Puan Noor Aishah a kind, remarkable woman who touched many Singaporeans, say Singapore leaders (2025)

SINGAPORE - Singapore leaders remembered Puan Noor Aishah Mohammad Salim as a remarkable woman who championed social causes and touched the lives of many Singaporeans as they bid farewell to the former first lady on April 22.

Puan Noor Aishah, the widow of the country’s first president Yusof Ishak, died earlier in the day at the age of 91.

“I had the chance to meet her at a few public events and interact with her, and I was always struck by her grace, her poise and her dignity. I’m sure many Singaporeans who have interacted with her have that same impression,” Prime Minister Lawrence Wong told the media after he had paid his respects at Masjid Ba’alwie.

He said her legacy of selfless service would truly inspire many generations of Singaporeans.

PM Wong was among an estimated 500 people – many of them political and community leaders – who visited the Lewis Road mosque in the late morning for her funeral.

Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong, who arrived at about 11.45am,said he was sad when he heard about Puan Noor Aishah,who had been ill in hospital for some time. He visited her in hospital with his wife in March.

“She was still conscious, recognised us and gave us a broad smile. I’ve known her for a very long time, since I was seven years old,” said SM Lee.

“She has lived a full life and made a significant contribution to Singapore, particularly in the early years – the crucial years of our first years of independence. We will remember her for a very long time.”

Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean also noted Puan Noor Aishah’s contributions in Singapore’s formative years, saying: “It is the passing of a hero who represents all the tribulations that we came through at the time of independence.”

Also at the funeral were former president Tony Tan and Mrs Mary Tan.

Former president Halimah Yacob, who was at the mosque with her husband Mohamed Abdullah Alhabshee, said that she remembered Puan Noor Aishah as someone very kind, gentle and compassionate.

Madam Halimah, who was president from 2017 to 2023, pointed to Puan Noor Aishah’s role in transforming the Istana. The imprint of the British legacy was strong in the Istana, and Puan Noor Aishah played a crucial role in localising it to the Singapore context.

That contribution was also noted by President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, who is in the US on a working visit but had earlier said in a Facebook post that Puan Noor Aishah had taught the Istana’s chefs recipes for local favouriteslike epok epok and various kuih, which have remained part of the Istana’s cuisine.

Madam Halimah said: “That is important, and that is remembered by people not just in Singapore but also around the world.”

Other dignitaries at the funeral included Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat, Minister for Manpower Tan See Leng, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office Maliki Osman, Senior Minister of State Zaqy Mohamad, Ministers of State Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim and Rahayu Mahzam, and former minister-in-charge of Muslim affairs Yaacob Ibrahim.

A few were teary-eyed as they left the mosque.

Nominated MP Razwana Begum, as well as PAP new face Hazlina Abdul Halim – the current and former presidents of the Singapore Muslim Women’s Association (PPIS), respectively – also paid their respects.

The association said in a statement: “As the first Patron of PPIS from 1968 to 1972, Puan Noor Aishah played a pivotal role in shaping our early years and laying the foundation for the work we continue today. Her belief in the potential of women and the importance of strong families resonated deeply with our mission. We remain grateful for her support and vision, which continue to inspire us in serving the community with empathy, resilience, and purpose.”

Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Masagos Zulkifli said that Puan Noor Aishah had been a pillar and an example for the Malay community, particularly for women.

It was also a point highlighted by Madam Hazlina, who said Puan Noor Aishah was always kind to young female leaders who visited her. “She would always encourage us to press on and fly the flag high. It is really a sorry day to lose a gem like her,” she added.

During the funeral, Singapore’s Mufti Nazirudin Mohd Nasir said a few words before the mosque’s congregants prayed for Puan Noor Aishah.

At about 1.35pm, her casket was carried by eight pallbearers, who transferred her to a ceremonial gun carriage in a silent, dignified ceremony. Mosque-goers waved goodbye to the carriage as it made its way to Kranji State Cemetery, where a large white marquee sheltered attendees from the blazing sun for her afternoon burial.

Puan Noor Aishah was laid to rest next to her husband, who died in 1970.

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