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Tag: S R Nathan

  • Protest Outside Singapore Embassy In Jakarta During Nathan Condolence Signing

    Protest Outside Singapore Embassy In Jakarta During Nathan Condolence Signing

    Just as the Singapore Embassy in Jakarta opened its doors on Tuesday (Aug 23) for well-wishers to sign a condolence book after Mr SR Nathan’s passing, a small protest was held over the alleged mistreatment of a retired Indonesian senior general in Changi Airport.

    Demonstrators from Pemuda Panca Marga (PPM), an organisation linked to the military, showed up to protest the alleged mistreatment of Lieutenant General (retired) Suryo Prabowo at Singapore’s airport last week, the Singapore embassy wrote on its Facebook page.

    It is believed that around 30 people participated in the protest, though the embassy did not give a figure.

    The embassy added that the demonstration proceeded outside without interrupting the signing of the condolence book inside. “We would like to extend our thanks to the Jakarta police for ensuring law and order, as well as the safety of the Embassy during this period,” it said.

    Mr Prabowo had arrived in Singapore on August 17 from Fiji on a Fiji Airways plane when he was denied entry to Singapore while he was transiting through Changi Airport. He was interviewed by checkpoint officers, a practice in accordance with screening procedures for border security, the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) said in a statement Saturday.

    “After completing the interview, he was allowed to board his flight,” the ICA statement continued.

    “As part of the immigration clearance process, travellers to Singapore may be subjected to additional interview and/or screening. These procedures are conducted at all of Singapore’s checkpoints,” ICA added.

    The incident reverberated to Jakarta. Indonesian media reported that the Indonesian Military (TNI) Chief, General Gatot Nurmantyo, wrote a note to Singapore to protest the treatment of Mr Prabowo.

    Some even suggested that Mr Prabowo has been blacklisted by Singaporean authorities.

    However, Indonesian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Arrmanatha Nasir later clarified that Mr Prabowo has not been blacklisted, adding that a similar name may have been the cause behind the unexpected delay. The spokesperson also gave no indication that the Indonesian Foreign Ministry would file a note of protest.

    In its Facebook post on Tuesday, the Singapore Embassy in Jakarta took the opportunity to recount one of Mr Nathan’s sayings in relation to the incident.“This was a suitable moment to recall what Mr S R Nathan had once said about the qualities needed to be a successful Foreign Service Officer of Singapore: patience, calmness, modesty, empathy and good humour,” it said.

    “More importantly, he had also reminded us that Singapore Foreign Service Officers must have patriotism and a sense of mission; integrity and honesty; and the ability to carry on with our work, even under pressure. Timeless advice.”

     

    Source: TODAY Online

  • Tharman: S R Nathan Led Fulfilling Life, Never Lost Human Touch

    Tharman: S R Nathan Led Fulfilling Life, Never Lost Human Touch

    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.

     

    Source: Tharman Shanmugaratnam

  • State Funeral For Former President S R Nathan On Friday

    State Funeral For Former President S R Nathan On Friday

    The late former President S R Nathan will receive a State Funeral on Friday (Aug 26), announced the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) after he passed away on Monday.

    In a statement, the PMO said: “The Government has accepted the wishes of the late Mr S R Nathan and his family in making the following funeral arrangements. The Government will provide all the necessary assistance.

    “As a mark of respect to Mr Nathan, the State flag on all Government buildings will be flown at half-mast from Tuesday, Aug 23, to Friday, Aug 26, 2016.”

    The body of the late Mr Nathan will lie in state at Parliament House from 10am on Thursday, Aug 25 to 12.00pm on Friday, Aug 26.

    In its statement, the PMO said the public can pay their last respects at Parliament House from 10.00am to 8.00pm on Thursday, Aug 25. On Friday, Aug 26, members of the diplomatic corps and other officials can pay their last respects from 9.00am till 12.00pm.

    A State Funeral Service will take place from 4.00 pm on Friday, Aug 26, at the University Cultural Centre (NUS). It will be attended by Mr Nathan’s family, friends and former colleagues, the President, Cabinet Ministers, MPs, civil servants as well as Singaporeans from all walks of life.

    The State Funeral Service will be followed by a private cremation at Mandai Crematorium.

    Condolence boards will be available at Istana for those who want to pen tributes to the late Mr Nathan from tomorrow morning at 6.00 am. Condolence books will also be opened at all Overseas Missions for overseas Singaporeans and friends.

    The PMO added that the public can express their condolences and share their memories of Mr Nathan at the official website, http://www.remembering.sg/srnathan and/or the Remembering S R Nathan Facebook page.

    The public can call the hotline at 6336-1166 with queries, or visit http://www.remembering.sg/srnathan or the Remembering S R Nathan Facebook page for more details, the PMO said.

     

    Source: www.channelnewsasia.com

  • Former President, S R Nathan, Passes Away

    Former President, S R Nathan, Passes Away

    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

  • Former Bodyguard of Lee Kuan Yew and Lee Hsien Loong Allegedly Cheated Others In Sham Investment Schemes

    Former Bodyguard of Lee Kuan Yew and Lee Hsien Loong Allegedly Cheated Others In Sham Investment Schemes

    A police report has been lodged against a former police officer, whose victim is alleging that he used his “high-level connections” during his time as a bodyguard of former Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong as well as an aide to former President SR Nathan to get people on board a sham investment scheme.

    The report came to light after JMS Rogers, a debt collection firm engaged by the victim Sugendran Krishnan, issued a press release along with a copy of the police report.

    Mr Sugendran alleged that he and his wife had been conned of S$50,000 by Mr Ananthan Thillagan, who is currently self-employed.

    “He said that in the course of his work… he had met and known the inner circle of these politicians … He also said he and some of the powerful contacts he personally knows, including the Minister (for) Trade and Industry, had put in some of their money into this (investment) vehicle,” Mr Sugendran – a former policeman himself – wrote in the police report.

    In its press release, JMS Rogers claimed that Mr Ananthan, 35, had “admitted his scam and even signed a promissory note on a repayment plan to our client for the monies owed”. It added: “He also pleaded that we do not report him to the authorities. Unfortunately, he has missed his repayment deadline and has since shown no remorse or sincerity in paying back what was taken.”

    Responding to media queries, the police confirmed that a report was lodged on Monday and they are investigating. They added that Mr Ananthan resigned from the police force in July 2011. He was then holding the rank of Sergeant.

    “Any criminal offence made out will be firmly dealt with in accordance with the law,” the police said.

    When contacted by TODAY, Mr Ananthan would not confirm whether he had served in the police force and had been a bodyguard or aide to the VIPs, citing the Official Secrets Act. He added that his lawyers were looking into the matter. He declined to address the allegations, citing police investigations.

     

    Source: www.todayonline.com