Tribute to Former President of Singapore, The Late Mr SR Nathan

Mdm Speaker: Order. On behalf of the House, I would like to place on record the demise of Mr SR Nathan, former President of Singapore, on 22 August 2016.

It was with a heavy heart that I received and then bade farewell to Mr Nathan on 25 and 26 August respectively at Parliament House.

Mr SR Nathan was no stranger to this august Chamber. As Elected President, he delivered the President's Address at the Second Session of the 9th Parliament, and also at the First and Second Sessions of the 10th and 11th Parliament.

When he began his first term of office as the Elected President, the then Senior Minister Mr Lee Kuan Yew wrote to him to give this advice: "Never try to be what you are not. If you can keep this position and tone for the next six years, you will do Singapore proud." He had followed this advice throughout his two terms of office and had, indeed, made Singapore proud during his Presidency. He also had a most distinguished career in both the trade unions and civil service.

The title of his memoirs, "An Unexpected Journey: Path to the Presidency", aptly captures the humility and that rare common touch that he so well epitomised but which has escaped many a leader. His is a story of a runaway boy who was determined to return home once he had established himself in life. Working through his wits in the Public Works Department in Muar, Johor, he had his first opportunity to work with the unions, an experience that was to come in handy in later years.

With a diploma in Social Studies from the University of Malaya, Mr Nathan began his career in the civil service, starting off as a hospital social worker and moving on to become Seamen's Welfare Officer and, later, landing himself in the Amalgamated Union of Public Employees. Mr Nathan and Mr Hsu Tse Kwang were seconded to the Labour Research Unit of the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) to help build it up. Mr Lee Kuan Yew had recommended his secondment, and a lifelong relationship based on confidence and trust developed between the two men.

Mr Nathan's career then took him to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and then the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF), where he was to be the Director of the Security and Intelligence Division (SID), holding the rank of Permanent Secretary. It was during this period that Singaporeans came to know about Mr Nathan, when he volunteered himself to be one of the hostages in exchange for the release of the other Singaporeans held by the Japanese and Palestinian terrorists who had hijacked the ferry "Laju".

After his retirement from the civil service, Mr Nathan joined the Straits Times Press Group to see that the local newspapers were properly managed, developing a core of competent local journalists who could understand Singapore's circumstances and the problem of nation-building.

His services to the nation were again needed when he was called upon to assume responsibility as Singapore's High Commissioner to Malaysia where he defended Singapore's position on many issues, including that of military facilities for the United States (US) in Singapore. In his next challenging posting in Washington, he robustly defended Singapore's position on the punishment meted out to the American teenager, Michael Fay, for acts of vandalism committed in Singapore.

After his return from Washington, he was requested to head the Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies (IDSS). Touching base with other international think tanks, Mr Nathan helped build a global reputation for IDSS, which is now a core research unit of the S Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS).

Mr Nathan's path to the Presidency was paved by the late Mr Lee Kuan Yew. According to Mr Nathan, he received a telephone call from Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew around 11.00 pm sometime in 1996. He was subsequently told that he was one of those being considered for the Presidency. Mr Nathan was elected unopposed and sworn in as our sixth President on 1 September 1999.

Mr Nathan had a humble disposition and a deep abiding desire to help the less fortunate in society, which drove him to set up the President's Challenge to involve the community in helping the less fortunate. The President's Challenge is now an established institution and enjoys the strong support and patronage of our current President and all Singaporeans.

Mr Nathan was equally at home with ordinary citizens and those who held high positions, and always had kind words for everyone, extending help whenever he could. He kept himself active even till the last days of his life, letting his conscience be his compass in all the decisions that he had to make.

By any measure, Mr Nathan had led an extraordinary life and was an exemplary citizen. I hope that his life story will not just find a place in our history books but will inspire successive generations of Singaporeans. The values that he had held are timeless. His belief in the importance of multiracialism and his personal journey recording a life filled with hard work, resilience and a deep and abiding love for Singapore are great lessons for our young. He rose to the occasion every time the nation needed him.

When I became Speaker of Parliament in 2013, Mr Nathan sent me a personal, handwritten note in which he said: "Nothing gave Mrs Nathan and me greater joy than the news of your appointment as Speaker of Parliament" and he concluded by saying that he prayed that "God will be with you as you undertake your new responsibilities". Such was the measure of the man. He had walked among kings and presidents, but he remained fully rooted to the ground, never losing his bearings and keeping his humanity to the end.

The House records with deep regret the passing of one of our esteemed sons of Singapore, Mr SR Nathan. On behalf of all Members, I wish to express our deepest sympathies and condolences to the family of the late Mr SR Nathan, our former President.

I would also like to welcome Mrs Nathan and all other family members to Parliament.

Leader of the House.

12.08 pm

The Leader of the House (Ms Grace Fu Hai Yien): Mdm Speaker, Singapore has lost one of its finest sons, and one of its most inspiring and illustrious public servants. I extend my deepest condolences to the family of Mr Nathan.

Throughout his life, Mr Nathan lived by a simple code based on an unyielding sense of duty to the nation. "Duty – to friends and family, to my fellow men, to country – is paramount to my view of life, and I have tried my best to live up to this ethic." This is what Mr Nathan said, reflecting on his path to the Presidency.

Nothing demonstrates this better than the "Laju" incident in 1974. Mr Nathan risked his life to lead a team of Singapore officials to accompany the hijackers to Kuwait. Thanks to his courage, quick thinking and calm temperament, the Singaporean hostages were released, and no innocent lives were lost. Many Singaporeans were unaware of Mr Nathan's role in this episode until recently. With his passing, he has become a hero for a new generation.

Mr Nathan was a public servant for almost 60 years. As a young medical social worker, he fought poverty and sickness in the community. He went on to win the trust of workers and unions in Singapore's turbulent years. Later, he contributed to the development of Singapore in several key capacities, including two postings to MINDEF as Director of the SID, and to MFA, as High Commissioner to Malaysia and Ambassador to the US respectively.

Time and again, Mr Nathan was entrusted with important responsibilities. He was known as a man who will get the job done. In 1979, when he was appointed Permanent Secretary at MFA, he was given an ultimatum of two years to raise standards in the Ministry, failing which, the Prime Minister intended to disband MFA and make it a part of the Prime Minister's Department. The Prime Minister was not disappointed. Mr Nathan implemented decisive reforms and set high standards that are still upheld in today's MFA.

Mr Nathan's accomplishments as a diplomat would later hold him in good stead. I had the opportunity to accompany Mr and Mrs Nathan on a State Visit to Japan in 2009. I was impressed by how he won everyone over with his sincerity and easy demeanour, while maintaining the dignity of a Head of State. These qualities were undoubtedly honed over his years in the Foreign Service. But they must ultimately have come from within, from a genuine and authentic place in his heart.

Mr Nathan was a public-spirited man and a leader in the Indian community. As Chair of the Hindu Endowments Board (HEB) in the 1980s, he was instrumental in developing good governance standards for the HEB and ensuring it served the modern needs of the Hindu community. He was also a founding member of the Singapore Indian Development Association (SINDA). Throughout his career, Mr Nathan consistently wielded his best qualities and displayed his strongest commitment to building an outstanding Public Service that would stand the test of time. We owe him a great debt.

Mdm Speaker, Mr Nathan is perhaps best remembered for his role as Singapore's third President with an Elected President's powers, our longest-serving President, serving two terms from 1999 to 2011.

As a minority race President, Mr Nathan embodied the best of multiracial Singapore. He was a friend to all Singaporeans, regardless of race or faith. When he was sworn in as President in 1999, he said, "I will be a President for all Singaporeans, with every community of Singaporeans as my parish".

Indeed, Mr Nathan's warm embrace of Singaporeans across different races and religions and all strata of society is what all of us will remember fondly. He connected effortlessly with others from all backgrounds and was a familiar presence at countless events, big and small. He also had a talent for remembering names and faces, including the names of one's family members. He always made time for others, even as he occupied the highest office in the land.

Another of Mr Nathan's enduring legacies is the President's Challenge. Since 2000, it has raised about $160 million to help the less fortunate. And with his patronage of more than 30 organisations, including the Singapore Children's Society, the Boy Scouts and Boys' Brigade, Mr Nathan was a President who had the people's interests at heart.

Mr Nathan helped steer Singapore through our ups and downs with a steady hand. During his 12-year Presidency, we experienced the Asian Financial Crisis in 1997, and recessions in 2001 and 2008. Mr Nathan was focused on the need for Singaporeans to stay united as a people, and forge ahead as one nation. He made this rallying call each of the five times he addressed the Opening session of Parliament.

Mr Nathan also made important decisions as a steward of our Reserves. He approved the use of past Reserves to fund land-related projects, and the Net Investment Returns framework, which allows the Government a prudent use of the returns on our investments, for the benefit of Singaporeans. During the 2008 Financial Crisis, Mr Nathan decisively sanctioned the unprecedented use of Reserves to partially fund the $20.5 billion Resilience Package. Singapore's economy duly recovered and, by 2011, two years after his decision, the Government returned the sum to the past Reserves.

Mr Nathan did not make these decisions lightly. He consulted closely with his Council of Presidential Advisers. He would ask questions and express his independent views. His former Principal Private Secretary, Mr Tan Eng Beng, shared how Mr Nathan would meticulously examine every item put up by the Government before making his decision. In all things, he discharged his duties with the utmost diligence and did full justice to his role as President. Mdm Speaker, I will now say a few words in Mandarin.

(In Mandarin): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] Whenever we think about former President Nathan, his amicable and friendly smile immediately comes to mind. Mr Nathan was the people's President. He was also an outstanding civil servant. When he was serving at MFA, he initiated decisive reforms and raised the standards of MFA.

During the Laju hijacking incident in 1974, Mr Nathan, then working at MINDEF, led a team of his colleagues to accompany the terrorists during their departure from Singapore in place of the hostages. With his outstanding wit and courage, he managed to protect the safety of Singaporeans. Mr Nathan dedicated himself to the country and devoted his life to the people. He is a role model for all public servants.

When Mr Nathan was sworn in as President, he promised to look after every community in Singapore and to become a President for all Singaporeans. During his 12-year presidency, Mr Nathan fulfilled this promise impeccably. Coming from a humble background, Mr Nathan constantly had the people's interests at heart. The President's Challenge, which he set up in 2000, encourages people to give back to the society. So far, it has raised about $160 million and has helped numerous Singaporeans.

When Singapore was hit by the Financial Crisis, Mr Nathan, with thorough deliberation, acted decisively and approved the Government to tap on national Reserves, leading to the timely launch of the Resilience Package, which enabled a quick recovery for our economy.

Mr Nathan championed the Singapore spirit of "one united people regardless of race, language or religion". He actively participated in events by various communities and groups and warmly engaged people from all strata of society.

Mr Nathan was also very close to the Chinese community, actively participating in and supporting various charity and community events. Mr Nathan presided over the opening ceremony for events, such as the River Hongbao, Singapore Chinese Cultural Festival and the Mid-Autumn Festival by the River. In support of charitable causes, Mr Nathan demonstrated his calligraphy skills on many occasions. The numerous precious calligraphy pieces he had left us embodied his support for Chinese culture.

Mr Nathan was very committed to racial and religious harmony, calling on Singaporeans to unite as one people and forge ahead together when he gave speeches in Parliament.

On behalf of my Parliamentary colleagues, I would like to convey our condolences to Mrs Nathan and the family. Let us remember Mr Nathan. Let us salute this extraordinary Pioneer and let us bid farewell to a son of Singapore.

(In English): As President, Mr Nathan came to represent the pragmatism of the rugged Pioneer Generation, and the promise of a compassionate and cohesive society. In him, we see a reflection of what we should all aspire to in our lives: the determination to succeed against the odds, the generosity of spirit shown to people from all walks of life and a deep sense of duty to nation.

In the final words of his memoirs, Mr Nathan had this to say: "Ultimately, in all the decisions I was called upon to make, my conscience was my compass". May all of us be similarly guided by our conscience as we honour his memory and strive for a Singapore that is worthy of his extraordinary service to this nation.

Mdm Speaker: Mr Christopher de Souza.

12.20 pm

Mr Christopher de Souza (Holland-Bukit Timah): Madam, when Mr SR Nathan shook your hand, you felt his warmth. When shaking your hand, he would often also place his other hand, his left hand on your wrist. It was a warm handshake.

When there was a person who joined the group, Mr Nathan would use his left hand to reach out to that person and hold his hand. He would engage two people, holding their hands. He used every fibre in his body to connect with you, and you felt it. He would recall shared memories so as to bring you further into his fold, further into his conversation. You felt cared for. I did. But it was not only warm, fuzzy feelings with Mr Nathan. He made sure you got his point, especially so when he thought standards needed to be improved. In that area, Mr Nathan was a standard bearer.

I remember on a State Visit to Istanbul in 2009, Mr Nathan called for a meeting at the end of the trip. We thought it would be an internal debrief with the political delegation accompanying him. It was not. He called for the whole delegation to be present and asked for the representatives from the private sector and the Statutory Boards to be present.

I remember the scene vividly. It was in a small conference room at the hotel we were staying in which overlooked the calm Bosphorus Strait. But Mr Nathan's message was far from calm or serene. He asked why some representatives from the Statutory Boards and companies left the trip early before it ended. He got straight to the issue. I remember him saying, "You may think the socials are not important, but they are important. Staying back discussing and engaging with your hosts are how we make Singapore relevant. I have come here to do that. Send this message back to those who left the trip early."

Although the political delegation was not Mr Nathan's target audience, his message was nonetheless relevant to us. The point he was making was this: on national duties, you better give it your best. Nothing less is sufficient. That is what standard bearers do. They maintain standards for a cause. Mr Nathan's cause was Singapore.

In a military battle, a standard bearer is a soldier who bears the colours, the flag of the formation or the army. For as long as that flag flies, it means that there is a man carrying it and the whole force deploys itself toward a common goal – victory. In so doing, the force of soldiers musters all its capability to live up to the highest standards it has come to require of itself. Nothing short of its best.

The force that Singapore is, and her Singaporeans, require high standards of ourselves, because we have had a band of standard bearers who soldiered ahead of us, leading by example. In that band were men like Mr Lee Kuan Yew, Dr Goh Keng Swee and Mr Hon Sui Sen. In my view, Mr SR Nathan is part of that original band of men. These men set the standards early.

What then is our role as Members in this House, as Singaporeans in our workplaces or as Singaporeans in our homes or abroad? It is to maintain these standards and improve them. Then, these standards become living standards, not set in stone or in history, but standards that are alive and shapeable.

Madam, like many Members of this House, I had the privilege of listening to President Nathan's Addresses at the Opening of a new Parliament or after it had been prorogued. Some longer-serving Members would have heard Mr Nathan speak in this House more times than I have. For Mr Nathan served in office for a term longer than any other President. I studied his Addresses, five in total – one before the turn of the century and four after. Those speeches were key landmarks on the trajectories of governmental policy as we moved into the 21st century and through to 2011.

True to his own beliefs, the Addresses always harked back to the need for policy to positively impact the Singaporean, his family and the opportunities. In fact, Mr Nathan stated in his 1999 Address to this House, "People will be the major focus of my Government's policy for our citizens to develop their full potential". He then addressed the idea of differing views, exhorted us to debate, but, and here I quote, "always with a view to determining what is best for Singapore".

Those Presidential Addresses were important. But also of significance was the debate we had in this House in 2009 to draw $4.9 billion from past Reserves to help fund the Resilience Package to preserve jobs and businesses during the massive Financial Crisis.

The ballast of the man, as well as the moral authority of his Office, were significant in giving me the assurance that Mr Nathan would not turn the second key unless he was convinced of the merits of the Resilience Package. Both keys must suffer the scrutiny of an Election or a potential Election. That gives mandate moral authority.

In the end, that mechanism turned in Singapore's favour. Mr Nathan was right in his analysis. Singapore got out of the rut sooner than expected. In fact, in his 2009 Address to Parliament, Mr Nathan stated: "We could take decisive measures to help companies and workers to save jobs, we did not have to borrow. Having steadily built up Reserves, we could draw on them and, with my approval, fund the Jobs Credit scheme and Special Risk-Sharing Initiative".

Mr Nathan possessed broad shoulders, and the deep internal reservoir needed to make tough macro decisions, but he also had a personal generous heart that endeared many racial communities, majority and minority, to him and to what he stood for.

The Singaporean-Eurasian community felt part of his plot. We never felt small with him. He was completely at ease in a Eurasian setting. He visited and engaged the community often at the Eurasian Community House and loved Eurasian food, especially our almond sugee cake for dessert. It was a historical camaraderie. Many Eurasians served alongside him in the civil service and in the security services, especially in the early years of Independence, but he was also focused on the future of the community, especially in ensuring Eurasian school-going children were doing well.

At one meeting, Mr Nathan told the community, "Please ensure that no Eurasian child is deprived of a proper education". He went on to say, "if there was a finance issue, inform me and I will help to source funds". Indeed, he did. He learnt of a family who needed help beyond what the Eurasian Association was already providing – a mother, widowed, the sole breadwinner, with three children. Mr Nathan asked if he could personally help the family. He paid towards the first child's university fees for three years and asked to donate in advance for the second sibling who was just completing National Service. The family was deeply touched. What a man to have as our Head of State.

After he stepped down as President in 2011, I asked to visit Mr and Mrs Nathan in their home at Ceylon Road. I brought a basket of fruits and a card. The card was for both Mr and Mrs Nathan to thank them for their example, commitment and their unfailing sense of service. Mrs Nathan was always there for him. That was the purpose of the visit – to thank him.

Mr Nathan then spoke to me about Singapore, full of passion and rigour. He was already 87 then but was ever the mentor. Mr Nathan had a handwritten note delivered to me the next day. My wife and I shall continue to cherish that note very much.

Last month, I visited Mr Nathan in hospital. This time, it was my turn to encourage and to pray. The handshake, the deep internal reservoir, the tough decisions, the pointed messages, his warmth.

I close, Madam, by returning to the standard bearer on the battlefield. If the soldier flying the colours is wounded or dies, the man closest to him flies the flag, refusing to allow it to touch the ground. Who is that man closest to that standard bearer? That man is all of us. All Singaporeans and our children. Count on us, Sir.

Mdm Speaker: Ms Sylvia Lim.

12.31 pm

Ms Sylvia Lim (Aljunied): Mdm Speaker, on Monday, 22 August 2016, I was at the Seventh Month dinner at Serangoon Gardens. At just after 10.00 pm, someone at a neighbouring table showed me her phone, carrying the news that President SR Nathan had passed away. My immediate thoughts were: how typical of him. August had been an extremely busy month for national events, what with the National Day Parade and celebrating our athletes' achievements at the Rio Olympics. It may have been a sheer coincidence, but he passed away just after the National Day Rally, as if to ensure that his death would not disrupt the national calendar nor pose an inconvenience to the country's leaders.

Much has already been said about President Nathan's career in public service. When Singapore was forced out of Malaysia in 1965, the survival and future of Singapore was by no means assured. During Mr Nathan's time in the Ministry of the Interior and Defence (MID), he and my father got to know each other, as my father was in the first batch of officers in a very young army. They and their colleagues worked voraciously alongside the late Dr Goh Keng Swee to build our defences and lay the foundation for Singapore to stand tall in the world. I was a young child then. I would occasionally go with my father to army camps and wait for him while he worked on such matters.

Although my personal recollection of Mr Nathan from those days is very hazy, I distinctly recall my father describing him as a person with "absolute loyalty" to our then Prime Minister, the late Mr Lee Kuan Yew. Working together in those testing times must have built lasting bonds among the Pioneer Generation. I understood recently from a mutual friend of theirs that, while Mr Nathan and my father were quite different in temperament, they, nevertheless, enjoyed very cordial relations founded on mutual respect. Unfortunately, my father is today unable to help me prepare more adequately for this Tribute as he is advanced in years and weakened by illness, as are many in that generation.

When I became a Non-Constituency Member of Parliament in 2006, Mr Nathan was in office as President. Although he never explicitly said so, I believe he took a special interest in me because of his friendship with my father. When I would encounter President Nathan at various events, he consistently made the effort to seek me out to have a word with him, sending his aides scurrying to locate me in the crowd.

I remember one occasion when he was guest-of-honour at Temasek Polytechnic where I used to work. That day, I was not involved in the programme the President was officiating at, as it was, as one would say, "above my pay grade". Out of nowhere, one of the senior management called me on the phone frantically and asked, "Where are you now? The President has requested to talk to you." I went over and met President Nathan, much to the relief of the event organisers who generally do not like surprises. And what did the President want? Nothing more than to say "hello" and to spend a few moments together shooting the breeze.

Despite his tight schedule entertaining monarchs, presidents and prime ministers, President Nathan made much effort to reach out to the rest of us. Once in a while, he would invite me to the Istana for small group lunches. At such times, the depth of his diplomatic experience and his understanding of the world shone through.

On one such occasion, one in the lunch group was sharing some observations he had made about political leaders in another country he had just visited. This person had concluded that one of the ministers there was not up to the mark, as the minister had remained silent throughout an official meeting with Singapore's high-level delegation. This drew a swift rebuttal from President Nathan, who proceeded to give all of us a primer into the way governmental power was organised in that particular country and why a minister there would deliberately remain silent in certain contexts. By the time lunch was over, President Nathan had not only shown his depth of world view but had simultaneously put some of us in our places, diplomatically, of course.

President Nathan's knack for remembering the personal details of others shone even in death. When his body was lying in state at Parliament House on 25 August, the Workers' Party Members of Parliament queued to pay our respects. We were then kindly marshalled to meet Mrs Nathan who was sitting behind the screen. When Mrs Nathan saw Mr Low Thia Khiang, she queried, "Can I ask you a question? Were you a teacher?" Apparently, she had been having arguments with her husband over this and wanted to clarify the matter once and for all. When she saw Assoc Prof Daniel Goh, Mrs Nathan remarked, "You are the newest one".

Madam, when I first learnt of Mr Nathan's death, I uploaded on Facebook a photograph taken at the Istana of President Nathan looking me in the eye and shaking my hand. A member of the public later posted a caption of the photograph which read: "All citizens are equal; respect each other". While few of us would consider ourselves equal to a President, Mr Nathan made us feel that way.

President Nathan was an integral part of the Pioneer Generation. I shall miss his grace.

Mdm Speaker: Mr Pritam Singh.

12.37 pm

Mr Pritam Singh (Aljunied): Mdm Speaker, like many younger Singaporeans, I am of a generation that grew up with President Nathan when he became President and took on a significantly more public persona. His passing, however, was also an opportunity to remember his immense courage in service of Singapore. Specifically, his role and that of his compatriots in the Laju incident bears witness to traits any young Singaporean would look up to proudly.

I only ever met the President twice: the first during the Cabinet Swearing-in Ceremony in 2011, and once more, two years later, at a Lions XII football game at the Jalan Besar Stadium, just a few games short of the team's crowning as Malaysia Super League Champions. I went to the stadium with my wife and as we walked along the grandstand section, I heard some voices calling out. It took a while to confirm where they were coming from. I was surprised to see President Nathan, who was chatting with the then Minister-in-charge of Sports, Mr Lawrence Wong. As I made my way to where President Nathan was seated, the President joked that, having recently gotten married, I appeared to be more interested to sit alone with my wife and had, therefore, chosen to ignore him when he was calling out to me! I protested, of course. President Nathan smiled, took my hand and invited my wife and I to sit next to him.

Throughout the match, President Nathan did not make things intimidating or uncomfortable. He would occasionally lean over to query why the referee had made a certain decision or why play was being stopped when a tackle or infringement seemed innocuous. A telling moment, however, came when Johor, who were already leading from an early goal, nearly extended their lead as the Lions pressed for an equaliser. As the stadium gasped, President Nathan, with the critical eye of a coach, pointed out to me the Lions XII player who lost concentration and was dispossessed of the ball close to the middle of the pitch. It was an eyebrow raising observation because 10 or 15 passes had elapsed between the player he was referring to losing possession and the chance that was created by the Johor team. In a very different context and in a rather unanticipated way, I bore witness to his eye for detail and his ability to focus on the issues that mattered, traits for which he was widely known for in the Public Service.

The most unforgettable incident of the night came shortly before the game ended when President Nathan's words were marked by a palpable seriousness. He said, "You must always look after the interests of Singaporeans and Singapore." At no point did he raise any doubts or concerns about serving Singapore in a different colour, cause or capacity. It was clear what motivated him all his life. President Nathan's simple words and the lyrics of his favourite Tamil song, "Taking Sand from Tanjore", which was played at his State Funeral, remind us that regardless of our differences, we are one people and must remain so.

Mdm Speaker: Ms Chia Yong Yong.

12.41 pm

Ms Chia Yong Yong (Nominated Member): Madam, great is the man remembered for his legacy, above his achievements. Greater is he remembered for his goodness, above his legacy.

Mr Nathan was such a man. He said, "I've done the best I can. If it's good enough for some, 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."

And, so, he did. He showed us what it meant to do the best he could, to rise to the call of duty, indeed, to go beyond the call of duty. I remember when Mr Nathan was honoured by the Social Innovation Park (SIP) as an SIP Distinguished Fellow in 2014, he was asked again why he volunteered to be one of the hostages in the Laju hostage incident. Did he not fear for his safety? Did he not worry for his family with young children? How heroic! From his wheelchair, his reply was matter of fact, understated and brief. He said he was not a hero. There was no time to lose, the stakes were high, you had to do what you had to do.

He showed us what it meant to be a son of Singapore. Mr Nathan's vision was of Singapore being a compassionate nation of Singaporeans conscious of those who were less fortunate around them and graciously helping fellow Singaporeans. Way before Singaporeans became familiar with terms like "inclusiveness" and understanding invisible "disabilities", Mr Nathan understood.

He said back then, "As a society that is developing rapidly, we cannot ignore the plight of the less fortunate segment of our population. It is important for every Singaporean to be always mindful that there is someone, somewhere who needs our help. If we can help to reduce their pain, distress and burden, we would have made a difference and lived our lives in a meaningful way."

Mr Nathan lived his life in more than a meaningful way. Unlike many, he did not just talk. He had been a man for the community from the start. He was a medical social worker and a Seaman's Welfare Officer. His career path led him to various organisations and positions as he rose through the ranks, but he was never far from working for the people, with the people.

We, in the social service sector, should always remember his admonition to have the "heart and soul" for the sector as we serve those who are less advantaged. Indeed, Mr Nathan's heart remained with the people right through his Presidency, and I believe, after. The now iconic President's Challenge was his personal call to Singaporeans of all ages, from all walks of life to strengthen our philanthropic tradition and the spirit of community caring and volunteerism. He firmly believed, "That voluntary effort that people do, out of compassion, is much more important than all the money that we raised." The heart and soul of the social service sector for the people who are less advantaged.

Mr Nathan had been indefatigable, resolute at rising above adverse circumstances, doing his utmost in serving others, in advancing the fledging nation and, subsequently reaching the country's highest office where still more he gave. Through it all, he never forgot us, he never forgot those who were vulnerable in our society. Will we have more of such sons of Singapore? We must, and we will. He has blazed the way for us and we will follow.

We thank Mrs Nathan and the family for sharing Mr Nathan with Singapore. His passing is a great loss to us, but he leaves with us a legacy of courage, of intelligence, of love for his country and his people.

Great is the man remembered for his legacy above his achievements. Greater is he, remembered for his goodness above his legacy. Mr Nathan was a good man. And Mr Nathan, we celebrate your life. Thank you, and rest in peace.

Mdm Speaker: Ms Rahayu Mahzam.

12.46 pm

Ms Rahayu Mahzam (Jurong): Mdm Speaker, allow me to deliver my speech in Malay.

(In Malay): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] Singapore lost a leader and community icon who was very much loved. Our former President, Mr SR Nathan was the sixth President of Singapore and held office for two terms. Mr Nathan's warm and friendly demeanour made people feel very comfortable with him. During his term as the President, he managed to win the hearts of all our people.

In his speeches as the President, he always spoke about the importance of social cohesion. He urged all of us to continue to preserve the harmony among the different races and religions, and also constantly called on us to stay united whenever we faced challenges. He was very concerned about the wellbeing of those who are less fortunate. Hence, our former President established the President's Challenge to encourage the spirit of being concerned and the spirit of volunteerism amongst our people.

As we mourn the loss of a much-loved leader of the people, we can also draw lessons from his life story and continue to celebrate the noble values that he instilled throughout his service to our nation.

Personally, there are three things that I feel that we can learn from Mr Nathan and use them as a guide as well as practise them.

First, the ability to overcome difficulties and the constant desire to upgrade oneself. Many people are aware about his challenging life as a young boy before World War II. He went through the war and post-war periods, with the determination to obtain education and upgrade himself. He continued to acquire knowledge throughout his career and contributed to many sectors. This is something that we can emulate.

Secondly, the desire to instil knowledge into the younger generation. In our Prime Minister Mr Lee Hsien Loong's speech during Mr Nathan's 90th birthday, Mr Lee spoke about how Mr Nathan always nurtured young seedlings into mature trees wherever he went. This is a wonderful trait because, by sharing knowledge, we can help build the next generation of our country and leave a meaningful legacy.

Thirdly and lastly, I am touched by Mr Nathan's concern towards those around him. This is evident in everything that he did throughout his career and during his Presidency. It is important that we inculcate this spirit of caring and having concern among our people. We must help one another and stay united, so that our country can continue to be strong on the international platform.

My condolences to the family of the late Mr SR Nathan. I am certain that, although he is no longer with us, his spirit and the noble values that he instilled will become an enduring legacy for Singaporeans.

(In English): Mrs Nathan and family, my sincerest condolences to you. Thank you very much for sharing Mr Nathan with us. I believe although he is not with us today, his values, strength and courage will remain in all Singaporeans.

Mdm Speaker: Mr Murali Pillai.

12.50 pm

Mr Murali Pillai (Bukit Batok): Mdm Speaker, permit me to speak in Tamil.

(In Tamil): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] Two months ago, our former President Mr SR Nathan asked to see me. First, he asked to see me at his house but, due to his health reasons, I had to meet him at the hospital at that time.

For the two hours that I met him, he spoke about Singaporeans' problems. He asked me to look at some issues and find a solution. I told him that I will do my best. Upon hearing that, he said "My job is done". I understood the deeper meaning of what he said. I told him he must continue to guide us. In response, he smiled.

He was a good guide for us. Even when his health was deteriorating, all his thoughts were about the people of Singapore. He is a great guide to all of us. For that, we are thankful.

(In English): Mdm Speaker, I spoke in Tamil just now about my meeting with the late Mr SR Nathan just two months back. Prior to that meeting, I did not know him personally. When I met him at the Singapore General Hospital (SGH), the first thing he asked me was, "How much time do you have for me?" I have never seen anyone else with such humility. I told him I was in his hands, and he could take as long as he liked.

After I sat down, he presented me with a bottle of savoury Indian bites. He told me Mrs Nathan specially prepared this for my wife, Gowri, whom she learnt was a fellow teacher. I was put immediately at ease by his kind gesture. I then noticed that, to his right, he had a two-page handwritten note entitled "Points to cover with Murali". He had obviously made preparations in advance of the meeting. This was a man who has spent the better part of his life serving Singapore and Singaporeans. He was unwell, at the last leg of his life, and yet he took the trouble to spend his time talking to me about some issues our nation faced.

A few weeks later, when I learnt Mr Nathan slipped into a coma, I wrote to Mrs Nathan thanking her for the bottle of savouries. I also recounted my discussion with Mr Nathan. It was my way of conveying to her my resolve to do my best on the matters he spoke to me about.

I feel honoured and privileged to have had received Mr Nathan's wise counsel. As a country, we are indeed fortunate to have had the benefit of giants like Mr Nathan who, to almost his last breath, always thought about Singapore.

I would like to wish Mrs Nathan and her family the strength to cope with their loss, our loss.

Mdm Speaker: Mr Desmond Choo.

12.54 pm

Mr Desmond Choo (Tampines): Mdm Speaker, it is my honour to speak on behalf of the Labour Movement to celebrate the life of our former President Mr SR Nathan. Mr Nathan has his rightful place as a member of the Pioneer Generation that built modern Singapore. His legacy is extensive but especially felt in the Labour Movement. He had a profound passion for workers and the common man. This passion drove his many contributions to the modern Labour Movement.

From the time he was a welfare officer for seafarers in the 1950s, to when he was the Vice President of the Amalgamated Union of Public Employees in 1960, to being an Assistant Director at the Labour Research Unit (LRU) in 1962, his every step left behind huge footprints, leading the way for generations of unionists. Every step made the lives of workers and Singaporeans better.

Mr Nathan was one of our beacons in the formative years of the Labour Movement in the 1950s and 1960s. He once said, "The trade union movement is the place where the small man rises. And after the war…it is the trade union movement that gave me the courage to stand up and speak to big people without fear." This vision drove him to go beyond merely assisting trade unions to become a frontliner in championing workers' interests. He was shaped by his days looking after the welfare of sailors. He felt keenly the suffering that befell sailors and their families. Importantly, he got things done. He did it by achieving resolutions through being a good judge of people and the disputes at hand, coupled with some ingenuity and quick decision-making.

It was Mr Nathan's knack for getting things done that led our former Prime Minister Mr Lee Kuan Yew to second him to the LRU. It was an autonomous unit in 1962 to help unions that broke away from their pro-communist affiliations and joined the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC). It was a time of upheaval, rife with pro-communist elements. He had to navigate the choppy waters. He tactfully worked alongside union leaders and workers. He alternated with ease from standing upfront to manage difficult relations to entering into discussions with employers behind the scenes, at great personal danger of being labelled a betrayer. LRU was subsequently absorbed into NTUC in 1965.

Mr Nathan was more than just a champion of workers' rights. He also understood deeply how labour relations underpinned the success of a young Singapore. In the 1960s, Dr Goh Keng Swee was trying to attract foreign investments. Assisting Jurong Shipyard, a joint venture involving Japan's Ishikawajima-Harima Industries and the Economic Development Board (EDB), Mr Nathan negotiated to establish a fair and efficient wage structure. Without any precedent, he combed through countless collective agreements filed with the Industrial Arbitration Court to work out a structure that both the union and employers accepted. This structure paved the way to properly regulated working conditions and terms of employment for workers. It laid the foundation of wage structure, applicable even today. This episode shifted the Labour Movement's mindset. Our union leaders realised that they had a vital role to play in the economic growth of Singapore.

Mr Nathan recognised that it was crucial for the trade union movement and NTUC to build a core of Industrial Relations Officers (IROs) to assist unions if they were to effectively play its role in the nation's success. He painstakingly took the time to identify and train IROs and arranged meetings between foreign university professors and NTUC. Such groundwork eventually paved the way for the formation of the Singapore Institute of Labour Studies, now known as the Ong Teng Cheong Labour Leadership Institute. Today, unionists and IROs are very well-equipped to rally to the labour cause and safeguard the interests of the working people in Singapore. As someone who traces his lineage back to an IRO a few years ago, I am in much debt to Mr Nathan.

Mr Nathan was also one of the key persons who were instrumental in the Modernisation Seminar in 1969, which charted the future of the Labour Movement we see today. At the seminar, he advocated "the need for financial autonomy, leadership and structural development" of the Labour Movement. This led to the introduction of a "check-off" system for the collection of union dues and helped to standardise monthly union subscription rates.

Mr Nathan defined what an effective unionist should be as well. He stood firm with his philosophy of trust as an important bedrock for the Labour Movement to remain strong and united. From being thrown into the deep end, he found his way around and earned the trust of all parties around him.

Mr Nathan was our brother's and sister's keeper, always emphasising the importance for union leaders to be there for our workers. When he visited NTUC 10 years ago, he spoke passionately on the early struggles of LRU and the Labour Movement. He reminded labour leaders on the larger national and worker interests they had to protect. He called on the union leaders to prepare our workers on the consequences of globalisation, the changing nature of the workplace and of work itself.

Earlier this year, he visited NTUC again. Once again, he encouraged union leaders to stay rooted to the cause; be close to the ground and change with the times, with an eye for the future. It was most certainly a homecoming for him, being with old friends and fellow union leaders. He stayed true to his passion for workers.

Mr Nathan is, indeed, one of the forefathers of the modern Labour Movement. A true keeper of our workers. We have much to learn from him and his legacy. Mr Nathan will always be a part of the Labour Movement family. Thank you, Mr Nathan.

1.01 pm

Mdm Speaker: As a mark of respect to the late Mr SR Nathan, I propose that the House observes a one-minute silence. Will Members please rise.

The House rose and observed a one-minute silence.

Mdm Speaker: Order. I suspend the Sitting and will take the Chair at 1.30 pm.

Sitting accordingly suspended

at 1.03 pm until 1.30 pm.

Sitting resumed at 1.30 pm

[Mdm Speaker in the Chair]