
Encik
Yusof Bin Ishak
Encik Yusof bin Ishak was the first president of the republic of
Singapore.
He was born on the 12th August 1910 at the Padang Gajah
Trong, about 18 miles away from Taiping, Perak. Encik Yusof is a Malay of Sumatran
Descent. In 1923, When he was 13 years old, he came to Singapore with his father.
During his educational years in the Raffles' Instituition, he was a outstanding student. He even won the Queen's Scholarship. And he was the first ever Singaporean to do so. However, he turned down the offer, and decided to be involved in journalism instead.
In 1923, together with Ong Chin Beng and Soh swee Teck, he started "Sportsman" a fortnightly sports magazine. And In 1932 he joined the "Warta Melayu" Then in 1938, he started the "Utusan Melayu".
In July 1959, he was appointed the chairman of the Public Service Community (Singapore). On December 3rd, he took up the position of Yang Di-Pertuan Negara of Singapore. In July 1965, he also took up the position of Chancellor of the University of Singapore in addition to being appointed the First President of Singapore when we were declared independent.
He was further appointed for 4 years with effect from Decenber 4th 1967. However, he passed away in 1970 before he completed his 2nd term due to Heart problems.
Dr Benjamin H. Sheares CV Devan Nair Dr Wee Kim Wee Ong Teng Cheong S R Nathan
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