Yusof bin Ishak
Who was Yusof bin Ishak?
1st President of Singapore (1910–1970)
Biographical data adapted from Wikipedia’s article on Yusof bin Ishak (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Biography
Yusof bin Ishak Al-Haj was born on 12 August 1910 in the Federated Malay States, now known as Perak, Malaysia. He went to Victoria School, King Edward VII School, and Raffles Institution, graduating in 1929. His early education in Malaysia and Singapore influenced his commitment to Malay identity, multilingualism, and national consciousness. He married Noor Aishah Mohammad Salim, who later became the first First Lady of Singapore.
After graduating, Yusof went into journalism. He first helped create a sports magazine with colleagues, then joined Warta Malaya, a leading Malay-language newspaper. In 1938, he left Warta Malaya and, the following year, co-founded Utusan Melayu in 1939 with other Malay community leaders in Singapore. This newspaper aimed to be more focused on Malay issues, and Yusof played a key role in its rise over the next two decades.
Yusof left Utusan Melayu in 1959 due to tensions with the United Malays National Organisation, which bought the paper to control its editorial content. After returning to Singapore from Kuala Lumpur, Yusof was invited by Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew to become chairman of the Public Service Commission. On 3 December 1959, following the People's Action Party's win in the 1959 general election, Yusof was appointed as the second Yang di-Pertuan Negara of Singapore, taking over from Sir William Goode.
When Singapore became fully independent on 9 August 1965, the role of Yang di-Pertuan Negara was replaced with President of Singapore, and Yusof became the country's first president. He served three terms in this position. During his time in office, he was well-known for promoting a multi-racial society, especially during the politically unstable period when Singapore merged with and then separated from Malaysia in 1965. He also emphasized the importance of education and religious dialogue.
Yusof bin Ishak passed away in office on 23 November 1970, in Singapore, due to heart failure. He was followed as president by Benjamin Sheares, who took office on 2 January 1971. Yusof's portrait has been featured on Singapore's currency notes, and he remains a prominent figure in Singapore's history.
Before Fame
Yusof bin Ishak grew up in the Federated Malay States during British colonial rule in the Malay Peninsula and Singapore. He went to Victoria School, King Edward VII School, and Raffles Institution, finishing his studies in 1929. These schools were among the best in the area, giving him a good English education and introducing him to rising nationalism and identity politics in Southeast Asia.
After graduating, Yusof turned to journalism as Malay-language print media became an important way for communities to express themselves and become politically aware. In the late 1920s and 1930s, Malay intellectuals increasingly recognized the need for platforms to communicate directly with Malay readers about culture, religion, and politics. This led Yusof to the press, starting at Warta Malaya and going on to co-found Utusan Melayu, the newspaper that shaped the early part of his public life.
Key Achievements
- Co-founded Utusan Melayu in 1939, one of the most influential Malay-language newspapers in Singapore and Malaya
- Served as the second Yang di-Pertuan Negara of Singapore from 1959 to 1965
- Became the first President of Singapore upon independence in 1965, serving until his death in 1970
- Championed multi-racial ideals as head of state during Singapore's most politically formative years
- Honored posthumously by having his portrait placed on all Singapore currency notes
Did You Know?
- 01.Yusof bin Ishak's portrait appears on all denominations of Singapore's current series of currency notes, making him one of the most widely seen faces in the country's everyday life.
- 02.He co-founded Utusan Melayu in 1939, a newspaper that was initially set up with shares deliberately sold at low prices to allow ordinary Malay people to become stakeholders in the publication.
- 03.Yusof was the first ethnic Malay and the first local-born person to serve as head of state of Singapore.
- 04.He died in office on 23 November 1970, making him the only Singaporean president to have died while still serving as head of state.
- 05.His wife, Noor Aishah Mohammad Salim, became the first First Lady of Singapore and is known for her work in charitable and community causes.