Jek Yeun Thong


Jek Yeun Thong, DUNU, was a politician from Singapore who was a first-generation member of the People's Action Party.

Political career

In 1955, Jek's foray into politics began when he assisted the PAP in the 1955 legislative assembly election. He was appointed to the party's Central Executive Committee as a political secretary in 1957. That same year he was detained under the Internal Security Act by the Lim Yew Hock government.
He eventually was released and when the People's Action Party came to power, from 1959 to 1976, he held the posts of Assistant Treasurer and then Treasurer on the Central Executive Committee of the PAP. Apart from serving as deputy chairman of the People's Association, he also served as Minister of Culture for 12 years from 1968-78.
Additionally, he was also appointed Minister for Science and Technology in 1976 till 1977. He is credited for being one of the 10 ministers who signed the Independence of Singapore Agreement in 1965.
Together with Lee Khoon Choy in 1960, Jek were appointed as the government representatives on the Joint-Government-University Liaison Committee to reform Nanyang University, which was eventually merged in 1980 with the University of Singapore to form the National University of Singapore.

Retirement (1990s-2018)

Jek was considered as one of the 'Old Guard' - the first generation of leaders of independent Singapore.
Following Jek's death on 3 June 2018, Ong Pang Boon is the last living member of the founding Singapore cabinet as of June 2018 outliving Lee Kuan Yew, Othman Wok and Chor Yeok Eng.
One of his last major public appearances was at the National Day Parade of 2015 in remembrance of Lee Kuan Yew.

Death

Jek died at home at the age of 87 on 3 June 2018. A private wake and funeral was held in accordance with his wishes. As a mark of respect, the government ordered the state flag on all government buildings to be flown at half-mast on 7 June 2018.

Honours and awards

Jek was awarded the Order of Nila Utama in 1990.