The presidential flag of Singapore flies at half mast to mourn the passing of former President S.R. Nathan at Singapore’s Istana, Aug 23, 2016. A state funeral service will take place from 4pm on Friday at the University Cultural Centre of the National University of Singapore, it said in a statement. “Our thoughts and prayers are with Mrs. Nathan and Mr. Nathan’s family during this time of mourning”.
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President Tony Tan will lead Cabinet Ministers, Members of Parliament, civil servants as well as Singaporeans from all walks of life at the state funeral which will be followed by a private cremation.
On August 26, members of the diplomatic corps and other officials will pay their last respects to Nathan.
Subramaniam expressed his sadness at the death of Nathan, whom he called “a good friend”.
S R Nathan, who lived with his wife Urmila Nandi, daughter Juthika, son Osith, three grandchildren and sister Sundari, was born on July 3, 1924, in Malaysia and later moved to Singapore.
At the Singapore Consulate General’s office in Jalan Wong Ah Fook, Johor Baru, many people have been coming in to sign the condolence book.
“The late Mr. Nathan passed away peacefully at Singapore General Hospital on Monday”, the Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement. He has the distinction of serving his country for the longest tenure as president between 1999 and 2011. After he stepped down from his role in 2011, he held appointments as a distinguished senior fellow at the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies and at the Singapore Management University’s School of Social Sciences.
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Speaking to the media, Mr Russel said he had the honour of meeting Mr Nathan, when he was assistant to the undersecretary of state, while Mr Nathan was serving as Singapore’s Ambassador to the U.S. (1990 – 1996).
