Thousands pay respects to S R Nathan, recall his charity work
Members of Singapore’s scouting movement paying respects to the late S R Nathan at the Parliament House. (Photo: Yahoo Newsroom)
A president who was a champion of the underprivileged and the needy – that is how some Singaporeans who paid their last respects to the late S R Nathan on Thursday (25 August) recalled the former president.
Nathan’s charitable efforts were highlighted by Goh Yee Heng, an assistant area commissioner in the Singapore Scout Association. He was among the thousands of people who braved Thursday’s afternoon heat to visit the Parliament House, where Nathan’s body lay in state.
Nathan, who was the chief scout of the Singapore movement during his time as president, attended all of the group’s camps and jamborees, said Goh.
“He helped us out a lot especially through charity and fund-raising activities to help our underprivileged cubs and scouts,” he said. "He sometimes used his own money to sponsor our scouts and our activities.”
The former president was also a symbol of hope for charity organisations according to Nelly Soh, a volunteer with St Joseph’s Home.
Soh, who was with four residents of the home, said that she was saddened by the news of Nathan’s death on Monday (22 August) night.
Rohani Dukiran, was supposed to go for her dialysis session on Thursday morning but decided to postpone it just to pay her respects to Nathan.
Accompanied by her two daughters, Rohani, joined the queue at 8.40am and was among the first few to say goodbye to the late former president.
"The last time I saw him was a few years ago. It was during a charity briyani event at one of the mosques and I saw him helping out,” she said as she held back tears.
Former NTUC employee S. Dayanandan added that Nathan’s death was a great loss to the country.
He said it would be impossible to find another person as unique as Nathan, who was able to serve Singapore with the utmost dedication and pride.
Dayanandan, who also volunteered with Nathan at the Sri Mariaman temple at Beach Road, said, “He was a very unique person and I will always remember him for his bravery during the Laju Incident, where he volunteered to accompany the hijackers back to Japan.”
The Laju Incident involved the attack on Singapore’s Shell oil refinery and subsequent hijacking of the “Laju” ferry by members of the Japanese Red Army and Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine on 31 January 1974.
Nathan was part of the group of government officials who offered themselves to the hijackers in exchange for the ferry’s crew members who had been taken hostage.
Retired driver Munisamay Rengasamy, who was at the Parliament House with his friend Reuban Rajakanu, said that the former president was a very kind and honest man.
When asked about Nathan’s contributions to the Indian community, Munisamy was quick to point out that Nathan was the people’s president.
“He served everyone and contributed to everybody,” he said firmly.
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