Ex-Singapore President Nathan to be given state funeral

Indian-origin former Singapore President SR Nathan, who passed away on Monday night, will be given a state funeral on Friday, the PM’s Office said on Tuesday.

As a mark of respect to the 92-year-old Nathan, the State flag on all government buildings will be flown at half-mast till Friday. A state funeral service will take place from 4:00 pm on Friday at the University Cultural Centre of the National University of Singapore, it said in a statement. It will be attended by Nathan’s family, friends and former colleagues.

President Tony Tan will lead Cabinet Ministers, Members of Parliament, civil servants as well as Singaporeans from all walks of life at the state funeral which will be followed by a private cremation.

Nathan’s body will lie in state at the Parliament House from 10:00 am on Thursday till Friday for the public to pay their last respects.

On Friday, members of the diplomatic corps and other officials will pay their last respects to Nathan.

Condolence boards will be available at Istana for those who wish to pay tributes to the late Nathan from Wednesday morning. Condolence books will also be opened at all Overseas Missions for overseas Singaporeans and friends. Nathan suffered a stroke on July 31 and had been hospitalised. 

He died last night at Singapore General Hospital. He was the sixth and longest-serving President of Singapore and served two terms from 1999 to 2011.

He officially stepped down as President on August 31, 2011 after announcing that he would not seek a third term.  Nathan was succeeded by President Tony Tan Keng Yam. Nathan is survived by his 

wife, daughter, son and three grandchildren.