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

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, 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, 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.

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, 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, 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, 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.