Fancy having the President as your neighbour?

Home to Madam Halimah Yacob is an HDB flat in Yishun built in 1987.

And Madam Halimah is very comfortable living in her flat and hopes to continue living there if she becomes president even though traditionally the Istana is the official Presidential residence and office.

But security concerns may stand in the way.

“I don’t see why I can’t continue (living in a HDB flat) unless there are other considerations like security, for instance, because I know it can be quite a nightmare to ensure security in public housing,” she told reporters on Sunday night. “Other than that, I see no reason why I cannot continue.”

What do her neighbours think?

A number of her neighbours and shopkeepers in her neighbourhood agree with her. 

“This is public housing. She’s a public servant. There’s nothing unsuitable about her staying here,” said shopkeeper Lee Swee Seng, 53.

Mr Lee's 17-year-old provision shop is frequented by Mdm Halimah’s family members for household items such as bread or detergent.

At times, Madam Halimah can be seen lugging home groceries from Mr Lee's provision shop or from the neighbourhood supermarket.

Madam Susan Ho, 63, who lives two doors down from Mdm Halimah’s family, said, “If she wins, I would be excited because my neighbour in this HDB block would be the President.”

“She’s very humble to stay in such a house. Most presidents would stay in the official residence,” Mdm Ho added.

Madam Halimah's next-door neighbor, Madam Chris Toh, 50, said, “During Hari Raya this year, she came over personally to share pastries such as pineapple tarts and cookies. When we see her, we just treat her as a neighbour. She’s truly a person with no airs."

Madam Halimah would also climb the stairs instead of using the lift.

Mdm Toh said: “I’ll see (Mdm Halimah) climbing the stairs as I take the lift up. So I asked her, ‘Mdm, are you exercising?’ And she said, ‘Yes, must exercise’.”

A 46-year-old neighbor who drives a taxi and lives one floor above Madam Halimah thinks it's not practical for her to continue to live in her flat.

“For security reasons, I don’t think she can continue staying here if she becomes President,” he said.