A first in After the Bar history, we speak to Rahayu Mahzam, Senior Parliamentary Secretary at the Ministry of Law and Ministry of Health, and Member of Parliament for Jurong GRC. Rahayu, a former lawyer and passionate advocate for inclusivity, shares her personal career journey from law to politics, discussing the immediate changes after winning the election and the mindset shift she experienced.

She also reflects on her legal career, highlighting the insights gained from practicing civil litigation and family law, as well as her unique experience as Deputy Registrar at the Syariah Court. Rahayu opens up about raising a child with special needs, offering valuable insights into balancing the demands of her high-pressure job and caregiving responsibilities. Throughout the conversation, she emphasises the importance of support networks and shares her ongoing efforts to promote inclusivity for marginalised groups, including persons with disabilities.

Don't miss this inspiring conversation with Rahayu Mahzam as she discusses her personal missions for Singapore and the legal community while sharing her vision for a more inclusive society.

Rahayu Mahzam LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/rahayumahzam/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/rahayumahzam/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/RahayuMahzamSG/

Rahayu Mahzam's Speeches: https://youtu.be/8c18fsbaDh8 https://youtu.be/l6Jhg5r2h3w

Connect with me on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/shulinlee/

More on the podcast - https://www.AfterTheBar.com.sg

What to listen for: 00:00 Start of Episode 00:31 Introduction 01:21 Dealing with Being a Public Figure & Public Scrutiny 04:19 Self-consciousness as a Politician 08:31 Journey from a Lawyer to a Politician 13:47 Rahayu's Humble Beginnings & Ability to Empathise with the Regular Citizens 17:54 Caring for a Child with Special Needs 26:17 Creating an Ecosystem of Support for the Special Needs Community 31:46 What Can Be Done to Foster Inclusion in Workplaces 36:16 Compatibility of Legal Careers and Family Life for Women 43:41 Issues in the Legal Sector for Women 46:04 What Would Rahayu Want to Change in the Legal Industry 50:37 Law in AI & Opportunities for Younger Lawyers to Gain New Skills 52:20 Advice for Young & Aspiring Lawyers 55:55 Rapid Fire Questions

Rahayu Mahzam ON: From Lawyer to Politician - A Journey of Service and the Advocation for Inclusivity 58:21 Share

After the Bar - Stories from the Legal Industry

Shownotes Transcript

Rahayu Mahzam ON: From Lawyer to Politician - A Journey of Service and the Advocation for Inclusivity