Although i'm juz a kid when he was President of Singapore, he managed to leave a deep impression in me..from de way he speaks, he came across as a very fatherly person..He was my favourite President den, n will always be..May he rest in peace......
SINGAPORE : Singapore's former President Wee Kim Wee died at his home at 5.10am on Monday from complications due to a relapse of prostate cancer.
He had been admitted to hospital two days ago after being sick for one month, but had asked to return to his home.He was 89 years old.His eldest son, 68-year-old Bill Wee, told Channel NewsAsia that Dr Wee's body will be placed in the Istana for the public to pay their last respects from Tuesday till Thursday.And he will be cremated on Friday.Mr Bill Wee said his father had expressed a wish not to have his remains interred at the Kranji War Cemetery."He wished to make it all simple without undue ceremonies ... We've decided to have the cremation there in Mandai Crematorium," he said.Dr Wee was President from 1985 to 1993.He was known as a People's President, displaying a genuine concern for others and a natural warmth that touched many lives.Born on November 4, 1915, Dr Wee rose from a humble station in life, starting out as a clerk in the Straits Times before becoming a reporter.He also worked for the United Press Association and was its Chief Correspondent in the 1950s.Then came his worldwide scoop in 1966: an interview with a General Suharto of Indonesia who announced to the world that he wanted to end the three-year long confrontation between Indonesia and Malaysia.It seemed natural that with his many contacts in the region made during his years a journalist, he moved on to the next stage of his career as a diplomat.For his contributions as High Commissioner to Malaysia, a post he held for seven years, he was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal in 1979.He went on to become Ambassador to Japan and South Korea.After retiring from the diplomatic service in 1984, he took up a new post as Chairman of the then Singapore Broadcasting Corporation.A year later, he became President, determined to make the Presidency as accessible as possible to ordinary Singaporeans.His genuine concern for others and natural warmth touched many lives.He retired from the Presidency in Sept 1993, citing his age, health and Constitutional amendments which provided for an Elected President.Dr Wee said it was best for Singapore that a new man was put in place.He remained active in community work after retirement, and will be fondly remembered by Singaporeans from all walks of life as a man who always had a smile for everyone. - CNA /ch/ct
left silently at ... 8:28 PM
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