RESIGNATION OF MR C.V. DEVAN NAIR PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SINGAPORE (Announcement by Mr Speaker)

Mr Speaker: Honourable Members, at 10.40 am today I received the following letter under the hand of Mr C.V. Devan Nair. The letter reads thus:

'Dear Sir

LETTER OF RESIGNATION

The doctors' reports on my medical condition,. referred to by the Prime Minister, and its consequences on the discharge of my presidential responsibilities, make it clear why I feel obliged to tender my resignation as President of the Republic of Singapore.

Very few citizens can aspire to the high office of honour of the presidency of the Republic. I did not aspire to this office. Nonetheless, I was considered worthy of the honour by the Parliament of Singapore. I therefore regret that only a few months before my term of office is due to expire, on October 23, 1985, I should feel obliged to step down from my high office. I make it abundantly clear that the decision to do so is entirely my own.

In my retirement, I shall continue to cherish the well-being and prosperity of the people of Singapore, whom I love, and have tried to serve to the best of my ability. Yours sincerely

(Signed) C V DEVAN NAIR'