Minister Chan Chun Sing, Minister in the Prime Minister's Office, was among the seven speakers who gave eulogies at former president S R Nathan's funeral service at the University Cultural Centre (UCC) today (Aug. 26).

Chan, who was appointed as Secretary-General of NTUC in May last year, said that he first met Mr Nathan 20 years ago. He had been assigned to help Mr Nathan, who was then tasked by MINDEF to set up of the Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies (IDSS).

Chan spoke of how Mr Nathan highly valued the Labour Movement, and his passion and dedication towards the furthering the cause.

Here is a summary of Minister Chan Chun Sing's tribute to the late S R Nathan.

1. Mr Nathan approached challenges without fear of the unknown

Chan shared that Mr Nathan had no experience with setting up a think-tank or research centre when he was tasked with the IDSS 20 years ago, and the Labour Research Unit in 1962.

Despite so, Mr Nathan's strong understanding of the mission and purpose led him successfully through these projects, even when there were no preceding blueprint of how things should be done.

Mr Nathan had shared with Chan that, "If you understand the mission and purpose; then fear not how to complete it," inspiring his staff with his strong sense of purpose.

It was this work ethic that helped pioneers like Mr Nathan build Singapore -- "one step at a time; one institution at a time."

2. Represented the spirit of the Labour Movement

Mr Nathan had provided Chan with advice when he first joined the Labour Movement in 2015.

Passionate and incisive, Chan said Mr Nathan shaped the focus of the Labour Movement as it "not only takes care of our working people, but also our country".

Mr Nathan had insisted on the Labour Movement's loyalty to the people -- to care for fellow brothers and sisters regardless and in spite of any circumstance.

Chan also shared Mr Nathan's words of insight and inspiration:

“The trade union movement is the place where the small man rises. The small man is important. Don’t take him for granted. The trade union movement gave me the courage to stand up and speak to big people without fear.”

3. A doer who inspired actions and respect

During his time working under Mr Nathan in the IDSS, Chan described Mr Nathan as a man who "treated all of us like family," and reminisced about the "fatherly way" Mr Nathan continued to show concern for his family years after they had worked together.

In 2011, Mr Nathan, who had stepped down as President, wanted to call on Chan in his office at the then Ministry of Community, Youth and Sports (MCYS), as he was a "normal citizen". To Chan, this was a lesson in humility that made him deeply respectful of the former President.

Above all, Chan said that Mr Nathan showed us to "live the dream of being a true Singaporean".

Mr Nathan's life journey inspires us to live our lives to the fullest, and that "there is nothing (absolutely nothing) that can ever stop us from achieving the Singapore dream as a team."

Top image is a screenshot from Toggle

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