President Halimah Yacob at the National Day Parade at the Padang on Aug 9, 2023. (Photo: CNA/Raydza Rahman)
"These are emotions which you cannot control, the terrible sense of sadness but at the same time, a sense of inspiration," says President Halimah Yacob.
President Halimah Yacob at the National Day Parade at the Padang on Aug 9, 2023. (Photo: CNA/Raydza Rahman)
SINGAPORE: It was an emotional occasion for President Halimah Yacob on Wednesday (Aug 9) as she presided over her last National Day Parade (NDP) as head of state.
"It's very nostalgic, I've been through six NDPs altogether as the reviewing officer and NDP always touches something inside all of us," Madam Halimah told reporters after leaving the parade.
"Whenever you come to NDP you always feel so inspired because there are so many Singaporeans together, celebrating this really, truly momentous day, which is our National Day.
Mdm Halimah, 68, arrived at the parade to cheers from the crowd of 27,000 spectators before she inspected the guard of honour.
She said she also felt a sense of sadness as she left the Padang after interacting with parade participants.
"These are emotions which you cannot control, the terrible sense of sadness but at the same time, a sense of inspiration when I look around me and see the crowd and how people are standing together, celebrating as one," she said.
Mdm Halimah is Singapore's first female president.
She assumed the position in 2017 after becoming the only candidate to receive a Certificate of Eligibility in the reserved election for members of the Malay community.
Her six-year term ends on Sep 13 after she decided not to stand for re-election.
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Mdm Halimah was first elected as a Member of Parliament for Jurong GRC in 2001 and became the first female Speaker of Parliament in 2013.
She was an MP for Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC from 2015 until she stepped down to stand for president.
As Singapore celebrated its 58th birthday, Mdm Halimah highlighted a few of her favourite things about this year's parade.
"I liked the theme of this year's (parade) also, Onward as One, because that reminds us, we are a small country with lots of challenges and difficulties - but we should not be mired by those constraints, those difficulties," she said.
"We should always look forward. So long as we stay together and we strongly put our faith in a shared future, we can progress."
She also said it was wonderful that people with disabilities were included in the celebrations.
"We show Singapore and the world that people with disabilities are actually people with different abilities, they have the talents, and we give them the chance to show those talents," she said, adding that the work produced by people with disabilities "never fails to fascinate" her.
"As a country, on the most important day that we celebrate our nationhood, we integrate our people with disabilities," Mdm Halimah said.
"We bring them to the fore, because Singaporeans, we're all in this together, not those who can run the fastest. But everyone must work together as a team."
In response to a question about whether she has felt lonely, sitting in the president's seat during each National Day Parade, Mdm Halimah said she never felt alone.
"I never felt that I'm looking at the parade alone," she said, adding that there is a sense of togetherness.
"There are times when we go through hardships, we all have to limit, constrain ourselves. But there are times when we have to celebrate and we celebrate together."