25/08/2026
๐๐ก๐ฆ๐๐ ๐๐ข๐ง ๐๐๐ซ๐๐ก๐ข๐ฆ, ๐๐ (๐๐ ๐๐๐ฒ ๐๐๐๐ โ ๐๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ญ ๐๐๐๐)
"๐ผ โ๐๐ฃ๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ก ๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ข๐." - Lee Kuan Yew, 21 August 1962
It was the 1959 Legislative Assembly election.
This was the first election after the British granted Singapore full internal self-government.
In a four-way contest to represent the constituents of Sembawang, Ahmad Ibrahim contested hard. It was his re-election bid.
He eventually won with 54.69% of the eligible votes.
His seat was one of the 43 seats (out of 51) that the Peopleโs Action Party won.
That year, he was appointed as Singaporeโs first Health Minister. He was only 32.
Ahmad Ibrahim was Singaporeโs first Malay Minister.
He was dedicated to his fellow workers, their causes and welfare, regardless of race or religion.
He was their staunch and sincere voice.
A people-oriented individual, he also cared deeply about his community and worked diligently to improve its welfare.
Educated only up to Standard VI, Inche Ahmad worked as a watchroom operator in the Naval Base Fire Brigade.
When the Chief Fire Officer abused his authority and caused grievous suffering for his fellow men, he stood up and spoke out.
In September 1961, after a Cabinet reshuffle, Inche Ahmad was appointed to the Labour portfolio as Minister, at a time when the greatest amount of pressure was expected to be exerted on his Ministry.
With his long experience and quiet, strong character, he was the best man for the job, and he had no hesitation in undertaking the responsibility.
He knew he could do the job well and persevered despite being ill.
He rendered help to his constituents.
A hands-on Member of Parliament, he made friends easily, and many in Singapore could not help but like his modesty and straightforwardness.
He helped to finance the construction of a mosque in Sembawang and rallied villagers in a common endeavour.
He even went to the land office to place an address for the establishment, which was renamed from Surau Nee Soon to Masjid Ahmad Ibrahim.
In the face of adversity, Inche Ahmad exemplified tremendous courage, patience and constant optimism.
In that, he embodied the spirit and attributes of a young nation.
On August 21, 1962, Inche Ahmad died at the Singapore General Hospital after a prolonged liver ailment.
His life was brief but eventful and impactful.
There was so much more he could do for Singapore
His loss was Singaporeโs too.
He was accorded a state funeral, complete with a military convoy.
Inche Ahmad was not brought straight to the cemetery but to the Istana first.
At the Istana, Singaporeans from all walks of life came to pay their respects, including former Chief Minister David Marshall and then Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew.
Having come from Penang to work in Singapore after the war, Inche Ahmad had no idea that he would end up as a people's representative, but he did.
He did his best, and it was more than enough for a nascent nation.
Thank you, Inche Ahmad.
