From delinquent to president: ESM Goh, PM Lee letters recount Nathan's life
Letters to his family tell of the late Mr Nathan as one who overcame circumstances to become a well-loved president
Singapore
WHEN first asked by then-prime minister Goh Chok Tong to stand as a candidate for president in 1999, SR Nathan broke down, fearing that his delinquent past would stain the sanctity of the highest office of the land.
But, as detailed in separate letters by Mr Goh and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong to the late Mr Nathan's family on Tuesday, Mr Nathan would not only overcome this to become the Republic's longest-serving president, he also drew from these past experiences to endear himself to all Singaporeans.
KEYWORDS IN THIS ARTICLE
BT is now on Telegram!
For daily updates on weekdays and specially selected content for the weekend. Subscribe to t.me/BizTimes
International
South Korea’s factory activity shrinks in April, but optimism about outlook ticks up
US sanctions firms in China, UAE for support of Russia’s war
Japan suspects companies are evading disclosure of cross-shareholdings
Germany hit hard as foreign investment falls in Europe: EY survey
South Korea’s April inflation at 2.9% y/y, lower than expected
US mulls first green-bond sales to tap a US$2.6 trillion market