Sellapan Ramanathan, often known as S. R. Nathan, was a Singaporean politician and civil servant who served as the sixth president of Singapore between 1999 and 2011. Nathan won both the 1999 presidential election and the 2005 presidential election thanks to an uncontested walkover due to ineligible candidates. He was the longest-serving president in Singapore's history and the only to serve two full terms.
Ramanathan in 2006
The Fullerton Hotel Singapore, formerly Fullerton Building. Nathan worked in the building in the 1950s as the Seamen's Welfare Officer with the Marine Department. In recognition of this, during his state funeral procession his cortège passed by the building.
S. R. Nathan receiving the United States Secretary of Defense William Cohen at the Istana during the latter's visit to Singapore
Nathan with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, 15 November 2009
The president of the Republic of Singapore is the head of state of Singapore. The president represents the country in official diplomatic functions and possesses certain executive powers over the Government of Singapore, including the control of the national reserves and the ability to revoke and appoint public service appointments.
President of Singapore
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev speaking to President S. R. Nathan during the former's visit in 2009
The president has personal discretion as to whether to approve budgets or financial transactions of specified statutory boards and state-owned companies that are likely to draw on past reserves. The Monetary Authority of Singapore, photographed here in September 2009, is one such statutory board.
The Elections Department, which oversees elections in Singapore
