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The Late Encik Yusof bin Ishak
First President of the Republic of Singapore
(9 August 1965 to 23 November 1970) |
The late Encik Yusof bin Ishak, former President of the Republic of Singapore, was born on 12th August, 1910 at Padang Gajah, Trong about 18 miles from Taiping, Perak. Encik Yusof is a Malay of Sumatran descent and can trace his lineage on the paternal side to Minangkabau, and on the maternal side to Langkat. They first settled in Penang and later, Perak.
Married: Noor Aishah and has 3 children: 1 son and 2 daughters.
Encik Yusof is the eldest son in a family of nine. His father, Encik Ishak bin Ahmad now deceased, was the Acting Director of Fisheries, Straits Settlements and Federated Malay States. Encik Yusof received his early education in the Malay school in Kuala Kurau, Perak. Two years later, Encik Yusof was transferred to the Malay School at Taiping and in 1921 he began his English studies at King Edward VII School, Taiping.
In 1923 when his civil-servant father was posted to Singapore, Encik Yusof accompanied his parents and studied at the former Victoria Bridge School until December 1923.
Education
In 1924 he was admitted to Raffles Institution where he passed the Cambridge School Certificate in 1927 with distinction, and prolonged his studies for two more years in the Queen's Scholarship class.
While in School Encik Yusof joined in practically all forms of sport, played by boys. While at the Raffles Institution he played hockey and cricket, and took part in swimming, weight lifting, water-polo and boxing. In 1933 he became the Singapore light-weight champion. As the most outstanding cadet of the School Cadet Corps, he became the first student ever in Singapore to have been commissioned by the then Governor as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Cadet Corps. He was a school prefect and was co-editor of the 'Rafflesian'.
Journalistic Career
After leaving school in 1929, Encik Yusof went into partnership with two friends and embarked on the publication of the "Sportsman", a fortnightly magazine devoted entirely to sports. In 1932, he joined the staff of 'Warta Malaya', the leading Malay newspaper of that time. His journalistic ability took him rapidly from the ranks to the top posts of Assistant Manager and Acting Editor within a short time. In 1938 he resigned from the 'Warta Malaya', and with a few close friends, established the 'Utusan Melayu Press Ltd'. In May 1939, the now well-known 'Utusan Melayu', came into being with Encik Yusof at the helm as its first Managing Director.
During most of the period of the Japanese Occupation, (1942-1945) Encik Yusof remained in Malaya and on the capitulation of the Japanese Forces, he returned to Singapore on September 3rd, 1945, and immediately resumed publication of the 'Utusan Melayu'.
In 1948 Encik Yusof visited Britain as a member of the First Press Delegation. In early 1957, he went to Japan to inspect the latest machinery which the 'Utusan Melayu' had ordered. In May of the same year, he moved to Kuala Lumpur to supervise the construction of the Utusan Building. While in Kuala Lumpur, Encik Yusof was elected President of the Press Club of Malaya. He was the moving spirit behind the 'Utusan Melayu' during the difficult period of Malayan independence.
Public Appointments
Encik Yusof also held many distinguished public appointments with the Singapore Government. From 1948 to 1950 he served on the Film Appeal Committee. He was a member of the Nature Reserves Committee for a year, and also of the Malayanisation Commission. In July 1959, he was appointed Chairman of the Public Service Commission, Singapore. On 3rd July, 1965, Encik Yusof bin Ishak became the Chancellor of the University of Singapore.
Encik Yusof bin Ishak took up appointment as Yang di-Pertuan Negara of Singapore on 3rd December 1959, being the first locally-born person to hold the office. Singapore's Head of State paid a four-day State visit with Puan Noor Aishah to Cambodia in April 1963 and subsequently proceeded together in the same month to Mecca to perform the Haj, where they were the State Guests of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. A State visit to Ceylon also took place in May, 1963.
Encik Yusof bin Ishak was conferred the First Class Order of the Darjah Kerabat (The Most Esteemed Royal Family Order of Brunei) by the Sultan of Brunei in November 1960 and the Darjah Kebesaran Sri Maharajah Mangku Negara (S.M.N.) by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia in November, 1963.
On 9th August, 1965, when Singapore ceased to be a State in the Federation of Malaysia to become an independent and sovereign State and Nation separate from and independent of Malaysia, Encik Yusof bin Ishak became the first President of the Republic of Singapore. He was re-appointed for a further term of four years, with effect from 4th December, 1967.
Encik Yusof bin Ishak passed away on 23 November 1970.
 This white marble bust of Encik Yusof bin Ishak in suit and tie was presented to him in a ceremony at the Istana Negara (now known as the "Istana") on Monday, 28 February 1966. It was a token of appreciation for Encik Yusof's interest in the Singapore Arts Society, which commissioned the bust.
Encik Yusof, who was also the Chief Patron of the Singapore Arts Society, had consented to a total of 8 sittings throughout the year in which it was made.
Commissioned by the Singapore Arts Society, the bust was done by Mr Lim Yew Kuan, a member of the Society. Mr Lim was an appointed sculptor of the first President of the Republic of Singapore and was awarded the Public Service Star in 1980 for his contributions to the local arts scene.
The dimensions of the bust are as follows:
Width: 21.5 cm (at base)
Height: 65 cm
Depth: 22.5 cm |
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