Dr Toh's passing a reminder of S'pore's past, present and future

SINGAPORE - The passing of former deputy prime minister Toh Chin Chye is a reminder of how Singapore got here, how much the nation owes him and his generation, and how heavy a responsibility the present generation have - to carry their vision forward and take Singapore further and higher.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said this in a eulogy at Dr Toh's funeral at Mandai Crematorium yesterday morning.

Dr Toh died in his sleep at age 90 last Friday.

Aside from family and friends, the funeral was attended by an estimated 200 people, including Mr Lee's wife, Ms Ho Ching; President Tony Tan Keng Yam and his wife, Mrs Mary Tan; Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong; Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean; and several Cabinet ministers and Members of Parliament.

"Without Dr Toh and his fellow Old Guard, this modern, prosperous metropolis that we now take for normal would not exist," said Mr Lee.

He also highlighted the various contributions Dr Toh made to Singapore, calling him a key member of the team that transformed Singapore into a First World country.

Dr Toh was the founding chairman of the People's Action Party and served as deputy prime minister and Cabinet minister from 1959 to 1981, with portfolios in the ministries of health, and science and technology.

One of his first tasks as deputy prime minister was to chair the committee to design the Singapore flag in 1959.

They came up with the red-and-white flag bearing a crescent and five stars to represent democracy, justice, peace, progress and equality.

And "these were the values that Dr Toh himself embraced and fought for all his life", said Mr Lee.

He also fondly recalled his interactions with Dr Toh over the years, from his childhood to his youth as an officer in the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF), to his time as a sparring partner in Parliament.

Noting that Singapore is "well into a post-independence era", Mr Lee said "Dr Toh's passing is another sign that our founding generation, both leaders and ordinary citizens, are gradually fading away".

In his eulogy, Dr Toh's eldest grandson, Matthew Ng, 15, said: "I knew my grandfather made many contributions to Singapore and was one of the founding fathers of this nation.

"However, I did not realise how many lives he touched until this week."

He added that Dr Toh would always remind his grandchildren to study hard and to be sincere and upright in their interactions with other people.

Dr Toh's youngest sister, Dr Toh Chooi Gait, 60, choked as she thanked the Government and the public for their tributes.

Others who delivered eulogies were Mr Loh Meng See, who succeeded Dr Toh as MP in the Rochor area after 1988, and Dr Toh Chin Kooi, Dr Toh's younger brother.

The funeral was presided over by Reverend Canon Louis Tey from St Andrew's Cathedral.

The casket arrived in Mandai Crematorium on a ceremonial gun carriage at 11.05am, where it was met by a 11-strong Honour Guard.

It was then carried into the service hall on the shoulders of eight officers from the SAF and the police.

Ceremonial gun carriage for Dr Toh Chin Chye's funeral Click on thumbnail to view (Photos: BH, myp, ST)
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