S. R. Nathan
Who was S. R. Nathan?
Singapore's sixth President who served two terms from 1999 to 2011, making him the longest-serving president in Singapore's history. He previously worked as a diplomat and intelligence officer.
Biographical data adapted from Wikipedia’s article on S. R. Nathan (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Biography
Sellapan Ramanathan, known as S. R. Nathan, was born on 3 July 1924 in Singapore, which was then part of the British Straits Settlements. He was the sixth President of Singapore, serving from 1999 to 2011, and was the longest-serving president in Singapore's history. Before his presidency, he had a notable career in social work, intelligence, diplomacy, and media, earning a reputation as one of Singapore's most reliable public servants during the country's development.
Nathan faced many challenges early in his life. After his father's death, his family struggled financially, and he had to leave school as a teenager. During World War II, under Japanese occupation, he worked various jobs, including as a translator. Once the war ended, he returned to school and earned a Diploma in Social Studies from the University of Malaya's Singapore division in 1954. He started his civil service career in 1955 at the Labour Ministry and later moved to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where he advanced to senior positions.
In the foreign and security services, Nathan held some of the most critical roles in Singapore's government. He was Director of the Security and Intelligence Division (SID) and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. A significant event in his career was the 1974 Laju incident, when members of the Japanese Red Army and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine took hostages in Singapore. Nathan volunteered to leave the country with the militants as part of the resolution, gaining much public recognition. He later became Executive Chairman of The Straits Times Press from 1982 to 1988, High Commissioner to Malaysia from 1988 to 1990, and Ambassador to the United States from 1990 to 1996.
Nathan became President of Singapore in 1999 and was re-elected in 2005, both times unopposed after other candidates were deemed ineligible. As president, he fulfilled the duties of the office, including overseeing Singapore's past reserves and key public service appointments. After his presidency ended in 2011, he stayed active in public affairs, contributing to educational institutions like the Singapore Management University. He passed away on 22 August 2016 at Singapore General Hospital at 92.
Before Fame
S.R. Nathan grew up in colonial Singapore during a time of significant instability and change. After his father's death, his family fell into poverty, and he had to leave school at a young age. During the Japanese occupation from 1942 to 1945, he took on any job he could find, including working as a translator, which gave him early experience dealing with authority and communication challenges.
After the war, Nathan was determined to further his education, eventually graduating with a Diploma in Social Studies from the University of Malaya's Singapore division in 1954. He joined the civil service in 1955 through the Labour Ministry, where his skills were soon noticed. His steady rise through important government roles in intelligence and foreign affairs prepared him for his later career as a diplomat and, eventually, as head of state.
Key Achievements
- Served as the sixth and longest-serving President of Singapore, holding office for two full terms from 1999 to 2011
- Played a central role in resolving the 1974 Laju incident by voluntarily accompanying hostage-takers out of Singapore to secure the release of civilian hostages
- Served as Singapore's Ambassador to the United States from 1990 to 1996, strengthening bilateral relations during a critical period
- Directed the Security and Intelligence Division and served as Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, shaping Singapore's national security architecture
- Received the Darjah Utama Temasek in 2013 and the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman in 2012, among numerous national and international honours recognising his decades of public service
Did You Know?
- 01.During the 1974 Laju hijacking crisis, Nathan volunteered personally to escort the Japanese Red Army and PFLP militants out of Singapore, accepting physical risk as part of the hostage release agreement.
- 02.Nathan was elected to the Singapore presidency twice without facing a contest, as other candidates were found ineligible both in 1999 and in 2005.
- 03.He received the Gold Olympic Order in 2010, one of the highest honours awarded by the International Olympic Committee to individuals who have rendered outstanding service to the Olympic movement.
- 04.In 2012, Nathan was awarded the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman, India's highest civilian honour for members of the Indian diaspora abroad.
- 05.Keiō University in Japan awarded Nathan an honorary doctorate, recognising his long record of public service and his role in Singapore-Japan relations over several decades.
Awards & Honors
| Award | Year | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Pravasi Bharatiya Samman | 2012 | — |
| Bintang Bakti Masyarakat | 1964 | — |
| Pingat Pentadbiran Awam | 1967 | — |
| Pingat Jasa Gemilang | 1975 | — |
| Darjah Utama Temasek | 2013 | — |
| doctor honoris causa of Keiō University | — | — |
| Gold Olympic Order | 2010 | — |