RC: What was the most rewarding experience in your legal career?

IR: The very first time I made a breakthrough in cross-examination of a witness during a trial. That gave me the confidence to know that I could do it.

RC: You are the only female practising lawyer who is a politician. What was the reason behind your decision to do so?

IR: I was invited by the PAP to stand as their candidate for the last General Elections. I agreed because I had benefited from the system instituted by the government which they had formed, and I wanted to give back. What I like best about our system is that it is meritocratic. Race is no bar and your merits dictate how far you can progress in Singapore.

RC: Have you ever considered embarking on a career outside law?

IR: Not so far. I love the law and I enjoy being a lawyer. It is really interesting right now. I am getting to do more international work. I like the fast pace of life that legal practice provides.

RC: Do you think that women are given due recognition for their role as daughter, wife, mother and member of the workforce?

IR: Generally yes, though more could be done. The role of women in Singapore has changed significantly over the past few decades. Many of our women are well educated and they have financial independence. Marriage is no longer a ‘have-to’. Our expectations towards men have changed. However, men’s expectations of women have not correspondingly changed as fast. Career women have tough choices to make nowadays. Having a first child is usually still manageable. If they choose to have a second child, certain sacrifices often have to be made in their career.

RC: What can be done to resolve these problems that women face?

IR: Workplace environment policies can be tuned to become more family friendly so that women have flexibility in juggling their diverse roles. Women who choose to take a break to bring up their children can be provided with more opportunities to return to work parttime. The challenges faced by our career women can be lightened if employers are willing to adopt an open attitude and are willing to undergo a change of mindset to suit the changing needs of our workforce.

RC: Besides busy law and political careers, what other pursuits do you engage in?

IR: I enjoy cooking. I can whip up a mean pork vindaloo. I also do salsa dancing. It is a fun activity and it helps keep me fit. I also jog. I enjoy going out shopping and to the movies with my friends. RC: It is a common grouse amongst lawyers that they have too much work to do and there is no time for them to live quality lives. How do you manage to find time for your various pursuits?

IR: It is a question of time management. Looking back, I realise that before I became a Member of Parliament, I did not have to manage my time as well as I do now. It is about making adjustments to my lifestyle. For example, initially, I had my Meet-the-People Sessions (‘MPS’) on Wednesday nights. I realised that this would not work if I had to conduct a trial the next day. So I have switched my MPS to Friday nights instead. This works much better for me. Weekends are usually busy. On certain Saturdays or Sundays, I may have three functions to attend. I spend the pockets of time between these events working or catching up with personal errands.

RC: There is a lot of talk about balancing our work and our personal lives. Is such a balance possible? How can such a balance be achieved?

IR: A balance between work and personal life is important. If not, we will burn out. Maintaining such a balance is challenging, but it can be achieved if you make an effort. I sometimes find it difficult to take a break because there is so much to do. Although it is becoming increasingly difficult to interrupt our work and take a break, we should make time for other pursuits. I encourage my legal assistants to utilise their leave. When they are taking their annual leave, I try my best not to call them on their mobile phones unless it is really unavoidable. It is important to work hard, but taking a break is important too.

RC: What would be your Singapore Dream?

IR: You know, I don’t quite understand what the ‘Singapore Dream’ actually means. I would rephrase the question to what I see as the aspiration for Singapore. In 1965, our goals were education, housing and jobs. In the 21st century, our goals have shifted and expanded. In order for Singapore to survive, it needs a global vision. It has to provide services regionally and internationally. We are compelled to keep up with changes. Singapore will fast become a Cosmopolis where talent from all over the world will converge, work and live together.

RC: Do clothes make a woman?

IR: The way one dresses creates an impression, so dressing appropriately is important. Having said that, though, dressing is never a substitute for substance. I design some of my own clothes.

RC: Ms Rajah, you are of mixed heritage. What were the advantages and disadvantages of being of mixed origin?

IR: When I was growing up, I didn’t think about being half Chinese or half Indian. I am just me. I think that I was able to understand and assimilate both cultures. My heritage does not change who I am. I am a Singaporean who possesses certain distinctive traits. Racial diversity is a good thing. The different races in Singapore give our nation an identifiable supra culture.

RC: The legal profession in Singapore is continuously evolving. How do you see the role of lawyers in the midst of the evolution?

IR: The changes are a result of the demands of the economy. The type of legal services is becoming more varied. Singaporean law firms are facing stiff competition today. The only way to keep up with developments is to evolve. In the past, litigation was the main form of dispute resolution. Now we are moving into international arbitration, which is a fast growing area. The next buzzword will be bio-medical and media laws.

RC: What is your life philosophy?

IR: I am a Christian. I am guided by the Bible and Christian principles.

RC: What were the highlights in your career as a Member of Parliament?

IR: What I like best about being an MP is being able to make a positive difference to people. I was once able to help an old deaf and mute Indian man who was living in Bukit Merah to obtain accommodation in North Bridge Road where his friends were living. He wanted to be near his friends in view of his age and vulnerability. It was a good feeling when I was able to help him to it. I have learnt a lot from serving as a Member of Parliament. Being an MP has broadened my horizons and I have benefited from having had a chance to meet a very wide spectrum of people. It has given me an opportunity to understand and sympathise with the needs and concerns of people in the lower income bracket of our society.

RC: Which 20th century leader inspires you? Why? What did you learn from this leader?

IR: (laughs) Why 20th century leader? I admire Queen Elizabeth I. She was single and a woman ahead of her time. The way she led her country is inspiring.

RC: There are complaints that Singapore is a dull and unexciting place to live in compared to London or New York. What are your views?

IR: It is a balance of being fun and cool and yet steering away from drugs and other excesses. We need a fun element if we want to become a total renaissance city. We need to create a ‘fun Singapore’. We can create this by creating more time for chilling out. A five-day week may give more time to unwind. We should be open to different forms of art. This would help Singaporeans to loosen up. We still need to encourage our people to be creative and to have their own visions and dreams for themselves. Perhaps our institutions of higher  learning can create more opportunities to encourage the growth of creative talent in their students.

RC: What would you want to accomplish next?

IR: There is still so much more for me to learn as a lawyer and as a MP. I will take things as they come. One thing at a time, lah (she breaks into colloquialism)

E-mail: rajanchettiar@pacific.net.sg