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S R Nathan a ‘super ambassador’ but also a simple man

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Ambassador-at-Large Tommy Koh delivering his eulogy. (Photo: TV screenshot)

Former president S R Nathan was Singapore’s “super ambassador to the world” and was courageous in defending the nation’s interest without fear or hesitation, said Ambassador-at-Large Professor Tommy Koh.

Speaking at the state funeral service for Nathan, who passed away on Monday night (22 August), Koh said that Nathan played an important diplomatic role following his appointment as Singapore’s sixth president.

In his eulogy, Koh pointed out that Nathan visited more countries during his tenure as president than all of his predecessors put together.

“Through these state visits, he strengthened our links with other countries, expanded our political and economic space and opened the door to new economic opportunities for our business and industry.”

“He had a flair for dealing with foreign leaders and foreign friend. Perhaps because of his training in social work, he was able to establish a good rapport with his interlocutors and to put them at ease,” said Koh, who had worked with Nathan from 1968 and regarded the former president as a mentor and comrade.

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Non-resident Ambassador to Kuwait Zainul Abidin Rasheed giving his eulogy. (Photo: TV screenshot)

An extraordinary but simple man

Non-resident Ambassador to Kuwait Zainul Abidin Rasheed also spoke highly on Nathan during his eulogy, calling him an extraordinary man who “walked with Kings, Sultans, Emirs and Prime Ministers but in a special way retained the simple and ordinary in him”.

Zainul, a former senior minister of state for foreign affairs, added that Nathan was also very concerned with the Malay/Muslim community and that the last time he spoke with Nathan was in July, when they chatted for nearly an hour at the Singapore General Hospital.

“He had always wanted Malays to see themselves as modern and fully-integrated Singaporeans, instead of just belonging to a minority,” said Zainul.

He added that Nathan’s love of food helped to strengthen their friendship and that the mere mention of briyani, nasi lemak and durian would put a smile on the former president’s face.

“I will long remember the days when we would have a chat while having tea and enjoying durian puffs at his residence in Ceylon Road.

“He was usually casually attired in his sarong pelikat at home,” said Zainul.

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Ambassador-at-Larger Gopinath Pillai deliving his eulogy. (Photo: TV screenshot)

Doing what is required

Ambassador-at-Large Gopinath Pillai said that the first thing he noticed about Nathan was the similarity between him and the late British prime minister Winston Churchill.

Like Churchill, Nathan, according to Pillai, “did not think doing your best was good enough; doing what was required was more important”.

As one of the founders of the Singapore Indian Development Association (SINDA), Nathan believed firmly that every child – irrespective of race or religion – should have the opportunity to develop to his full potential.

Pillai recalled how he once asked Nathan why he had taken on the post of chairman of the Hindu Endowment Board.

“He explained that in the political arena, there were credible Indian ministers who had won the respect of all races.

“He thought the various Indian institutions should also be credible. He felt strongly that those who have done well should not cut themselves off from their respective communities,” he added.