PM Wong, SM Lee & other leaders attend funeral of Puan Noor Aishah, wife of Yusof Ishak

A number of Singapore leaders attended the funeral of the late Puan Noor Aishah Mohammed Salim, wife of Singapore's first president Yusof Ishak, and paid tribute to her.

They paid their respects during the ceremony at Masjid Ba'alwie, after which her body was conveyed via a ceremonial gun carriage to Kranji State Cemetery.

She will be laid to rest alongside her late husband.

SM Lee Hsien Loong

Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong shared that he has known her since he was seven years old.

"As a small kid, we used to play at the Istana when she was the spouse of the Yang di-Pertuan Negara and later the President, Yusof Ishak," he recalled.

Over the years, he kept in touch with her and "remembered old times and new developments in our families".

SM Lee added that he had known she was ill and had been in hospital for some time.

He visited her last month with his wife.

"She was still conscious, and recognised us, and gave us a broad smile," he said.

PM Lawrence Wong

Prime Minister Lawrence Wong called the late Puan Noor Aishah "a remarkable woman".

Despite being "thrust into the public spotlight at a very young age" — she was 26 when her husband was sworn in as head of state — she became "a force of good in her own right", and championed many social causes.

PM Wong recalled having met her on a number of occasions at events.

"I was always struck by her grace, her poise, her dignity. And I'm sure many Singaporeans who have interacted with her will have that same impression," he said.

Halimah Yacob

Former president Halimah Yacob remembers her as someone who was "very kind, gentle, and compassionate".

Even after her husband passed on, she continued with her social work, which she carried out with grace and dignity, she said.

She also transformed the Istana, turning its strong British legacy to something more Singaporean.

"She will be fondly remembered. And the various contributions she made, I hope that will be part of our legacy, our proud legacy as Singaporeans," Halimah said.

Masagos Zulkifli

Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Masagos Zulkifli called her a "pillar, an example for our community, particularly for women".

She took to her role quickly, and even took on some of her husband's duties when he fell ill, presenting National Day awards to recipients on his behalf.

"We will remember her well," Masagos said, "and we hope that she continues within our memories... as our pioneer who defined for us what it meant to be a Singaporean."

SM Teo Chee Hean

Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean remembers Puan Noor Aishah as a "very, very gracious lady", who he had met several times when she was patron of the Girl Guides, and on other occasions.

"As a student, we always saw images of President Yusof and Puan Noor Aishah at his side," he said.

"I still remember the passing of Encik Yusof, and now we have the passing of Puan Noor Aishah."

"And it's the passing of an era. It represents all the tribulations that we came through, at the time of independence."

Rahayu Mahzam

Minister of State for the Ministry of Digital Development and Information and Ministry of Health Rahayu Mahzam called her "an icon in her own right".

"She championed women's issues, and she was really a role model for many young women," she said.

"So it is with great loss that we are here today."

She added: "I hope her legacy remains one that is of a woman who is kind, and gracious, and who continued to support very meaningful causes for the community."

Hazlina Abdul Halim

PAP candidate Hazlina Abdul Halim said Puan Noor Aishah was "full of grace, full of charm, and full of kindness".

"Each time young female leaders visit her, she would always encourage us to press on and fly the flag," she said.

"It is really a sorry day for Singapore to lose a gem like her. But all of her good work will surely continue, as she has inspired generations of leaders from all walks of life."

Top image by Ilyda Chua