Mr Abdullah Tarmugi

Born in Singapore in August 1944, Mr Abdullah Tarmugi attended Raffles Institution and then the University of Singapore (now NUS).  He began his career in the Civil Service as an Urban Sociologist attached to the UN-assisted State & City Planning Project. While in service, Mr Abdullah was sent to the University College, University of London, to pursue a post-graduate course in Urban Studies, under the Commonwealth Scholarship programme. He was a Senior Statistician/Planning Analyst, when he left the Civil Service in 1980, to join the Straits Times as a Leader/Feature Writer.

In 1984, he entered politics when he stood for, and won, the General Election to become a Member of Parliament. His 27-year political career saw him assume the offices of Deputy Speaker, Minister of State, Senior Minister of State and Cabinet Minister in the ministries of The Environment, Home Affairs and Community Development & Sports. In 2002 he became the Speaker of the Singapore Parliament until his retirement in 2011, at the age of 67.   

Mr Abdullah continues to keep himself busy after retirement. Currently, he serves in several non-profit entities and initiatives, including being a Permanent Member of the Presidential Council for Minority Rights and a member of the Mind Science Centre, Board of Advisors. A great believer in active ageing and mental wellness, he takes regular walks, meets friends and interesting people, listens to music and continues to struggle to master the cello – when he has the time.