President Tharman Shanmugaratnam has attended the wake of the late UOB chairman emeritus and honorary adviser, Wee Cho Yaw.

President Tharman said of Wee: "There will never be another Wee Cho Yaw. He was one of a kind. His personality, his contributions and what he meant, for Singapore."

He highlighted the UOB Painting of the Year competition, which President Tharman regarded as "way ahead of its time" when it began in 1982, and benefited many young artists with the recognition.

President Tharman concluded:

"He had culture in his blood. He was a banker. He was someone who felt for the community and ultimately, he contributed greatly to Singapore.

I will never forget him."

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong dedicated a Facebook post to Wee, calling him a "titan of Singapore's banking industry".

"I have known Cho Yaw personally for four decades. When I was Chairman of the Monetary Authority of Singapore, overseeing major changes to the financial sector, I worked closely with him, and greatly valued his perspectives and advice.

I will always warmly remember his passion and energy, and our many conversations across a wide range of issues over the years."

Top photos from Lee Hsien Loong's Facebook & courtesy of UOB