Abdullah Tarmugi Explained

Abdullah Tarmugi
Office:5th Speaker of the Parliament of Singapore
Term Start:25 March 2002
Term End:19 April 2011
Deputy:Matthias Yao Chih
Indranee Rajah
S. Iswaran
Chew Heng Ching
Lim Hwee Hua
Predecessor:Tan Soo Khoon
Successor:Michael Palmer
Office1:Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs
Term Start1:30 June 1993
Term End1:24 March 2002
Primeminister1:Goh Chok Tong
Predecessor1:Ahmad Mattar
Successor1:Yaacob Ibrahim
Constituency Mp2:East Coast GRC
(Siglap)
Parliament2:Singapore
Predecessor2:Constituency established
Successor2:Maliki Osman (PAP)
Term Start2:2 January 1997
Term End2:19 April 2011
Constituency Mp3:Bedok GRC
(Siglap)
Parliament3:Singapore
Predecessor3:Constituency established
Successor3:Constituency abolished
Term Start3:21 August 1991
Term End3:16 December 1996
Constituency Mp4:Siglap SMC
Parliament4:Singapore
Predecessor4:Abdul Rahim Ishak
Successor4:Maliki Osman (PAP)
Term Start4:22 December 1984
Term End4:14 August 1991
Birth Date:25 August 1944
Birth Place:Straits Settlements
Party:People's Action Party
(1984–2011)
Alma Mater:Raffles Institution
University of Singapore
University of London

Abdullah bin Tarmugi (Jawi: عبدالله بن ترموڬي; born 25 August 1944) is a Singaporean former politician who served as Speaker of the Parliament of Singapore between 2002 and 2011.

Early life

Abdullah was born to a Javanese father and a Chinese mother. Abdullah's father was a low-salaried surveyor's assistant and Abdullah's grandfather ran a provision shop.

Abdullah studied at Raffles Institution and obtained a Bachelor of Social Sciences from the University of Singapore, followed by a post-graduate diploma in urban studies from the University of London in 1972[1] under a Commonwealth Scholarship.

Political career

Abdullah was a Member of Parliament from 1984 to 2011, starting out at Siglap constituency and later Bedok Group Representation Constituency (Bedok GRC) from 1991 to 1996.[1] After Bedok GRC and Eunos GRC was merged to form East Coast GRC in 1997, Abdullah still remained in the Siglap ward but under East Coast GRC. Abdullah was the Minister for Community Development (subsequently the Minister of Community Development and Sports) and the Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs from 1994 to 2002 and 2000 to 2002 respectively.[1] Abdullah was also the Deputy Speaker of Parliament from 1989 to 1993 before becoming the Speaker of Parliament on 25 March 2002. He declined to contest the Singapore Presidential Elections in 2017.[1]

Abdullah announced his retirement from politics on 24 March 2011, prior to the 2011 general elections.[2] In January 2012, Abdullah was appointed to the Presidential Council for Minority Rights by Singapore President Tony Tan[3] and a permanent member by President Halimah Yacob.[4]

Personal life

Abdullah is married to Shirley, a retired teacher and former principal who was his pre-university schoolmate at Raffles Institution. She is ethnic Chinese and converted to Islam prior to their marriage. The couple have two children.[5]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Curriculum Vitae . 2011-01-01 . . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20101125095006/http://www.parliament.gov.sg/AboutUs/Org-MP-CV-AbdullahTarmugi.htm . 2010-11-25 .
  2. Web site: PAP veterans to retire . https://web.archive.org/web/20160304055656/http://www.asiaone.com/print/News/AsiaOne%2BNews/Singapore/Story/A1Story20110325-270102.html . 2016-03-04 . July 12, 2012 . AsiaOne.
  3. Web site: Abdullah Tarmugi appointed to Presidential Council for Minority Rights . . July 12, 2012 . 13 January 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120113034813/http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1175873/1/.html . dead .
  4. News: Ng. Huiwen. 2018-01-22. Abdullah Tarmugi appointed permanent member of Presidential Council for Minority Rights. en. The Straits Times. 2021-10-20. 0585-3923.
  5. News: Marriage Tips From Former Speaker Of Parliament Abdullah Tarmugi. Her World. 17 July 2015.