Tony Tan

Tony Tan Keng Yam (; born 7 February 1940) is a Singaporean banker and politician who served as the seventh president of Singapore between 2011 and 2017.

Prior to entering politics, Tan was a general manager at OCBC Bank. He made his political debut in the 1979 by-elections as a People's Action Party (PAP) candidate contesting in Sembawang GRC and won. He later served as Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore from 1995 to 2005. After resigning from the cabinet in 2005, Tan was appointed deputy chairman and executive director of GIC, chairman of the National Research Foundation, and chairman of Singapore Press Holdings (SPH). He stepped down from all his positions in 2010 before contesting the 2011 presidential election as an independent candidate.

Tan won the 2011 presidential election in a four-cornered fight and served as the president of Singapore until 2017. He did not seek re-election in the 2017 presidential election, which was reserved for Malay candidates following a constitutional amendment. His presidential term ended and he officially retired on 1 September 2017. He was succeeded by Halimah Yacob on 14 September 2017.

Early life and education

Tan was born on 7 February 1940 in Singapore, to Tan Seng Hwee and Jessie Lim Neo Swee. He received his early education at St Patrick's School from 1947 to 1956 and continued at St Joseph's Institution (SJI) from 1957 to 1958. In 1962, he graduated with a Bachelor of Science with first class honours in physics from the University of Singapore, now known as the National University of Singapore (NUS), under a scholarship awarded by the Singapore government. He later completed a Master of Science in operations research at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), supported by the Asia Foundation Scholarship. Tan returned to Singapore for a year to teach in the physics department at NUS before pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy in applied mathematics at the University of Adelaide, supported by a research scholarship.

Early political career

Returning to Singapore, Tan began his career as a lecturer in the Department of Mathematics at NUS. In 1969, he resigned from academia to join OCBC Bank as a sub-manager, eventually rising to the role of general manager. He left the bank in 1979 to pursue a career in politics. A former member of the governing PAP, Tan was elected as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Sembawang GRC following his victory in the 1979 by-elections. Later that year, he was appointed Senior Minister of State for Education. On 1 June 1980, during a cabinet reshuffle marking the transition to Singapore's second generation of leaders, Tan was promoted to Minister for Education. Unlike typical political announcements, the reshuffle was carried out quietly, without farewells or media fanfare. When questioned, S. Rajaratnam explained that the appointments of Tan and S. Dhanabalan were part of a broader strategy to develop and test the capabilities of the next generation of leaders. Additionally, Tan served as Vice-Chancellor of NUS from 1980 to 1981.

Following this, Tan held several key ministerial roles, serving as Minister for Trade and Industry from 1981 to 1986, Minister for Finance from 1983 to 1985, and Minister for Health from 1985 to 1986. During this period, he advocated for a reduction in the Central Provident Fund (CPF) contributions—a move that Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew had previously stated would only occur during an economic crisis. As Minister for Trade and Industry, Tan was particularly concerned about how foreign investors might perceive a decline in labour relations, which could negatively affect foreign direct investment. In 1981, he also expressed opposition to the proposed timing of the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) project, which had been raised by Ong Teng Cheong. Tan argued that the local construction sector was already overheated and believed that public housing development should take precedence. Responding to public discontent, Tan later scrapped a controversial policy that gave priority in primary school admission to children of better-educated mothers. This move was widely believed to have contributed to the PAP's poor showing in the 1984 general election.

As minister for education from January 1985, Tan led major reforms to modernise Singapore's education system. He promoted English proficiency, bilingualism, and values education, while introducing flexible student placement, greater school autonomy, and expanded access to higher education. His key achievements included the Gifted Education Programme, the shift to English as the main instructional language, single-session schooling, and efforts to address teacher shortages through better pay and training. On 9 March 1985, Tan officially opened the Singapore Petrochemical Complex at Pulau Ayer Merbau. Later that month, Tan cancelled the Graduate Mothers' Priority Scheme, a source of controversy, stating that it was not very likely to be able to achieve its hoped-for effect of encouraging additional births for graduate mothers but had instead created public resentment in large numbers.

Tan also launched the independent schools scheme, a few already existing schools were granted greater independence in matters of staff recruitment, finance, management, and curriculum. Tan introduced the independent school scheme to raise educational standards by allowing top schools greater autonomy to attract top talent and serve as models for others. Launched in 1988, the initiative expanded school choice, promoted innovation, and aligned with meritocratic principles, while also reducing public spending by shifting more education costs to families.

Tan was also known to have opposed the shipping industry strike in January 1986, the first for about a decade in Singapore, which was sanctioned by fellow Cabinet minister, Ong, who is also Secretary-General of the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC), felt the strike was necessary. He was reportedly angered by the 1986 strike led by then NTUC secretary-general Ong. Although the government had strict controls over union activity and discouraged confrontation, Ong believed that existing mechanisms did not adequately protect workers from management exploitation. His decision to support the strike drew criticism from Tan and other officials, who were concerned about the impact on Singapore's international reputation. Tan and his officers were reportedly alarmed by the reaction from foreign investors, including calls from the United States asking what had occurred. Despite the backlash, the strike lasted only two days, with all issues resolved swiftly. Ong cited this outcome as evidence that management had been acting unfairly.

In December 1991, Tan stepped down from Goh Chok Tong's cabinet to return to the private sector, rejoining OCBC Bank as chairman and chief executive officer from 1992 to 1995, while continuing to serve as the MP for Sembawang GRC. Following the cancer diagnoses of Ong in 1992 and Lee Hsien Loong in 1993, Tan was asked to return to cabinet in August 1995 as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence. Tan stated that ASEAN's approach to regional security involves each country enhancing its own defence capabilities and national resilience, while also deepening bilateral defence cooperation with fellow member states. He reportedly declined an offer of make-up pay, which was meant to compensate ministers for salary losses when leaving the private sector. Tan stated that "the interests of Singapore must take precedence over that of a bank and my own personal considerations."

In August 2003, Tan stepped down as Minister for Defence and assumed the role of Coordinating Minister for Security and Defence, while continuing to serve as Deputy Prime Minister. As MP for Sembawang, he successfully persuaded Minister for National Development Mah Bow Tan to abandon plans to demolish a historic mosque in his constituency. Known as the "Last Kampung Mosque in Singapore," the site was later designated a heritage site. Tan also opposed the introduction of integrated resorts (IRs) with casinos, joining several colleagues in voicing concern. Responding to a government survey that estimated 55,000 potential problem gamblers, Tan expressed strong disapproval at how the figure was downplayed, stating: "I don't think it's insignificant. Every Singaporean is important. Every Singaporean that gets into trouble means one family that is destroyed. It cannot be a matter of small concern to the Government."

Prime Minister Lee had considered Tan as his preferred successor, but Tan declined the role. Lee praised Tan for his sharp intellect and firm decision-making, noting, "He would say 'yes or no' and he would stick to it." As deputy prime minister, Tan played a key role in shaping Singapore's higher education landscape, most notably by spearheading the creation of Singapore Management University (SMU). In 1997, when the government proposed a third university, Tan insisted that it should distinguish itself from NUS and Nanyang Technological University. He envisioned SMU as an institution focused on management, business, and economics, modelled on American universities. To realise this vision, Tan travelled to the United States to explore academic models and potential collaborations. He also engaged Ho Kwon Ping to lead the project. Tan, who had taken charge of university education reforms in the 1990s, was the key driving force behind SMU's establishment as Singapore's first publicly funded autonomous university in 2000.

Tan lead Singapore's "Homefront Security" doctrine after the September 11 attacks, calling for a coordinated, multi-agency approach to address evolving threats and integrate internal and external security efforts. On 19 May 2003, he described the SARS outbreak as "Singapore's 9/11", underscoring the severity of the crisis and its impact on national security. Tan stepped down as Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for Security and Defence on 1 September 2005. Following his second retirement from the cabinet, he was appointed Deputy Chairman and Executive Director of GIC, Singapore's sovereign wealth fund. At the same time, he took on several other prominent roles, including Chairman of the National Research Foundation, Deputy Chairman of the Research, Innovation and Enterprise Council, and Chairman of SPH. During his tenure at GIC, the fund began taking steps towards greater transparency in response to growing global scrutiny, particularly after its high-profile investments in UBS and Citigroup raised concerns about the influence of sovereign wealth funds.

2011 presidential election

On 22 December 2010, Tan announced his decision to step down from his positions at GIC and SPH to contest the 2011 presidential election. His campaign emphasised his independence and willingness to voice differing views from the PAP government on certain issues. He cited, for example, a 2005 remark by Tan Soo Khoon, who noted that it was "probably the first time" he had heard cabinet ministers, beginning with Tan, openly express divergent views on the IRs proposal. Despite this, Tan's independence was questioned by fellow presidential candidates and former PAP members Tan Kin Lian and Tan Cheng Bock. On 7 July 2011, Tan submitted his eligibility forms and formally entered the race. In the election, he secured 35.20% of the vote, emerging as the winning candidate.

On 29 July 2011, Tan addressed online allegations that his son, Patrick Tan, had received preferential treatment during his national service (NS). He firmly stated, "My sons all completed their national service obligations fully and I have never intervened in their postings." Tan also highlighted that he served as Minister for Defence from 1995 to 2003, whereas Patrick's NS disruption had occurred in 1988, several years before his ministerial tenure. Patrick explained that he was granted permission by the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) in 1988 to disrupt his NS for pre-medical studies at Harvard University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in biology and chemistry, before pursuing an MD–PhD at Stanford University under both the President's Scholarship and the Loke Cheng Kim Scholarship. MINDEF clarified that prior to 1992, it was standard policy to allow NS disruptions for overseas medical studies, and that longer disruption periods were granted for U.S. universities, where medical studies are offered as a postgraduate programme. In a parliamentary response on 20 October 2011, Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen confirmed that Patrick had not received any special treatment.

Campaign

Describing himself as "Tested, Trusted, True", Tan emphasised that his extensive experience would enable him to guide Singapore through looming financial uncertainty. On 7 August 2011, his presidential bid received a boost when it was endorsed by the 10,000 strong Federation of Tan Clan Associations. On 11 August, Tan secured the endorsement of the Singapore Malay Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SMCCI), emphasised his long record of service to the Malay-Muslim community, particularly in education, and promised to put social harmony and community bonding at the top of his agenda if he were elected president.

By 13 August, the leaders of 19 NTUC affiliated unions representing 128,000 members had endorsed his candidacy. The following day, the leadership of the Singapore Federation of Chinese Clan Associations and the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry also expressed their support. On 16 August, four unions from the construction and real estate sector representing more than 50,000 members joined in endorsing Tan. Support also came from nine Teochew clan associations.

On 17 August, leaders from three more sectors, namely transport and logistics, marine and machinery engineering, and info-comm and media, representing another 112,000 workers, declared their support. That same day, during Nomination Day, Tan unveiled his campaign symbol, a pair of black glasses reflecting the iconic spectacles he consistently wore. The symbol was featured on campaign items such as caps, postcards, and fridge magnets, with about 9,400 posters and 200 banners printed. On the following day, SMCCI became the first Malay organisation to officially endorse Tan's candidacy.

On 22 August, Tan received public endorsements from 46 NTUC affiliated trade unions, representing over 75 percent of the labour movement, who cited his broad experience in finance, economics, and media as reasons for their support. Tan expressed gratitude for the backing and pledged to serve all Singaporeans through future challenges.

Election

Tan was elected President of Singapore on 27 August 2011 following a vote recount between him and the other front-runner, Tan Cheng Bock. He triumphed by a narrow margin of 7,269 votes out of over two million valid votes in the four-way contest. Hailed as the PAP government's candidate of choice, Tan's win was perceived as a setback for Prime Minister Lee, who had supported him. The vote was the first presidential election in 18 years and the presidency remains a ceremonial, non-partisan role. "I plan to work tirelessly for all Singaporeans, regardless of their political affiliations. The president stands above politics," Tan said after the results were announced.

Reactions

On 17 August 2011, crowds booed at Tan and his son as he delivered his two-minute Nomination Day speech. According to ''The Straits Times'', the jeers came from a vocal group of people who mostly supported another presidential candidate Tan Jee Say. At a press conference later that day, Tan said that while different points of view were to be expected in a campaign, it was disappointing to have people who would not even listen, and hoped that Singaporeans would listen to the views of all the candidates. He said, "I don't think that jeering or heckling is the right way to go about the campaign, particularly in a campaign for the president, which has to be conducted with decorum and dignity."

During the first presidential candidate broadcast on 18 August 2011, while other candidates made promises, Tan chose not to make any commitments and instead focused on explaining the role of the president. Speaking in English, Chinese, and Malay, he said, "Some people argue that the president must take a public stand on current issues. I hear and share the concerns of Singaporeans. But policies are debated in parliament and implemented by the government. Others have said that the president must oppose the government. That is the role of the opposition. Those interested in such roles should stand for election in parliament at the next general election."

Presidency (2011–2017)

Tan was elected the seventh president of Singapore on 27 August 2011, succeeding S. R. Nathan. In his first president's address at the opening of the 12th Parliament, Tan highlighted that Singapore's success should be measured not only by material progress but also by shared values and ideals, underscoring the importance of building a more inclusive and compassionate society. In 2012, under his leadership, the President's Challenge was expanded beyond fundraising to include the promotion of volunteerism and social entrepreneurship.

On 26 July 2013, during Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's official visit to Singapore, Tan received him for a courtesy call, participated in the Japan–Singapore Summit Meeting, and was present at a luncheon hosted by Prime Minister Lee. In November, Tan sought to distinguish his presidency by promoting a more active civil society, arguing that Singapore needed to build up its " social reserves" to complement its substantial financial reserves. He cited the expansion of the President's Challenge as an example of this effort, highlighting its new focus on civic engagement and social innovation.

On 4 April 2014, Tan, as patron of the Singapore Red Cross, handed over S$7.5 million of donations to fund efforts in recovery and reconstruction in Typhoon Haiyan-affected areas of the Philippines, hoping that Singapore's offer would be of help to those most in need and expressing support for the people of the Philippines. On 8 May, he made an official visit to Switzerland, where he met with Swiss President Didier Burkhalter to reaffirm their mutual commitment to strengthening bilateral relations between Singapore and Switzerland. On 24 October, during a four-day state visit to the United Kingdom, Tan visited Lloyd's of London in the City of London, accompanied by John Nelson, and also attended a state banquet hosted by Queen Elizabeth II, meeting members of the British royal family including the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

On 18 April 2015, Tan officially opened the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum, Singapore's first and only natural history museum. During his state visit to China on 3 July, he met with Premier Li Keqiang to strengthen bilateral ties. On 15 July, he also officiated the opening of the Sisters' Islands Marine Park Public Gallery, showcasing Singapore's marine biodiversity. In August, he exchanged congratulatory messages with President Park Geun-hye to commemorate the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Singapore and South Korea. On 6 November, Tan met with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Istana, where both leaders agreed to upgrade the bilateral free trade agreement and deepen cooperation.

On 26 May 2016, Tan officially opened the Singapore Pavilion at the Architecture Biennale in Venice. During a state visit to Tokyo on 30 November, he highlighted the enduring friendship between Singapore and Japan in a toast to Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko, recalling their planting of King Sago palms in Singapore's Japanese Garden. On 8 November, Tan announced that he would not contest the 2017 presidential election, which was reserved for Malay candidates following a constitutional amendment passed the next day. He completed his six-year term and left office on 31 August 2017. That evening, a farewell reception and ceremony were held for him at the Istana. He was succeeded by Halimah Yacob, who became president after a walkover in the presidential election, as no other candidates were deemed eligible.

Later life

After stepping down as Singapore’s seventh president in 2017, Tan continued to serve in key national roles and remained engaged in public life. On 21 November 2017, GIC announced that Tan would be appointed Director and Special Advisor beginning 1 January 2018. In a '' Tatler'' interview on 23 November 2017, he reflected on the growing importance of social media in public engagement. Although not naturally inclined toward digital platforms, Tan embraced them during his presidency to connect with Singaporeans, occasionally signing off personal posts with his initials "TT." He paid attention to public feedback, sometimes replying to comments, and cited the 2013 Little India riot as a moment when he recognised the urgency of online communication while abroad. Even after leaving office, Tan remained committed to evolving with the times and contributing to Singapore's civic landscape.

On 12 March 2024, Tan launched his book ''Tony Tan Keng Yam: My Political Journey'' at Singapore Management University. Co-authored with former journalist Leslie Koh and published by Straits Times Press, the book chronicles Tan’s life and public service career. At the launch, Prime Minister Lee delivered a speech reflecting on Tan's contributions and career.

Personal life

Tan's paternal grandfather, Tan Cheng Siong, was the former general manager of the Overseas Chinese Bank, one of the three banks that later merged to form OCBC Bank. His uncle, Tan Chin Tuan, served as chairman of OCBC Bank. On his maternal side, Tan is also a direct descendant of philanthropist Tan Kim Seng, being the great-great-great-grandson through his grandmother Annie Tan Sun Neo.

In 1959, while Tan was a first-year physics student at the University of Malaya, which later became NUS and was then located at the Bukit Timah campus, he met an arts undergraduate with whom he fell in love. Five years later, in 1964, he married Mary Chee Bee Kiang. The couple have five children: Peter Tan Boon Huan, Sharon Tan Shu Lin, Patricia Tan Shu Ming, Patrick Tan Boon Ooi, and Philip Tan Boon Yew. Tan's son-in-law, Simon Chesterman, serves as vice provost and dean at NUS.

Awards and honours

Awards

In 2005, Tan was presented with the NUS Eminent Alumni Award in recognition of his role as a visionary architect of Singapore's university sector. In 2010, he received the inaugural Distinguished Australian Alumnus Award from Australian Alumni Singapore at its 55th anniversary dinner, honouring his distinguished career and significant contributions to society and the Australian alumni community. Tan was awarded a medal from the Foreign Policy Association in 2011 for outstanding leadership and service.

On 22 October 2014, he was awarded the King Charles II Medal by the Royal Society for his exceptional efforts in advancing scientific research and education in Singapore. This included his pioneering role in establishing major universities, promoting research and development as chairman of the National Research Foundation, and nurturing young scientists through initiatives such as the Global Young Scientists Summit. In 2017, Tan received the "Key to the City" from Prague, Czech Republic, during his state visit.

Honours

Tan has received numerous honours in recognition of his contributions to Singapore and beyond. On 17 June 2014, his alma mater, the University of Adelaide, conferred upon him an honorary doctorate for his outstanding achievements as a leader in both government and business. The Singapore Medical Association awarded him its highest honour, honorary membership, on 16 May 2015, acknowledging his support for medicine, particularly primary care and geriatric medicine. On 24 July 2018, NTU honoured him with an honorary Doctor of Letters degree. On 26 July 2022, SMU awarded him an honorary Doctor of Laws degree, recognising his pivotal role in shaping the university and broadening Singapore's higher education landscape.

National
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** Order of Temasek with High Distinction (28 October 2018)

Foreign
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** Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath (GCB; 2014) – ''Sir''

Notes

References

External links

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Tan, Tony
1940 births
Honorary Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath
Independent politicians in Singapore
Living people
MIT School of Engineering alumni
Deputy prime ministers of Singapore
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Academic staff of the National University of Singapore
People's Action Party politicians
Presidents of Singapore
Saint Joseph's Institution, Singapore alumni
Singaporean Anglicans
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Singaporean people of Hokkien descent
Singaporean politicians of Chinese descent
University of Adelaide alumni
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