Howe Yoon Chong
Howe Yoon Chong Singapore Parliament for Potong Pasir SMC | |
---|---|
In office 10 February 1979 – 4 December 1984 | |
Preceded by | Baptist Ivan Cuthbert (PAP) |
Succeeded by | Chiam See Tong (SDP) |
Personal details | |
Born | Raffles College (BA ) | 12 August 1923
Howe Yoon Chong
Howe was key in developing Singapore's infrastructural and financial framework, including the
As Minister for Health, to address issues raised by a greying population, he made the controversial proposal in 1984, to raise the age for the withdrawal of Central Provident Fund (CPF) savings from 55 to 60 years so that Singaporeans will have more money to live on in their old age.
Early life and education
Born in China on 12 August 1923 of Chinese origin,[1] Howe was the son of a liquor shop owner who migrated to Malacca, British Malaya.[2] Howe received his early education at St. Francis Institution in Malacca from 1933 to 1940, and was once a schoolmate of Lee Kuan Yew at Raffles Institution in Singapore.[3] He graduated from Raffles College (now the National University of Singapore) with a Bachelor of Arts with honours degree in economics in 1953.
Civil Service career
Howe had worked in the
In 1960, Howe became the inaugural CEO of the
During his tenure as a senior civil servant, Howe played a leading role in several of Singapore's iconic infrastructural projects like the
Known by his colleagues from the civil service as a fierce, tough-talking man, Howe debated vehemently with former
Howe fought strongly against the extension plans for a second runway at
Howe also fast-tracked the public housing programme while serving as the CEO of HDB under Chairman
Political career
Howe's first call to enter politics came as early as 1953 from Lee Kuan Yew, then a practising lawyer.[2] However, he declined Lee's invitation as he believed that Singapore needed civil servants in light of the repatriation of British forces during the post-World War II period.[3] In 1979, Howe was again persuaded by Prime Minister Lee and Minister for Finance Goh Keng Swee to enter politics, and he eventually agreed.[5]
In 1979, upon being named as a
On 12 February 1979, Howe was sworn into the Cabinet as
In the 1980 Singaporean general election, Howe again defeated Chiam for Potong Pasir,[12] and duly served as the Member of Parliament for the constituency until 1984. However in an election rally, Howe disparaged Chiam on his professional competence and was subsequently sued by Chiam for defamation.[13] Howe offered compensation which Chiam accepted and dropped the case against him.[13]
Howe relinquished his defence post to become the
Howe did not contest the general election in 1984. As a result of Howe's controversial report, the PAP lost 12% of the overall votes in that election, and conceded the Potong Pasir ward to Chiam.[3][17] Howe retired from politics that year.[12]
In a letter of appreciation to Howe on his retirement, the then Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew said he was indebted to Howe for the devoted work he had put in for the people. Lee also predicted that when workers in their 20s and 30s reached their 60s, they would see how difficult it was for children to stretch their salaries to support aged parents. They would then be grateful to Howe for the furore he had stirred by the report on the problems of the aged.[12]
Later years
After leaving politics, Howe returned to DBS as chairman and CEO in 1985 and served until 1990. In 1991, he helped to set up a managed fund, the Mendaki Growth Fund, for the
From 1992 to 2000, he was the Executive Chairman of
On 21 August 2007, Howe died in Singapore from a stroke after having been hospitalised for three weeks.[5] Several of Singapore's leaders, including Prime Ministers Lee Kuan Yew, Goh Chok Tong and Lee Hsien Loong, attended Howe's wake.[11][21] Howe's funeral was held at Mandai Crematorium on 24 August 2007.[9][22]
Honours
In 1963, Howe received a Malaysia Medal and a Pingat Jasa Gemilang (Meritorious Service Medal). For his contributions to Singapore, Howe was awarded a Distinguished Service Order in 1968. In 1971, the National University of Singapore awarded him with the honorary degree of Doctor of Letters (LL.D.).
Howe was also an Honorary Fellow of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore,
Personal life
Howe was married to Wan Fook Yin. They had three children; two sons, Tet Sen and Tze Sen and a daughter, Hwee Siew and two grandchildren at the time of his death.[25]
References
- Today. p. 4.
- ^ a b c d e f g Jeremy Au Yong (22 August 2007). "The reluctant politician". The Straits Times. p. H8.
- ^ a b c d Cai Tiancheng (22 August 2007). "Ex-Minister Howe Yoon Chong dies at 84". Lianhe Zaobao.
- ^ "Notice of condolence from the DBS Group". The Straits Times. 23 August 2007. p. H15.
- ^ a b c d Keith Lin and Lee Hui Chieh (22 August 2007). "Ex-minister Howe Yoon Chong, 84, dies". The Straits Times. p. 3.
- Channel NewsAsia. 22 August 2007. Archivedfrom the original on 24 August 2007. Retrieved 23 August 2007.
- ^ Li Xueying (23 August 2007). "Tribute to Howe Yoon Chong". The Straits Times.
- Today. p. 4.
- ^ a b Jeremy Au Yong (24 August 2007). "MM Lee's tribute to Howe Yoon Chong: 'Man of action' who made Changi Airport a reality". The Straits Times. p. H8.
- Channel NewsAsia. 22 August 2007. Archivedfrom the original on 24 August 2007. Retrieved 23 August 2007.
- ^ a b Li Xueying (23 August 2007). "Leaders pay tribute to a man with far-sighted vision". The Straits Times. p. 3.
- ^ Channel NewsAsia. 21 August 2007. Archivedfrom the original on 23 August 2007. Retrieved 21 August 2007.
- ^ a b "Election remarks; Chiam accepts Howe's apology". eresources.nlb.gov.sg. Retrieved 20 October 2021.
- ISBN 9971-88-022-9.
- ^ "Ex-Minister dies at 84". The New Paper. 22 August 2007.
- Channel NewsAsia. 21 August 2007. Archivedfrom the original on 23 August 2007. Retrieved 21 August 2007.
- ^ a b c Chua Lee Hoong (24 August 2007). "Would Howe Yoon Chong have approved?". The Straits Times. p. 28.
- Channel NewsAsia. 22 August 2007. Archivedfrom the original on 24 August 2007. Retrieved 23 August 2007.
- ^ "Notice of condolence from Great Eastern Holdings Ltd., Great Eastern Life Assurance Co. Ltd. and Great Eastern Life Assurance (Malaysia) Bhd". The Straits Times. 23 August 2007. p. H16.
- ^ "Notices of condolence from Rendezvous Hotel Singapore and Rendezvous Hotels & Resorts International". The Straits Times. 23 August 2007. p. H13.
- Channel NewsAsia. 23 August 2007. Archivedfrom the original on 24 August 2007. Retrieved 23 August 2007.
- ^ Peh Shing Huei (25 August 2007). "A final, private farewell for Howe". The Straits Times. p. H8.
- ^ "Notice of condolence from the Academy of Medicine, Singapore". The Straits Times. 23 August 2007. p. H13.
- ^ "Notice of condolence from the YMCA of Singapore". The Straits Times. 23 August 2007. p. H13.
- ^ "Howe Yoon Chong (obituary)". The Straits Times. 22 August 2007. p. H14.
Notes
- Tommy Koh (2006). ISBN 981-4155-63-2.
- "Howe Yoon Chong 1923–2007". Today. 22 August 2007. p. 1.
- Li Xueying (23 August 2007). "He left his mark on today's top leaders". The Straits Times. p. H7.