Ok, hands up those you who know some makciks in your life. Makciks (Older Malay women/aunties) are quite a strange breed, from my experience. They are the kindly friendly malay aunties and mothers, always welcoming you into their home and feeding you anyway they can. They started out as young nubile malay girls, the type that you see walking around the street, quite attractive looking, especially the fairer skin type. Then along the way, after a couple of kids, they become matronly and plump.
Apart from the physical description of a Makcik, we have their character. Makciks though kindly and sometimes generous, are generally speaking not very bright. Let’s say they are no Einsteins. But they can be quite stubborn. Especially if they think they are being used, manipulated or being made fools off. No matter what logic you can reason with them, they remain obstinate and will not budge from their position, wrong as they may be.
So, here we have Halimah. Other then being half Indian, she is a textbook description of a Makcik. I asked myself this question. Why wouldn’t she move into the Istana, like she was supposed to? Malays, if anything, would jump at the opportunity to be surrounded by luxury and living the high life. Then I realized she was a typical Makcik. No matter how die hard a PAP supporter she is, it’s an undeniable fact that she knew she was handed the Presidency not on her own merits, but by the political manipulations of her boss, Lee Hsien Loong. She was chosen, perhaps against her will, because the most suitable candidate Yacob Ibrahim refused it. He refused it knowing the shit storm that the whole process would cost and what a laughing stock he would become if he took it.
I have no doubt that Halimah was arrowed to do this. I suspect that she balked at it and was not interested in it. For sure she did not put up her hands at a PAP CEC meeting and say “pick me pick me to be the next President”. When it became clear that she had no choice, she took it under orders from her superior, like the good soldier that she is. But the Makcik in her showed her rebellious streak by openly defying convention and Lee Hsien Loong’s wish and refused to move into the Istana. Her signal to the PAP………..you can make me do something I did not want, but once I am in that position, I will interpret my role as I see fit.
Look at it logically. The whole EP process was acrimonious and viewed very negatively both locally and internationally. What with the big social media dispute over whether or not she is even Malay, right down to the disqualification of all other candidates, and the #Notmypresident campaign. It was a big furore, make no mistake about it. What the PAP wants is to bury this as fast as possible, and just have Halimah move into the role as quickly and as quietly as possible so that this whole mess can be forgotten as soon as possible.
But instead, the opposite has happened. Her refusal to move into the Istana has continued the controversy, although on a smaller scale. A group of Singaporeans will think that she shows her humbleness and connection with the common people by continuing to live in her HDB flat. Another group will think that she does not respect the position and should be in the Istana, the proper home for the highest office of the state. But why continuing to make herself a polarizing figure? Why continue to be controversial? If she had moved into the Istana, we would see coverage of her meeting this and that political figure and dignitary. Instead, we are treated to coverage of her police reserved parking spots under her block, and neighbours who may or may not be inconvenienced by all the security. Eventually, people will get use to her living in a HDB flat, and may think she is just a stubborn or eccentric Makcik. This whole episode will die down and people will forget that she is calling her flat the Istana. But my point is why even prolong and remind people of the whole campaign?
What does this mean to the PAP? You better believe that the PAP powers to be pleaded with her to just quietly go to the Istana, away from the public interaction that occurs when she walks around fellow Yishun residents, and adapt to living in the Istana like all other Presidents before her. Her refusal to do so will be a source of consternation to them. Is this the extent of her rebelliousness or will she extend that to other areas? Will she go back to rubber stamping PAP bills, or will she take it further and stop or delay laws in a fight for more social justice. Only time will tell. I personally think, this is just her being rebellious, and that it will stop at this Yistana think. I am not sure the PAP thinks the same, they must still be very confident she will be an obedient President and not rock the boat too much. But maybe in the back of their minds, they are a little concerned?
Just my 2 cents.
Apart from the physical description of a Makcik, we have their character. Makciks though kindly and sometimes generous, are generally speaking not very bright. Let’s say they are no Einsteins. But they can be quite stubborn. Especially if they think they are being used, manipulated or being made fools off. No matter what logic you can reason with them, they remain obstinate and will not budge from their position, wrong as they may be.
So, here we have Halimah. Other then being half Indian, she is a textbook description of a Makcik. I asked myself this question. Why wouldn’t she move into the Istana, like she was supposed to? Malays, if anything, would jump at the opportunity to be surrounded by luxury and living the high life. Then I realized she was a typical Makcik. No matter how die hard a PAP supporter she is, it’s an undeniable fact that she knew she was handed the Presidency not on her own merits, but by the political manipulations of her boss, Lee Hsien Loong. She was chosen, perhaps against her will, because the most suitable candidate Yacob Ibrahim refused it. He refused it knowing the shit storm that the whole process would cost and what a laughing stock he would become if he took it.
I have no doubt that Halimah was arrowed to do this. I suspect that she balked at it and was not interested in it. For sure she did not put up her hands at a PAP CEC meeting and say “pick me pick me to be the next President”. When it became clear that she had no choice, she took it under orders from her superior, like the good soldier that she is. But the Makcik in her showed her rebellious streak by openly defying convention and Lee Hsien Loong’s wish and refused to move into the Istana. Her signal to the PAP………..you can make me do something I did not want, but once I am in that position, I will interpret my role as I see fit.
Look at it logically. The whole EP process was acrimonious and viewed very negatively both locally and internationally. What with the big social media dispute over whether or not she is even Malay, right down to the disqualification of all other candidates, and the #Notmypresident campaign. It was a big furore, make no mistake about it. What the PAP wants is to bury this as fast as possible, and just have Halimah move into the role as quickly and as quietly as possible so that this whole mess can be forgotten as soon as possible.
But instead, the opposite has happened. Her refusal to move into the Istana has continued the controversy, although on a smaller scale. A group of Singaporeans will think that she shows her humbleness and connection with the common people by continuing to live in her HDB flat. Another group will think that she does not respect the position and should be in the Istana, the proper home for the highest office of the state. But why continuing to make herself a polarizing figure? Why continue to be controversial? If she had moved into the Istana, we would see coverage of her meeting this and that political figure and dignitary. Instead, we are treated to coverage of her police reserved parking spots under her block, and neighbours who may or may not be inconvenienced by all the security. Eventually, people will get use to her living in a HDB flat, and may think she is just a stubborn or eccentric Makcik. This whole episode will die down and people will forget that she is calling her flat the Istana. But my point is why even prolong and remind people of the whole campaign?
What does this mean to the PAP? You better believe that the PAP powers to be pleaded with her to just quietly go to the Istana, away from the public interaction that occurs when she walks around fellow Yishun residents, and adapt to living in the Istana like all other Presidents before her. Her refusal to do so will be a source of consternation to them. Is this the extent of her rebelliousness or will she extend that to other areas? Will she go back to rubber stamping PAP bills, or will she take it further and stop or delay laws in a fight for more social justice. Only time will tell. I personally think, this is just her being rebellious, and that it will stop at this Yistana think. I am not sure the PAP thinks the same, they must still be very confident she will be an obedient President and not rock the boat too much. But maybe in the back of their minds, they are a little concerned?
Just my 2 cents.
