Indranee Rajah Talks Politics And Dating With Neurodiverse 'Journalists' | The Assembly 2 - Part 2

Key Concepts

• Ministerial Portfolios: The specific areas of government responsibility assigned to a minister.
• Prime Minister's Office (PMO): A government department that supports the Prime Minister and handles cross-ministry portfolios or new initiatives.
• Political Bob (or Pub): A short hairstyle favored by some female politicians for its ease of maintenance.
• Built Environment Sector: The industry involved in the planning, design, construction, and maintenance of buildings and infrastructure.
• Professional Services: Services provided by qualified individuals in fields like architecture and engineering.
• Guilty Pleasure: An indulgence that one enjoys but feels slightly ashamed of.
• Time Loop: A narrative device where a character repeatedly experiences the same period of time.
• Parliamentary Conduct: The expected behavior and decorum of individuals within a legislative body.
• Social Media Volatility: The potential for social media to amplify or distort information, leading to rapid shifts in public perception.
• Grief Process: The emotional and psychological journey of coping with loss.
• Salsa Dancing: A partner dance with Latin American roots, often pursued for fitness and social interaction.

Interview with Minister Indrani

This summary details an interview with Minister Indrani, covering her professional roles, personal reflections, and views on various topics.

Ministerial Roles and Responsibilities

Minister Indrani explained the function of the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), which handles two types of portfolios:

1. Cross-Ministry Portfolios: These require input from multiple ministries. An example given is Marriage and Parenthood, which necessitates coordination across housing, childcare, education, and cost of living. The PMO takes on such portfolios to ensure cohesive policy development.
2. New Initiatives: The PMO also spearheads new areas that are yet to be assigned to a specific ministry. The Digital Office, established over a decade ago, was initially under the PMO before being transferred to the Ministry of Digital Information once it matured.

Despite 24 years in government service, Minister Indrani has not helmed a specific ministry. She clarified that ministerial deployment is determined by the Prime Minister's assessment of where a minister can be most effective. Her contributions are measured by the importance and usefulness of her work across her four different portfolios:

• Marriage and Parenthood: This is a critical portfolio for Singapore's demographic future, addressing the need for sufficient marriages and births to ensure a sustainable population.
• National Development (Built Environment Sector): She oversees the built environment sector, particularly professional services like architects and engineers. This is vital for the construction of HDB flats, buildings, and infrastructure.
• Finance: As the Prime Minister is also the Finance Minister, she assists with the day-to-day operations of the ministry.

Personal Reflections and Views

Guilty Pleasure

Minister Indrani's guilty pleasure is fried chicken, though she consumes it only occasionally due to health considerations and potential disapproval from the Health Promotion Board.

Hairstyle Choice

She addressed the observation that many female ministers have short hair, referring to it as the "political bob" or "pub." This hairstyle is favored for its efficiency and ease of maintenance, allowing for quick washing and styling, which is beneficial for individuals with demanding schedules.

Future of Female Leadership

Minister Indrani expressed her hope for a female Prime Minister in the future, acknowledging the current Prime Minister's effective leadership.

Admired Historical Figure

She admires Queen Elizabeth I as one of the smartest politicians, even without holding the title. Queen Elizabeth I's strategic decision not to marry was a political maneuver to prevent external influence on the English throne and maintain control. Her ability to balance numerous suitors from different countries without alienating them, while keeping her kingdom intact in the 1600s, was remarkable, especially for a female monarch in a challenging era.

Most Difficult Work Experience

The most challenging aspect of her work has been shutting down initiatives or entities where people's livelihoods are affected. An example cited is the closure of the turf club to reallocate land for HDB flats. This involved difficult conversations with horse trainers to explain the necessity and address their concerns, including assisting those whose jobs were impacted.

Leadership Style and "Leader of the House" Role

When asked if her role as "Leader of the House" is akin to a mother leading her household, she agreed that it sometimes feels that way, as she ensures members follow rules and behave appropriately. She also humorously mentioned performing household chores like laundry and sweeping.

Criticism Regarding Fairness as Leader of the House

Minister Indrani addressed criticism about her fairness as Leader of the House. Regarding an incident where she was perceived to have scolded an MP, she explained that the MP had said something inappropriate. She clarified that while dramatic videos might suggest otherwise, her tone was even and measured, and she reminded members to conduct themselves in a parliamentary manner. She also refuted claims that she did nothing when PAP members allegedly called an MP names, stating that a minister had responded immediately. She also clarified that she addressed the use of the "f-word" by an MP, noting that apologies were made and accepted, and that in one instance, she conveyed an apology on behalf of a member who had already resigned.

Singapore Politics and Social Media

She believes that while Singapore politics is not necessarily in a "volatile position" regarding social media, it is crucial for the public to distinguish between reality and edited or hyped content. She emphasized the importance of referring to the live stream from MDDI for accurate, unedited recordings of parliamentary proceedings.

Childhood and Identity

Minister Indrani, of Chinese and Indian Tamil heritage, did not perceive herself as mixed-race during her childhood. Her parents' love and acceptance, along with her siblings', meant she simply saw herself as "me." This background provided her with access to both Chinese and Indian cultures, which she found enriching.

Reflections on Parental Loss

• Father: Her father passed away when she was five. If he were alive, her primary question would be, "Do you think I did good?"
• Siblings: She recalled the difficult moments of her siblings' passing. Her sister died in France at night, and she received the news as she was preparing for bed. Her brother passed away after a heart attack at NUS, and she rushed to the hospital but he had already died. She views these losses not through the lens of fairness but by cherishing the quality of time spent with them.
• Mother: Her mother passed away at the age of 102 after a long life. The final two weeks were difficult due to pneumonia, but she was made comfortable with medication. Minister Indrani was with her until the end. She described coping with grief by continuing daily routines, which brings back happy memories and allows the sadness to gradually pass, leaving behind love and happy memories.

Loneliness and Family

As the sole remaining member of her immediate family, she experiences both loneliness and contentment with her own space. She finds her alone time precious, especially given her demanding job. She maintains connections with friends from kindergarten and primary school and visits her cousins when needed.

Regret About Not Having Children

Minister Indrani does not regret not having children. She believes in accepting life as it comes and has not met someone with whom she wished to settle down. She focuses on her current reality rather than dwelling on "what might have been."

Relationship Status and Dating Life

She is currently single and not dating. She clarified that while she meets many people daily for various reasons, she is not actively pursuing romantic relationships. She does not feel that politics has "robbed" her of a dating life, but rather has provided opportunities to meet people and broaden her horizons.

Feelings of Failure

She has experienced moments of self-doubt after unsuccessful relationships, questioning if something was wrong with her. However, through self-reflection and discussions, she realized that some things are simply "not meant to be." She emphasizes the importance of being comfortable in one's own skin and happy with who you are, while also being open to self-improvement and kindness.

Ideal Partner

While not actively looking, she would be attracted to someone humorous, nice, and who has "washboard abs," indicating a commitment to health and fitness.

Dating Apps

She is unlikely to use dating apps, preferring to meet people in person and not being an "app person" for dating purposes.

Salsa Dancing

Minister Indrani can dance salsa, though she hasn't done it in a long time. She took up salsa 25 years ago for physical activity, to meet people, and discovered a group of close friends through it.

Conclusion and Demonstration

The interview concluded with Minister Indrani demonstrating basic salsa steps, inviting the audience to follow along. She expressed gratitude for the opportunity to share and connect.