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Mr S R Nathan once said: “The trade union movement is the place where the small man rises. The small man is important. Don’t take him for granted. It is the trade union movement that gave me the courage to stand up and speak to big people without fear.”
NTUC Secretary-General (SG) Chan Chun Sing echoed these words of the late Mr Nathan in his eulogy to the former Singapore president.
“Yes, Mr Nathan, the Labour Movement will remember your words. You have shown us the courage to stand up and speak without fear as a people. You showed us the way to inspire people with a vision and unleash their potential to achieve,” said SG Chan.
He was one of seven speakers who spoke at the State Funeral service at the University Cultural Centre on 26 August 2016. Two thousand people turned up to give Mr S R Nathan the final send off.
Lessons Shared
SG Chan shared the many lessons that Mr Nathan imparted to him. One such experience was during his time in the army, when he was tasked to assist Mr Nathan to set up the Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies.
Speaking in Mandarin, SG Chan said: “As a young army officer, I had little idea then what was a think-tank, how to set it up or how to run it. Mr Nathan taught me the first of many important lessons: that is, only the lack of imagination can set us back. He told me that he had never set up a think-tank either! But, if you understand the mission and purpose, then fear not how to complete it.”
SG Chan also gave a glimpse of how Mr Nathan was with the people he worked with: “In case you think that Mr Nathan treated me just as a super staff officer, you cannot be more wrong. Mr Nathan never treated us as staff officers. I would say that he treated all of us as family. He did not need to teach me how to care for those around me. Instead, he showed me how to do it through his actions.”
Remembering His Words
SG Chan shared when he told Mr Nathan he would always be his mentor and a President that all Singaporeans loved, Mr Nathan told him one should always be modest and sincere, and to always ensure the younger generation has a good platform to progress.
Recently in May this year, Mr Nathan held a dialogue at NTUC.
“He asked us if we were just unionists, or if we were a Labour Movement?” SG Chan recounted.
Mr Nathan had said that the Labour Movement must have that special ingredient to help create that unique competitive advantage for Singapore, for people to enjoy better working conditions and to continue giving hope to the next generation to enjoy a better future.
SG Chan shared: “Mr Nathan then asked if we would be our brothers’ keeper. Will we take care of each other regardless?
“Yes, we will, Mr Nathan. We will take care of each other. We will take care of Singapore. The pioneer generation toiled, with blood, sweat and tears, to give us the chance to be called Singaporeans and we, the younger generation, will build on it.”
Source: NTUC This Week
