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SINGAPORE – Minister within the Prime Minister’s Workplace Maliki Osman introduced his retirement from politics on April 21, forward of the 2025 General Election.
In posts on his social media accounts, Dr Maliki famous that the PAP brings in new candidates throughout every common election as a part of renewal efforts, as a way to herald youthful, extra various voices into Parliament.
He added that, having served 5 phrases since 2001, he and Prime Minister Lawrence Wong agreed it’s a good time for him to make approach for a brand new candidate and retire from politics.
“My quick precedence is to make sure a clean transition and rally assist for the East Coast GRC workforce within the coming GE. I’m assured they may serve residents effectively,” mentioned Dr Maliki, who is likely one of the incumbent MPs for the five-member constituency.
The 59-year-old had earlier introduced Madam Hazlina Abdul Halim, former chief govt of Make-A-Want Singapore, as his successor in East Coast GRC.
“Serving residents in Sembawang GRC, East Coast GRC, and as mayor of South East CDC has been a deeply enriching and humbling journey,” he mentioned.
In his put up, Dr Maliki thanked Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong for having entrusted him as a political workplace holder since 2004, describing it as a privilege to have labored alongside the previous prime minister in addition to PM Wong and others in Cupboard in “navigating challenges and shaping Singapore’s continued success”.
He additionally thanked grassroots leaders, group leaders and workers on the ministries. Dr Maliki mentioned it had been particularly significant to work with different Malay/Muslim MPs and group leaders to “uplift lives by numerous social programmes”.
He added: “Thanks, pricey residents, for welcoming me into your houses and lives, and permitting me to serve you over the previous 24 years. I’ll at all times treasure our shared reminiscences.”
Dr Maliki Osman (centre) talking with an aged resident throughout his walkabout at Bedok South Avenue 3 on March 30.ST PHOTO: GIN TAY
Dr Maliki – who has a PhD in social work from the College of Illinois Urbana-Champaign – was an assistant professor within the Nationwide College of Singapore’s social work and psychology division when he joined politics in 2001 on the age of 36.
He was a part of a six-member workforce, led by then Deputy Prime Minister Tony Tan, which gained Sembawang GRC in the course of the common election that 12 months.
He served as parliamentary secretary for the Ministry of Well being between 2004 and 2005, and for the Group Improvement, Youth and Sports activities Ministry from 2004 to 2006.
In 2005, Dr Maliki was appointed Parliamentary Secretary for the Nationwide Improvement Ministry, earlier than being promoted to Senior Parliamentary Secretary for a similar ministry in 2010.
Throughout the 2011 election, he was a part of a five-member PAP workforce that gained East Coast GRC. He was additionally appointed Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Defence in addition to South East District Mayor that 12 months.
In 2011, Dr Maliki additionally started heading a piece group overseeing the redevelopment of Geylang Serai, together with the event of group hub Wisma Geylang Serai, which was formally opened in 2019.
![Dr Mohamad Maliki Osman, a People's Action Party (PAP) candidate for East Coast GRC, at the PAP rally for East Coast GRC electoral division at Bedok Stadium on 1 May 2011. [General Election 2011]](https://cassette.sphdigital.com.sg/image/straitstimes/071fedff16f4e64a87678ab418618ca0952463bad09cefd5f0d372ea012e239e)
Throughout the 2011 Basic Election, Dr Maliki Osman was a part of a five-member PAP workforce that gained East Coast GRC.PHOTO: ST FILE
In 2013, he was promoted to Minister of State for Defence and Nationwide Improvement.
On the Nationwide Improvement Ministry, Dr Maliki chaired the group enchancment tasks committee in addition to the personal estates upgrading programme, along with overseeing meals safety, together with meals security and the event of Singapore’s agriculture sector.
He grew to become Senior Minister of State for Defence and International Affairs in 2015.
In December 2024, Dr Maliki represented Singapore at a ministerial convention in Egypt on the Gaza disaster, highlighting the necessity for extra to be accomplished to deal with the humanitarian scenario within the enclave.
He additionally met Palestinian Prime Minister and International Minister Mohammad Mustafa on the sidelines of the convention and reaffirmed the Republic’s continued dedication to supporting the Palestinian Authority’s capacity-building efforts.
This included rising the variety of annual scholarships supplied beneath Enhanced Technical Help Bundle, from three postgraduate scholarships to a complete of 10 scholarships for Palestinians to review in Singapore.
In January, Dr Maliki travelled to Jordan to present $1.3 million in humanitarian assist for Gaza.
Dr Maliki Osman taking a wefie with a bunch of scholars from Sekolah Menengah Pertama (SMP) and Sekolah Menengah Atasan (SMA) Islam Terpadu Al Furqon in Palembang, Indonesia, in 2016.PHOTO: BERITA HARIAN
Following the 2020 Basic Election, Dr Maliki was appointed Minister within the Prime Minister’s Workplace in addition to Second Minister for Training and International Affairs.
Dr Maliki is married and has two kids. He can communicate Mandarin and Hokkien, and had addressed crowds in each tongues at rallies throughout earlier elections.
His musical skills are diversified too, expert at each the guitar and the guzheng. He carried out on the guitar with indie band Surreal in 2006 as a part of an anti-drug live performance, and on the Chinese language stringed instrument at a Nationwide Day reception in Batam in 2023, in a duet along with his spouse, who performed the piano.
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