I BECAME AN OPPOSITION OVERNIGHT

Jael Eu

“It’s a very good experience for me, even though it’s painful. It really reminds me that everything that we enjoy today – our resources – we’re simply just stewards of it. It does not permanently belong to us,” Hannah Yeoh shared over the video call platform, “and you have to make full use of what is given to you to do good.”

YB Ms Hannah Yeoh. Image from www.hannahyeoh.com.

A changemaker and culture-setter, YB Ms Hannah Yeoh began her journey in Malaysian politics in 2008. She started out as a state assemblyperson, before becoming the youngest and first woman speaker in the entire legislative assembly history in 2013. For 22 months from 2018, she served as a deputy minister of Women, Family and Community Development. 

Speaking at Eagles Leadership Convention 2021, Ms Yeoh shares her reflection on experiencing hopelessness and bringing hope amidst uncertain times of the pandemic and in her own personal political journey.

It all came crumbling down in a political impasse now known as the ‘Sheraton Move’.

“I became an opposition overnight,” she shares, “just overnight we were told that we would all no longer be deputy ministers. We had zero preparation.”

Like fuel added to the fire, the move coincided with the introduction of the pandemic. “The new government introduced a nationwide lockdown. We were all at home and there was nothing we could do. I went through an emotional roller coaster,” Ms Yeoh recalls, “but the lockdown gave me a lot of time to process things through.”

When asked about the most painful part of the entire process, Ms Yeoh replied, “that loss of dream, that loss of hope. To leave every single assignment that was given to me.” 

However, looking back, all Ms Yeoh could express now was how grateful she was for the learning experience. “Never assume you’re going to have things forever. Things will come to an end, whether you get noticed or not. I really believe that one day when I die, I am accountable for the things that have been given to me. I would like to use what have been given to me to do good and to help others.”

From experiencing hopelessness in her political journey, Ms Yeoh now spreads hope by creatively mobilizing resources to help those in need. “As an opposition, there’s a sharp decline in the resources given as compared to when I was in the government,” Ms. Hannah shares, “you have to assess these and start being creative. For example, I looked for non-governmental organizations who are like-minded and partner alongside them.”

Examples of such partnerships helmed by Ms Yeoh and her team include food aid distribution. “I turned to the Residents’ Association around the campus, called them on board. We also had a team of volunteers working for BMW and they volunteered to transport food to people who were quarantined at home. I know that the Residents’ Association already have a very good initiative, like their food bank. I don’t have to worry about reinventing the wheels or try to duplicate such initiative just to put my own name. I partner with them.”

In needing to navigate responsibilities of serving the people, Ms Yeoh shares that knowing her purpose and the fear of God is what keeps her grounded and going. She says, “For me, it is knowing my purpose. When I know my purpose, even though platforms change in different seasons, I am able to be ready and to have a voice. My purpose is to be a light in the dark – to be creative in finding ways for this light to shine.”

MINISTRY HIGHLIGHTS

The Bible Study series on Psalms led by Ms Seah Jiak Choo each Saturday has been deeply appreciated. A regular participant, John Tan wrote:

“Ms Seah’s exposition of Psalms was very instructive and affirming. Her clear teaching has been very reassuring and uplifting. The Psalms embrace a range of emotions from rage to hope. They seek to comfort, forgive and lament. There are many pleas for justice to be done, for wrongs to be put right when vengeance is our natural response. In the four sessions so far, Psalms 49, 42/43 & 69 deeply assure me there is a purpose in every distress, suffering and sadness. This series of study has encouraged me to persevere, confident that hope will result in thanksgiving.”

There are 3 remaining sessions in this series on the Psalms. Each session is released on Saturday online. Register at www.eagles.org.sg.

The webinar “Grace of Receiving” in Peter’s Ponderings on January 16, 2022 reminded viewers of the joy, gratitude and other benefits of being a recipient. 

Responding, Philip, on his 70th birthday, said the gifts of friendship and love had made him grateful. He was humbled by the appreciative expressions of love from his friends and congregants, thankful that God had used him to impact lives.

 Another participant, Esther, was grateful for the gift of reconciliation as her siblings connected with one another after years of strained relationship.

 Vincent was thankful for the good health of his premature child born in a foreign country.

 Peter Chao, in his summary, pointed out that as we advance in age, we become conscious that our future is shorter than our past. In reflecting on the gifts that God has given us, he singled out the meaningful and consistent gifts of physical, psychological and spiritual presence. Our physical time spent with someone may well be the last time, especially in significant relationships. Psychological presence would be the encouragement that comes in messages received at pivotal moments, shoring up our flagging spirit. They are likened to the wings of God’s Spirit. The spiritual presence of God is a most cherished gift in our deepest despair. He is One who promises that He will never leave or forsake us. The Psalmist reminds us, “In Your presence, there is fullness of joy” (16:11). When we experience God’s presence, the instinctive outcome is the deep joy that floods our consciousness. These gifts, and more, must make us grateful recipients.

 Join us for the next Peter’s Ponderings webinar on “Reasons for Joy” on Sunday, January 20, 2022, at 8 pm (Singapore time). Register online at www.eagles.org.sg.

UP NEXT

Running any business is a challenge, but even more so during a pandemic. This February 16, kickstart the Lunar New Year by learning from Benny Se Teo how to make a meaningful impact while building a profitable F&B business. Benny will share his struggles, failures and how his values kept him going.

Share this with your friends and colleagues who will benefit from this.

NEXTimeOut Live Webinar details:

Date & Time: Wed, Feb 16, 2022, 8.30 – 9.45 PM SGT

Speaker: Benny Se Teo, former co-founder, Eighteen Chefs

For NEXLeaders subscribers, register HERE.

For non-NEXLeaders subscribers, register HERE at a special rate of SGD10.

We look forward to seeing you!

HAPPY LUNAR NEW YEAR

Asians in particular, mark their seasons according to the lunar calendar. New Year is observed on February 1 this year. As we enter into a new year with nervous uncertainty, may we be encouraged by the words of Minnie Haskins:

I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year:

“Give me a light, that I may tread safely into the unknown.”

And he replied:

“Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the Hand of God.

That shall be to you better than a light and safer than a known way.”

 

Archive

I BECAME AN OPPOSITION OVERNIGHT

Jael Eu

“It’s a very good experience for me, even though it’s painful. It really reminds me that everything that we enjoy today – our resources – we’re simply just stewards of it. It does not permanently belong to us,” Hannah Yeoh shared over the video call platform, “and you have to make full use of what is given to you to do good.”
YB Ms Hannah Yeoh. Image from www.hannahyeoh.com.
A changemaker and culture-setter, YB Ms Hannah Yeoh began her journey in Malaysian politics in 2008. She started out as a state assemblyperson, before becoming the youngest and first woman speaker in the entire legislative assembly history in 2013. For 22 months from 2018, she served as a deputy minister of Women, Family and Community Development.

Speaking at Eagles Leadership Convention 2021, Ms Yeoh shares her reflection on experiencing hopelessness and bringing hope amidst uncertain times of the pandemic and in her own personal political journey.

It all came crumbling down in a political impasse now known as the ‘Sheraton Move’.

“I became an opposition overnight,” she shares, “just overnight we were told that we would all no longer be deputy ministers. We had zero preparation.”

Like fuel added to the fire, the move coincided with the introduction of the pandemic. “The new government introduced a nationwide lockdown. We were all at home and there was nothing we could do. I went through an emotional roller coaster,” Ms Yeoh recalls, “but the lockdown gave me a lot of time to process things through.”

When asked about the most painful part of the entire process, Ms Yeoh replied, “that loss of dream, that loss of hope. To leave every single assignment that was given to me.”

However, looking back, all Ms Yeoh could express now was how grateful she was for the learning experience. “Never assume you’re going to have things forever. Things will come to an end, whether you get noticed or not. I really believe that one day when I die, I am accountable for the things that have been given to me. I would like to use what have been given to me to do good and to help others.”

From experiencing hopelessness in her political journey, Ms Yeoh now spreads hope by creatively mobilizing resources to help those in need. “As an opposition, there’s a sharp decline in the resources given as compared to when I was in the government,” Ms. Hannah shares, “you have to assess these and start being creative. For example, I looked for non-governmental organizations who are like-minded and partner alongside them.”

Examples of such partnerships helmed by Ms Yeoh and her team include food aid distribution. “I turned to the Residents’ Association around the campus, called them on board. We also had a team of volunteers working for BMW and they volunteered to transport food to people who were quarantined at home. I know that the Residents’ Association already have a very good initiative, like their food bank. I don’t have to worry about reinventing the wheels or try to duplicate such initiative just to put my own name. I partner with them.”

In needing to navigate responsibilities of serving the people, Ms Yeoh shares that knowing her purpose and the fear of God is what keeps her grounded and going. She says, “For me, it is knowing my purpose. When I know my purpose, even though platforms change in different seasons, I am able to be ready and to have a voice. My purpose is to be a light in the dark – to be creative in finding ways for this light to shine.”

MINISTRY HIGHLIGHTS

The Bible Study series on Psalms led by Ms Seah Jiak Choo each Saturday has been deeply appreciated. A regular participant, John Tan wrote: 

“Ms Seah’s exposition of Psalms was very instructive and affirming. Her clear teaching has been very reassuring and uplifting. The Psalms embrace a range of emotions from rage to hope. They seek to comfort, forgive and lament. There are many pleas for justice to be done, for wrongs to be put right when vengeance is our natural response. In the four sessions so far, Psalms 49, 42/43 & 69 deeply assure me there is a purpose in every distress, suffering and sadness. This series of study has encouraged me to persevere, confident that hope will result in thanksgiving.”

 There are 3 remaining sessions in this series on the Psalms. Each session is released on Saturday online. Register at www.eagles.org.sg.

 

The webinar “Grace of Receiving” in Peter’s Ponderings on January 16, 2022 reminded viewers of the joy, gratitude and other benefits of being a recipient.

Responding, Philip, on his 70th birthday, said the gifts of friendship and love had made him grateful. He was humbled by the appreciative expressions of love from his friends and congregants, thankful that God had used him to impact lives.

Another participant, Esther, was grateful for the gift of reconciliation as her siblings connected with one another after years of strained relationship.

Vincent was thankful for the good health of his premature child born in a foreign country.

Peter Chao, in his summary, pointed out that as we advance in age, we become conscious that our future is shorter than our past. In reflecting on the gifts that God has given us, he singled out the meaningful and consistent gifts of physical, psychological and spiritual presence. Our physical time spent with someone may well be the last time, especially in significant relationships. Psychological presence would be the encouragement that comes in messages received at pivotal moments, shoring up our flagging spirit. They are likened to the wings of God’s Spirit. The spiritual presence of God is a most cherished gift in our deepest despair. He is One who promises that He will never leave or forsake us. The Psalmist reminds us, “In Your presence, there is fullness of joy” (16:11). When we experience God’s presence, the instinctive outcome is the deep joy that floods our consciousness. These gifts, and more, must make us grateful recipients.

 

Join us for the next Peter’s Ponderings webinar on “Reasons for Joy” on Sunday, January 20, 2022, at 8 pm (Singapore time). Register online at www.eagles.org.sg.

UP NEXT

Running any business is a challenge, but even more so during a pandemic. This February 16, kickstart the Lunar New Year by learning from Benny Se Teo how to make a meaningful impact while building a profitable F&B business. Benny will share his struggles, failures and how his values kept him going.

Share this with your friends and colleagues who will benefit from this.

NEXTimeOut Live Webinar details:

Date & Time: Wed, Feb 16, 2022, 8.30 – 9.45 PM SGT

Speaker: Benny Se Teo, former co-founder, Eighteen Chefs

For NEXLeaders subscribers, register HERE.

For non-NEXLeaders subscribers, register HERE at a special rate of SGD10.

We look forward to seeing you!

HAPPY LUNAR NEW YEAR

Asians in particular, mark their seasons according to the lunar calendar. New Year is observed on February 1 this year. As we enter into a new year with nervous uncertainty, may we be encouraged by the words of Minnie Haskins:

 

I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year:

“Give me a light, that I may tread safely into the unknown.”

And he replied

“Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the Hand of God.

That shall be to you better than a light and safer than a known way.”