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A President next door, but neighbours say it’s no fuss at all

SINGAPORE — Since their neighbour Madam Halimah Yacob became President last week, residents at a Yishun Avenue 4 public housing block have noticed more policemen on patrol, including at the void deck and lift lobby on the floor where Mdm Halimah stays.

People posing with Madam Halimah Yacob's presidential car parked in a specially-marked lot at her public housing block in Yishun. Photo: Esther Leong/TODAY

People posing with Madam Halimah Yacob's presidential car parked in a specially-marked lot at her public housing block in Yishun. Photo: Esther Leong/TODAY

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SINGAPORE — Since their neighbour Madam Halimah Yacob became President last week, residents at a Yishun Avenue 4 public housing block have noticed more policemen on patrol, including at the void deck and lift lobby on the floor where Mdm Halimah stays.

Specially-marked car park lots reserved for police vehicles have also been painted, and an awning erected over them. An entourage of personnel and vehicles follows Mdm Halimah whenever she leaves or returns home.

In recent days, photographs and videos that have circulated online and in the media, showing the additional security measures put in place at Mdm Halimah’s flat, have prompted some criticism that she should move out, instead of causing inconvenience to her neighbours.

In contrast to the vitriol online, residents whom TODAY spoke to were nonplussed at the attention, and insisted that life has not changed — save for curious visitors who have descended on the area to take pictures or try to catch a glimpse of the President.

Among the 20 neighbours whom TODAY spoke to, a vast majority said they have no issues with the President living among them, and that it is her personal choice where she wants to live.

Housewife G Davamani, 54, who has lived in the same block as Mdm Halimah for 15 years, said: “The security has not given us any problems. When she’s coming and going, it gets a bit crowded and I see more policemen downstairs, but other than that it’s very normal.”

However, she felt that the visitors were a bit of a disturbance. A 49-year-old resident, who lives on the same floor as Mdm Halimah and declined to be named, said about 50 people turned up on Saturday evening, for example. Some of them even went up the block and peeked into her flat.

“They wanted to see the configuration of my unit, to see what Mdm Halimah’s flat is like. Now I have to close my windows and doors. But they aren’t noisy, so it’s okay,” she added.

The residents said police officers sometimes question people loitering in the void deck, but these were restricted to occasions when Mdm Halimah was leaving or returning to her flat.

When TODAY went up to the floor of Mdm Halimah’s unit, two police officers standing guard at the lift lobby approached this reporter and the accompanying photographer, and asked what they were doing there. The officers told them not to go near Mdm Halimah’s unit, for security reasons.

Freelance consultant Ben Soh, 28, who lives in a nearby block, said: “Maybe some people don’t like it, but most of us have grown used to her being here.”

Some residents quipped that they benefit from the tighter security and increased attention from public agencies. Ms Maggie Teo, 41, observed that the rubbish bins at the void deck are cleared a few times every day and improperly parked bicycles removed.  

Ms Teo, a homemaker who lives in the same block as Mdm Halimah, said: “The only thing is that I used to park at the spot that is now reserved ... But it’s okay, now I park at the back.”

However, businessman Richard Lee, 64, said he felt inconvenienced in the mornings when Mdm Halimah leaves her home, and the roads have to be cleared for her entourage. He was also worried that the security measures will be stepped up even further, such as restricting lift access.

In response to TODAY’s queries on Mdm Halimah’s living arrangements, the President's Office said: “The President would like to focus her attention on her responsibilities.”

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