In handwritten notes, S'poreans pay tribute to S R Nathan at Istana
SINGAPORE — A gentle giant, warm and sincere, a man who “always has a smile for everyone”. These were among the memories of the late former President Mr S R Nathan that members of the public had posted on condolence boards outside the Istana on Tuesday (Aug 23).
People started arriving before daybreak, and by 1.30pm, about 200 had written on tribute cards.
There was no queue, but the mood was sombre as a steady stream of mourners made their way to the boards, with some crying while writing their notes. Others murmured prayers before putting up their cards at the tribute area near the Istana main gate along Orchard Road.
Self-employed engineer Lim Rong Xiang, who was among the first to arrive at the Istana at 6.15am, said he could not sleep after receiving news of Mr Nathan’s passing at 9.48pm on Monday, at the Singapore General Hospital where he had been warded since he suffered a stroke on July 31. The 35-year-old remembers Mr Nathan as a “beloved elected president”.
“His long term of service was one of the most spiritually insightful periods of my life,” said Mr Lim. Mr Nathan, 92, was Singapore’s President for 12 years, from 1999 to 2011.
For Dr William Tan, the deepest impression of the late President was the "emotional and financial support" he received during his battle with Stage 4 leukemia in 2009. Dr Tan said Mr Nathan graciously autographed and helped auctioned off his books, which raised funds for his treatment. He said the gesture "invigorated" him back to health.
Dr Tan also remembers when Mr Nathan gave him a "thumbs up" before an 100km ultramarathon in 2005, and how Mr Nathan hosted a private function to present Dr Tan an award when he couldn't make it on the actual day.
"It's these gestures that I remember of him," said Dr Tan, who was holding back tears as he spoke.
Mr Adrian Ng and his wife Joyce Wong, both 42, said they will miss running into Mr Nathan during morning walks at East Coast Park.
The couple remember him as an approachable man who will always oblige requests for photos.
“He is a fatherly figure to many people, a very approachable person who has no airs,” said Mr Ng.
Two classes of students from the School of the Arts (Sota) — led by history teacher Ng Herk Siang and Malay teacher Maslinda Ali — also came by in the midst of their lessons.
Ms Maslinda, 40, said the school held a ceremony to pay tribute to Mr Nathan on Tuesday morning, where a video was screened and the principal delivered a speech outlining his contributions to Singapore.
“His dedication to Singapore and in paying attention to the people is just incredible. There is a lot we can learn from him,” said Sota student Natasha Sturgess. The 17-year-old remembers Mr Nathan as the Republic’s longest serving president who took office the year she was born.
Another student, Syaleirah Noble, proudly recalled the privilege of having performed for Mr Nathan, while other members of the public showed off photos they had taken with him.
Besides personal encounters, members of the public also recounted Mr Nathan’s long service to the nation in various capacities — including his work in the social service and in foreign relations — in their tribute cards.
Members of public can access the area outside the Istana round-the-clock till midnight on Saturday to pen their tributes. The public can also express their condolences and share their memories of Mr Nathan at www.remembering.sg/srnathan and the Remembering S R Nathan Facebook page.
Mr Nathan will lie in state at Parliament House on Thursday, where people can go and pay their last respects from 10am to 8pm.
