NDP - LKY's seat will be left empty as a mark of remembrance. Another Pre-GE Gimmick?

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Today 6:30 PM Post: #1 reiko
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#NDP: Ong Pang Boon, Jek Yeun Thong and Othman Wok to sit next to Mr #LeeKuanYew’s empty seat http://tdy.sg/1MOeDgB








http://www.todayonline.com/singapore...ers-attend-ndp


Three old guard ministers to attend NDP

Mr Ong Pang Boon (left) and Mr Othman Wok. Photos: Channel NewsAsia, TODAY

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Published: 6:00 PM, July 25, 2015
Updated: 6:00 PM, July 25, 2015

(Page 1 of 1) - PAGINATE
SINGAPORE — Fifty years ago, they were among the 10 government leaders who signed an historic agreement that birthed Singapore as an independent nation. Come Aug 9, these three Old Guard members will witness another historic Singapore moment — the Republic’s Golden Jubilee parade celebrations.

Mr Ong Pang Boon, 86, Mr Jek Yeun Thong, 85, and Mr Othman Wok, 90 — the three remaining living signatories to the Independence of Singapore Agreement 1965 — will be attending this year’s National Day Parade (NDP).

Special seats have been set aside for these long-time Cabinet ministers: Next to the late Mr Lee Kuan Yew’s seat, which would be left empty as a mark of remembrance.
Among the trio, Mr Ong was a significant member of the late Mr Lee’s team. He was appointed Minister of Home Affairs in the Republic’s first Cabinet following the 1959 Legislative Assembly General Election, and helmed several other key portfolios during his political career that lasted until 1988.
For instance, he spearheaded the “anti-yellow culture” campaign, to rid sources of “moral degeneration” in Singapore such as pornography, gambling dens, prostitution and secret societies. He was also instrumental in driving bilingual education, making second language a compulsory subject for the Cambridge School Certificate examination from 1969.
Mr Ong Pang Boon recalled signing the independence agreement: “I remembered being speechless when Dr Toh Chin Chye broke the news (of Singapore’s separation from Malaysia) to me. It was with a heavy heart that I signed the agreement. But over the past 50 years, as I watched Singaporeans enjoy what we have created and built, I know with all my heart that we made the right decision. I am looking forward to being part of the Golden Jubilee National Day Parade.”
Mr Jek was the Minister for Labour from 1963, given the task of eradicating communism from the trade unions. During his time in charge of the Culture ministry from 1968 to 1979, he promoted Asian art and values as a “culture ballast” against Western decadence.
Mr Jek was also credited with helping the late Mr Lee early on with his speeches for the Chinese ground.
Mr Jek Yeun Thong said that from the moment he signed the independence agreement, he knew that the road ahead would be challenging. “The initial years of our nation-building were not easy but everyone believed in a single cause: To make Singapore a better home for ourselves and our children. Through sheer grit and determination, we came to where we are today.”
Mr Othman served in the Cabinet for 14 years as Minister for Social Affairs, having key involvements in the Singapore Grand Prix and the establishment of the National Stadium. He was a firm believer in multi-racialism, and also started several initiatives that still impact the Malay community today such as the regulation and organisation of Hajj activities and creating the Mosque Building Fund.
After exiting politics, Mr Othman continued to serve Singapore, becoming the ambassador to Indonesia for more than three years, during which the two countries enjoyed warm ties.
On attending NDP this year Mr Othman Wok said: “I’m honoured that we’ve been asked to sit next to Mr Lee Kuan Yew’s empty seat. He is the man who brought Singapore to what it is today. He is truly an inspiration for all Singaporeans.”
The other six ministers who signed the Independence of Singapore agreement have all died. They are Mr Toh Chin Chye, Dr Goh Keng Swee, Mr E W Barker, Mr S Rajaratnam, Mr Yong Nyuk Lin, and Mr Lim Kim San.


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