Yaacob Ibrahim
Encyclopedia
Yaacob bin Ibrahim is a politician
from Singapore
. A member of the governing People's Action Party
(PAP), he is currently the country's Minister for Information, Communications and the Arts, and Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs
.
in 1980. He later obtained a PhD
from Stanford University
in 1989, and was a Post-Doctoral Fellow at Cornell University
. He returned to Singapore in 1990 and joined the National University of Singapore
, becoming a faculty member in 1991. He received the department's teaching excellence award for the 1994-95 academic year.
Yaacob has been active in community service, both locally and overseas. He was a youth member of Muslim Missionary Society of Singapore (Jamiyah). He served as a volunteer tutor for the Council for the Development of Singapore Muslim Community (Yayasan Mendaki) and would later become its Chairman in March 2002. He is also actively involved with Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS) and Association of Muslim Professionals (AMP) and was a member of the MUIS Council from 1992 to 1996.
Yaacob served as Parliamentary Secretary and Senior Parliamentary Secretary at the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology before being appointed as the Minister of State for Community Development and Sports in November 2001.
In March 2002, he was appointed as the Ministry’s Acting Minister and Minister-In-Charge of Muslim Affairs. In May 2003, he was promoted to Minister for Community Development and Sports.
In August 2004, Yaacob was appointed Minister for the Environment and Water Resources in Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s Cabinet. Yaacob was re-appointed in the same capacity following the May 2006 elections.
Following the May 2011 elections, Yaacob was appointed Minister for Information, Communication and the Arts. He continues to be in charge of Muslim affairs.
Yaacob serves in the People’s Action Party’s Central Executive Committee
as vice-chairman.
; this confers dual citizenship to his two children up to the age of 18.
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
from Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
. A member of the governing People's Action Party
People's Action Party
The People's Action Party is the leading political party in Singapore. It has been the city-state's ruling political party since 1959....
(PAP), he is currently the country's Minister for Information, Communications and the Arts, and Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs
Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs
Minister-in-Charge of Muslim Affairs is a position in the Cabinet of Singapore that oversees policies and issues related to the Muslim community in Singapore. In 1977, Dr. Ahmad Mattar was appointed Minister-in-Charge of Muslim Affairs. Previously, there were no minister with a reference to Muslim...
.
Education and early career
Yaacob graduated from the University of Singapore with an honours degree in civil engineeringCivil engineering
Civil engineering is a professional engineering discipline that deals with the design, construction, and maintenance of the physical and naturally built environment, including works like roads, bridges, canals, dams, and buildings...
in 1980. He later obtained a PhD
Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy, abbreviated as Ph.D., PhD, D.Phil., or DPhil , in English-speaking countries, is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities...
from Stanford University
Stanford University
The Leland Stanford Junior University, commonly referred to as Stanford University or Stanford, is a private research university on an campus located near Palo Alto, California. It is situated in the northwestern Santa Clara Valley on the San Francisco Peninsula, approximately northwest of San...
in 1989, and was a Post-Doctoral Fellow at Cornell University
Cornell University
Cornell University is an Ivy League university located in Ithaca, New York, United States. It is a private land-grant university, receiving annual funding from the State of New York for certain educational missions...
. He returned to Singapore in 1990 and joined the National University of Singapore
National University of Singapore
The National University of Singapore is Singapore's oldest university. It is the largest university in the country in terms of student enrollment and curriculum offered....
, becoming a faculty member in 1991. He received the department's teaching excellence award for the 1994-95 academic year.
Yaacob has been active in community service, both locally and overseas. He was a youth member of Muslim Missionary Society of Singapore (Jamiyah). He served as a volunteer tutor for the Council for the Development of Singapore Muslim Community (Yayasan Mendaki) and would later become its Chairman in March 2002. He is also actively involved with Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS) and Association of Muslim Professionals (AMP) and was a member of the MUIS Council from 1992 to 1996.
Political career
Yaacob has been Member of Parliament since 1997 – for the Jalan Besar Group Representation Constituency (Kolam Ayer) and then for the Moulmein-Kallang Group Representation Constituency (Kolam Ayer). He was also the first Mayor of Central Singapore District from April to November 2001.Yaacob served as Parliamentary Secretary and Senior Parliamentary Secretary at the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology before being appointed as the Minister of State for Community Development and Sports in November 2001.
In March 2002, he was appointed as the Ministry’s Acting Minister and Minister-In-Charge of Muslim Affairs. In May 2003, he was promoted to Minister for Community Development and Sports.
In August 2004, Yaacob was appointed Minister for the Environment and Water Resources in Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s Cabinet. Yaacob was re-appointed in the same capacity following the May 2006 elections.
Following the May 2011 elections, Yaacob was appointed Minister for Information, Communication and the Arts. He continues to be in charge of Muslim affairs.
Yaacob serves in the People’s Action Party’s Central Executive Committee
Central Executive Committee (PAP)
The Central Executive Committee is the highest ruling committee within Singapore's People's Action Party and its "inner circle".-History:...
as vice-chairman.
Personal life
His wife is a US citizen who grew up in Puerto RicoPuerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
; this confers dual citizenship to his two children up to the age of 18.