Former President S R Nathan died on Monday (Aug 22), said the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) in a statement. Mr Nathan was 92.
In its statement, the PMO said: “The Prime Minister and his Cabinet colleagues are sad to learn of the passing of Mr S R Nathan and would like to convey their condolences to his family. The late Mr Nathan passed away peacefully at Singapore General Hospital on Monday at 9.48 pm. He was 92.
“Arrangements for the public to pay respects and for the funeral will be announced later.”
Mr Nathan leaves his wife, daughter, son and three grandchildren.
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong sent his condolences to Mrs Nathan and the family. “Deeply saddened by the passing of Mr S R Nathan today,” Mr Lee wrote in a Facebook post. “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 Keng Yam said that he and his wife Mary were “deeply saddened” by Mr Nathan’s passing. In a Facebook post, he wrote: “”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 is 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.”
Mr Nathan had been warded at Singapore General Hospital since suffering a stroke on Jul 31.
He served two terms as President, from 1999 to 2011. He officially stepped down on Aug 31, 2011 after announcing that he would not seek a third term in office, and was succeeded by President Tony Tan Keng Yam.
After stepping down as President, Mr Nathan took up appointments as Distinguished Senior Fellow at the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies and at the Singapore Management University’s School of Social Sciences.
Prior to becoming President, he held key positions in the civil service, as well as in security, intelligence and foreign affairs. He was appointed as Singapore’s High Commissioner to Malaysia in 1988 and later Singapore’s Ambassador to the United States of America from 1990 to 1996.
He also served as Singapore’s Ambassador-at-Large, and later pro-chancellor of the National University of Singapore.
Source: www.channelnewsasia.com
