Singapore’s ministers lead tributes to ex-President S R Nathan
Photo of S R Nathan/AFP News
News of the passing of Singapore’s ex-President S R Nathan at the age of 92 on Monday night (22 August) has led to an outpouring of tributes - from government ministers, President Tony Tan, the Workers’ Party to Singapore’s Olympic gold medal hero, Joseph Schooling.
Here are some of the tributes to Nathan thus far:
Singapore Minister for Trade and Industry (Industry) S Iswaran:
“Very sad to learn of the passing of our former President Mr S R Nathan. I have had the honour and privilege of knowing Mr Nathan as a President, civil servant, mentor and friend.
He was President when I was sworn in as Minister of State in 2006. It was a very meaningful and memorable experience for me and my family especially as he had made a special effort to be there even though he was not well. That was Mr Nathan. Always putting duty and country before self.
He shared a deep love with Mrs Nathan whom he met 70 years ago. He was very close to Juthika, Chong Gay and Osith, his daughter, son-in-law and son; and always an indulgent and loving grandfather to his grandchildren.
I last visited him in hospital on 8 August after returning from the US. He was not conscious but restful and at peace. Our deepest condolences to Mrs Nathan and the family. We mourn the loss of a true son of Singapore. Let us always remember him as the People’s President that he was.
May his soul rest in peace.“
Law & Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam:
“Mr SR Nathan has passed away, aged 92.
An extraordinary life. 50 years in public service. Totally dedicated to Singapore.
A unionist, top civil servant, Ambassador to Malaysia and the US, community worker. President.
And a man who has lived life to its fullest.
Despite growing up in harsh and difficult times, Mr Nathan persevered and worked his way up.
His life revolved around helping others. He started out as a medical social worker before joining the union and was a key figure in creating NTUC.
During his time in Ministry of Defence (Singapore), he risked his life in the Laju hijacking incident, in exchange for the safe release of Singaporean hostages. As Ambassador to the USA under MFA, he dealt with the Michael Fay incident, firmly and diplomatically defending our point of view. His charm and toughness showed the world that we were no pushovers.
Mr Nathan served as President for 12 years with grace, dignity and compassion. He established the President’s Challenge to help the less fortunate. During the Global Financial Crisis, he approved the request to draw on our reserves after being advised and briefed by the Council of Presidential Advisors. We emerged unscathed from the crisis.
Even after stepping down, Mr Nathan continued to work. He often attended events and fund-raisers to help the needy, which he deeply cared for. He wrote and published several books, sharing his wisdom accumulated over decades of experience.
In May this year, a group of friends, formerly colleagues and ordinary Singaporeans presented him a book titled “With Gratitude”. It captures their stories of how Mr Nathan’s kindness touched their lives.
For Mr Nathan, it was always Singapore, before self.
Many will join me in extending our deepest condolences to his family.”
Singapore Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong:
“Just learnt with great sadness that our beloved former President S R Nathan has just passed away.
I last saw him on 11 August. He looked restful. I will be writing Mrs Nathan tomorrow.
Meanwhile, on behalf of Marine Parade residents and all of us here, I send Mrs Nathan and her family our sincere condolences. Our thoughts and prayers are with them in their bereavement. President Nathan was a dutiful son of Singapore.”
Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong:
“Deeply saddened by the passing of Mr SR Nathan today. He passed away peacefully at the Singapore General Hospital, surrounded by family and loved ones, three weeks after suffering a stroke.
Mr Nathan’s life is an inspiration to us all. His was a story of how a young boy strove to triumph over his circumstances and make a contribution to society. He held many public service posts, and occupied the highest office in the land.
Mr Nathan was our longest serving President. He was a warm and approachable President who endeared himself to Singaporeans. He impressed visitors with his knowledge of world affairs, and served with dignity and distinction.
I have known Mr Nathan for 40 years, since I was a young officer in SAF. I remember him as a man guided by a deep sense of duty to the nation. He stepped up each time duty called. He was a true son of Singapore.
My condolences to Mrs Nathan and the family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you in this time of grief.”
President Tony Tan:
“Mary and I are deeply saddened by the passing of former President S R Nathan.
Mr Nathan had an outstanding career in public service. He rose from humble beginnings to become the sixth and longest serving President of Singapore.
Mr Nathan began his career in the civil service as a medical social worker in 1955. In his long public service, Mr Nathan served with dedication and distinction, including years in leadership positions in the Labour movement, Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Home Affairs and Defence.
I had the privilege of working with Mr Nathan from 1996 to 1999 when I was the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence. He helped set up the Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies, which is now the S Rajaratnam School of International Studies. The School is ranked among the top think tanks in the region.
Mr Nathan also played an active role in uplifting the Indian community when he was Chairman of the Hindu Endowment Board and founding member of SINDA.
As President of Singapore, Mr Nathan championed social causes by initiating the President’s Challenge in 2000. The President’s Challenge gained much support from the community and raised over $100 million for more than 500 beneficiaries during Mr Nathan’s two terms of office.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Mrs Nathan and Mr Nathan’s family during this time of mourning.”
Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security Teo Chee Hean:
“I am deeply saddened by the passing of Mr Nathan.
He was a giant of our times and together with his generation, helped secure the peace, harmony and stability we enjoy today. His courage, fortitude and dignity in dealing with difficult issues is an inspiration to all of us. He risked his life in exchange for the safe release of the hostages back to Singapore during the Laju hijack.
Always defending Singapore’s interests, he made friends and managed the challenging periods of our bilateral relationships when he served as our top diplomat to Malaysia and the US.
He came from humble beginnings, gave his best in the many key appointments he served, and rose to the highest office in the land. His humility and compassion for others touched many hearts. He also showed us that respect, understanding and tolerance for other faiths is essential to preserve our racial and religious harmony. I’ve benefited personally from his advice and guidance on many occasions.
Thank you Mr Nathan for a lifetime of service to Singapore. Our thoughts are with you and your family.
May you Rest in Peace.”
Deputy Prime Minister & Coordinating Minister for Economic and Social Policies Tharman Shanmugaratnam:
“Mr S R Nathan (3 July 1924 – 22 August 2016).
What a life he led! From the time he ran away from home at 16, to his early job as a clerk in Muar, then as medical social worker, later unionist serving the seafarers, through a life of public service: culminating as President of the nation he was utterly devoted to.
I have met few people who lived and breathed Singapore the way he did. His fondness for friends of every race and from all walks of life. His complete absence of airs. His love of food. And his remarkable memory of events in our history, small and big, and of everyone he had met along the way.
He was active to the end, and never lost his human touch. Just in the last few months, he was sending letters to me and others with his sharp observations and advice on various issues, and always in his beautiful hand-writing. When I last saw him at his home, for lunch, he was in a mellow mood. He had recalled that I had liked the sambal udang the last time we had lunch, and made sure it was served again.
We can never forget S R Nathan, his love of life, and his immense contributions to the nation he was devoted to.”
Minister for Social and Family Development Tan Chuan Jin:
“Truly a “People’s President”, his selfless care and deep compassion for the ordinary man came through each time he met with Singaporeans from all walks of life. Mr Nathan also believed strongly in giving people dignity through earning their own living even as they received help, and was a strong advocate for educating and equipping Singaporeans with skills to earn a living.
I could still remember fondly how Mr Nathan wanted to call on me at my office. He said it was the right thing to do since he is no longer President. Of course, I went to visit him instead. He had willingly shared this thoughts on doing good and serving the needs of the disadvantaged. I was grateful for his generosity and struck by his humility.
Mr Nathan has left us with an indelible legacy. I hope that the warm memories, thoughts and prayers of his friends and those whom he had touched, will bring his family and close friends a measure of comfort at this difficult time. He will be dearly missed, and fondly remembered by all of us.
The Workers’ Party:
“The Workers’ Party is deeply saddened by the passing of former President S R Nathan. Mr Nathan served our nation with great dedication. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time. Rest in peace, true son and servant of Singapore.”
Joseph Schooling, national swimmer and Singapore’s first Olympic gold medalist:
“Rest in Peace Sir! Thank you for all that you have done for Singapore. You will be missed. My deepest condolences to Mrs Nathan and family.”
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