People's President

The People's President was how Dr Wee Kim Wee (November 4 1915 – May 2 2005) the fourth President of Singapore, from 1985 to 1993 was to be remembered.

Born into a humble family, Dr Wee followed in the footsteps of his father and started out as a clerk working for The Straits Times, before becoming a reporter focusing on political issues. He worked his way up to become editorial manager, from which he retired in 1973 to become the High Commissioner to Malaysia, a position he held for 7 years. He was appointed ambassador to Japan in September 1980, and to South Korea in February 1981. At the end of his diplomatic career in 1984, he was appointed chairman of the Singapore Broadcasting Corporation and became president a year later.

The warm-hearted Dr Wee was very popular and was well-loved for his approachability and humility, as he reached out to people of all walks of life with a genuine concern for others. His modest, friendly, and sincere nature will be fondly remembered by Singaporeans. A humble man up to his death, he had asked to be cremated and for the ashes to be placed in the Mandai Columbarium with those of ordinary citizens, instead of at the Kranji War Cemetery, where people of his rank are usually buried. He was given a state funeral.

Dr Wee Kim Wee had brought dignity and honour to the office of the President, giving his all to serve the people, and gaining the respect, admiration and affection of Singaporeans, and being a great example of a politician. The memories of his life, his achievements and his warm and gentle personality will continue to touch and inspire Singaporeans and the generations to come.