Wee Kim Wee facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Wee Kim Wee
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黃金輝
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Wee in 1985
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| 4th President of Singapore | |
| In office 2 September 1985 – 1 September 1993 |
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| Prime Minister | Lee Kuan Yew Goh Chok Tong |
| Preceded by | Devan Nair |
| Succeeded by | Ong Teng Chong |
| Singapore Ambassador to South Korea | |
| In office February 1981 – April 1984 |
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| President | Benjamin Sheares Devan Nair |
| Singapore Ambassador to Japan | |
| In office September 1980 – April 1984 |
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| President | Benjamin Sheares Devan Nair |
| Singapore High Commissioner to Malaysia | |
| In office 1973–1980 |
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| President | Benjamin Sheares |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Wee Kim Wee
4 November 1915 Singapore, Straits Settlements (now Singapore) |
| Died | 2 May 2005 (aged 89) Singapore |
| Cause of death | Prostate cancer |
| Resting place | Mandai Crematorium and Columbarium |
| Political party | Independent |
| Spouse | Koh Sok Hiong |
| Children | 7 |
| Education | Outram School Raffles Institution |
| Occupation |
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Wee Kim Wee (born November 4, 1915 – died May 2, 2005) was an important person in Singapore. He worked as a journalist and a diplomat. Later, he became the fourth President of Singapore. He served as president from 1985 to 1993.
Before becoming president, Mr. Wee was a top diplomat. He represented Singapore in Malaysia, Japan, and South Korea. He was chosen by the Parliament to be president. After his second term, he decided not to run for president again. He was the first president to use special powers given by changes to Singapore's laws. Ong Teng Cheong took over as president after him in 1993.
Mr. Wee passed away at his home in Singapore on May 2, 2005. He was 89 years old.
Contents
Early Life and School Days
Wee Kim Wee was born in Singapore on November 4, 1915. His father, Wee Choong Lay, worked on a ship. His mother was Chua Hay Luan. When Wee Kim Wee was six, his father became blind. His father died when he was eight. His mother passed away when he was nineteen.
Wee Kim Wee went to Pearl's Hill School and Outram School. He also attended Raffles Institution. However, he left school at age 15.
Wee Kim Wee's Career Journey
Starting as a Journalist (1930–1973)
In 1930, Wee Kim Wee began working at The Straits Times newspaper. He started as a clerk. Soon, he became a reporter, writing about politics. He became one of the newspaper's main reporters. In 1936, he married Koh Sok Hiong. He was 21 years old at the time.
In 1941, he joined the United Press Associations. He was their main reporter in the 1950s. He went back to The Straits Times in 1959. There, he became the deputy editor in Singapore. In 1963, he received the Public Service Medal for his work.
In 1966, he interviewed Suharto, who later became the President of Indonesia. Mr. Wee reported that Suharto wanted to end a conflict with Malaysia. He shared this big news on the front page. In 1973, he received the Public Service Star award. This was for his work as the editorial manager of the Straits Times.
Working as a Diplomat (1973–1984)
Wee Kim Wee stopped being a journalist in 1973. He then became Singaporean High Commissioner to Malaysia. He held this important job for seven years. Later, he became Singapore's Ambassador to Japan in 1980. He also became Ambassador to South Korea in 1981.
After his time as a diplomat ended in 1984, he became Chairman of the Singapore Broadcasting Corporation. This company is now known as Mediacorp.
Serving as President (1985–1993)
Wee Kim Wee was chosen by Parliament to be the President of Singapore in 1985. As president, he also became the Chancellor of the National University of Singapore and the Nanyang Technological University.
During his second term, the laws about the presidency changed. In 1991, the Parliament decided that future presidents would be chosen by a popular vote. This meant people would vote for the president. The new president would also have the power to say no to certain government decisions. This included important appointments and how government money was used.
This change was a big step for Singapore. The elected president could now check how the government used its money. They could also look into cases of corruption.
For the first presidential election where people voted, Mr. Wee chose not to run again. He retired after finishing his second term. In 1993, he received the Darjah Utama Temasek award.
Life After Presidency (1994–2004)
After leaving office, Mr. Wee took on new roles. He became a deputy registrar of marriages. The National University of Singapore also gave him an honorary Doctor of Letters degree. This was to thank him for his public service and his work as the university's chancellor.
In 1999, Wee Kim Wee became a Director at Cathay Organisation Holdings.
In 2004, he wrote a book about his life called Glimpses and Reflections. He donated half a million Singapore dollars from the book's sales to eight different charities.
His Passing and Lasting Impact
Wee Kim Wee passed away from prostate cancer at his home on May 2, 2005. He was 89 years old. Before he died, he asked to be cremated. He wanted his ashes placed with regular citizens at Mandai Columbarium. He did not want to be buried at Kranji State Cemetery, where important people are usually laid to rest. Many people came to his state funeral at the Istana to say goodbye.
He was survived by his wife, Koh Sok Hiong, who lived to be 102. They were married for 69 years. He also left behind a son, six daughters, 13 grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren.
In 2006, the Nanyang Technological University renamed its School of Communication Studies. It is now called the Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information.
The Centre for Cross-Cultural Studies at Singapore Management University was also renamed after him. It is now the Wee Kim Wee Centre.
The Wee Kim Wee Legacy Fund at Nanyang Technological University is named in his honor.
