Jump to content

Tony Tan

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from Tan Keng Yam)
"Chén Qìngyán" redirects here. For the Hong Kong research professor, see Qingyan Chen.
For other people named Tony Tan, see Tony Tan (disambiguation).
In this Chinese name, the family name is Tan.

Tony Tan
Ph.D., DUT GCB
陈庆炎
Tan in 2016
7th President of Singapore
In office
1 September 2011 – 31 August 2017
Prime MinisterLee Hsien Loong
Preceded byS. R. Nathan
Succeeded byHalimah Yacob
Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore
In office
1 August 1995 – 1 September 2005
Serving with Lee Hsien Loong (1990–2004) and S. Jayakumar (2004–2009)
Prime MinisterGoh Chok Tong
Lee Hsien Loong
Preceded byGoh Chok Tong
Ong Teng Cheong
Succeeded byWong Kan Seng
S. Jayakumar
Coordinating Minister for Security and Defence
In office
1 August 2003 – 1 September 2005
Prime MinisterGoh Chok Tong
Lee Hsien Loong
Preceded byOng Teng Cheong
Succeeded byS. Jayakumar
Minister for Defence
In office
1 August 1995 – 1 August 2003
Prime MinisterGoh Chok Tong
Second MinisterTeo Chee Hean
Preceded byLee Boon Yang
Succeeded byTeo Chee Hean
Chairman of the People's Action Party
In office
1 September 1993 – 3 December 2004
Preceded byOng Teng Cheong
Succeeded byLim Boon Heng
Minister for Finance
In office
24 October 1983 – 1 January 1985
Prime MinisterLee Kuan Yew
Preceded byHon Sui Sen
Succeeded byRichard Hu
Minister for Trade and Industry
In office
1 June 1981 – 17 February 1986
Prime MinisterLee Kuan Yew
Preceded byGoh Chok Tong
Succeeded byLee Hsien Loong
Minister for Education
In office
2 January 1985 – 1 January 1992
Prime MinisterLee Kuan Yew
Goh Chok Tong
Preceded byGoh Keng Swee
Succeeded byLee Yock Suan
In office
1 June 1980 – 31 May 1981
Prime MinisterLee Kuan Yew
Preceded byGoh Keng Swee
Succeeded byGoh Keng Swee
Member of the Singapore Parliament
for Sembawang GRC
(Sembawang)
In office
3 September 1988 – 20 April 2006
Preceded byConstituency established
Succeeded byKhaw Boon Wan (PAP)
Member of the Singapore Parliament
for Sembawang SMC
In office
10 February 1979 – 17 August 1988
Preceded byTeong Eng Siong (PAP)
Succeeded byConstituency abolished
Personal details
Born
Tony Tan Keng Yam

(1940-02-07) 7 February 1940 (age 84)
Singapore, Straits Settlements, British Malaya
Political partyIndependent
Other political
affiliations		People's Action Party
(1979–2006)
Spouse
Mary Chee
​
(m. 1964)​
Children4
RelativesTan Chin Tuan (uncle)
Alma materUniversity of Singapore (BS)
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MS)
University of Adelaide (PhD)
Signature
Chinese name
Simplified Chinese陈庆炎
Traditional Chinese陳慶炎
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinChén Qìngyán

Tony Tan Keng Yam DUT GCB (Chinese: 陈庆炎; pinyin: Chén Qìngyán; born 7 February 1940) is a Singaporean banker and politician who served as the seventh president of Singapore from 2011 to 2017.

Prior to entering politics, Tan was a general manager at OCBC Bank. He made his political debut in the 1979 by-elections as a PAP candidate contesting in Sembawang SMC and won. He also served as Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore between 1995 and 2005.

Tan resigned from the Cabinet in 2005 and was appointed deputy chairman and executive director of GIC, the country's sovereign wealth fund, chairman of the National Research Foundation and Chairman of SPH. He resigned from all of his positions in 2010 before contesting in the 2011 presidential election as an independent candidate.

Tan won the 2011 presidential election in a four-cornered fight and served as the president of Singapore until 2017. He did not seek for a re-election in the 2017 presidential election, which was reserved for Malay candidates after a constitutional amendment.[1][2] His presidential term ended and he officially retired on 1 September 2017. He was succeeded by Halimah Yacob on 14 September 2017.

Education

[edit]

Tan was educated at St Patrick's School and St Joseph's Institution[3] before topping his class and graduating from the University of Singapore (now the National University of Singapore) with a Bachelor of Science with first class honours degree in physics, under a scholarship conferred by the Singapore Government.[3]

He subsequently went on to complete a Master of Science degree in operations research at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, under the Asia Foundation Scholarship.[4]

He also completed a Doctor of Philosophy in applied mathematics at the University of Adelaide, and went on to teach mathematics at the University of Singapore.[5][6]

Career

[edit]

In 1969, Tan left the University of Singapore and joined OCBC Bank, where he became the general manager, before leaving the bank in 1979 to enter politics.[4][7]

In December 1991, Tan stepped down from the Cabinet to return to the private sector, where he rejoined OCBC Bank as the chairman and chief executive officer from 1992 to 1995, while retaining his seat in the Parliament as the Member of Parliament for Sembawang GRC.[8]

Tan was appointed as Deputy Chairman and Executive Director of GIC, the country's sovereign wealth fund, following his second retirement from Cabinet in 2005.[9][10] He was also appointed as chairman of the National Research Foundation, Deputy Chairman of the Research, Innovation and Enterprise Council, and Chairman of Singapore Press Holdings concurrently.[10]

Tan's tenure at GIC coincided with moves toward greater disclosure in the investment fund's activities amid mounting concerns about the secretive fund's influence after high-profile investments in UBS and Citigroup.[11]

Political career

[edit]

A former member of the governing People's Action Party (PAP), Tan was elected as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Sembawang GRC after his electoral victory in the 1979 by-elections.[12] He was subsequently appointed as Senior Minister of State for Education in 1979.[13]

Minister for Education (1980–1981, 1985–1991)

[edit]

He joined the Cabinet in 1980, serving as Minister for Education. As the Minister for Education, Tan scrapped a policy that favoured children of more well-educated mothers ahead of children of less-educated mothers in primary school placement in response to popular discontent and public criticism of the policy which saw PAP receiving the lowest votes since independence during the 1984 general election.[14][15]

He also introduced the independent schools system, allowing established educational institutions in Singapore to charge its own fees and have control over their governance and teaching staff, though this was criticised by parents as being "elitist" and made top-ranked schools increasingly out of reach to poorer families due to subsequent fee hikes.[16][17]

Minister for Trade and Industry (1981–1986)

[edit]

Tan took on the role of Minister for Trade and Industry from 1981 to 1986. He was also appointed as Minister for Finance from 1983 to 1985, and Minister for Health from 1985 to 1986.[3]

Tan espoused a cut in the Central Provident Fund (CPF) in the 1980s, which Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew had said would not be allowed except "in an economic crisis".[18]

Tan was also known to have opposed the shipping industry strike in January 1986, the first for about a decade in Singapore, which was sanctioned by fellow Cabinet minister, Ong Teng Cheong, who is also Secretary-General of the National Trades Union Congress, felt the strike was necessary.[19]

As Minister for Trade and Industry, Tan was concerned about investors' reactions to a perceived deterioration of labour relations and the impact on foreign direct investment.[19]

In his analysis, historian Michael Barr explains that older [grassroots] union leaders bore "increasing disquiet" at their exclusion from consultation in NTUC's policies, which were effectively managed by "technocrats" in the government. Unlike the previous NTUC secretary-general Lim Chee Onn, Lee Kuan Yew's protégé Ong Teng Cheong in 1983 had an "implicit pact" with the trade unions—involving grassroots leaders in top decisions and "working actively and forcefully" in the interests of the unions "in a way Lim had never seen to do"—in exchange for the unions' continued "cooperation on the government's core industrial relations strategies". (In 1969, the NTUC had adopted "a cooperative, rather than a confrontational policy towards employers".)[20]

Although striking was prohibited and trade unions were barred from negotiating such matters as promotion, transfer, employment, dismissal, retrenchment, and reinstatement, issues that "accounted for most earlier labour disputes", the government provided measures for workers' safety and welfare, and serious union disputes with employers were almost always handled through the Industrial Arbitration Court, which had powers of both binding arbitration and voluntary mediation.[21] However, Ong felt these measures did not prevent "management [from] taking advantage of the workers", recalling in a 2000 interview in Asiaweek: "Some of them were angry with me about that... the minister for trade and industry [Tan] was very angry, his officers were upset. They had calls from America, asking what happened to Singapore?"[22] However the fact that the strike only lasted two days before "all the issues were settled" was cited by Ong in a 2000 interview with Asiaweek as proof that "management was just trying to pull a fast one".

Tan initially opposed the timing of building the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) in 1981 when it was raised by Ong. Tan held the view that the local construction industry was overheated at the time, and public housing should take priority.[23]

Deputy Prime Minister (1995–2005)

[edit]

After Ong Teng Cheong and Lee Hsien Loong were diagnosed with cancer in 1992 and 1993 respectively,[24][25] Tan was asked to return to Cabinet in August 1995 as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence.[26] It was reported that he declined an offer of make-up pay, which compensate ministers for a loss in salary when they leave the private sector.[27] Tan declared that "the interests of Singapore must take precedence over that of a bank and my own personal considerations".[28]

In August 2003, he relinquished the portfolio of Minister for Defence and became Coordinating Minister for Security and Defence, while retaining the portfolio of Deputy Prime Minister.[3] He later persuaded Minister for National Development Mah Bow Tan to abandon plans to demolish an old mosque in his constituency of Sembawang.[29] Dubbed the "Last Kampung Mosque in Singapore", it was later designated a heritage site.[30]

Tan joined other dissenting colleagues in opposing the implementation of Integrated Resorts (IRs) with their attached casinos to Singapore. Commenting on a survey of gambling habits conducted by the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports, Tan had said he was "appalled" that a newspaper headline dismissed the number of likely problem gamblers—55,000 as insignificant: "I don't think it's insignificant. Every Singaporean is important. Every Singaporean that gets into trouble means one family that is destroyed. It cannot be a matter of small concern to the Government."[31][32]

Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew picked Tan to succeed him as prime minister, but Tan declined.[33] Prime Minister Lee once praised Tan for his quick mind and decisiveness. "He would say 'yes or no' and he would stick to it," said Prime Minister Lee.[33]

As deputy prime minister, Tan was instrumental in the establishment of the Singapore Management University (SMU) and shaped its direction and early history. In 1997, the Singapore Government raised the idea of a third university for Singapore.[34]

Tan believed that the new university should differentiate itself from the two established institutions—the National University of Singapore (NUS) and the Nanyang Technological University (NTU), as the government wanted SMU to be an experiment in diversity.[34] Tan believed that the third university should follow the American example which concentrated on management, business and economics.[35]

He made trips to universities in the United States to know more about them and search for potential partnerships.[36] He helped to make the third university happen, reaching out to veteran businessman and current chairman of the SMU board of trustees Ho Kwon Ping to help in its establishment.[35]

Tan, having begun to look after the university education in the 1990s, was the driving force behind SMU, which in 2000 was set up as the country's first publicly-funded autonomous university.[36]

Tan stepped down as Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for Security and Defence on 1 September 2005.[8]

2011 presidential election

[edit]
Tan's poster for the 2011 presidential election in English
Tan's presidential campaign logo, a pair of spectacles
See also: 2011 Singaporean presidential election

On 22 December 2010, Tan announced that he would step down from his government-linked positions at GIC and SPH to run for the office of President of Singapore.[37] Tan's campaign stressed his independence and his divergent views from the PAP government in specific policies, citing a remark made by MP Tan Soo Khoon in 2005: "It is probably the first time that I have heard Cabinet ministers, starting with no less than the deputy prime minister, Dr. Tony Tan, expressing divergent views [on the Integrated Resorts question]."[38][39] However, competing presidential candidates and former PAP members Tan Kin Lian and Tan Cheng Bock questioned Tan's independence from the party.[40] On 7 July 2011, Tony Tan submitted his presidential eligibility forms.[41] In July 2011, Tony Tan stepped down from his positions at GIC and SPH to contest in the presidential election.[10] Tan subsequently won 35.20% of the vote.[42]

On 29 July 2011, Tan responded to online allegations[43] that his son Patrick Tan had received preferential treatment during his National Service (NS). "My sons all completed their National Service obligations fully and I have never intervened in their postings," he said.[44][45] Tan also noted that he had served as Minister for Defence from 1995 to 2003, while Patrick Tan said that it was in 1988 that he been permitted by the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) to disrupt his NS for premedical studies in Harvard University,[46] where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in biology and chemistry, and an MD-PhD program at Stanford University under the President's Scholarship and Loke Cheng Kim Scholarship.[47] MINDEF clarified that, prior to 1992, disruptions were allowed for overseas medical studies, and longer periods of disruption were granted for those admitted to universities in the United States, where medicine is a graduate course. American medical students are required to complete a "pre-medical component for a general undergraduate degree" before applying to medical school.[48] In response to a question in Parliament on the subject of deferments, Minister for Defence Ng Eng Hen stated on 20 October 2011 that Patrick Tan had not been given any special treatment.[49]

Campaign platform

[edit]

Describing himself as "Tested, Trusted, True", Tan said his past experiences will help him steer Singapore through the financial uncertainty lying ahead.[50]

During the Nomination Day on 17 August 2011, Tan unveiled his election symbol—a pair of black glasses which resembles the trademark spectacles he has steadfastly worn for years. His campaign materials, which included caps, postcards and fridge magnets also carried the symbol. About 9,400 posters and 200 banners were printed.[51]

Campaign endorsements

[edit]

Tan's presidential bid was endorsed by the 10,000-strong Federation of Tan Clan Associations on 7 August 2011.[52] By 13 August 2011, the leaders of 19 NTUC-affiliated unions—which have 128,000 members, had endorsed his bid.[53][54] On 14 August, the leadership of the Singapore Federation of Chinese Clan Associations (SFCCA) and the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SCCCI) also endorsed his bid.[55][56] The leadership of another four unions from the construction and real estate sector, which represent more than 50,000 members, endorsed Tan's bid on 16 August. Nine Teochew clan associations also supported Tan.[57] Union leaders in three sectors—Transport and Logistics, Marine and Machinery-engineering, and Infocomm and Media—endorsed Tan on 17 August. They together represent 112,000 workers.[58]

The Singapore Malay Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SMCCI) endorsed Tan's presidential candidacy on 18 August 2011. It is also was the first Malay organisation to do so.[59]

Campaign proceedings

[edit]

After a closed door meeting with the Singapore Malay Chamber of Commerce and Industry on 11 August 2011, Tan remarked that it is "not too early" for the government to have contingency plans in case an economic crisis hits Singapore, noting that "with his background and knowledge", he added that he was in a position to provide "a steady hand".[60]

Speaking to reporters after a dialogue with the Singapore Manufacturers' Federation the following day, Tan remarked that it would be a "grave mistake" to phase out manufacturing in Singapore, which has been transitioning to a service economy and an information economy since the 1980s. He then went on to describe manufacturing as a "key pillar of Singapore's economy". Without the sector, he feels Singapore's economy will be "less resilient, less diversified" and there will be "fewer options for our young people and Singapore will lose."[61]

On 15 August 2011, following the National Day Rally speech by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Tan said that one point he found particularly interesting in Lee's address was whether Singapore would remain pragmatic in its policy making, or if it would turn populist. He added that the temptation to make populist decisions was affecting the presidential election, "with some candidates appealing to the public in ways that could go beyond the parameters of the Singapore's Constitution".[62][63]

On 17 August 2011, crowds booed[64] at Tan and his son as he delivered his two-minute Nomination Day speech. According to The Straits Times, the jeers came from a vocal group of people who mostly supported another presidential candidate Tan Jee Say.[65] At a press conference later that day, Tony Tan said that while different points of view were to be expected in a campaign, it was disappointing to have people who would not even listen, and hoped that Singaporeans would listen to the views of all the candidates. He said, "I don't think that jeering or heckling is the right way to go about the campaign, particularly in a campaign for the president, which has to be conducted with decorum and dignity."[66]

During the first presidential candidate broadcast on 18 August 2011, while other candidates made promises in their first presidential candidate broadcasts on Thursday night, Tan refrained[67] from making promises during the broadcast and focused on the role of the president instead. Speaking in English, Chinese and Malay, Tan said,[68] "Some people argue that the president must take a public stand on current issues. I hear and share the concerns of Singaporeans. But policies are debated in Parliament and implemented by the government. Others have said that the president must oppose the government. That is a job for the opposition. People interested in such roles should run for Parliament in the next general election."

Presidency (2011–2017)

[edit]
Tan opening the "International Evening" at the 2012 Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting

Tan sought to distinguish his presidency by promoting a more active civil society, believing that Singapore needed to build up its "social reserves" to complement the substantial financial reserves the city state had accumulated over time.[69] An example of this, he said, was the way that he had expanded Singapore's President's Challenge charity event to go beyond fund-raising to promote volunteerism and social entrepreneurship.[70]

On 8 November 2016, Tan announced that he would not be standing in 2017 presidential election, which was reserved for Malay candidates after a constitutional amendment on 9 November 2016.[71][72] Tan left office on 31 August 2017.[73] He was succeeded by Halimah Yacob who became president after a walkover of the presidential elections, as no other candidates were deemed eligible.[74]

Other appointments

[edit]

From 1980 to 1981, Tan served as Vice-Chancellor of the National University of Singapore.[3][75] Tan was subsequently ex officio appointed Chancellor of the National University of Singapore and the Nanyang Technological University when he was elected as the president of Singapore in 2017.

Tan at the Annual Meeting 2009 of the World Economic Forum held in Davos, Switzerland on 30 January 2009

Tan had served as patron of many organisations, including the Singapore Dance Theatre,[76] Singapore Computer Society,[77] SJI International,[78] Duke–NUS Medical School,[79] and the MIT Club of Singapore.[80] He was also named as the first patron of Dover Park Hospice in May 2011.[81]

On 21 November 2017, GIC, the country's sovereign wealth fund, announced that Tan will be appointed Director and Special Advisor from 1 January 2018.[82]

Personal life

[edit]
Tan with his wife, Mary Chee

Tan's paternal grandfather was Tan Cheng Siong, the former general manager of the Overseas Chinese Bank, one of three precursor banks to OCBC Bank.[83] His uncle was former chairman of OCBC Bank, Tan Chin Tuan.[84] Through his maternal grandmother Annie Tan Sun Neo, he is also a great-great-great grandson of philanthropist Tan Kim Seng.[85]

When Tan was a first year physics student in 1959 at the University of Malaya—the predecessor of the National University of Singapore—at Bukit Timah campus, he met an arts undergraduate whom he fell in love and would marry five years later.[75] Tan married Mary Chee Bee Kiang in 1964 and they have children together.[citation needed]

Honours

[edit]

In 2005, Tan was presented the NUS Eminent Alumni Award in recognition of his role as a visionary architect of Singapore's university sector.[3]

In 2010, he was presented the inaugural Distinguished Australian Alumnus Award by the Australian Alumni Singapore (AAS) at its 55th anniversary dinner in recognition of his distinguished career, and his significant contribution to society and to the Australian alumni community.[86][87]

Tan was awarded a medal from the Foreign Policy Association in 2011 for "outstanding leadership and service".[88]

In 2014, Tan was conferred an honorary doctorate by his alma mater, the University of Adelaide, for his "long record of outstanding achievements both as a leader in the Singapore government and in the business sectors.[89] He was also made a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath.[90]

In 2017, Tan received the "Key to the City" for the Czech city of Prague, Czech Republic, during his state visit.[91]

In 2018, Tan received the top honour of the Order of Temasek (First Class) during Singapore's National Day Awards.[92]

In 2018, Tan was conferred an honorary degree of Doctor of Letters (D.Litt) from NTU.[93]

In 2022, Tan was conferred an honorary Doctor of Laws (LL.D) from SMU.[94]

References

[edit]
Library resources about
Tony Tan
By Tony Tan
  1. ^ "Tony Tan elected as Singapore's 7th President". Hindustan Times. India. Archived from the original on 22 October 2012. Retrieved 28 August 2011.
  2. ^ "President Tony Tan leaves office today". The Straits Times. 31 August 2017. Archived from the original on 13 July 2018. Retrieved 14 September 2017.
  3. ^ a b c d e f "Dr Tony TAN Keng Yam". National University of Singapore. Archived from the original on 13 June 2011. Retrieved 21 June 2011.
  4. ^ a b Suryadinata, Leo (2012). Southeast Asian Personalities of Chinese Descent: A Biographical Dictionary, Volume I & II. Institute of Southeast Asian Studies. p. 1079. ISBN 978-981-4345-21-7. Archived from the original on 20 September 2020. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
  5. ^ "Our Chancellors and Vice-Chancellors : A biographical sketch : Our Vice-Chancellors.Tony Tan". Archived from the original on 20 April 2016. Retrieved 18 November 2016.
  6. ^ "SPH Annual Report, 2009" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 June 2012. Retrieved 28 August 2011.
  7. ^ hermes (9 August 2018). "Former president Tony Tan tops National Day awards list". The Straits Times. Archived from the original on 13 August 2018. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
  8. ^ a b Leong, Wee Keat (24 June 2011). "The Government didn't ask me to stand: Tony Tan". TODAYOnline. Archived from the original on 9 August 2011. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
  9. ^ National Research Foundation (Singapore), Board Archived 24 December 2012 at archive.today, GIC Board of Directors Archived 22 December 2010 at the Wayback Machine, SPH Annual Report, 2009 Archived 13 June 2012 at the Wayback Machine.
  10. ^ a b c "Dr. Tony Tan Keng Yam". SIAS. Retrieved 6 April 2021.
  11. ^ ""Singapore sovereign wealth fund promises greater transparency", Financial Times, 28 January 2008". Financial Times. 28 January 2008. Archived from the original on 11 December 2022. Retrieved 28 August 2011.
  12. ^ "ALL THE WAY". eresources.nlb.gov.sg. Archived from the original on 20 September 2020. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
  13. ^ "Two are sworn in at the Istana". eresources.nlb.gov.sg. Archived from the original on 20 September 2020. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
  14. ^ John W. Langford and K. Lorne Brownsey, The Changing Shape of Government in the Asia-Pacific Region (IRRP, 1988), p. 136.
  15. ^ Quah, Jon (1985). "Singapore in 1984: Leadership Transition in an Election Year". Asian Survey. 25 (2): 225. doi:10.2307/2644306. JSTOR 2644306.
  16. ^ Matthews, Roger (13 November 1987). "Survey of Singapore (11): Schools try independence – The latest education experiment". Financial Times. Factiva.
  17. ^ Sai Siong, Tan (3 December 1989). "There is hope outside of independent schools". Straits Times. Factiva.
  18. ^ Kernial Singh Sandhu and Paul Wheatley, Management of Success: The Moulding of Modern Singapore (Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, 1989), pp. 69.
  19. ^ a b "In memory: Ong Teng Cheong, S'pore's only people's president, passed away 14 years ago". Mothership.sg. Archived from the original on 14 August 2017. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
  20. ^ Barr, Michael D (2000). "Trade Unions in an Elitist Society: The Singapore Story". Australian Journal of Politics and History. 46 (4): 480–496. doi:10.1111/1467-8497.00109.
  21. ^ "Labor – Singapore". Library of Congress Country Studies. Library of Congress. Archived from the original on 5 August 2011. Retrieved 18 August 2011.
  22. ^ "'I Had a Job to Do' Whether the government liked it or not, says ex-president Ong". Asiaweek. Archived from the original on 11 February 2011. Retrieved 17 August 2011.
  23. ^ Wong, Mai Yuan (17 December 1981). "Foolish to build MRT now: Tony Tan". Straits Times. Archived from the original on 22 September 2013. Retrieved 20 August 2011.
  24. ^ "Ong Teng Cheong". eresources.nlb.gov.sg. Retrieved 28 August 2011.
  25. ^ "It was a bolt from the blue. But that's life". Ourstory.asia1.com.sg. 9 May 1993. Archived from the original on 19 May 2007. Retrieved 28 August 2011.
  26. ^ "Singapore | Profile of Dr Tony Tan". TODAYonline. Archived from the original on 8 August 2011. Retrieved 28 August 2011.
  27. ^ Chua Mui Hoong, "Tony Tan to rejoin Govt", Straits Times, 29 June 1995.
  28. ^ "I would have preferred to continue working at the bank", Straits Times, 30 June 1995.
  29. ^ "Saved for a Year, Village Mosque May Be Made National Heritage" (PDF). Straits Times. 15 November 2004. Archived (PDF) from the original on 27 September 2011. Retrieved 30 August 2011.
  30. ^ ""Sembawang Beyond the Slumber", The Long and Winding Road, 29 March 2011". Thelongnwindingroad.wordpress.com. 9 August 2011. Archived from the original on 30 August 2011. Retrieved 28 August 2011.
  31. ^ Sandra Davie, "Gaming Minuses Worry DPM Tan; ‘55,000 Potential Gambling Addicts’ Is No Small Matter, He Says of Findings", Straits Times, 15 April 2005
  32. ^ Tan, Hui Leng (15 April 2005). "2% Risk 'Not Small'". Today. Archived from the original on 7 November 2012. Retrieved 16 August 2011.
  33. ^ a b Toh, Elgin (9 August 2018). "Former president Tony Tan tops National Day awards list". The Straits Times. Retrieved 6 April 2021.
  34. ^ a b "History". Singapore Management University (SMU). Retrieved 6 April 2021.
  35. ^ a b "Tony Tan named honorary patron of SMU". The New Paper. 11 October 2017. Retrieved 6 April 2021.
  36. ^ a b Mohamad Salleh, Nur Asyiqin (11 October 2017). "Tony Tan appointed honorary patron of SMU". The Straits Times. Retrieved 6 April 2021.
  37. ^ Han, Chun (23 June 2011). ""GIC's Tan to Run for President of Singapore", Wall Street Journal Asia, 23 June 2011". The Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on 14 March 2016. Retrieved 28 August 2011.
  38. ^ "Singapore Parliamentary Hansard, 19 April 2005". 160.96.186.99. Archived from the original on 7 August 2011. Retrieved 28 August 2011.
  39. ^ "President must act independently: Dr Tony Tan". AsiaOne. 15 July 2011. Archived from the original on 18 August 2011. Retrieved 10 August 2011.
  40. ^ Cheney, Satish (24 June 2011). "Singapore | Tan Cheng Bock and Tan Kin Lian question Tony Tan's independence". TODAYonline. Archived from the original on 8 August 2011. Retrieved 28 August 2011.
  41. ^ Han, WeiChou (7 July 2011). "Presidential hopefuls Tony Tan and Tan Kin Lian submit papers". Channel NewsAsia. Archived from the original on 9 July 2011. Retrieved 7 July 2011.
  42. ^ "ELD | Presidential Election Results". www.eld.gov.sg. Archived from the original on 1 December 2018. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
  43. ^ "Some questions on Dr Patrick Tan's NS stint". 3 August 2011. Archived from the original on 20 February 2015. Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  44. ^ Tan, Tony. "Statement from Tony Tan – 29 July 2011". Facebook. Archived from the original on 20 September 2020. Retrieved 13 August 2011.
  45. ^ Leong, Wee Keat (30 July 2011). "Tony Tan refutes allegations of preferential treatment for son". Today. Archived from the original on 23 October 2012. Retrieved 11 August 2011.
  46. ^ "Patrick: Like father in some ways". Newspapers. Archived from the original on 7 November 2012. Retrieved 28 August 2011.
  47. ^ Tan, Tony. "Statement by Patrick Tan – 29 July 2011". Facebook. Archived from the original on 20 September 2020. Retrieved 29 July 2011.
  48. ^ Tan, Desmond (5 August 2011). "FORUM: Mindef: Disruption for medical course applied uniformly". Straits Times. Archived from the original on 12 August 2011. Retrieved 21 August 2011.
  49. ^ "Reply by Minister for Defence to Parliamentary Question". MINDEF Singapore. Archived from the original on 4 August 2012. Retrieved 12 February 2012.
  50. ^ "I'm tested, trusted, true: Tony Tan". TODAYonline. Archived from the original on 31 August 2011. Retrieved 28 August 2011.
  51. ^ "PE Tony Tan on what he wants to do if elected". Channel NewsAsia. 17 August 2011. Archived from the original on 23 October 2012. Retrieved 28 August 2011.
  52. ^ Cai, Hongxiang (7 August 2011). "Tan federation endorses Tony Tan". Straits Times. Archived from the original on 14 August 2011. Retrieved 9 August 2011.
  53. ^ Chan, Joanne (11 August 2011). "PE: Trade unions endorse Dr Tony Tan for PE". Channel NewsAsia. Archived from the original on 23 October 2012. Retrieved 11 August 2011.
  54. ^ Ng, Jing Yng (13 August 2011). "12 more unions support Tony Tan". Today Online. Archived from the original on 14 June 2012. Retrieved 14 August 2011.
  55. ^ Tan, Dawn (13 August 2011). "2 Chinese networking groups endorse Tony Tan". Straits Times. Singapore. Archived from the original on 14 August 2011. Retrieved 28 August 2011.
  56. ^ Loh, Dylan. "Singapore | SCCCI endorses Tony Tan". TODAYonline. Archived from the original on 14 June 2012. Retrieved 28 August 2011.
  57. ^ "PE: More unions, Teochew associations back Tony Tan's presidential bid". Channel NewsAsia, MSN. Archived from the original on 4 September 2011. Retrieved 16 August 2011.
  58. ^ "PE More union clusters endorse Dr Tony Tan for Elected Presidency". Channel NewsAsia. 17 August 2011. Archived from the original on 23 October 2012. Retrieved 28 August 2011.
  59. ^ "PE Malay chamber backs Tony Tan for President". Channel NewsAsia. 18 August 2011. Archived from the original on 23 October 2012. Retrieved 28 August 2011.
  60. ^ Loh, Dylan (11 August 2011). "PE: "Not too early" to have plans to tackle economic crisis". Channel NewsAsia. Retrieved 14 August 2011.[permanent dead link‍]
  61. ^ Chan, Joanne (12 August 2011). "PE: Phasing out manufacturing would be "grave mistake", says Tony Tan". Channel NewsAsia.[permanent dead link‍]
  62. ^ Lee, U-Wen (16 August 2011). "Uncashable cheques being written: Tony Tan". Business Times. Retrieved 19 August 2011.[permanent dead link‍]
  63. ^ "PE Tony Tan fears some candidates writing cheques President cannot cash – Presidential Election 2011". Channel NewsAsia. 15 August 2011. Retrieved 28 August 2011.[permanent dead link‍]
  64. ^ "Dr Tony Tan, do you know why you were booed?". Archived from the original on 20 February 2015. Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  65. ^ Cai, Haoxiang (18 August 2011). "Tony Tan heckled; fellow candidates voice disapproval". Straits Times. Archived from the original on 19 August 2011. Retrieved 19 August 2011.
  66. ^ RazorTV (18 August 2011). "Crowds boo during Dr Tony Tan's Nomination Day speech". Asiaone.com. Archived from the original on 20 July 2012. Retrieved 28 August 2011.
  67. ^ Jing, Ng (20 August 2011). "Singapore | Tony Tan focuses on the President's role". TODAYonline. Archived from the original on 14 June 2012. Retrieved 28 August 2011.
  68. ^ Wee, Leong (19 August 2011). "Singapore | Proposals, promises as PE broadcasts begin". TODAYonline. Archived from the original on 14 June 2012. Retrieved 28 August 2011.
  69. ^ Goh Chin Lian, "President to Singaporeans: Expand people-to-people bonds", Straits Times, 6 November 2013.
  70. ^ "Leong Wai Kit, "S'pore needs both financial and 'social' reserves to thrive: President Tony Tan", Today, 6 November 2013". Archived from the original on 18 November 2013. Retrieved 6 November 2013.
  71. ^ "President Tony Tan says he will not be standing in 2017 presidential election reserved for Malay candidates". The Straits Times. 8 November 2016. Archived from the original on 2 December 2017. Retrieved 23 November 2017.
  72. ^ "Parliament passes changes to elected presidency". The Straits Times. 10 November 2016. Archived from the original on 5 December 2017. Retrieved 23 November 2017.
  73. ^ "President Tony Tan leaves office today". The Straits Times. 31 August 2017. Archived from the original on 13 July 2018. Retrieved 14 September 2017.
  74. ^ Wong, Tessa (13 September 2017). "'Walkover' election troubles Singaporeans". BBC News. Archived from the original on 2 June 2018. Retrieved 21 July 2018.
  75. ^ a b Teng, Amelia (30 November 2017). "NUS has always been close to my heart: Tony Tan Keng Yam". The Straits Times. Retrieved 6 April 2021.
  76. ^ "Singapore Dance Theatre". Singapore Dance Theatre. Archived from the original on 30 September 2011. Retrieved 28 August 2011.
  77. ^ "Singapore Computer Society". Scs.org.sg. Archived from the original on 11 September 2012. Retrieved 28 August 2011.
  78. ^ "SJI International". SJI International. Archived from the original on 7 September 2011. Retrieved 28 August 2011.
  79. ^ "Duke-NUS Medical School, Address by Mrs Mavis Khoo, 22 July 2008" (PDF). Retrieved 28 August 2011.
  80. ^ "MIT Club of Singapore". Alumweb.mit.edu. Archived from the original on 25 July 2011. Retrieved 28 August 2011.
  81. ^ "Channel NewsAsia, 26 May 2011". Channel NewsAsia. 26 May 2011. Archived from the original on 31 August 2011. Retrieved 28 August 2011.
  82. ^ "Dr Tony Tan appointed director and special advisor of GIC". Channel NewsAsia. Archived from the original on 21 November 2017. Retrieved 21 November 2017.
  83. ^ ""Page 14 Advertisements Column 4"". NewspaperSG. The Straits Times. 15 July 1921. Retrieved 29 October 2023.
  84. ^ Lee, Lynn (14 November 2005). "Tan Chin Tuan made OCBC a household name". The Straits Times.
  85. ^ "Portrait of Dr. Tony Tan Keng Yam, General Manager of Overse-Chinese Banking Corporation Limited". Archived from the original on 6 January 2020. Retrieved 15 August 2019.
  86. ^ "Tony Tan receives Aussie alumni award". Straits Times. Singapore. Archived from the original on 22 November 2011.
  87. ^ Australian Alumni Singapore (26 November 2010). "Dr Tony Tan First Recipient of Distinguished Australian Alumnus Award". Archived from the original on 30 November 2011. Retrieved 23 August 2011.
  88. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 September 2011. Retrieved 13 August 2011.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  89. ^ "President Tony Tan conferred honorary doctorate by Australian university". Today Online. Singapore. Archived from the original on 19 June 2014. Retrieved 23 June 2014.
  90. ^ "Honorary awards" (PDF). UK Government. Archived (PDF) from the original on 25 July 2019. Retrieved 2 October 2019.
  91. ^ Au-Yong, Rachel (26 May 2017). "President Tony Tan presented with key to Czech city of Prague during state visit". The Straits Times. Retrieved 13 March 2024.
  92. ^ "Former President Tony Tan tops list of National Day Awards recipients". Cheryl Lin. Singapore: Channel News Asia. Archived from the original on 8 August 2018. Retrieved 9 August 2018.
  93. ^ Teng, Amelia (24 July 2018). "Former president Tony Tan given top honour by NTU". The Straits Times. Retrieved 14 March 2023.
  94. ^ Ng, Wei Kai (26 July 2022). "Ex-president Tony Tan awarded honorary degree for his role in setting up SMU". The Straits Times. ISSN 0585-3923. Retrieved 13 March 2024.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Tony Tan Keng Yam.
Parliament of Singapore
Preceded by Member of Parliament
for Sembawang SMC
1979–1988 		Constituency abolished
New constituency Member of Parliament
for Sembawang GRC
1988–2006 		Succeeded by
Academic offices
Preceded by Vice Chancellor of the National University of Singapore
1980–1981 		Succeeded by
Political offices
Preceded by Minister for Finance
1983–1985 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Minister for Education
1985–1991 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore
1995–2005 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Minister for Defence
1995–2003 		Succeeded by
New office Coordinating Minister for Security and Defence
2003–2005 		Succeeded byas Coordinating Minister for National Security
Preceded by President of Singapore
2011–2017 		Succeeded by
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Tony_Tan&oldid=1255528430"