S1E33: Sembawang MP Mariam Jaafar on being a first-term MP

Apr 3, 2025

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She was elected during the 2020 general election.

Synopsis: The Usual Place host Natasha Ann Zachariah hunts for new perspectives on issues that matter to young people.

In the lead-up to the expected general election that must be held by November 2025, Natasha looks at how MPs, and others involved, are preparing themselves.

In this episode, Ms Mariam Jaafar, who is a managing director and senior partner at Boston Consulting Group, shares about her time in politics and what success can look like for young women.

She tells Natasha about why she still recalls the nuggets of wisdom her late father shared with her, why she is a diehard Liverpool FC fan and her recommendations for the best chocolate croissant in Singapore.

Highlights (click/tap above):

4:49 How young women can define success for themselves

13:35: Why she still hears her late dad’s voice through his "Jaafarisms"

19:43 Why “intent” should matter for those who go to her Meet-The-People sessions

29:22 Being caught in the spotlight, and why her husband made her read the comments

Host: Natasha Zachariah (natashaz@sph.com.sg)

Read Natasha's articles: https://str.sg/iSXm

Follow Natasha on her IG account and DM her your thoughts on this episode: https://str.sg/8Wav

Follow Natasha on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/v6DN

Filmed by: Studio+65

Edited by ST Podcast producers: Teo Tong Kai & Eden Soh

Executive producers: Ernest Luis and Lynda Hong

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Channel: https://str.sg/5nfm