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Source: Straits Times
Obituary 23 Feb 2006 (H19) |
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1915 - 2006 |
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Singapore's first and longest-serving foreign minister, Sinnathamby Rajaratnam died of heart failure at 3.15pm yesterday. He was
90. |
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Mr Rajaratnam was married to Piroska Feher,
a Hungarian. She passed away on 18 Aug 1989. The couple had no children. |
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Among many things, he is remembered as the
writer of Singapore's Pledge. |
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Milestones1 |
| 1915 |
Born in Sri Lanka |
| 1954 |
Convenor &
founder member of People's Action Party |
| 1954 - 1959 |
Straits Times
journalist |
| 1959 - 1988 |
MP for Kampong
Glam |
| 1959 - 1965 |
Minister for
Culture |
| 1965 - 1980 |
Minister for
Foreign Affairs |
| 1980 - 1984 |
2nd Deputy Prime
Minister (Foreign Affairs) |
| 1984 - 1988 |
Senior Minister,
Prime Minister's Office |
| 1988 |
Retired as MP and
Senior Minister |
| 2006 |
Died on 22 Feb |
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The following is a Press Release from the Singapore
Government: |
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DEMISE OF FORMER SENIOR MINISTER MR S RAJARATNAM |
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The Prime Minister and his Cabinet colleagues are
sad to learn of the passing of Mr S Rajaratnam, and wish to convey their
condolences to Mr Rajaratnam¡¯s family. Mr Rajaratnam passed away peacefully at
his home at 3:15 pm this afternoon. |
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As a mark of respect to Mr Rajaratnam, a
founding father of independent Singapore, the State flag on all
Government buildings will be flown at half-mast from Thursday 23
February to Saturday 25 February 2006 |
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The body of the late Mr Rajaratnam will lie
in state at the Parliament House from 9:30 am on Friday 24 February till
12:00 pm on Saturday 25 February 2006. The public may pay their last
respects at the Parliament House from 9:30 am to 9:00 pm on Friday. |
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A State Funeral for the family and invited
guests will be held at the Esplanade on Saturday 25 February 2006. |
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PRIME MINISTER¡¯S OFFICE |
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22 Feb 2006 |
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Source:
www.gov.sg Press Release 22 Feb 2006 |
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COPY OF PRIME MINISTER LEE HSIEN
LOONG'S CONDOLENCE LETTER ON THE DEMISE OF MR S RAJARATNAM |
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Dr Vettivaloo Kandasamy Pillay |
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30 Chancery Lane Singapore 309549 |
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Dear |
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My wife and I are deeply saddened to
learn of the passing of Mr S Rajaratnam. Please accept our deepest
condolences and sympathies. |
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Mr Rajaratnam was one of Singapore¡¯s
founding fathers. He helped to create modern Singapore, and to
define who we are and what we stand for as a nation. He played vital
roles at every stage of our nation building, from the 1950s until
the 1980s. |
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Mr Rajaratnam started out as a
journalist critical of colonial rule. Later, he joined Mr Lee Kuan
Yew and others to form the PAP and fight for independence from the
British. A gifted speaker and writer, he was highly effective in
mobilising the ground and shaping public opinion. When the PAP was
elected to form the government in 1959, he was a member of the core
leadership team. He was at his finest in the fight against the
Communists, demolishing their arguments with indomitable vigour.
Later when Singapore was in Malaysia, he fought just as fearlessly
against the communalists for the equal rights of all races, as
guaranteed in the Malaysian Constitution. |
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Mr Rajaratnam believed deeply in the
vision of one nation and one people. Shortly after Singapore became
independent in 1965, he drafted the National Pledge. Having
experienced first hand the divisive and destructive potential of
race and religion, he was unwavering in his conviction to make
Singapore a home of ¡°one united people, regardless of race, language
or religion¡±. This pledge has become an abiding part of the
Singapore identity and psyche. |
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Mr Rajaratnam was Singapore¡¯s first and
longest-serving Minister for Foreign Affairs. He worked hard to
establish our foreign relations from scratch, and to dispel any
doubt about Singapore¡¯s legitimacy and viability. He laid down the
key principles of Singapore¡¯s foreign policy, and never wavered in
advancing our national interest even when this required him to go
against the political fashion of the day. He helped to found ASEAN
and to shape its development, especially in the long diplomatic
campaign against the Vietnamese occupation of Cambodia. He was much
liked and respected by allies and even adversaries, not just for his
competence and eloquence, but also his personal warmth and humility.
Through him, Singapore gained many friends abroad. |
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Towards the end of his career, Mr
Rajaratnam made a final important contribution: he supported
leadership renewal, and the induction of a younger team of second
and third generation leaders for Singapore. When I entered politics
in 1984, it was Mr Rajaratnam who chaired the PAP Committee which
interviewed me. He remained in Cabinet until 1988 as Senior
Minister, giving us the benefit of his experience and insights. He
had slowed down with age, but his fighting spirit was undiminished.
I and the other new ministers treasured his wisdom and were deeply
inspired by his integrity, dedication and passion. |
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A new generation of Singaporeans has
grown up since Mr Rajaratnam retired. They may not have known him
personally, but they are forever indebted to him and the small group
of men whose determination, courage and leadership enabled Singapore
to survive and prosper against all odds. Mr Rajaratnam¡¯s legacy will
long endure in Singapore. |
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Source:
www.gov.sg Press Release 22 Feb 2006 |
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1
The Straits Times 23 Feb 2006 (H2) |
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