GE2025: ‘Integrity, empathy, purpose’, says Maliki Osman on East Coast successor Hazlina Abdul Halim
[SINGAPORE] Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office Maliki Osman has formally endorsed Hazlina Abdul Halim, the former chief executive of Make-A-Wish Singapore, as his successor in East Coast GRC.
The 40-year-old will take over his work at the five-member group representation constituency’s Siglap ward, he told reporters on the sidelines of a walkabout at Bedok 85 Market on Saturday (Apr 12).
Dr Maliki said he has known Hazlina for many years, since she started out as a journalist.
He also knew her through her work as the president of PPIS (Singapore Muslim Women’s Association) from 2020 to 2024, he said.
Vouching for her qualities, he added: “I have known her to be one who is full of integrity, empathy, purpose, which are qualities that will bode her well to be in public life.
“As a former journalist, as well as having worked and headed the non-profit sector, I believe she knows well the needs of Singaporeans and that’s one of the key qualities of being in public office.”
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Dr Maliki, 59, first broke the news to more than 100 grassroots leaders at Siglap Community Club on Friday. During the meeting, he also asked them to throw their support behind Hazlina.
The development could mean that Dr Maliki is ready to wrap up his 24-year political career, which kicked off five election cycles ago in 2001, when he was elected Member of Parliament for Sembawang GRC.
But he did not confirm if he would retire on Saturday.
Also present was former brigadier-general and People’s Action Party new face Goh Pei Ming, who said he hopes to run in the five-member constituency.
“I grew up in East Coast. I’ve attended school here. My family, my parents, my kids are all here,” said the 42-year-old, who was until recently the Singapore Armed Forces’ chief of staff – joint staff.
“My past, present and future are closely tied to East Coast, and I look forward to doing my best for everyone here in East Coast,” he added.
Goh said he grew up in Bedok North, and now lives in the Joo Chiat ward, which has been absorbed into East Coast.
He has been active in its Kampong Chai Chee ward, becoming the vice-chair of its citizens’ consultative committee in 2019, and chairman of its community club’s management committee in 2021.
East Coast GRC is helmed by Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat, 63. The other MPs are Dr Maliki, Senior Minister of State for Digital Development and Information and National Development Tan Kiat How, 47, Deputy Speaker of Parliament Jessica Tan, 58, and Cheryl Chan, 49.
All five current East Coast MPs, as well as Joo Chiat MP Edwin Tong – whose Marine Parade ward has been absorbed into East Coast GRC – were at the Saturday walkabout.
Hazlina’s first public outing in East Coast was on Mar 31, when she visited a Chai Chee mosque alongside another new face – former chief executive of the Agency for Integrated Care Dinesh Vasu Dash.
During her last East Coast walkabout on Apr 5, which covered three coffee shops in the Siglap estate, DPM Heng and Tong, who is minister for culture, community and youth, introduced both her and Dinesh to residents.
Dinesh did not participate in the Saturday walkabout, in a signal that he could be fielded elsewhere. THE STRAITS TIMES
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