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PM Lee praises S R Nathan as ‘true son of Singapore'

SINGAPORE — The late former President Mr S R Nathan was a “true son of Singapore” and his life story was “an inspiration to all of us”, wrote Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in a condolence letter to his widow, Madam Urmila Nandey, yesterday.

PM Lee and his wife, Mdm Ho Ching, speaking with Mr Nathan’s daughter, Juthika Ramanathan, at the private wake yesterday. Photo: Wee Teck Hian

PM Lee and his wife, Mdm Ho Ching, speaking with Mr Nathan’s daughter, Juthika Ramanathan, at the private wake yesterday. Photo: Wee Teck Hian

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SINGAPORE — The late former President Mr S R Nathan was a “true son of Singapore” and his life story was “an inspiration to all of us”, wrote Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in a condolence letter to his widow, Madam Urmila Nandey, yesterday.

“It was a story of how Mr Nathan always put his nation before self, often at great personal sacrifice. It was a story of perseverance, duty and a man’s indomitable will,” he added.

Apart from Mr Lee, Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong and the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) also sent condolence letters to Mrs Nathan. And in a Facebook post, Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat expressed his sadness at the former President’s death.

In his condolence letter, PM Lee said: “Most Singaporeans will remember Mr Nathan as our longest-serving President, who served Singapore with dignity and distinction. He impressed visitors with his knowledge of world affairs. He was a warm and approachable President who endeared himself to Singaporeans.”

Mr Lee, who has known Mr Nathan for almost 40 years, said: “I remember him as a man who lived his life guided by a deep sense of duty to the nation. Without fail, he stepped up each time.”

In his letter to Mrs Nathan, ESM Goh paid tribute to Mr Nathan’s distinguished public service record, noting that “he understood what government was about”.

The late President also encouraged Singaporeans to help one another “not just in monetary terms, but also in showing real care and concern”.

Mr Goh recalled the day when Mr Nathan broke down — when he was asked to run for President in 1999.

“He told me about his delinquent childhood, how he ran away from home and stayed away from his family for many years. He worried that this could be a liability,” Mr Goh wrote.

“I replied that on the contrary, it would be a great story of redemption and determination to succeed,” he said, noting that Mr Nathan went on to serve two full terms as President with great success.

In his Facebook post, Mr Heng described Mr Nathan as a “great mentor and friend to many of us”.

Mr Heng, who suffered a stroke in May, said, while he was in hospital, Mr Nathan wrote twice to his family to wish him a speedy recovery.

Mr Heng later wrote to Mr Nathan to thank him, which elicited a reply from the former President in late June.

According to Mr Heng, Mr Nathan, who told him to take care of himself, wrote: “God has been kind ... You have had one chance and by the Grace of God you are back to normal. You cannot afford to take any more risks. So, please take your time recovering.”

“I feel a deep sadness and loss at Mr Nathan’s passing. But I cannot help but feel gratitude and admiration for the example he has left for all of us ... His is a life well and fully lived, marked with distinction and service,” said the Finance Minister, who resumed his duties on Monday.

Meanwhile, NTUC described Mr Nathan, who was active in the labour movement in the 1960s, as “our brother-in-arms, workers’ keeper and people’s leader”.

“He (Mr Nathan) once said: ‘The trade union movement is the place where the small man rises. The small man is important. Don’t take him for granted.’ And he humbly added: ‘It’s the trade union movement that gave me the courage to stand up and speak to big people without fear’,” the NTUC said in its condolence letter to Mrs Nathan.

“His leadership and legacy will remain with us for many generations of workers, union leaders and Singaporeans to come,” it added.

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