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Tag: President

  • 7 Things You Should Know About S R Nathan

    7 Things You Should Know About S R Nathan

    S.R. Nathan to some Singaporeans, was characterised as the unassuming man minding his own business on a park bench. Photo by Alwin Lim

    He was anything but.

    Things you should know about the late S.R. Nathan:

    1) He worked for the Japanese during the Japanese Occupation.

    So he knew first hand how much it sucked to work for bosses you think might kill you any other day. During the Japanese Occupation, Mr S.R. Nathan worked for the Japanese Civilian Police as a translator. It takes guts to go in to work everyday under those circumstances and Mr Nathan had plenty, as we will talk about next.

    2) He’s actually a hero.

    No exaggeration. We all know this by now. Not just a regular hero. He volunteered to lead the team. At the time of the ferry hijacking, he was the Director of Security and Intelligence Division. The Director. But this is S.R. Nathan we are talking about. He wasn’t going to just send a team in. The man led by example. He volunteered to go.

    3) He didn’t get to finish school before he had to start working.

    What is your excuse? Too difficult to manage work and study? S.R Nathan had to start working before he could finish school but is something like a war going to throw Mr Nathan off his tracks? No way. After the war, he completed his secondary education via distance learning with Oxford while working. Yes you read that right. Before computers were even a thing, Mr Nathan completed his secondary school education via a correspondence course. He then went on to graduate with a Diploma in Social Studies with a distinction in 1954 from the University of Malaya. So again, what’s your excuse?

    4) He made mistakes too.

    Mr. Nathan made mistakes growing up too, but they did not stop him from having an illustrious career his whole life. Sure, it may sound like your typical rags-to-riches story, but why is this story different? He didn’t care for being rich. After his father committed suicide when he was 8, Mr. Nathan went wayward for a couple of years, running away from home, getting expelled for school, even living on the streets for awhile. Eventually he would find work as an office boy and drift from job to job, working as a postman, a hawker’s assistant and even a tuition teacher. He had help along the way, and this was probably the reason why he saw how important it was to help others less fortunate. He learnt it first hand. There are many many stories of how Mr. Nathan helped his colleagues and friends to put their kids through school and find them jobs upon graduation.

    5) He started the President’s Challenge.

    In 2000, he started the President’s Challenge and in 11 years, it had raised more than S$100 million. More than 500 organizations are beneficiaries. He also co-founded SINDA.

    6) He had to be asked to be a Presidential Candidate.

    The Late Mr. Lee Kuan Yew and several others had to ask Mr. Nathan to run for office. Everyone says he only became President because he was the only candidate. We think he became President because everyone unanimously agreed he was the right man for the job.

    7) The next time you hear somebody say S.R Nathan was a useless fella, you can refer this list of accolades to them.

    Career timeline
    1940–1941: Office boy and various odd jobs
    Feb 1955–Mar 1956: Almoner, Medical Department, Singapore General Hospital
    Mar 1956–1962: Seamen’s Welfare Officer, Marine Department
    Jan 1962–Jan 1964: Assistant director, Labour Research Unit
    Jan 1964–Jan 1966: Director, Labour Research Unit
    Jan 1966–Apr 1988: Member, board of trustees, Labour Research Unit
    Feb 1966–Jan 1971: Assistant secretary; later deputy secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
    Jan 1971–Aug 1971: Acting permanent secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs
    Aug 1971–Feb 1979: Director, Security and Intelligence Division, Ministry of Defence
    1973–1986: Chairman, Mitsubishi Singapore Heavy Industries (Pte) Ltd
    Feb 1979–Feb 1982: First permanent secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
    1980–1988: Director, Singapore National Oil Company
    1982–1988: Director, New Nation Publishing Bhd
    1982–1988: Director, Times Publishing Bhd
    Jan 1982–May 1983: Chairman, Hindu Advisory Board
    Feb 1982– Apr 1988: Executive Chairman, Straits Times Press (1975) Ltd, and concurrently director of Singapore Press Holdings Ltd from December 1985 to April 1988
    1983–1988: Director, Times Business Publications Ltd
    1983–1988: Director, Singapore Mint Pte Ltd, London
    May 1983–Apr 1988: Chairman, Hindu Endowments Board
    1984–1988: Director, The Times of Singapore Pte Ltd
    1985–1988: Director, Marshall Cavendish Ltd
    1986–1988: Director, The Straits Times Press (London) Ltd
    1986–1988: Director, The Times Press Foundation (Singapore) Pte Ltd
    Aug 1991–Aug 1999: Founding member and term trustee of Singapore Indian Development Association
    Apr 1988–Jul 1990: High commissioner to Malaysia
    Jul 1990–Jun 1996: Ambassador to the United States
    1996–1999: Director, Singapore International Media Pte Ltd
    Jul 1996: Appointed pro-chancellor, National University of Singapore
    Jul 1996–Aug 1999: Ambassador-at-large
    Jul 1996–Aug 1999: Director, Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies (now known as the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies), Nanyang Technological University
    1997–1999: Member, board of governors, Civil Service College
    1 Sep 1999–31 Aug 2011: President of Singapore; concurrently chancellor, National University of Singapore

    “I’ve done the best I can. If it’s good enough for some people, fine. If it’s not good enough for some people, and there will always be noise in the environment, you can’t stop it. You don’t do it because you want to leave a legacy. You do the best you can.” – S. R. Nathan

    You did Sir. You were outstanding.

    #WeAreMajulah

     

    Source: Syabab SG

  • Osman Sulaiman: PAP Must Stop Using Malay Community As Political Pawn, Cease Affirmative Actions

    Osman Sulaiman: PAP Must Stop Using Malay Community As Political Pawn, Cease Affirmative Actions

    If the PAP thinks that a Malay president is important periodically, and has always been confident of its party’s credibility and branding, then it should support a Malay candidate to contest in the coming presidential election as how it supported Tony Tan in the last election.

    Often times, the ones who made the Malays feel that they are of sub-par quality is the PAP itself. Creating GRCs and justifying it that without GRCs, a Malay candidate cannot stand on its own worthiness.

    GRCs were introduced in 1988. It was the last election that a Malay candidate stands in an SMC under the PAP banner. Mr Abdullah Tarmugi contested in Siglap SMC and garnered 73.7% of the popular votes. One of the highest achievers among the slates of candidates being fielded by PAP. It definitely showed no signs that a non-Chinese candidate cannot stand on its own merits.

    After the 1988 general election, no other PAP Malay candidates contested in an SMC. Between then and now, the PAP continues with its narrative that a Malay candidate cannot win an election in a Chinese majority electorate.

    I remembered when Masagos was promoted to a ministerial position, the PAP highlighted that the promotion reflected the progress of the Malays. It simply meant that the promotion was given on account that the community now deserves to have a minister while previously it didn’t as we are considered second best as compared to the non-Malays.

    Today, the PAP again uses the Malay community as a pawn for its political agenda. Knowing how close the results of the last presidential election between its endorsed candidate and the independent candidate Dr Tan Cheng Bock (TCB), the PAP is playing the racial cards again by tugging at the heart strings of the Malay community.

    It seems that it now wants a Malay figurehead to counter the possibility of Dr TCB winning the presidential election. And rules have to be tweaked to accommodate this.

    I will be elated if ever we were to have a Malay president again after Yusof Ishak. But there will be no honour in winning a contest when the favours are heavily tilted for a certain individual/race to win it. And when indeed a Malay president is elected under those conditions, then it will further affirm the unfounded theory that the Malay community cannot stand on its own calibre.

    I would rather we secure the presidential role fair and square. The PAP will need to walk the talk rather than just paying lip service. If it values the contribution of the Malay community and treats everyone as equal, show it by supporting a Malay candidate without tinkering with the system. The Malay community doesn’t need charity of this kind.

    The principle that all citizens are equal, regardless of race or religion, means we have to do away with affirmative actions.

     

    Source: Khan Osman Sulaiman

  • Mrs Umi Nathan: I Hope Singaporeans Remember My Husband As A Self-Made Man

    Mrs Umi Nathan: I Hope Singaporeans Remember My Husband As A Self-Made Man

    When I first met S R Nathan, I was very young – so young I can’t remember him as a small child. But I remember him vividly when we were both in our teens. He would cycle up and down the street to catch my eye, when my family lived in a shophouse in Muar.

    I didn’t realise it then, but after 16 years of trials and tribulations, I would be rewarded with the happiest day of my life, the day I married him.

    My husband has always worked. I am used to it, and I find it difficult to imagine a time when he is not going out each day dressed for the office and carrying a briefcase. On more than one occasion, I thought he had reached the end of a successful career and could look forward to retirement. Each time a new call has come and he has responded. We both feel that in answering the summons we are repaying a debt to Singapore, and also more personally to Mr Lee Kuan Yew, who has always been willing to put trust in my husband. I am also aware that, like many people of our age, if he were sitting around the house with nothing to do, he would soon go downhill. His mind has to be active.

    If anyone had ever suggested that one day my husband would be President, I would have responded with utter disbelief. And yet the challenge came, and the day he was appointed was the proudest day of my life. It was a blessing from God. When the possibility was put to him, he consulted the family and we all supported him in accepting. My only condition was that the family should be kept out of the public eye. After all, status is only temporary, and we must all keep our feet on the ground.

    I hope Singaporeans will remember my husband as a self-made man. He started out with nothing, literally, and reached his lofty position through ability and hard work. There is a lesson in his story for all young people, however competitive the world may seem.

    Mrs Umi Nathan

     

    Source: S R Nathan: An Unexpected Journey – Path To The Presidency

  • Abdillah Zamzuri: S R Nathan Was President Who Understood Different Cultures

    Abdillah Zamzuri: S R Nathan Was President Who Understood Different Cultures

    CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILY OF THE LATE PRESIDENT OF SINGAPORE, SR NATHAN

    I’ve had a brief encounter with the President, the year was 2006/7. I was performing for the Inter Religious Circle Harmony Nite concert and His Excellency was in attendance as the Guest-Of-Honour.

    On that day, I had forgotten to bring my Songkok (Malay headgear) and had worn my Baju Melayu to perform on stage without a songkok.

    After the event, His Excellency went around on stage to shake hands with each and every single performer and when he came to me, he asked, “Mana Songkok?” (Where’s your songkok?). I told him that I had forgotten and then he went on to say, “Kan tak cantik. Tak complete” (Now not nice. Not complete).

    He was a man who respected different cultures and understood very well how a Malay man dressed in proper Malay wear should be attired.

    I must have been an eyesore to him when he watched me on stage. Today, Singapore lost a dear son.

    To the soft spoken man who gave his life to Singapore, to building a better and worked towards uniting Singaporeans, thank you Sir.

    May You Rest In Peace.

    ‪#‎SRNathan‬ ‪#‎PresidentSingapore‬ ‪#‎Singapore‬ ‪#‎President‬

     

    Source: Abdillah Zamzuri

  • Mohamed Jufrie Mahmood: Malays Want True Equality, Will Choose Tan Cheng Bock Over Malay PAP Puppet

    Mohamed Jufrie Mahmood: Malays Want True Equality, Will Choose Tan Cheng Bock Over Malay PAP Puppet

    Many Singaporeans may not be aware of the main reason for the hype on the need to allow a candidate among the minorities (in this instance the Malays because the Indians have had 2 of their own already) to be elected as Singapore’s President.

    I fully share the views expressed by Alfian Sa’at in a recent post.

    I am basically colour blind when it concerns this. To blazes with symbolism/tokenism. What we Malays want are fair and equal treatment. We want to be treated not as second class citizens. We want to be represented in all aspects of the Singapore socio political and commercial landscape. We want to play a real and meaningful role in the defence of our nation. We want to be allowed to freely practise our culture and religion without intruding into those of the other communities or reducing the common space, like the donning of the tudung. We want an end to all forms of discrimination in all sectors, especially in the NS and immigration policies which are so blatantly to our disadvantage. We want to be truly united with the other communities as one people.

    We want a president who can unify us all, irrespective his race. We say a big NO to a puppet president even if he is a Malay.

    If asked to choose between an ex Malay PAP minister (because under the proposed new criteria only such persons would qualify, I suppose) and Dr Tan Cheng Bock, for instance, I would gladly choose Dr. Tan even though he is not a Malay.

     

    Source: Mohamed Jufrie Bin Mahmood