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Agence France-Presse

Former Singapore president S. R. Nathan, whose colourful career included stints as a spymaster and diplomat, has died in hospital.
The 92-year-old veteran public servant, who was closely associated with Singapore’s founding leader Lee Kuan Yew, was hospitalised on July 31 after suffering a cerebral stroke.
“The Prime Minister and his Cabinet colleagues are sad to learn of the passing of Mr S. R. Nathan and would like to convey their condolences to his family,” the statement said Monday.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong wrote in tribute of Singapore’s longest-serving president:
“His was a story of how a young boy strove to triumph over his circumstances and make a contribution to society. He held many public service posts, and occupied the highest office in the land,” Lee said in a Facebook post.
Singapore PM Lee on medical leave after falling ill during televised speech
“He was a warm and approachable president who endeared himself to Singaporeans. I remember him as a man guided by a deep sense of duty to the nation. He stepped up each time duty called. He was a true son of Singapore.”

Nathan started his career as a social worker and rose up the ranks to become ambassador to Malaysia and the United States, two of the most prestigious jobs in the Singapore government service.
It was during his tenure as ambassador that he had to defend Singapore’s caning of an American teenager, Michael Fay, for vandalism in 1994, which caused a serious diplomatic rift with Washington.
Nathan also served as an intelligence chief in the military and held various positions in the private sector.
He was elected to two six-year presidential terms between 1999 and 2011.

Singapore’s president is the head of state but also has the power to protect the country’s reserves, veto senior government appointments, stop executions and review detention orders in internal-security cases.
A state funeral service will be held for Nathan on Friday. Nathan leaves behind a wife, daughter, son and three grandchildren.
More tributes on social media ...

My deepest condolences to the family of former Singapore President S R Nathan and the people of Singapore.
— Mohd Najib Tun Razak (@NajibRazak) August 22, 2016


Deputy Spokesperson @Toner_Mark expresses condolences on the death of former #Singapore President S. R. Nathan. https://t.co/pUFbTw5MmP
— Department of State (@StateDept) August 22, 2016


As a mark of respect to former President SR Nathan, the Union Flag is at half mast over @UKinSingapore. pic.twitter.com/DVyNTv0HTG
— UK in Singapore (@UKinSingapore) August 23, 2016



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Obituaries

‘Warm and approachable’: tributes for Singapore's longest-serving president S.R. Nathan who died aged 92

S.R. Nathan suffered a stroke on July 31. He had been ‘in critical condition’ in the Intensive Care Unit at Singapore General Hospital since then. File photo: AP

Singapore's President S.R. Nathan (L) meets Chinese President Hu Jintao in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China 15 August 2008. REUTERS/Adrian Bradshaw/Pool/File Photo

(FILES) This file photograph taken on August 13, 2004, shows Singapore's founding father Lee Kuan Yew(L) congratulating his son, newly installed Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong (C) as President S.R. Nathan (R) looks on after the junior Lee took his oath of office at the Istana presidential palace in Singapore. Former Singapore President S. R. Nathan, whose colourful career included stints as a spymaster and diplomat, died in hospital on August 22, 2016, the government said in a statement. / AFP PHOTO / ROSLAN RAHMAN

Singapore's national flag hangs at half mast to mourn the passing of former president S.R. Nathan at the parliament house in Singapore August 23, 2016. REUTERS/Edgar Su

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