SINGAPORE — Singapore’s first President, the late Yusof Ishak, was an outstanding pioneer who stood for the enduring values that have underpinned Singapore’s success — meritocracy, multi-racialism and modernisation — Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said during the Malay segment of his National Day Rally speech last night.

To recognise his contributions to the Republic, Singapore will honour him in several ways.

A mosque in Woodlands slated to open in 2016 will be renamed Masjid Yusof Ishak, while National University of Singapore (NUS) will also start a professorship named after Mr Yusof, called the Yusof Ishak Professorship in Social Sciences. NUS will also change the name of its Institute of South East Asian Studies (ISEAS) to ISEAS — The Yusof Ishak Institute.

In his speech, Mr Lee said Mr Yusof was instrumental in strengthening ties between Singapore and its neighbours during his presidency, and committed to progress through education. The Prime Minister also thanked Mr Yusof’s wife, Toh Puan Noor Aishah, who was sitting in the audience and received thunderous applause.

Highlighting the contributions of Malay pioneers and their “spirit of partnership and sacrifice”, Mr Lee said: “The pioneering Malays had a choice when we achieved independence, and they pledged their future with Singapore. Your choices enabled Singapore to grow into a unique, multi-racial and multi-religious society that is both united and harmonious. Thank you for having faith in Singapore.”

In his English speech, Mr Lee also paid tribute to another Malay pioneer, the late Mr Rahmat Yusak, who worked with former Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew in the early 1960s.

Mr Rahmat — who received a Public Service Medal (Bronze) from Mr Yusof for his services — drove Mr Lee Kuan Yew around the island to rally the ground in the battle against the Communists, with the younger Mr Lee tagging along on these trips. On the 20th anniversary of the People’s Association in 1980, the senior Mr Lee expressed his gratitude to Mr Rahmat, writing: “He drove that exposed Land Rover with full confidence, bringing me to all 51 constituencies ... They (Mr Rahmat and other officers) slogged with me to help the Government win over the ground.”

The Malay-Muslim community, Mr Lee noted, has made significant progress in the past 50 years. Household incomes have gone up, while many more make it to post-secondary education and there are also many more Malay professionals.

This year, there have been 35 Malay-Muslim local university graduates with first class honours. However, the community still faces challenges — key among them health issues. Ailments such as hypertension, diabetes and obesity are still prevalent among the community, said Mr Lee.

But overall, the news is positive for the community, he said, adding: “We must ensure Singaporeans can progress together, where everyone can realise your potential regardless of family background, as long as you work hard and put in the effort,” he said. ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY LAURA PHILOMIN