There are some conversations that don’t feel like interviews. They feel like an inheritance.
That’s exactly what happened when I sat across from Mr Ambran Abu Bakar, a man whose life reads like a blueprint for integrity, service, and community leadership. In a world where everyone is sprinting for visibility, he is the rare kind of individual who has built influence through character, not volume.
We spent 50 minutes talking about journeys most people never see and values most people never speak about. His story begins in a kampong, surrounded by simplicity, discipline, and the kind of neighbourly responsibility that today feels like folklore. But for him, those early experiences didn’t just shape him emotionally; they became the foundation of his worldview.
What struck me most wasn’t his achievements but the clarity in his voice when he talked about Singapore’s youth. He sees them not as a problem to be managed but as a promise waiting to be fulfilled. His philosophy is simple: equip them, believe in them, and give them room to fail without judgement. It’s a refreshing counterpoint to the pressure cooker many young Singaporeans live in.
We spoke about entrepreneurship too, not as a trend, but as a mindset. To him, entrepreneurship isn’t about chasing the next big idea. It’s about taking ownership of your circumstances. It’s about choosing to stand up when the world gives you reasons to sit down. And it’s about accountability, a word he returns to again and again.
But the moment that stayed with me the most was when we discussed fear. The fear of disappointing your family. The fear of not being good enough. The fear of standing alone. He acknowledged all of it with honesty, then said something I won’t forget: “Courage isn’t the absence of fear; it’s deciding that your purpose is heavier.”
It made me think of every young Singaporean trying to navigate identity, ambition, and expectation in a world louder than ever before. And it made me grateful that we still have leaders like him, grounded enough to guide, humble enough to listen.
This episode isn’t just another podcast. It’s a reminder that wisdom still exists. That real leadership still exists. And that Singapore’s future is safer than we think, as long as voices like his continue to be heard.
Sometimes, one conversation is all it takes to shift your perspective. This was one of those moments for me..
Signing off for 84 Musing,
