President S R Nathan

Our 6th Head of State, President S R Nathan steps down today, 31 Aug 2011, after 12 years in office.

A man with the ability to connect with ordinary Singaporeans, from the highest to the lowest, here are my favourite quotes from him:

"Whether in the office of the President or in the executive arm of Government, we'll always need people of strong character and vision who resist populist pressures and the temptation to sacrifice the long-term interest of the nation in response to those who merely snipe without having to take responsibility."

"One of the things you must remember is that with all these gripes that you hear, people forget how we have arrived to this stage in our country. Could it have been done without the Government? That's my question. Much has been achieved. There are probably faults that have to be remedied, but we just can't distance ourselves from the Government."

"I've done the best I can. If it's good enough for some people, 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."

On having a duty to Singapore;

"We can criticise, we can comment, we can abuse, we can say...but ultimately if it fails, we all fail. So that's the duty we have. To uphold it, to let it grow, to let it stand in the eyes of the world as something important, something worth recognising. So that's the duty."

On social media;

"I hear from my grandchildren about Facebook and whatever you have. So after I've stepped down, I have time and I will have to learn all that. But anyway, I'm not going into Facebook and tell stories. No point. Not all people on Facebook or whatever you call it, are honest people. Some of them are very critical of things without responsibility."

On calls for a more open presidency;

"We cannot have a Presidency on the streets. The President's duties are defined by the constitution and the people would not want the office to be so transparent to a point where the value and prestige of the position is lost."

On what gave him the most satisfaction;

"The way I've been accepted by people of all races, of all strata of society, of all persuasions, who have embraced me and accepted me as their President. I've tried to behave in a way not to let them down either locally or internationally. I've tried to preserve in some ways the aura of the presidency which must be kept because it's an institution above politics."

On his successor, Dr Tony Tan;

"I think he is a highly capable person, very reputable. He is a person who carries himself well, and I am sure he will be a great asset and pride of Singapore.

On the close election fight;

"Even if you win by one vote, it is still a victory."

"I made up my mind to leave, so I am happy the end is coming. I can go back to a private life. Every good thing must come to an end."

SR Nathan fund launched

By S Ramesh, Channel NewsAsia, 19 Sep 2011

Singapore's former president SR Nathan's memoirs as well as the "SR Nathan Education Upliftment Fund" were launched on Monday by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.

Royalties from the sale of the book and donations received will go towards the fund, which has so far reached S$8 million.

A statement from the fund's administrators said the SR Nathan Education Upliftment Fund will specifically support appropriate education assistance programmes of the four self-help groups.

They are the Chinese Development Assistance Council (CDAC), Yayasan Mendaki, Singapore Indian Development Association (SINDA) and the Eurasian Association.

The fund will give them flexibility to assist deserving cases which may fall outside their current ambit for the use of their own funds.

Grants from the fund will be used solely for the purpose of education upliftment.

It's also to help financially disadvantaged Singaporeans achieve their full potential, so that they and their families may have a brighter future.

Details of the fund were made known Monday during the launch of Mr Nathan's memoirs, "An Unexpected Journey - A Path to the Presidency."

Speaking at the event, PM Lee said Mr Nathan's memoir's are significant for several reasons.

Firstly, they are a historical account of Singapore's development, where the people came from and what brought the country to what it is today.

In this way, Mr Nathan's memoirs contribute significantly to nation building.

His memoirs also helped the country to understand what it meant to be Singaporean.

Mr Lee noted that through his career, Mr Nathan had faithfully answered the nation's calls and frequently went well beyond that to protect Singapore's interest.

Mr Lee also said Mr Nathan's life exemplified the Singapore story.

Although not everyone can be president, Singaporeans can achieve their potential in a meritocratic society and with leaders determined to make it a land of opportunity for all citizens.



Speaking at the event, Mr Nathan said almost every big step in his career was unpredicted.

So, many felt that a record of these times would be important reading for young Singaporeans, who should know about the world as it was in the early days.

Mr Nathan said he was also encouraged by his wife Umi, and children Juthika and Osith.

Mr Lee said of Mr Nathan's wife: "She has been a constant source of support for more than half a century and a loyal wife who made sacrifices in her family life when her husband answered Singapore's repeated calls to serve.

"I am glad that the book includes a short essay by Mrs Nathan, which in a few words convey a sense of her warm and generous personality.

"Mr Nathan's achievements would not have been possible without the steadfast support of Mrs Nathan, and Singapore is grateful to both of you."

Mr Nathan said: "The book turned into something more substantial than I planned at the outset. In fact, it is the story of my entire life, from my earliest childhood years right up to my two terms as President of Singapore.

"I hope that each chapter will offer something of interest, whether a picture of family life in a kampong house in pre-war Joo Chiat, or a glimpse into the day-to-day workings of the Istana, and the elected presidency today.

"Many years ago, as a school dropout, I never imagined that I would one day be anything other than a hawker's assistant. I hope these memoirs will show many young people setting out in their careers today, that with education, hard work and the School of Life, many things are possible, however difficult circumstances may seem at times."