By P Ramasamy

S R Nathan, Singapore’s longest serving president and a Lee Kuan Yew loyalist, had his critics, but I believe he served his country well.

I had an acquaintance with him. I met him a few times when I was attached to the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies (ISEAS) in Singapore. After I left ISEAS in 2008, I visited him while he was in office. This year, I visited him when he was hospitalised at the Singapore General Hospital.

Whatever his critics might say of him and his lifelong attachment to Singapore, he was counted upon by the top leadership to ensure stability and continuity. He had an acute sense of right and wrong. He could be described as the eyes and ears of the PAP administration in Singapore.

At times he did not approve of my stand on human rights, particularly pertaining to Tamil issues in Sri Lanka. He prioritised stability over anything else, even though Lee Kuan Yew himself had criticised the Sinhalese leadership of riding roughshod over the interests and concerns of Tamils.

Nathan did not really believe in excessive nationalism and ethnic mobilisation. In fact, he frowned upon them. He firmly believed in the national unity of Singapore and the importance of the English language in moulding and uniting the various races.

He was a man of humble origins and he always led a simple life.

Nathan will be remembered for his deep loyalty to his country and steadfastness in guiding it through turbulent times.

My deepest condolences to his family and loved ones. May his soul rest in peace.

P Ramasamy is Deputy Chief Minister II of Penang.

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