Wee Kim Wee

Wee Kim Wee (黄金辉, Huáng Jīnhuī) (November 4 1915–May 2 2005) was the fourth President of Singapore, from 1985 to 1993.

Related Topics:
November 4 - 1915 - May 2 - 2005 - President of Singapore - 1985 - 1993

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Born into a humble family, Wee Kim Wee was the son of a clerk. His father died when he was eight. Wee started out as a clerk working for The Straits Times, before becoming a reporter focusing on political issues. He eventually became one of the paper's main reporters. In 1941 he joined the United Press Association, and was its chief correspondent in the 1950s. He returned to The Straits Times in 1959, and was appointed deputy editor in Singapore. In 1966, he interviewed the former Indonesian president, General Suharto, reporting Suharto's intention to end the three-year confrontation with Malaysia (see Konfrontasi). He broke the news with a front-page headline using Suharto's own words: "Suharto: 'Peace: The sooner the better'" http://ourstory.asia1.com.sg/merger/headline/mpeace.html.

Related Topics:
The Straits Times - 1941 - United Press Association - 1950s - 1959 - 1966 - Indonesian - Suharto - Malaysia - Konfrontasi

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Wee was editorial manager when he retired in 1973 to become the High Commissioner to Malaysia, a position he held for seven years. He was appointed ambassador to Japan in September 1980, and to South Korea in February 1981. At the end of his diplomatic career in 1984, he was appointed chairman of the Singapore Broadcasting Corporation – the predecessor of the current MediaCorp Studios – and became president a year later.

Related Topics:
1973 - High Commissioner - Japan - 1980 - South Korea - 1981 - 1984 - Singapore Broadcasting Corporation - MediaCorp

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A highly popular president, he was noted by people from all walks of life for his approachability and humility during his term in office. Modest, friendly, and sincere, he is remembered as the People's President.

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In 2004 he wrote his autobiography, Glimpses and Reflections. From the royalties and other donations, half a million Singapore dollars were donated to eight charities.

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Wee died on 2 May 2005 at 5:10am SST in his home at the age of 89 from prostate cancer. A humble man up to his death, he had asked to be cremated and for the ashes to be placed in the Mandai Columbarium with those of ordinary citizens, instead of at the Kranji War Cemetery, where people of his rank are usually buried. He was given a state funeral, and a large crowd turned up to pay their last respects.

Related Topics:
2 May - 2005 - SST - Prostate cancer - Mandai Columbarium - Kranji War Cemetery

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