Jek Yeun Thong

Jek Yeun Thong DUNU (Chinese: 易润堂; pinyin: Yì Rùntáng; 29 July 1930 – 3 June 2018) was a Singaporean politician who served as Minister for Science and Technology between 1976 and 1977, Minister for Culture between 1968 and 1977 and Minister for Labour between 1963 and 1968.

In this Chinese name, the family name is Jek.
Jek Yeun Thong
DUNU
易润堂
Jek in 1963
Minister for Science and Technology
In office
31 December 1976 – 25 September 1977
Prime MinisterLee Kuan Yew
Preceded byLee Chiaw Meng
Succeeded byEdmund W. Barker
Minister for Culture
In office
16 April 1968 – 25 September 1977[1]
Prime MinisterLee Kuan Yew
Preceded byOthman Wok
Succeeded byOng Teng Cheong (acting)
Minister for Labour
In office
19 October 1963 – 15 April 1968
Prime MinisterLee Kuan Yew
Preceded byAhmad Ibrahim
Succeeded byS. Rajaratnam
Member of the Singapore Parliament
for Queenstown SMC
In office
21 September 1963 – 17 August 1988
Preceded byLee Siew Choh
Succeeded byChay Wai Chuen
Member of the Malaysian Parliament
for Singapore
In office
2 November 1963[2] – 9 August 1965
Preceded byPosition established
Succeeded byPosition abolished
Personal details
Born(1930-07-29)29 July 1930
Singapore, Straits Settlements, British Malaya
Died3 June 2018(2018-06-03) (aged 87)
Singapore
Political partyPeople's Action Party
SpouseHuang Kek Chee
Children2
OccupationPolitician

Political career

In 1955, Jek's foray into politics began when he assisted the People's Action Party (PAP) during the 1955 general election. He was appointed to the party's Central Executive Committee (CEC) as a political secretary in 1957. That same year, due to his communist beliefs, he was detained under the Internal Security Act by Lim Yew Hock's government.[3]

He was eventually released and when the PAP formed the Government, he held the posts of Assistant Treasurer and then Treasurer on the Central Executive Committee of the PAP between 1959 and 1976. Apart from serving as the deputy chairman of the People's Association (PA), he also served as Minister of Culture for 12 years between 1968 and 1978.[4][5]

Additionally, he also served as Minister for Science and Technology between 1976 and 1977.[1] He is credited for being one of the 10 ministers who signed the Independence of Singapore Agreement in 1965.[6]

Together with Lee Khoon Choy, Jek was appointed as the government representatives on the Joint-Government-University Liaison Committee in 1960 to reform Nanyang University.

Jek was considered as one of the 'Old Guard'—the first generation of leaders of independent Singapore.[7]

One of his final major public appearances was at the National Day Parade of 2015 in remembrance of Lee Kuan Yew.[8]

Death

Jek died at home at the age of 87 on 3 June 2018. A private wake and funeral was held in accordance with his wishes. As a mark of respect, the government ordered the state flag on all government buildings to be flown at half-mast on 7 June 2018.[9][10] Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, President Halimah Yacob and many other political figures in Singapore offered their condolences to Jek's family.[11]

Jek was survived by his 84-year-old wife Huang Kek Chee, his two sons Kian Jin and Kian Yee (aged 59 and 55 respectively), and five grandchildren.[12]

Honours and awards

Jek was awarded the Second Class of the Order of Nila Utama in 1990.

References
  1. "First 10 cabinet ministers of Singapore" (PDF). National Archives of Singapore. Retrieved 6 April 2020.
  2. "PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES DEWAN RA'AYAT (HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES) OFFICIAL REPORT" (PDF). Dewan Rakyat. Retrieved 19 August 2019.
  3. "Jek Yeun Thong made notable contributions, showed strong sense of dedication to Singapore, says PM Lee". The Straits Times. 6 June 2018.
  4. hermesauto (6 June 2018). "PAP Old Guard minister Jek Yeun Thong dies, aged 87".
  5. "10 Men, 10 Years: A Decade of Nation-Building - Archives Online". www.nas.gov.sg. National Archives of Singapore. Retrieved 3 January 2018.
  6. Grosse, Sara. "Ong Pang Boon, Jek Yeun Thong, Othman Wok to be honoured at NDP". Channel NewsAsia. Retrieved 3 January 2018.
  7. "Three Old Guard ministers honoured". The Straits Times. 10 August 2015. Retrieved 3 January 2018.
  8. "Jek Yeun Thong leaves home for NDP 2015". Youtube. Straits Times. 9 August 2015. Retrieved 3 January 2018.
  9. "建国元勋易润堂逝世 享年88岁". 6 June 2018.
  10. "Singapore's Government extends condolences after death of PAP pioneer Jek Yeun Thong".
  11. "President Halimah, ministers pay tribute to former labour minister Jek Yeun Thong". The Straits Times. 6 June 2018.
  12. "PAP Old Guard minister Jek Yeun Thong dies, aged 87". The Straits Times. 6 June 2018.

Bibliography
  • Lam, Peng Er and Tan, Kevin (Ed.) (2000). Lee's lieutenants : Singapore's old guard. Singapore: Allen & Unwin. ISBN 1-86508-172-8
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