Home > News & Media > “MODEL MINORITY IS DOUBLE-EDGED”: HAZLINA ABDUL HALIM ON REPRESENTATION, COMMUNICATION AND THE POWER OF YOUTHS
“MODEL MINORITY IS DOUBLE-EDGED”: HAZLINA ABDUL HALIM ON REPRESENTATION, COMMUNICATION AND THE POWER OF YOUTHS
This article was originally published by Tatler on 01 February, 2023.
A familiar face in the local media industry, Hazlina Abdul Halim grew up in the newsroom, as an intern in her teens before ascending the ranks as a radio DJ, broadcast journalist and editor. After stints in public affairs at the foreign mission and in education at a local polytechnic, she was appointed president of the Singapore Muslim Women’s Association (PPIS) in 2020 —the youngest one to date. Two years later, Hazlina became the CEO of Make-A-Wish Singapore, a non-profit that grants wish to children with critical illnesses.
Last year, PPIS released its inaugural study to shed light on the top three aspirations of Muslim women:
(1) to be a better Muslim woman;
(2) to be financially independent; and
(3) to be fit and healthy through regular exercise and better eating habits.
In 2023, Hazlina looks forward to awarding PPIS’s first postgraduate scholarship and the launch of a space for women to connect, convene and support one another, among other projects. She shares lessons learned as a journalist, her optimism in youth and the importance of faith.
I’ve always been an optimistic person with a healthy dose of scepticism, not cynicism. Scepticism is where curiosity and questions come from. Being in social service, it helps that you’re able to look for the good and believe that there’s good in everyone, and we need to find it.
Faith and family are important tenets to Muslim women. Centre the intent of why you do what you do and have faith that with the right intent, things will happen. Have faith in the faith, and faith in fate by believing in the intent.
The term “model minority” is double-edged. There’s a level of responsibility involved, where you represent what your friend, colleague, acquaintance or partner thinks of members of your community. There’s that expectation, but it’s also an opportunity to share so that people learn and eradicate unhealthy or negative stereotypes.
Productivity was something that drove me, to want to make every second productive. Then I realised that as you evolve, while it’s important not to waste time—the concept is making each day matter. Sometimes it’s about quality and not quantity.
Your message is good when it’s understood. As storytellers and people who amplify voices, whatever you communicate is valuable when the recipient can receive it. How do you make complex theories and concepts digestible, palatable and understandable? That’s one of the lessons I’ve learned from journalism.
Journalism taught me the value of relationships and trust. Stories are told when trust is formed. You share a bit more because you trust this person. Trust is a commodity that is very precious. It takes bravado to share your own story.
Everyone has a story. That’s what journalism teaches you. Everyone’s story leaves an impact on how this person views the world.
I truly believe in the power of youths. They have so much heart and compassion. There’s always shade thrown on current youths, but tap on their strengths and embrace their emotions. We need to take a leaf out of the bravado in their vulnerability.