ELECTION OF PRESIDENT

The Prime Minister: Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I rise to move the Motion* standing in my name.

*The Motion reads as follows:

That this Parliament, in accordance with Article 17 of the Constitution, elects Mr Wee Kim Wee as President of the Republic of Singapore.

My colleagues and I have taken more than five months to settle the choice of our next President. We thought it better to take our time.

Several names were proposed. The Cabinet took quiet soundings. Gradually a consensus emerged that Wee Kim Wee, proposed by my colleague, S. Rajaratnam, was the most suitable.

Rajaratnam knows him very well. They were both newspapermen and had known each other for over 30 years. And it was Rajaratnam who persuaded him in 1973 to give up his job as Editorial Manager in the Straits Times to become our High Commissioner in Kuala Lumpur. There, for seven years until 1980, he helped to establish our relations on a basis different from that which prevailed before Separation.

I had met Wee Kim Wee in the 1950s in his capacity as a reporter, and later as an editor. He was a competent, objective and reliable journalist. He was also a man committed to Singapore. It was early in my political life. During the tumultuous 1950s and 1960s, I observed that he watched, with barely concealed alarm, the agitation, the protests, the strikes, the demonstrations, and the violence that sporadically broke out. They were part of the revolution in the streets of Singapore. He was a Straits-born Chinese, English-educated, and thoroughly law-abiding. He watched this deliberate build-up of hate and violence with distaste and dismay. He must have thought the country was going down the drain. And he often looked at me with incomprehension, wondering what I was doing, siding with or representing these wild men, and adding to the mayhem.

I did not realize how shrewd he was until he became our High Commissioner in Kuala Lumpur. When I read his perceptive despatches from Kuala Lumpur, I recognized that he understood the difficult, delicate, and complex nature of our relationships. A measure of his engaging personality was that he had free access to all the important leaders in Kuala Lumpur. The Prime Minister, Federal Ministers and officials, all spoke freely and frankly to him. His despatches analyzing the situation always got to the heart of the matter.

When I asked him a few weeks ago to consider this appointment, he reminded me that he was not even a graduate, I said that was irrelevant. We were not looking for a scholar. What Singapore needs in a President is a man of integrity and dignity. He is without affectations. His easy manner and his understanding of people will make him a good Head of State.

When he agreed to be considered as President, l asked him to give me a resume of his career. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, as Prime Minister, I read the curriculum vitae of the people I am about to meet. They are either mostly VVIPs or important men whom I have to consider for high positions. So I have some experience in interpreting the curriculum vitae of people with great accomplishments. Some are brief and terse, others are detailed, listing out their degrees, their titles, their high offices, and their decorations. Wee Kim Wee's resume was straightforward and simple. It was not meant to impress anyone. In summarizing his career, I think I can do no better than to abstract the gist from his resume because this is how he sees himself.

'I was born (at the Free Middleton Hospital) in Singapore on 4th November 1915.

I was the fourth and youngest in the family -two brothers and one half-brother.

My father was Wee Choong Lay.

My mother was Chua Hay Luan alias Tak Poh.

My father worked as a clerk on a ship in charge of cargoes (then referred to as a "chin choo"). The ship plied between Singapore and Java. He was blind at a fairly early age (before 45) after an unsuccessful operation.

With this tragedy the family was forced through circumstances to move from Zion Road to 41/2 milestone Holland Road into a house offered by a wealthy owner for a token rental of $3 a month.

The house had no electricity or piped water. The family resorted to poultry-rearing and also depended on some fruit trees in the sprawling compound for its survival.

At eight years old (in 1923) I was admitted to Pearl's Hill School. From there I went on to Outram School and thence to Raffles Institution.

In 1929 I passed my Standard VII and was due to be promoted to a "Junior" class. [I think "junior" means Junior Cambridge which is perhaps something around 'O' levels or maybe "N" levels.] My mother prevailed upon me to seek employment as the family was still eking a hand-to-mouth living at the Singapore Harbour Board (SHB) quarters at Kampong Bahru.

My uncle, Tan Kok Tiong, was then Chief Clerk of the Straits Times. On his recommendation I got a job in the Circulation Department, Five years later I was transferred to the Advertising Department. Three or four years later I got my first "break" as a reporter, covering sports after my regular office hours. I reported on soccer at the three stadiums (Anson Road, Farrer Park and Geylang) and all the badminton, table-tennis and basketball matches at the three amusement parks (Happy World, New World and Great World),

In early 1936 at the age of 21, 1 was married to Koh Sok Hiong.

We have seven children - a son and six daughters. Three are in Singapore, one in Kuala Lumpur and three in Melbourne, Australia.

My wife, Koh Sok Hiong (68) was born in Singapore. She did her primary and secondary education in Chinese schools - Hua Chiao at Pasir Panjang and Nanyang Girls' High School. She picked up English Language by common usage. She has always been a housewife.

We have 12 grandchildren; four in Singapore, two in Kuala Lumpur and six in Melbourne, Australia.

In early 1941 after 11 1/2 years service with the Straits Times, I resigned because the vacant post of Circulation Chief Clerk was not offered to me, I joined the United Press Association, an American news agency.

During the war, in spite of my long hours in the UPA, I served in the ARP (Air Raid Precautions).

My family survived the war.

With no job in sight and no money, I had to set up a stall in front of the SHB Quarters at Kampong Bahru selling odds and ends, including mosquito destroyers.

When the war ended, I was again "penniless". I did not have even a dollar of British currency. But, within a month of the liberation of Singapore the UPA correspondent, Charles McQuown-Wright, contacted me through the Straits Times. He advanced me S$50 to start life afresh.

Through many years of hard work, my position in the UPA improved steadily and in the early 1950s I was Office Manager-cum-Chief Correspondent for Singa- pore, Malaya, Borneo and Brunei, reporting to an American Manager for South East Asia.

In 1959 when the PAP had romped into power, the top executives of the Straits Times decided to move to Kuala Lumpur - Simmons, Hoffman, Siew Yee, and T S Khoo. I was approached to rejoin the Straits Times as Deputy Editor (Singapore), literally the head of the editorial department in Singapore. It was, to say the least, a very difficult job.

In 1970 until the day I retired in 1973, I was Editorial Manager.

In 1973 Foreign Minister Rajaratnam asked me to go to Kuala Lumpur as High Commissioner. I served seven years in this post until August 31st, 1980.

In September 1980 1 took up my post in Tokyo as Ambassador to Japan and the Republic of Korea. l held the post for 3 1/2 years until 30th April 1984.

On lst May l984 I was appointed Chairman of SBC.

Besides working and making a living, the best years of my life (20-55) were spent mainly on and for badminton in Singapore and Malaysia.

At various times also I had served in charitable bodies including the blind, the deaf and SATA. For several years I was Chairman of SATA succeeding the late G H Kiat.

I was an all-round sportsman but only did well in badminton. I played table-tennis, basketball, soccer, swimming, athletics and finally golf.

In 1973 I was awarded the Public Service Star and in 1979 the Meritorious Service Medal. In 1966 I was appointed a Justice of the Peace.'

He recounts his life without pretensions. He was ceaselessly striving, not for high and mighty pursuits, but simply to make a living, to help his family, to share some of the joys of life with his fellow men. He did his share of public service as a Justice of the Peace and did charitable work for the blind, the deaf, and through SATA.

His resume is a vineyard of life in Singapore across those decades for someone who was a Straits-born and English educated. Now in his 69th year, he does not hanker after high office. He was happy and content with his life as he has lived it, and looked forward to what he was doing in SBC. When persuaded and convinced, he agreed to accept office as a matter of responsibility.

Sir, I carry the uncomfortable knowledge that sometimes I have done a person harm by inviting him to take high office. It has meant upsetting the even tenor of other people's settled lives. Worse, it has made their later adjustment to ordinary life, after leaving office, very difficult. He knew that this job would not be for life. The President after him is likely to be elected by the whole electorate. His term is for four years. But it may turn out to be less than four years, if the amendments to our Constitution for a President to be elected by the electorate are ready before then. I asked him, therefore, what he would do after the Presidency? How would he adjust to life? He replied:

'I was "His Excellency" for over 10 years in Kuala Lumpur and in Tokyo. I have had no trouble becoming a private citizen again. I do not expect any problems after I cease to be President.'

He has his head firmly placed between his shoulders. He has a sense of proportion and perspective.

He asked for and he received my assurance that he need not change his social life. Indeed, for his sense of balance and a continuing touch with reality, he has to keep up his circle of friends and his usual social activities.

I commend him to this House. I beg to move the resolution.

Question proposed. 2.50 pm

The Minister of State for Community Development (Mr Ch'ng Jit Koon): ( In Mandarin): Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I rise in support of the motion tabled by the Prime Minister.

Since time immemorial, it has been the wish of the people to have the worthy and the able as their national leaders. Mencius said:

'If a ruler gives honour to men of talent and virtue and employs the able, the capable, so that offices shall be filled by individuals of distinction and mark, then all the scholars of the empire will be pleased and wish to stand in his court.'

The Book of Rites, too, said:

'When the Great Way was practised, the world was shared by all alike. The worthy and the able were promoted to office and men practised good faith and lived in affection. Therefore they did not regard as parents only their own parents, or as sons only their own sons. The aged found a fining close to their lives, the robust their proper employment; the young were provided with an upbringing.'

In Singapore, our election system may be different, but our objective is the same. In other words, only the "worthy" and the "capable" among the individuals of distinction and mark are eligible for the office of the Head of State. Only in this way can our national prestige and dignity be upheld and the people live in peace and prosperity.

Mr Wee Kim Wee is a veteran journalist who had been invited by the Government to serve as Singapore's envoy to Malaysia, Japan, and South Korea, to strengthen ties with them. Following his diplomatic service, Mr Wee was appointed Chairman of the Singapore Broadcasting Corporation. With his extensive knowledge and experience, he has provided educational information and entertainment to the broad masses of listeners and viewers in Singapore. From his past career and the Prime Minister's earlier description of him, Mr Wee can well be regarded as a "worthy" and "capable" person. Therefore, Mr Wee is the most suitable choice for the highest office of the Republic of Singapore.

In view of the current economic downturn, Singapore is in dire need of a morale booster to overcome the numerous difficulties. With the highest office of the Republic of Singapore left vacant for nearly five months filled by this capable person, the control room of S.S. "Singapore" is now fully manned by a crew of suitable people. This will definitely strengthen the confidence and hope of all passengers on board. May we develop the spirit of sailing in the same boat so that Singapore will continue to progress and prosper.

I hereby support the Prime Minister's motion.

Mr Chua Sian Chin (MacPherson): Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I rise to support the motion moved by the Prime Minister to elect Mr Wee Kim Wee as the President of the Republic of Singapore.

To find the right person for this high office of President of the Republic of Singapore is not an easy task. The attributes that are required of such a person are very demanding. He must not only be a man of stature but he must also possess innate qualities that will endear him to the people of Singapore. He must further have the temperament as well as the bearing to uphold the dignity of the office and command the respect and trust of the people of Singapore.

Mr Wee Kim Wee is eminently qualified to be elected to this high office of President. Those who know him have no doubts that he has all the major attributes to make a good President. Though he did not have the benefit of a University education, he had in fact a better and more comprehensive education by going through life and coming up the very hard way. It is really the rough and tumble of life that is the real test of a person's mettle which no amount of schooling and passing of examinations can be equal to.

He had to leave school and go out to work to earn a living at the age of 15. At that time, only the privileged minority whose parents could afford it were sent to school and finished their education. It was a generation who had to work and struggle hard to get up in life. They belong to a generation who had in them the spirit of our early pioneers. It was that generation whose efforts made what Singapore is today. This spirit can be termed the "Singapore spirit".

Under our present system of parliamentary democracy, our President is the Head of State. Though he has only limited Constitutional powers and acts on the advice of the Cabinet, he is the symbol of the unity, loyalty and aspirations of the people of Singapore. Thus the elevation of a person with Mr Wee Kim Wee's background, distinguished career and accomplishments to the Presidency, is not only appropriate but also symbolizes our embodiment of the "Singapore spirit" in the Presidency.

Besides Mr Wee Kim Wee's hard experience of life that make for better understanding of human feelings and human suffering, those who are acquainted with him know that he has other likeable qualities of being warm hearted, friendly and helpful. All these will endear him to the ordinary Singaporean.

I am sure that not only will my other fellow Members of Parliament support this motion with enthusiasm but the vast majority of the people of Singapore will welcome his election as our Fourth President with acclamation.

Encik Yatiman Yusof (Kampong Kembangan) (in Malay): Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to support the motion moved by the Right Honourable Prime Minister to elect Mr Wee Kim Wee as the Fourth President of the Republic of Singapore.

Mr Wee is not a stranger to us. His excellent record of service to the nation by way of his career and social service goes beyond the borders of our country. Furthermore, since he was a former journalist and a resident of my constituency, his election as President is most welcome and is of special significance to us, particularly to me. On behalf of the residents of Kampong Kembangan and all the Members of this House, I would like to record our heartiest congratulations and highest appreciation to him, his wife and his family for having decided to come forward to serve the nation.

Mr Wee's election as President marks an important change in the history of Singapore. It reflects the maturity of thought on the part of the multi-racial people of Singapore. This is the first time that a citizen from a non-minority community has been proposed for election as President, the highest office in the land. I am convinced that, after hearing the speech made by the Rt. Hon. Prime Minister, the Government has good reasons for proposing his election and is convinced that he is the most suitable person for this Office. I agree with this view.

On the basis of his contribution to the nation, it is evident that Mr Wee's services loom much larger than the man himself. His election is most appropriate. He is a man of high integrity, a firm believer in and upholder of family life, friendly to all, most caring of the lot of the less fortunates and in his heart he has always loved peace among mankind. His election as President, therefore, is very significant to Singapore. Although he has been called "Mr Average", Mr Wee is actually very energetic and a man of high aspirations. He is a man who aspires to advance himself because he has risen up from the post of clerk to that of a leading diplomat. Mr Wee is a very good example of the product of our democracy and our open system of meritocracy that enables the common man like him to rise up to the highest office in the Singapore society. Like Singapore, he has a high degree of resilience because at an age when others would withdraw from public service or retire, he is still steady, active and fully confident and ready to shoulder this new task. I am fully confident that he will succeed, and Singapore, I feel, is fortunate to be able to share the warmth and friendliness of his personality, as a person who is well-known in Singapore. With his vast experience as a journalist and as a diplomat, he knows full well the meaning of war and peace, the danger and harm of communal riots and civil war, and the sensitivities of national and regional politics, but his biggest advantage lies in his own curriculum vitae, character and personality. He can act as a bridge between the ruling elite and the masses. Through his actions that are padded with courtesy, respectfulness and integrity, he can easily establish close rapport with the ordinary workers or the professionals and intellectuals, and will be able to voice all the wishes, hopes and aspirations which are also the aspirations, hopes and wishes of Singapore.

Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I support the motion to elect Mr Wee Kim Wee as President.

Mr Jeyaretnam: Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I shall be very brief. I rise to assure Mr Wee Kim Wee of my and my Party's support for his nomination as President.

Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, we note that he moved over to the Straits Times soon after the PAP took control of Singapore. It is a moot point, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, whether the Straits Times has served the people of Singapore or has served the Government, but we are not going to hold it against Mr Wee Kim Wee, and we welcome his appointment as President.

Mr Chiam See Tong (Potong Pasir): Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, my Party and I join my colleague, the Member for Anson, in congratulating Mr Wee Kim Wee for his appointment to this very high and prestigious office. I am sure he will be known as the President of the people and he has made a point that he wants to lead his normal social life, and I believe he is the one man who will probably succeed in that - holding a very high office and at the same time leading the life of an ordinary person. I welcome the appointment of Mr Wee Kim Wee to this very high office.

Mr Chandra Das: Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I rise to support the motion moved by the Hon. Prime Minister to elect Mr Wee Kim Wee as the Fourth President of our Republic.

Over the last three days much has been said about Mr Wee, Mrs Wee, his family, his work, his achievements and contribuions, and I do not intend to go over the same ground.

I have personally known Mr Wee Kim Wee since he assumed his diplomatic duties in Kuala Lumpur and have had occasions to be with him in Kuala Lumpur, Tokyo and Seoul and have seen him in front-line operation. All I can say, Sir, is that his contributions in the field of political, economic and foreign relations are immeasurable. I read somewhere that a good ambassador has three main qualities: (1) a love for his country; (2) political genius; and (3) learned eloquence to present his facts. I do not think we can fault Mr Wee on any one of the above.

Mr Wee was and is actively involved in social, charitable and sporting bodies since the 1950's. He has served in various capacities. I am certain that the sporting community in Singapore will find a very welcome patron in Mr Wee. His involvement in sports both as a participant and official would be a model for many of us to follow.

One other social body close to Mr Wee, I am told, is the Singapore Anti-Tuberculosis Association. Before his departure from Singapore for his diplomatic postings, Mr Wee served as a Council Member and also Chairman of SATA. He took a very keen interest in the affairs of SATA. Only yesterday the Director of SATA mentioned to me that two months ago Mr Wee invited him for lunch to get an update of the activities of SATA. This shows that his care and concern is a continuing one.

Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, as our President, I am confident that Mr Wee Kim Wee will enhance the office of the Presidency. His integrity and exemplary conduct and life-style is worthy of emulation. A man of humble origins, Mr Wee Kim Wee can walk tall among Kings, Presidents and Prime Ministers, and yet be at home with the common man. This is the real measure of the man. He is, I believe, the epitome of meritocracy in Singapore, having risen through the ranks to reach the highest and the most prestigious office in the land.

Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, in my opinion, Mr Wee Kim Wee is a small man who has done big things for Singapore and himself.

Question put, and agreed to.

Resolved,

That this Parliament, in accordance with Article 17 of the Constitution, elects Mr Wee Kim Wee as President of the Republic of Singapore. [Applause.]