Yusof Ishak: the man on our dollar note
years of service: 1965 - 1970

Introduction
Yusof bin Ishak, born on 12 August 1910 at Padang Gajah, Trong, Perak, commonly referred to as Yusof Ishak, became Singapore’s first president on 9 August 1965 when she gained independence as a sovereign state. The presidency was a natural transition as Inche Yusof had been the Yang di-Pertuan Negara (head of state) of Singapore since 3 December 1959 after Singapore was granted self-rule that year. Yusof became Singapore’s head of state six months after the People’s Action Party (PAP) formed the government following its victory in the Legislative Assembly general election on 30 May 1959. He replaced the first Yang di-Pertuan Negara and last governor of Singapore, William Goode. Yusof Ishak passed away on 23 November 1970 in Singapore.

Life
Born on 12 August 1910, Yusof Bin Ishak was a well-known journalist who co-founded the Utusan Malayu (Malaysian Malay Language Daily Newspaper). He began journalism after graduating from Raffles Institution in 1929. Yusof held many appointments within the Singaporean government. He served on the Film Appeal Committee from 1948 to 1950 and was also a member of both the Nature Reserves Committee and Malayanisation Commission for a year. In July 1959, he was appointed Chairman of the Public Service Commision. He was sworn on 3 December that year as Singapore's Yang di-Pertuan Negera (Head of State) after the PAP won the first election held in Singapore after Singapore's self-governance. Yusof Ishak then became the first President of Singapore after the country gained independence on 9 August 1965.

Visions for Singapore
He wanted to bring trust and confidence in the new nation especially since Singapore was facing many economic, political and social issues after PAP won the 1959 elections.

Contributions to the Nation
As president, Yusof reached out to the people to reassure citizens astonished by Singapore's expulsion from the merger with Malaysia and continued to promote multiculturalism and a national identity within the country by visiting constituencies and reaching out to different racial and religious groups.

Quotes
“No man need feel that to belong to a particular religion puts him at a disadvantage or gives him an advantage... This is how things are in Singapore and this is how things must always be in our country. Only in this way can a multiracial society like Singapore live in peace and prosperity.”

What can we learn from him?
Yusof Ishak is a strong individual who believed that every man or woman in Singapore deserved equality and that harmony in Singapore was essential to Singapore’s survival as a new nation.

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Benjamin Henry Sheares
years of service: 1971 - 1981

Introduction
Best known to most Singaporeans as the second President of Singapore, Dr. Benjamin Henry Sheares, born on 12 August 1907 in Singapore, - d. 12 May 1981, Singapore) was a well-loved and respected man whose early career in the field of medicine saw him achieve numerous breakthroughs including the internationally recognised technique of the lower Caesarian section. A Eurasian of British descent, Sheares was born into a humble family along with four other children.

Early Life
Sheares received his early education at established institutions such as the Methodists’ Girls School, St Andrew’s School and Raffles Institution. In 1923, he was accepted into the King Edward VII College of Medicine in Singapore and was conferred the Licentiate in Medicine and Surgery degree in March 1929.

Visions for Singapore
He wanted Singapore to reach its fullest potential as a new nation and carry the torch that former President Yusof Ishak had left (Benjamin Sheares admits that the biggest regret in his life is that he was not able to serve out his final term as President to the high standards he set for himself.)

Contributions to the Nation
Sheares was surprised when then Prime Minister, Lee Kuan Yew, approached him to be the President of Singapore, despite knowing that Sheares had neither been in public office nor experience in diplomacy. Yet a sense of patriotism and duty to the country soon saw him take up the post on 2 January 1971, less than two months after the passing of Singapore’s first president, Yusof Bin Ishak. Sheares was very much well loved by the people, and even during his presidency, continued to lead a modest life that included heading back to his home daily for lunch and dinner. Sheares even refused a higher salary for his role as President, and even took six months to agree to his third and final term as Singapore’s President.

Contributions to the Nation
Sheares was surprised when then Prime Minister, Lee Kuan Yew, approached him to be the President of Singapore, despite knowing that Sheares had neither been in public office nor experience in diplomacy. Yet a sense of patriotism and duty to the country soon saw him take up the post on 2 January 1971, less than two months after the passing of Singapore’s first president, Yusof Bin Ishak. Sheares was very much well loved by the people, and even during his presidency, continued to lead a modest life that included heading back to his home daily for lunch and dinner. Sheares even refused a higher salary for his role as President, and took six months to agree to his third and final term as Singapore’s President.

Quotes
“There was no anxiety or fear in him of his impending end but a deep regret that after promising the Prime Minister to serve a third term of office he would be unable because of ill-health to perform his duties in the dedicated and committed manner it demanded.”
second-hand account from a biography about Benjamin Henry Sheares written by his son

“He was composed and calm displaying equanimity when on that same day 8th May he slipped into a coma in the evening probably from a cerebral haemorrhage. I know he would have been pleasantly surprised, even a little embarrassed, but certainly very touched at the concern shown by the many Singaporeans, and not just by all his family members.”
second-hand account from a biography about Benjamin Henry Sheares written by his son

What can we learn from him?
Always give your best in everything you do even though the circumstances may be against you. Despite his deteriorating health, Benjamin Henry Sheares continued in his duties to serve Singapore to the best of his ability.
His success story in emerging from an impoverished family and challenging colonial discrimination against Asians in the field of medicine is an inspiration for many.

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C.V. Devan Nair
years of service: 1981 - 1985

Introduction
Chengara Veetil Devan Nair, born on 5 August 1923 in Jasin, near Malacca, Malaysia, better known as just Devan Nair, was Singapore’s third president and first Indian president. He passed away on 7 December 2005, Canada.

Life
Devan Nair was born in 1928 in Jasin, near Malacca, the son of a rubber plantation clerk from Kerala.
He spent his early youth here, in various rubber plantations where my grandfather worked as a clerk. He spent the war years here too. Disgusted with the cruelty of the Japanese occupiers, he helped the Malayan People’s Anti-Japanese Army, supplying them with information and intelligence.
After the Japanese Occupation (1942–45), Nair joined the teaching profession, as there was a dire need for teachers. He first taught at St Joseph’s Institution and then St Andrew’s School. During this time, his interest in the trade union movement was ignited. He assumed the responsibility of general secretary of the Singapore Teachers’ Union in 1949.
Nair was detained by the British authorities for participating in anticolonial activities in 1951. Despite the difficulties, his passion for workers’ welfare saw him return to trade union activities soon after his release in April 1953. This time, he served as the secretary of the Singapore Factory and Shopworkers’ Union.

Visions for Singapore
Devan Nair fought for worker rights and was actively involved in trade unions and worker unions. He sought to bring about greater change in the labour force in Singapore.

Contributions to the Nation
Mr C.V. Devan Nair was elected to be the third President of the Republic of Singapore by the Parliament on October 23, 1981. Before this, he led the trade union and was able to form them into a well-knitted and forward looking force with dedication towards welfare of labour under the principle of joint labour. He also initiated the establishment of the NTUC insurance co-operative INCOME, the taxi co-operative COMFORT and the WELCOME chain of co-operative supermarkets.

In 1954 he was one of the convenors of the People's Action Party and became a member of the Central Executive Committee. In 1956 he was again detained by the British and remained in custody until 1959 when the PAP came to power and appointed him Political Secretary to the Minister for Education. But he resigned from his appointment a year later for his passion for teachings brought him back to being a teacher. In the same year, he was appointed the Chairman of Prisons Inquiry Commission and he launched the Adult Education Board, becoming its first Chairman.

In 1961, he helped to find the Singapore National Trade Union Congress (NTUC) and was elected as the first Secretary-General. He also stood for election to the Malaysian Parliament in 1964 and won the seat at Bungsar constituency. He served for five years, establishing the Democratic Action Party of Malaysia in the process. He became its first Secretary-General.

When his service term in the Malaysian Parliament was over in 1969, he returned back to Singapore and resumed his post as the Secretary-General of NTUC with the mission to modernise and expand the labour movement. He became its first president in 1979. He was also president of the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions, Asian Regional Organisation, from 1976 to October 1981.

In 1979 Mr Nair stood for election in a by-election for the Anson constituency and won. He stood for election again in the 1980 General Election, and retained his seat as MP for Anson. He resigned in October 1981 when he became President of the Republic of Singapore.

Quotes
“The survival of a small nation state like Singapore depends on the degree to which we achieve integration at all levels — national integration of different ethnic, linguistic and religious groups; educational and social integration so that each individual feels part of the national larger community; integration of development efforts involving the tripartite association of Government, entrepreneurs and labour.”

“Wages and salaries are not the sole determinants of either the quality of production or of the quality of our society.”

What we learn from him?
His leadership of the Labour Movement in Singapore shows his commitment to the wellbeing of the people, us. His many contributions to the nation have also set the foundation for the present Singapore.

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Wee Kim Wee
years of service: 1985 - 1993

Introduction
Dr Wee Kim Wee, born on 4 November 1915 in Singapore, was the fourth president of Singapore, serving eight years in office from August 1985 to August 1993. The Straits-born Chinese had established himself as a diplomat and a journalist before his presidency and is often remembered as a “people’s president”. He passed away on 2 May 2005 in Singapore.

Early Life
Wee had a humble beginning as his family was relatively poor. He lost his parents at a young age – his father when he was only eight and his mother when he was 19. Wee lived with his family in a rented house on Holland Road and they subsisted on rearing poultry and the fruit trees that were grown in the home’s compound. Wee attended Pearl’s Hill School, Outram School and Raffles Institution, but halted his education in 1929 at the age of 15 to supplement his family income through work. Before his presidency, Wee worked as a journalist with the Straits Times.

Contributions to the Nation
The creation of an elected presidency was a major constitutional and political change in Singapore's history as under the revision, as the President is empowered to veto government budgets and appointments to public office. He can examine the government's exercise of its powers under the Internal Security Act and religious harmony laws and investigate cases of corruption.
For the ensuing initial presidential election, the first in Singapore to be decided by popular poll, Wee decided not to enter his candidacy and went into retirement upon the completion of his second and final term as President. He was also awarded the Darjah Utama Temasek (Second most important National Honour) in 1993.

Quotes
“It is essential that we start in our own small way, within our homes, to respect our elders and treat them with love and kindness. They have given the best years of their lives for the well-being of their families and the progress and development of the state. They cannot and must not be shunted aside like unwanted animals.”

“All things have their natural order and place. If the natural order is upset, there will be no stability and no progress. This orderliness applies just as much to the Government and the community in which we live as well as to the family. If a family is not well ordered, it is unlikely to be a stable one. There will be frequent quarrels and unhappiness. Similarly, if there is no order in a country, there will be no progress or development. There can even be strife and turmoil.”

What can we learn from him?
The late Dr. Wee Kim Wee, hailed as the “People’s President”, was a man who could command the respect of, and also be at ease with, people from diverse backgrounds. Imbued with a spirit of generosity, Dr. Wee demonstrated a desire to give back to society what he had received from it, his heart for service being rooted in his empathy for his fellow humans.

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Ong Teng Cheong
years of service: 1993 - 1999

Introduction
Ong Teng Cheong (22 January 1936 - 8 February 2002) was a Singaporean politician, architect and former Deputy Prime Minister, who was the fifth president of Singapore serving a six-year term from 1 September 1993 to 31 August 1999 as a winning candidate of the 1993 Singaporean presidential election. He decided not to run for a second term partially due to his wife’s passing. He passed away in his sleep to lymphoma in 2002.

Life
Education:
After the war, he attended Chong Cheng Primary School and progressed to The Chinese High School, where he topped the school’s final year examination in 1955. As he was Chinese educated, he did not have many tertiary education opportunities, as the University of Malaya taught in English.
Ong then left for Adelaide, Australia, for further studies and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in architecture from the University of Adelaide in 1961. His future spouse also attended this university, and they had previously met in Secondary School.
He received his master’s degree in civic design from the University of Liverpool, United Kingdom, in 1967 under the Colombo Plan scholarship.

Career as an architect:
He worked as an architect for one year after returning from Adelaide, but stopped to study in Liverpool.
He returned to Singapore in 1967 and worked for six months in the Planning Department under the Ministry of National Development before being moved to the State and City Planning project, a collaboration between the United Nations Development Programme and the Singapore government to develop a long-term concept plan for Singapore’s future physical development. He was tasked with planning the land use for Singapore's central region, and the plans he drew up for Telok Blangah were eventually implemented in the mid-1970s.
In 1971, he left the civil service to set up his own architectural firm.

Entry to politics:
After moving to Jalan Kayu in the late 1960s, Ong started to get involved in the Seletar Hills Residents’ Association. He subsequently met the then MP of Jalan Kayu, Hwang Soo Jin, and was persuaded to join politics. Meanwhile, Ong was serving as a member in the Citizens Consultative Committee, and conducted meet-the-people sessions for Hwang in his absence.
In early 1972, Ong met the PAP leaders for an interview to stand for election under the banner of their political party, and was fielded as a candidate for the Kim Keat constituency during the general election of September that year. He won the election and became the MP for Kim Keat. In 1991, he was elected as one of four MPs in the Toa Payoh Group Representation Constituency (GRC) after Kim Keat was absorbed as part of the GRC. Altogether, Ong served as an MP for over two decades.
Ong was approached to take up office as early as 1973, but only agreed to do so in late 1974 after leaving his architectural practice and his ailing younger brother had passed away. Ong was sworn in as the senior minister of state for communications in June 1975.

Visions for Singapore
In his campaign, he stressed that despite his association with the PAP, he would act independently and make decisions that were best for the people, without interference from the PAP.

Why did people choose him for President?
Ong was backed by influential leaders such as then-Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong and then-Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew. He had higher public exposure and a more active campaign.
The opposing contender, Accountant-General Chua Kim Yeow, was also supported by a few members of the Cabinet and the People's Action Party, including then-Finance Minister Richard Hu and former Trade Minister, then-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of OCBC Tony Tan Keng Yam.
However, Chua was a reluctant candidate and had to be persuaded by the Government to stand so that the election would be contested. During the 10-day campaign, Chua urged supporters not to campaign for him. He appeared on TV just twice (once avoiding any mention of himself or his views), and even announced on polling day that Ong was the better candidate.

As a result, most of the electorate (but by a surprisingly small margin) voted for Ong. He won with 58.7% of the votes against Chua, and thus became Singapore's fifth president and the first to be elected.

Contributions to the Nation
As President:
One of Ong’s legacies as president was refining the constitutional powers and workings of the elected presidency, particularly pertaining to its custodial role in safeguarding the national reserves. Until 1991 when the elected presidency was established, the president was primarily a ceremonial figure. The white paper, “The Principles for Determining and Safeguarding the Accumulated Reserves of the Government and the Fifth Schedule Statutory Boards and Government Companies”, published at the end of his term in 1999, sought to clarify the procedures taken by the president together with the government in safeguarding the national reserves.
During his tenure, Ong also initiated a number of charities such as the President’s Star Charity, which financially benefited at least 160 organisations during his six years as president.

As MP, Secretary-General of NTUC:
One of Ong’s responsibilities in the Ministry of Communications was to develop Singapore’s rapid transit network, which came to be known as the Mass Rapid Transit, or MRT. He lobbied for the development of the train system in Singapore, as he believed that it would offer a better solution for traffic problems in the long run.
During his decade with the NTUC as its secretary-general from 1983 to 1993, Ong was seen to pay special attention to low-income, daily-rated workers. He ensured that these workers still received their 13th-month bonuses despite the recession in 1985, which was the most severe economic downturn since Singapore’s independence. He also managed to gain the workers’ support in accepting wage restraints and a cut in employers’ Central Provident Fund contributions during the recession.
Ong, a pianist himself, was passionate about culture and the arts. In his capacity as acting Minister for Culture (1977–81), Ong initiated numerous arts policies. For instance, he launched the Singapore Cultural Foundation in 1978 to support the arts and started the Cultural Medallion awards in 1979 to recognise individuals who excelled in the fields of visual arts, dance, music, drama and literature.

Quotes
"In time, the Presidency should grow into an institution which strengthens our political stability, guarantees high standards of government, and assures Singaporeans of a secure and prosperous future... The President must be above partisan politics, even though the decisions he makes are, in the wide sense of the word, political ones. He must protect the interests of Singapore as a whole."
1 September 1993, in a speech after the Presidential swearing-in ceremony

"Some people still ask whether my long previous association with the PAP will stop me from acting independently. The answer is no. My loyalty is first and foremost, to the people of Singapore. It has always been so, and will always remain so."
August 1993, in his final election broadcast speech

"There are so many things to be done. I intend to live every minute of it as fully as I can and press on with the work."
1992, at a press conference after being diagnosed with lymphoma (before he took office as President)

What can we learn from him?
Despite his medical condition, he did his best to help the people. He made many decisions with the benefit of the people in mind even though they posed notable risks, such as protecting national reserves (it took about 3 years for them to declare all of the government’s assets) and lobbying for the development of the MRT (it had a hefty cost of an estimated S$5b).

Although he has passed on, his contributions live on, and they have paved the way for the development of the country.

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Sellapan Ramanathan (S.R. Nathan)
years of service: 1999 - 2011

Introduction
Sellapan Ramanathan (3 July 1924 - 22 August 2016), usually referred to as S. R. Nathan, was a Singaporean politician who was the sixth President of Singapore serving a twelve-year term from 1 September 1999 to 31 August 2011, having been elected in uncontested elections in the 1999 Singaporean presidential election and in the 2005 Singaporean presidential election. He was Singapore's longest-serving president. He died in hospital in 2016 after suffering a stroke, aged 92.

Life
Early Life:
Sellapan Ramanathan, of Tamil Indian descent, was born in Singapore on 3 July 1924. He spent his childhood with his parents and two older brothers in Muar, Johor. Nathan would eventually be one of seven siblings; his three older brothers died in childhood. His father had been posted to the Malayan town as a lawyer's clerk for a firm that serviced rubber plantations, but the Great Depression and rubber slump of the 1930s sent the family's fortunes crashing. Nathan's father accrued debts and eventually committed suicide when Nathan was eight.
After the family tragedy, Nathan’s family resided with his uncle, and he studied at Anglo-Chinese Primary School, Anglo-Chinese Middle School, Rangoon Road Afternoon School and later Victoria School. However, he was expelled from school twice and, after quarrelling with his mother, ran away from home at the age of 16. He felt that he could only return after he obtained success in life. He found a job at an architectural firm, and later worked in Muar as a clerk. Four years later, he returned to Singapore and reconciled with his mother and family.
During the Japanese Occupation, Nathan received an English–Japanese dictionary as a gift and learned the Japanese language. He excelled as a translator and interpreter, and eventually worked for the top official in the Japanese civilian police.
After the war ended, Nathan took a hiatus from his job as a clerk at the Public Works Department to pursue his studies. With the assistance of a bursary from Shell, he became one of eight undergraduates in the pioneer group of social work students at the University of Malaya. He graduated with a distinction in diploma in social studies in 1954, after which he worked as an almoner and later Seamen’s Welfare Officer with the Marine Department.

Career:
He had a long career in the Singapore Civil Service, which he joined in 1955. Between 1962 and 1966 he was seconded to the National Trades Union Congress, and then worked in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Home Affairs. He was with the Security and Intelligence Division of the Defence Ministry when the Laju incident happened in 1974, and was among the government officers who agreed to accompany terrorists who had bombed petroleum tanks to Kuwait to secure the release of civilian hostages and ensure the terrorists' safe passage. He served as First Permanent Secretary of the Foreign Ministry from 1979 to 1982.
Nathan left the Civil Service in 1982 to take up the executive chairmanship of the Straits Times Press; he also held directorships in other companies. Between 1988 and 1996 he served as Singapore's High Commissioner to Malaysia and Ambassador to the United States.

Visions for Singapore
“When I was sworn in as President in 1999, I said that I will be a President for all Singaporeans, with every community of Singaporeans as my parish. I have tried to live up to that, engaging the different races and religious groups in every way possible.”
~ a direct quote

Why did people choose him for President?
After being asked to consider running for office by several public figures including then senior minister Lee Kuan Yew and former president Wee Kim Wee, Nathan announced his candidacy for the presidential post on 6 August.
He was the sole eligible candidate after two other potential candidates failed to meet constitutional criteria for the post. Nathan was sworn into office on 1 September.
On 17 August 2005, he was re-elected for a second term without contest, as there were no eligible challengers.

Contributions to the Nation
Nathan founded the President’s Challenge in 2000, a series of community-based fundraising events for charity. Between 2000 and 2011, the President’s Challenge raised more than S$100 million for more than 500 beneficiary organisations. In 2001, he also created the President’s Social Service Awards to recognise achievers in fields such as nursing, social work and environmental activism.
In 2009, Nathan approved the government’s use of S$4.9 billion from the national reserves to fund anti recessionary measures in the light of the economic downturn then. This marked the first time the government applied to use part of the reserves, which requires the approval of the president and the Council of Presidential Advisers.
During his two terms as president from 1999 to 2011, Nathan hosted about 50 heads of state and over 100 prime ministers and important delegations on official visits to Singapore. He made state visits to around 30 countries, including eight capital cities of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Political observers have noted that Nathan’s prior stints in the foreign ministry helped strengthen diplomatic ties and facilitate trade links with many countries.

Quotes
“I’ve done the best I can. If it’s good enough for some people, fine. If it’s not good enough for some people, and there will always be noise in the environment, you can’t stop it. You don’t do it because you want to leave a legacy. You do the best you can.”

“The way I’ve been accepted by people of all races, of all strata of society, of all persuasions, who have embraced me and accepted me as their President. I’ve tried to behave in a way not to let them down either locally or internationally. I’ve tried to preserve in some ways the aura of the presidency which must be kept because it’s an institution above politics.”

“Whether in the office of the President or in the executive arm of Government, we’ll always need people of strong character and vision who resist populist pressures and the temptation to sacrifice the long-term interest of the nation in response to those who merely snipe without having to take responsibility.”

What can we learn from him?
His work with the disadvantaged, rapport with citizens and various communities, and support of a diverse range of social causes, show his care and commitment towards us.

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Tony Tan Keng Yam
years of service: 2011 - 2017

Introduction
Tony Tan Keng Yam (born 7 February 1940) is a Singaporean politician and former Deputy Prime Minister, who was the seventh President of Singapore, serving a six-year term from 1 September 2011 to 31 August 2017 as a winning candidate of the 2011 Singaporean presidential election.

Life
Early Life:
Tan was educated at St Patrick’s School and St Joseph’s Institution. At St Patrick’s, he was the head prefect and a scout, and participated in table tennis, football, cricket and athletics. In 1957, The Straits Times newspaper dubbed Tan the “brightest schoolboy in Singapore” after he received grades of six A1s and two A2s in the Cambridge School Certificate Examination.
Two years later, Tan became one of the first three students to be awarded the Singapore State Scholarship, which replaced the colonial-era Queen’s Scholarship. Tan was admitted to the second-year course in the University of Singapore’s science faculty.
Tan graduated from the University of Singapore with a first-class honours degree in Physics in 1962. With a scholarship from the Asia Foundation, he then obtained a Master of Science degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1964.
After lecturing for a year in the Physics department at the University of Singapore, Tan received a research scholarship from the University of Adelaide and studied for his doctorate in applied mathematics there. He obtained his doctorate in 1967 and returned to work as a lecturer in the Mathematics department at the University of Singapore.
In 1969, Tan left the University of Singapore to begin a career in banking with Overseas-Chinese Banking Corporation (OCBC), where he rose to become general manager, before leaving the bank to pursue a career in politics in 1979.

Entry to politics:
In April 1978, the government appointed Tan as chairman of the Singapore Bus Service (SBS). At SBS, Tan dealt with service, labour and infrastructure issues and the appointment was seen to be a measure of his suitability for a political career. He joined the People’s Action Party (PAP) after joining SBS.
He stood in the constituency of Sembawang after then prime minister Lee Kuan Yew had asked the incumbent member of parliament (MP), Teong Eng Siong, to step down.
In February, Tan defeated Harbans Singh of the United People’s Party with 76.73% of the vote to become the MP for Sembawang. Tan chose to work with the then Minister for Education, Goh Keng Swee, and was appointed as Senior Minister of State for Education in February 1979.

Time in Cabinet:
Tan became the Minister for Education in June 1980, and went on to serve in the post over two periods: from June 1980 to May 1981, and from January 1985 to December 1991. Over the two terms, Tan sought to align the education system to Singapore’s economic requirements, as he believed that “education and economic performance are indivisible”.
In June 1981, Tan was appointed the minister for trade and industry. He also held this portfolio for two separate periods: June 1981 to January 1985, and May 1985 to February 1986. Tan was concurrently the minister for finance between October 1983 and December 1985.
Tan stepped down from the cabinet in December 1991 and became the chairman and chief executive officer of OCBC. Tan, however, remained as MP for Sembawang and took on an advisory role in the Ministry of Education as chairman of the University Grants Committee, which advised the government on funding matters to universities.
After Ong Teng Cheong and Lee Hsien Loong were diagnosed with cancer in 1992 and 1993, Tan was asked to return to Cabinet in August 1995 as deputy prime minister (1995–2005) and Minister for Defence (1995–2003). It was reported that he declined an offer of make-up pay, which compensated ministers for a loss in salary when they leave the private sector. Tan declared that "the interests of Singapore must take precedence over that of a bank and my own personal considerations".
In August 2003, he relinquished the defence portfolio and became the Coordinating Minister for Security and Defence, while retaining the post of deputy prime minister.
Tan stepped down as Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for Security and Defence on 1 September 2005.
Founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew picked Tony Tan to be Singapore's second prime minister, but Tan turned down the position.
Tan was appointed Deputy Chairman and executive director of the Government of Singapore Investment Corporation (GIC) following his retirement from Cabinet in 2005.

Visions for Singapore
His campaign slogan was “Confidence for the Future”. During his campaign, he conveyed strong unifying messages and declared his intention to work closely with the government. He promised to protect national reserves and be responsible with government finances. He said that he could be both a resource and a symbol and would offer the Prime Minister his confidential advice on government policies and engage all Singaporeans to understand their interests and concerns.

Why did people choose him for President?
On 28 August 2011, Tony Tan was declared president-elect with 35.19% of the votes, leading by a 0.34% margin ahead of Tan Cheng Bock, or 7,269 votes.
He was backed up by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong
He emphasised that the president works for all Singaporeans and he will not be an "ivory tower President", just as President S.R. Nathan was not.

Contributions to the Nation
As Minister for Education from 1980-1981 and 1985-1991, he sought to align the education system to Singapore’s economic requirements, as he believed that “education and economic performance are indivisible”. He initiated a review of the education system to ensure that all students had at least 10 years of schooling before moving on to tertiary or vocational education. This resulted in a revamp of the Primary and Secondary school education system in 1992. He also modified policies related to the streaming system, such as making it more flexible for students to move between streams and giving parents the right to choose their child’s stream in primary school. In 1985, he scrapped the policy that gave graduate mothers priority for their children’s school admissions. He was involved in the establishment of independent schools, increasing intake of foreign students in higher education, and increasing the emphasis on English and mathematics in the syllabus.

As Minister for Finance from 1983-1985, during the recession in 1985, he announced setting up a ministerial-level economic review committee, which recommended a number of economic stimulus measures. He also personally called for a temporary reduction in the rate of Central Provident Fund (CPF) contributions by employers in order to reduce costs for businesses. The measures – such as corporate and personal tax cuts, interest rate cuts and wage freezes – were subsequently adopted by the government and the rate of employers’ CPF contributions were eventually cut from 25 percent to 10 percent. The economy returned to growth in 1986.

As President, he placed strong emphasis on maintaining racial harmony in our multiracial society, as well as keeping defenses up to prepare for any possible threats such as terrorism.

Quotes
“Through the outreach that I have done, through platforms, I hope to unify Singaporeans because at the end of the day, Singapore is our home. We share a common destiny, and I think all of us work together for the benefit of our country.”

“I plan to work my utmost for Singaporeans, whatever be their political affiliation. The presidency is above politics.”

“I've done my best. It's been hard work but it's always been very rewarding. How Singaporeans will regard me, that's for Singaporeans to decide.”

What can we learn from him?
In the tight race for presidency, he won by only a very small margin but acknowledged the effort other candidates put in. He also congratulated Tan Cheng Bock and Tan Kin Lian "for their earnest campaign". This shows his gratitude and sportsmanship that we can all learn to display in our everyday lives.
He also made many changes to Singapore’s education system, giving children and students like us more chances for high quality education in Singapore.