NUR ATIQAH

With his roles as a teacher and an MP, Encik Ibrahim Othman, 65, has always had big shoes to fill. His path in life was laced with responsibilities and sacrifices.

 

In 1966, Encik Ibrahim started his career as a trainee teacher. His teaching years were what he described to be carefree. With the small age gap between Encik Ibrahim and his students, he found it easy to bond with his wards. Soccer matches and outings with students and friends were only some of the activities that showed the adventurous side of him.

 

Encik Ibrahim soon discovered his passion beginning to grow for teaching, despite having chanced upon this career as a way of earning money for future studies. He started to slowly climb up the teaching hierarchy and was promoted to be a Principal in 1981. His efforts did not go unrecognised as he became a Deputy President of Singapore Malay Teacher’s Union in 1979 and a Member of Parliament in 1984, making him one of the only four Malay teachers involved in politics.

 

When asked about his feelings of the achievements that Singapore has made, he said: “What Singapore is now, was not a guarantee at that time.”

 

Of the over 16 years as an MP, Encik Ibrahim spent 10 years caring for the Thomson/ Bishan estates. He was quick to recall all the changes that they have implemented to help the community, for especially the Malay/Muslim community. Seeing the implementation of the Mosque Building and Mendaki Funds (MBBF) is just one of his cherished moments. The MBBF is still in place till today, where Singaporean Muslim workers donate a part of their salaries to the community.

 

When asked about his motivation and drive behind his visions for the future of Singapore, Encik Ibrahim was quick to say: “To ensure that our day to day lives get better, to serve them to the best of our capabilities and to meet their needs.”

 

For Encik Ibrahim, all his contributions and sacrifices never went to waste. He smiled as he recalled the number of citizens who still greets him to this very day. Be it ex-students or Bishan residents, he explains the tinge of satisfaction he feels when people call out to him.  Encik Ibrahim was happy to say that he has no regrets over the years.

 

“I have played my part to serve the community and I have no regrets,” he said. “For me, for almost 17 years, I’ve played my role as a member of parliament to the best of my capabilities and in a small way, have given my time and effort to help the community in a small way. So that is the satisfaction I get.”