Singaporeans will always remember S. Rajaratnam as a founding father who reflected and articulated some of our most cherished values and visions. His contribution to modern Singapore was multi- faceted. He crafted our national Pledge, which is a beacon to Singapore's enlightened multi- racialism. He offered the first vision of Singapore as a global city which can thrive by integrating into the world economy. He married Singapore's national survival with the idea of regionalism through ASEAN.

Mr Rajaratnam understood the importance of the United Nations for a small state like Singapore and worked to secure Singapore's entry into the world body. He managed our labour relations at a critical juncture so as to form an effective partnership between the trade unions and the government which laid one of the key foundations of Singapore's economic success. His visionary ideas and pragmatic approach to both domestic and international affairs guided us through the difficult years of our birth and youth.

It is fitting that a school of international studies is being set up in his name at the Nanyang Technological University. I am confident that under his inspiring name, the school will make a significant contribution to Singapore's and Southeast Asia's intellectual progress.

Mr Lim Boon Heng is the Minister in the
Prime Minister's Office and the Secretary-
General of the National Trades Union
Congress

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