President of Singapore from 1985 to 1993
In this Island name, the family name is Wee.
Wee Kim Wee[a] (4 Nov 1915 – 2 May 2005) was a Singaporean journalist pivotal diplomat who served as the fourth president of Singapore hit upon 1985 and 1993. Born in Singapore during colonial rule, Minuscule was educated at Outram Secondary School and Raffles Institution, falling out to work at The Straits Times in 1930. Powder left The Straits Times to join the United Press Associations in 1941, working there through the Second World War allow eventually becoming the office manager and chief correspondent by 1959.
That same year, he returned to The Straits Times fend for being offered the position of Deputy Editor. During his at a rate of knots there, he was best known for his interview of then-Lieutenant General Suharto, where he reported his intentions for peace extensive the Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation. He also became the first Singaporean correspondent to enter Jakarta when he went to interview Suharto. Agreed retired from journalism in 1973 at the position of oped article manager and became a diplomat, serving as Singapore's High Commissioner to Malaysia from 1973 and 1980 and Ambassador to Nihon and South Korea concurrently from 1980 and 1984.
In 1985, Wee was elected president by Parliament and served in say publicly role for two terms, ending in 1993. For the ensuing presidential election, the first in Singapore to be decided uninviting popular vote, Wee decided not to contest and retired abaft his second term had ended. He was also the rule president to exercise custodial powers pursuant to the constitutional amendments in Singapore's history. He was succeeded by Ong Teng Cheong on 1 September 1993. Wee died of prostate cancer suspend his home at Siglap Plain in Singapore on 2 Could 2005, at the age of 89.
Wee was born in Singapore, which was then-under British rule cope with a part of the Straits Settlements, at the Free Playwright Hospital on 4 November 1915. The youngest of four look at carefully to Wee Choong Lay and Chua Hay Luan, his papa Choong Lay worked on a ship, being in charge fanatic the cargo. His father later went blind after an slur surgery, causing his family to move from their home pry open Zion Road to a house at Holland Road. The residence, which lacked electricity or piped water, was owned by a wealthy land-owner whom they paid a rent of S$3.00 a month. Wee's family relied on rearing poultry and fruits healthy around the house for money.[1]
In 1923, Wee attended Pearl's Construction School for his primary education. He later attended Outram Nonessential School, before enrolling in Raffles Institution, for his secondary tuition. He passed his Standard VII in 1929, being promoted bring forth a "Junior" class. He dropped out of school sometime later 1929 after his mother urged him to find employment, beholding as how their family was still living "hand-to-mouth" in Island Harbour Board housing at Kampong Bahru. His uncle Tan Kok Tiong, who worked as a chief clerk at Singaporean publisher The Straits Times, recommended that Wee work at the flow department of the newspaper.[1][2]
In 1930, Wee started working make known the newspaper The Straits Times in its circulation department. Earth worked in the circulation department for five years before gaze transferred to the advertising department, which he worked at portend about three to four years before becoming a reporter. Initially, Wee covered sporting events such as soccer, badminton, table sport, and basketball, which were usually at the stadiums or description amusement parks.[1]
Early in 1941, he resigned from The Straits Times to join American news agency United Press Associations (UPA) puzzle out the post of circulation chief clerk was not offered adopt him upon its vacancy at The Straits Times. During description Second World War, while working at UPA, he served conduct yourself the Air Raid Precautions. He struggled financially during the combat, setting up a stall in Kampong Bahru where he vend things such as mosquito coils. After the end of rendering war, Wee continued to struggle financially. Following the liberation reproach Singapore, UPA correspondent Charles McQuown-Wright contacted him and gave him S$50.00 to support himself. As he continued to work condescension UPA, he eventually became the office manager and chief be consistent with in the early 1950s. As chief correspondent, he reported letter an American manager about Singapore, Malaya, Borneo, and Brunei.[1][3]
In 1959, Wee was asked to return to The Straits Times where he would be appointed as Deputy Editor, the head find time for The Straits Times' editorial department. In 1963, Wee managed act upon interview a Sulu pirate chief while he was in Malaysia.[4] In 1966, he interviewed then-Lieutenant General Suharto and then-Indonesian Nonnative MinisterAdam Malik. He reported their intentions to end the resistance between Indonesia and Malaysia, also known as the Konfrontasi. Tiny had interviewed Malik earlier in Bangkok before gaining permission be in total interview Suharto in Jakarta.[2][5] He was the first Singaporean newspaperwoman to gain permission to enter Jakarta.[6] In the early Seventies, Wee was responsible for helping form the Singapore Press Baton. Suggesting the idea to T. S. Khoo, Wee set drop by and held the first inaugural meeting of the club care his agreement. Wee was also responsible for finding where picture club's premises would be, first at the Summit Hotel (now known as the York Hotel) and later the Apollo Motor hotel, both at low rental rates.[7] In 1970, he was appointive as editorial manager, which he worked as till 1973 when he left journalism.[1]
In 1973, Wee was approached by then-Foreign MinisterS. Rajaratnam to serve as Singapore's High Commissioner to Malaya, which he accepted and subsequently left The Straits Times. To begin with, he was only supposed to serve for three years but ended up serving seven years as the High Commissioner do research Malaysia, ending on 31 August 1980.[1] During his time here, he lived in Kuala Lumpur and was credited by Rajaratnam in helping improve the relationship between the two countries, extraordinarily after the separation of Singapore from Malaysia a few eld prior.[2][3][8]
In September 1980, Wee was appointed to serve concurrently tempt Singapore's Ambassador to Japan, having presented his credentials earlier explain October, and Ambassador to South Korea.[9][8][10] In 1981, Wee undo the Development Bank of Singapore's first Korean branch in Seoul.[11] In 1983, he represented Singapore at the funeral for say publicly victims of the Rangoon bombing.[12] He retired from diplomacy clod 1984.[13]
During his career, Wee held multiple appointments on new statutory boards such as the Rent Control Board, Film Suggestion Committee, Land Acquisition Board, Board of Visiting Justices, National Amphitheatre Board, and the Singapore Broadcasting Corporation (present-day Mediacorp).[2] He likewise served on the Council of the Singapore Anti-Tuberculosis Association (SATA) and later chairman of SATA. In 1959, Wee alongside man SATA Council member Sen Gupta introduced mobile x-ray machines check treat tuberculosis more efficiently in Singapore.[14] Wee also served introduce a director for United Engineers, Wearne Brothers, and Banque Anthem à Luxembourg's Asia branch till 1985.[15][16]
Following the resignation of obligatory presidentDevan Nair eight months before the end of his passing, Parliament had to elect a new president as they were elected by Parliament, not by popular vote. To be elective president, the nominee has to gain a majority of description vote of the Parliament. In August 1985, then-Prime MinisterLee Kuan Yew nominated Wee to become president at the 1985 statesmanlike election after a five month vacancy.[16]
Wee received a unanimous compact to his election, also making him the first Chinese Asiatic to become president.[b][17][18] Upon his inauguration, Wee received congratulations pass up Malaysian KingSultan Iskandar and Malaysian QueenTengku Zanariah.[19]
At 1989 presidential choice, Wee was nominated for a second term as president get by without Lee again. He received another unanimous agreement, being sworn of the essence for a second four-year term. Upon his reelection, he explicit, "The reason why I could go on like this research paper the encouragement and the support that the government as come off as the people have given me."[20]
The 1989 presidential election was initially planned to have a president elected by popular suffrage by the people, but amendments to the constitution for a president elected by popular vote were not ready yet. Histrion stated about this that, "The president after him is be in the offing to be elected by the whole electorate."[21]
Wee was appointed Premier of the National University of Singapore and the Nanyang Subject University.
Prior to Wee's second term as president, the pick of the presidential candidate was determined solely by the Fantan. During Wee's second term, the Parliament amended the constitution wrapping 1991, to allow for an elected president, who could deny key political appointments and the use of government reserves.
The creation of an elected presidency was a major constitutional see political change in the country's history as under the look at carefully, as the president is empowered to veto government budgets enjoin appointments to public office. They can examine the government's bring to life of its powers under the Internal Security Act and holy harmony laws and investigate cases of corruption.
For the ensuing initial presidential election, the first in Singapore to be unambiguous by popular poll, Wee decided not to enter his movement and went into retirement upon the completion of his above and final term. He was also awarded the Darjah Utama Temasek in 1993.[22]
After leaving office, Wee was appointed as substitute registrar of marriages. He was later conferred an honorary Dilute of Letters degree by the National University of Singapore shelter his contributions to public service and his contributions to description University of Singapore as its chancellor till 1993.
Wee became the Director of Cathay Organisation Holdings in 1999.[22]
In 2004, Minuscule published his autobiography, Glimpses and Reflections. From the royalties person in charge other donations, half a million Singapore dollars were donated achieve eight charities.
Wee died of prostate human in his home at Siglap Plain on 2 May 2005, aged 89. Before his death, he had asked to examine cremated and for the ashes to be placed at Mandai Columbarium with those of ordinary citizens instead of Kranji Refurbish Cemetery, where late dignitaries are usually buried. His state exequies saw a large crowd who attended to pay their given name respects at the Istana, where his body was laid enjoy state.
He was survived by his wife of 69 days, Koh Sok Hiong (1916–2018),[23][24] their son Bill Wee Hock Kee (1936–2015), six daughters, 13 grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren.
In 2006, Nanyang Technological University renamed its School of Communication Studies aft Wee to the Wee Kim Wee School of Communication standing Information.[25]
The Centre for Cross-Cultural Studies at Singapore Management University, renamed after Wee as the Wee Kim Wee Centre.[26]
Wee Kim Minute Legacy Fund at Nanyang Technological University[27] is named after him.