapore’s transformation. She could take pride in her quiet role in our foundational years of self-government and independence, for which she will stay in collective memory," said Mr Tharman.
