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Yusof bin Ishak (b. 12 August 1910, Padang Gajah, Trong, Perak– d. 23 November 1970, Singapore) became Singapore's first president upon Singapore's independence on 9 August 1965. The presidency was a natural transition[1] as he had been the Yang di-Pertuan Negara or the Head of State of Singapore since 3 December 1959, after Singapore achieved internal self-government.[2] Yusof Ishak passed away on 23 November 1970 due to heart failure during his third term in office.[3] He was given a state funeral and buried with full state honours at the Kranji National Cemetery. He was survived by his wife, Puan Noor Aishah, and three children.[4]
References
1. State of Singapore. (1965, December 23). Government Gazette. Acts Supplement. Constitution (Amendment) Act 1965 (Ord. 8 of 1965, pp. 93–96). Singapore: [s.n.]. Call no.: RCLOS 348.5957 SGGAS.
2. State of Singapore. (1959, December 3). Government Gazette. Extraordinary. (G.N. 62, p.1055). Singapore: [s.n.]. Call no.: RCLOS 959.57 SGG.
3. Cheong, Y. S., et al. (1970, November 24). Cabinet pays last respects. The Straits Times, p. 1. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
4. Lim, S. K. (1970, November 25). Nation pays its final tribute. The Straits Times, p. 1. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
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The information in this article is valid as at 2013 and correct as far as we are able to ascertain from our sources. It is not intended to be an exhaustive or complete history of the subject. Please contact the Library for further reading materials on the topic.