S. R. Nathan
S. R. Nathan | |
---|---|
செல்லப்பன் ராமநாதன் | |
6th President of Singapore | |
In office 1 September 1999 – 1 September 2011 | |
Prime Minister | Goh Chok Tong Lee Hsien Loong |
Preceded by | Ong Teng Cheong |
Succeeded by | Tony Tan |
Singapore Ambassador to the United States | |
In office 20 September 1990 – June 1996 | |
President | Wee Kim Wee Ong Teng Cheong |
Preceded by | Tommy Koh |
Succeeded by | Chan Heng Chee |
Singapore High Commissioner to Malaysia | |
In office April 1988 – July 1990 | |
President | Wee Kim Wee |
Director of the Security and Intelligence Division | |
In office August 1971 – February 1979 | |
Prime Minister | Lee Kuan Yew |
Preceded by | Tan Boon Seng |
Succeeded by | Eddie Teo |
Personal details | |
Born | Sellapan Ramanathan 3 July 1924 Independent |
Other political affiliations | People's Action Party (1966–1988) |
Spouse | Urmila Nandey |
Children | 2 |
Alma mater | University of Malaya |
Occupation |
|
Sellapan Ramanathan DUT PJG[1][2] ( /ˈsɛləpən rɑːməˈnɑːðən/; 3 July 1924 – 22 August 2016),[3] often known as S. R. Nathan, was a Singaporean politician and civil servant who served as the sixth president of Singapore between 1999 and 2011. Nathan secured a in an uncontested walkover due to ineligible candidates in both 1999 presidential election and 2005 presidential election. [4] He was the longest-serving president in Singapore's history.
In 2009, Nathan surpassed Benjamin Sheares to become Singapore's longest-serving president. Nathan was reportedly considering for a re-election and decided not to run.
Nathan suffered a stroke on 31 July 2016 and was taken to Singapore General Hospital before he died in the hospital on 22 August 2016, at the age of 92.
Early life and education
Nathan, who was of Tamil Indian descent, was born in Singapore on 3 July 1924. He spent his childhood with his parents, V. Sellapan and Abirami, and two older brothers in Muar, Johor, in a house overlooking the sea.[5] Nathan would eventually be one of seven siblings; his three older brothers died in childhood.[6] His father had been posted to the Malayan town as a lawyer's clerk for a firm that serviced rubber plantations, but the Great Depression and rubber slump of the 1930s sent the family's fortunes crashing. Nathan's father accrued debts and eventually committed suicide when Nathan was eight.[5]
Returning to Singapore, Nathan received his primary education in
Nathan left the Civil Service in 1982 to take up the executive chairmanship of the Straits Times Press; he also held directorships in other companies. Between 1988 and 1996 he served as Singapore's High Commissioner to Malaysia and Ambassador to the United States, before his 12-year term as President of the Republic from 1999 to 2011.
Following retirement, Nathan turned to writing and also became a Distinguished Senior Fellow at the
Among the awards and honours Nathan received were the renamed of
Civil Service career
Nathan began his career in the Singapore Civil Service as a medical social worker in 1955. He was appointed Seamen's Welfare Officer the following year. In 1962, he was seconded to the Labour Research Unit of the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC), first as assistant director and later as director of the Labour Research Unit until January 1966.[5] Nathan negotiated Singapore's membership of the Afro-Asian People's Solidarity Organisation.[6] He later served as a member of the NTUC's Board of Trustees from 1983 to April 1988.[11][12]
In February 1966, Nathan was transferred to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He served as Assistant Secretary and rose to be Deputy Secretary before being appointed Deputy Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs in January 1971. On 6 August of the same year, Nathan moved to the Ministry of Defence where he was Director of the Security and Intelligence Division (SID).[13] In the Laju incident on 31 January 1974, members of the terrorist Japanese Red Army and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine[14] bombed petroleum tanks on Pulau Bukom off the coast of Singapore; Nathan was among a group of government officers who volunteered to be held hostage by the JRA and flown to Kuwait to secure the release of civilian hostages and ensure the terrorists' safe passage.[15][16] For his bravery, in August 1974 he was awarded the Pingat Jasa Gemilang (Meritorious Service Medal).[17]
In February 1979, Nathan returned to the Foreign Ministry and became its First Permanent Secretary until February 1982, when he left to become the Executive Chairman of the newspaper company the
In April 1988 Nathan was appointed Singapore's High Commissioner to Malaysia, and in July 1990 he became
Presidency (1999–2011)
During the
His candidacy was supported by Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew and former President Wee Kim Wee.[5] Nathan succeeded Ong Teng Cheong as the president of Singapore, and was sworn on 1 September 1999.[18]
Nathan launched the annual
During the 2005 presidential election, the Presidential Elections Committee (PEC) declared Nathan as the only eligible candidate on 13 August, rejecting three other applications based on constitutional criteria.[20] Thus, Nathan was elected unopposed for a second term on 17 August 2005.[5] He was sworn in for a second term of office on 1 September 2005,[12] and as of 2016, is the only person who has served two terms as president.[3]
On 21 January 2009, Nathan approved in principle the Government's request to draw $4.9 billion from the nation's
Post–presidency (2011–2016)
On 1 July 2011, Nathan announced that he would not be seeking a third term in office as president. He cited his age as one of the reasons, as he did not believe he could undertake indefinitely the heavy responsibilities and physical demands of the position of head of state at 87. He left office on 1 September that same year and was succeeded by Tony Tan.[23] A few weeks later, on 19 September, his book An Unexpected Journey: Path to the Presidency[9] was launched by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.[24] At the same time, the S. R. Nathan Educational Upliftment Fund was inaugurated to provide bursaries, scholarships and other forms of financial assistance to needy Institute of Technical Education, polytechnic and university students.[25]
As President, Nathan had been the patron of
Personal life
On 15 December 1958, Nathan married Urmila Nandey (born 1929)[28][29] and had one son and one daughter.
Illness and death
Nathan suffered a
As a mark of respect, the Government directed that the National Flag would fly at half-mast from all government buildings from 23 to 26 August. Nathan's body lay in state at Parliament House on 25 August to enable members of the public to pay their respects.[32]
On 26 August, a
The state funeral was followed by a private cremation at Mandai Crematorium.[32]
Legacy
- In 2018, S R Nathan School of Human Development(NSHD) in honor of Singapore's sixth president, Mr S. R. Nathan to recognise his advocacy of social and community causes when he was patron of SUSS.
Honours
In addition to the Pingat Jasa Gemilang (Meritorious Service Medal) he was awarded in 1975 for his actions during the Laju incident, Nathan was conferred the Bintang Bakti Masyarakat (Public Service Star) in 1964 and the Pingat Pentadbiran Awam (Perak) (Public Administration Medal, Silver) in 1967.[5] On 8 August 2013, Nathan was conferred the Darjah Utama Temasek (Order of Temasek) (First Class).[36] On 2006 he was conferred with Order of the Bath.
Nathan, who had been chancellor of NUS from 1999 to 2011 during his presidency, was conferred an Eminent Alumni award by the university in 2007,
Nathan was the Singapore Scout Association's Chief Scout when he was president.[41] He received the Asia-Pacific Regional Distinguished Scout Award in 2005, and the Association's Distinguished Service Award (Gold) in 2010.[5]
Nathan's achievements were also recognised abroad. During a state visit to Bahrain on 22 November 2010 he was given the Al-Khalifa Order,[42] and while on a state visit to Mauritius in June 2011 he was conferred an honorary Doctor of Civil Law (D.C.L.) degree by the University of Mauritius for his contributions to education and culture.[43] In 2012, the Government of India conferred the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman (Overseas Indian Award) to Nathan in recognition of his contribution in building closer links between Singapore and India.[44]
Publications
- Nathan, S. R. (2008), Singapore's Foreign Policy: Beginnings and Future, Singapore: ISBN 978-981-0808-34-1.
- Nathan, S. R. (2010), Tan, Bernard T. G.; Wee, Seo Lay (eds.), Why Am I Here?: Overcoming Hardships of Local Seafarers, Singapore: Centre for Maritime Studies, ISBN 978-981-0850-91-3.
- Nathan, S. R.; Auger, Timothy (2011), An Unexpected Journey: Path to the Presidency, Singapore: Editions Didier Millet, ISBN 978-981-4260-73-2.
- Nathan, S. R. (2011), Winning against the Odds: The Labour Research Unit in NTUC's Founding, Singapore: ISBN 978-981-4266-87-1.
- Nathan, S. R. (2013), The Crane and the Crab, Singapore: ISBN 978-981-0735-90-6.
- Nathan, S. R.; Auger, Timothy (2013), S. R. Nathan: 50 Stories from My Life, Singapore: ISBN 978-981-4385-34-3.
- Nathan, S. R.; Auger, Timothy (2015), S. R. Nathan in Conversation with Timothy Auger, Singapore: Editions Didier Millet, ISBN 978-981-4610-03-2.
References
- ^ "S'pore former president S R Nathan conferred Order of Temasek, First Class". Channel NewsAsia. Archived from the original on 12 August 2013. Retrieved 11 August 2013.
- from the original on 20 November 2018. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
- ^ Today, 22 August 2016, archived from the originalon 22 August 2016.
- ^ "Former president S R Nathan dies, aged 92".
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Alvin Chua (2011), S. R. Nathan, Singapore Infopedia, National Library Board, archived from the original on 31 October 2013.
- ^ a b c d Rachel Chang (23 August 2016), "An exceptional life spurred on by call of duty", The Straits Times, pp. A4–A5, archived from the original on 25 August 2016.
- ^ Zuraidah Ibrahim; Lydia Lim ) (22 August 1999), "He ran away from home when he was 16", The Straits Times (reproduced on the Ministry of Education, Singapore, archived from the original on 17 July 2007
- ^ Goh Chin Lian (5 December 2008), Youth see different side of President, AsiaOne, archived from the original on 14 October 2012.
- ^ ISBN 978-981-426073-2.
- ISBN 9789814385343.
- Channel NewsAsia, 23 August 2016, archived from the originalon 24 August 2016.
- ^ The Istana, 25 January 2013, archived from the originalon 10 April 2016.
- ^ "Civil service reshuffle", The Straits Times, p. 10, 6 August 1971.
- ^ "The late former president S R Nathan's role in Laju incident: 7 things to know", The Straits Times, 24 August 2016, archived from the original on 25 August 2016.
- ^ "N-Day honours for Laju heroes", The Straits Times, p. 1, 9 August 1974.
- ^ "Nathan to join Straits Times board ... and will be nominated to be executive chairman", The Straits Times, pp. 1 and 11, 8 February 1982.
- ^ Yap Boh Tiong (10 February 1974), "Hijackers say: We are sorry", The Straits Times, p. 1; "Two get awards at ceremony", The Straits Times, p. 1, 11 January 1975.
- ^ S R Nathan is elected President of Singapore: 18 August 1999, HistorySG, National Library Board, 2014, archived from the original on 2 May 2015; "In pictures: The life of former president S R Nathan", The Straits Times, archived from the original on 24 August 2016, retrieved 23 August 2016.
- ^ Introduction, President's Challenge, 2010, archived from the original on 27 March 2016.
- Elections Department, 13 August 2005, archived from the original(PDF) on 22 August 2016.
- ^ Zakir Hussain (23 January 2009), "A Budget first: Govt to draw $4.9b from past reserves", The Straits Times; "Concerns about economy go back to mid-2008: President makes public for first time his decision to allow use of reserves", The Straits Times, 18 February 2009; Chua Mui Hoong (20 February 2009), "Turning of the second key went smoothly", The Straits Times.
- ^ Supply Act 2009: Constitution of the Republic of Singapore (Gazette Notification No. 628/2009 dated 13 March 2009) and Supplementary Supply (FY 2008) Act 2009: Constitution of the Republic of Singapore (Gazette Notification No. 629/2009 dated 13 March 2009): see Jeremy Au Yong (13 March 2009), "President gives formal approval for draw on past reserves", The Straits Times.
- ^ President Nathan not seeking third term in office, Channel NewsAsia, 1 July 2011, archived from the original on 4 July 2011, retrieved 1 July 2011.
- ^ Former president S. R. Nathan launches memoirs, AsiaOne, 19 September 2011, archived from the original on 25 August 2016.
- ^ About the S R Nathan Educational Upliftment Fund, Community Foundation of Singapore, 2016, archived from the original on 25 August 2016; Pearl Lee (23 August 2016), "A champion of the less privileged and an advocate for inclusivity", The Straits Times, p. A8, archived from the original on 25 August 2016.
- ^ Mr S.R. Nathan shares insights with Social Sciences students, Singapore Management University, 1 April 2013, archived from the original on 3 September 2018, retrieved 25 August 2016.
- ^ Pearl Lee (24 August 2016), "He reached out to various faith and community groups: Nathan remembered for efforts to foster multiracialism and inter-religious harmony", The Straits Times, p. A5, archived from the original on 25 August 2016.
- ^ "He ran away from home when he was 16 , Politics News & Top Stories - the Straits Times". Archived from the original on 14 January 2018. Retrieved 13 January 2018.
- ^ "MRS Nathan: A picture of grace even in her moment of sorrow, Politics News & Top Stories - the Straits Times". Archived from the original on 20 January 2018. Retrieved 13 January 2018.
- ^ Lee Min Kok; Chong Zi Liang; Yuen Sin (1 August 2016), "Former president S R Nathan in critical condition at SGH after suffering a stroke", The Straits Times, archived from the original on 1 August 2016, retrieved 31 July 2016.
- ^ "Sellapan Ramanathan (S. R. Nathan) [obituary]", The Straits Times, p. A9, 23 August 2016; Felicia Choo (22 August 2016), "Former president S R Nathan's family at SGH; Mrs Nathan holding up well, says daughter Juthika", The Straits Times, archived from the original on 23 August 2016.
- ^ a b "State flag to fly at half-mast; public can pay last respects on Thursday", The Straits Times, p. A3, 23 August 2016, archived from the original on 24 August 2016.
- ^ State Funeral Procession for S R Nathan to pass significant landmarks, Channel NewsAsia, 25 August 2016, archived from the original on 25 August 2016.
- ^ Zakir Hussain (27 August 2016), "'Few answered nation's call so often, and served so well': PM Lee pays tribute to ex-president's 'abiding sense of duty' at state funeral to honour his life of service", The Straits Times, p. A1, archived from the original on 27 August 2016.
- ^ "Love for music and movies", The Straits Times, p. A8, 27 August 2016, archived from the original on 27 August 2016.
- ^ Sharon See; S. Ramesh (9 August 2013), S'pore former president S R Nathan conferred Order of Temasek, First Class, Channel NewsAsia, archived from the original on 25 August 2016, retrieved 22 August 2016.
- ^ "Nathan given Eminent Alumni award by NUS", Today, p. 4, 30 June 2007.
- ^ Citation by Professor Brenda Yeoh, Dean, NUS Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Public Orator for Mr S R Nathan, Honorary Degree Recipient at the National University of Singapore (NUS) Commencement 2012, 5 July 2012, 11 am, NUS University Cultural Centre (PDF), National University of Singapore, 5 July 2012, archived from the original (PDF) on 25 August 2016; Former President S R Nathan receives honorary doctorate, National University of Singapore, 5 July 2012, archived from the original on 22 September 2015.
- ^ Chitra Kumar (15 July 2014), Former President Nathan conferred honorary doctorate at SMU: SMU confers honorary doctorates to former President S R Nathan and Professor Katherine Schipper, describing them as "extraordinaire personalities" (PDF), Channel NewsAsia (reproduced on the SMU website), archived (PDF) from the original on 17 February 2020, retrieved 25 August 2016; Honorary Degree Citation: Mr. S. R. Nathan (PDF), Singapore Management University, 14 July 2014, archived from the original (PDF) on 25 August 2016.
- Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, National University of Singapore, 2015, archived from the originalon 25 August 2016.
- ^ "Singapore Scout Association to set up fund in Nathan's name", Today, 25 August 2016, archived from the original on 25 August 2016.
- ^ Ministry of Foreign Affairs press statement: State Visit of President S R Nathan to the Kingdom of Bahrain 22–24 November 2010, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 22 November 2010, archived from the original on 25 August 2016.
- ^ MFA press statement: State Visit of President S R Nathan to the Republic of Mauritius, 4–7 June 2011, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 3 June 2011, archived from the original on 4 November 2015.
- ^ "Top honour for ex-Singapore president S.R. Nathan", Business Standard, 9 August 2013, archived from the original on 30 June 2016.
Further reading
- Lee, Siew Hua (19 October 2007), "President's tip on ageing: Don't think about it", The Straits Times, p. 29.
- Yap, Sonny; Lim, Richard; Leong, Weng Kam (2009), Men in White – The Untold Story of Singapore's Ruling Political Party, Singapore: ISBN 978-981-4266-24-6.
External links
- Official website of The Istana and the President of the Republic of Singapore
- Official website of the President's Challenge