Chan Chee Seng

In this Chinese name, the family name is Chan.
Chan Chee Seng
陈志成
Chan in 2015
Member of Parliament representing Jalan Besar Constituency
In office
1 July 1959 – 4 December 1984
Preceded byconstituency established
Succeeded byLee Boon Yang
Party Whip of the People's Action Party
In office
17 October 1963 – 15 April 1968
Preceded byLee Khoon Choy
Succeeded bySia Kah Hui
Personal details
Born15 November 1932
Straits Settlements (present-day Singapore)
Died17 December 2022(2022-12-17) (aged 90)
Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore

Chan Chee Seng (Chinese: 陈志成; 15 November 1932 – 17 December 2022) was a Singaporean former politician. A former member of the People's Action Party (PAP), he served as the Member of Parliament (MP) representing Jalan Besar Constituency from 1959 to 1984 and the Party Whip of the People's Action Party from 1963 to 1968.

He also served as the Parliamentary Secretary for Social Affairs from 1963 to 1972, the Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Social Affairs from 1972 to 1981, and the Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Trade and Industry from 1981 to 1982.

Early life and education

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Chan was born on 15 November 1932 in the Straits Settlements (present-day Singapore) and attended Catholic High School and Saint Andrew's School. He worked as a bank clerk before resigning after he was elected City Councillor of Jalan Besar in 1957 to work at the Council full time. He also served as the secretary of City Division of the PAP and the general secretary of the Singapore Telephone Board Employees' Union.[1]

Political career

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Chan left the Council in April 1959 and made his political debut in the 1959 general election, being asked to contest by S. Rajaratnam.[1][2] He contested for Member of Parliament (MP) of Jalan Besar Constituency against Wong Yew Hon of Singapore People's Alliance, Lo Ka Fat of Liberal Socialist Party, and See Eng Kiat of Labour Front. Chan was elected with 62.48% of the vote.[3] In October 1959, Chan and Lim Boon Teck held talks in Kallang Basin, assuring citizens of the safety of the Police Force against gangsters.[4]

In 1961, then-Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew held a vote of confidence which would have resulted in his resignation if he had failed to secure a majority. Following this, Chan went to fellow PAP member Sahorah Ahmat who was bedridden at the Singapore General Hospital and brought her to the Legislative Assembly in an ambulance and carried her in a stretcher. Her vote helped Lee to secure a majority.[5]

In the 1963 general election, he contested for MP of Jalan Besar Constituency again against Ng Ngeong Yew of Barisan Sosialis and Yong Wan Kit of United People's Party. Chan was elected with 51.87% of the vote.[6] He was also appointed as Party Whip of the People's Action Party and Parliamentary Secretary for Social Affairs.[7] In the 1968 general election, Chan contested for MP of Jalan Besar Constituency again, being elected unopposed.[8]

In the 1972 general election, Chan contested for MP of Jalan Besar Constituency again against Johnnie Ng Kong Wah of United National Front. Chan was elected with 83.86% of the vote.[9] He was also appointed Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Social Affairs.[10] At the 1976 general election, he contested for MP of Jalan Besar Constituency again, being elected unopposed.[11] In February 1976, he left the Singapore Taxi Driver's Association stating that he was busy and "not able to look after the association's interest."[12]

At the 1980 general election, Chan contested for MP of Jalan Besar Constituency again, being elected unopposed.[13] In 1981, he was appointed Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Trade and Industry.[14] He retired from politics in 1984, after having served as MP for Jalan Besar Constituency for 25 years.[15]

Post-political career

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Chan served as the secretary general of the Telephone Board Employees Union and the president of the Singapore Jogging Association.[15][16] In 1981, he and three others founded ISS International School and, in 1993, was joined by his wife, Chan Ching Oi.[2] In 1994, Chan announced plans for ISS to branch out internationally to Tianjin, Chaoyang, and Guangzhou. Costing about S$4 million, he partnered with the Education Board of Chaoyang to build the branch at Chaoyang.[17]

He also served as vice-president of the Singapore National Olympic Council and president of the Singapore Amateur Swimming Association. At the 1977 SEA Games, Chan served as the Chef de Mission.[18]

Death

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On 17 December 2022, Chan died of pneumonia at Tan Tock Seng Hospital. He was survived by his wife, two daughters, and three grandchildren.[2]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Three wards feature big names". The Straits Times. 16 May 1959. p. 11. Retrieved 26 September 2024 – via NewspaperSG.
  2. ^ a b c Ng, Keng Gene (18 December 2022). "Former PAP MP Chan Chee Seng dies, aged 90". The Straits Times. ISSN 0585-3923. Retrieved 26 September 2024.
  3. ^ "THE RESULTS: ALL YOU". The Straits Times. 31 May 1959. p. 4. Retrieved 26 September 2024 – via NewspaperSG.
  4. ^ "'Police will guard you from thug vengeance'". The Singapore Free Press. 16 October 1959. p. 1. Retrieved 26 September 2024 – via NewspaperSG.
  5. ^ Ng, Keng Gene (19 December 2022). "PAP might have lost battle with pro-communists if not for ex-MP Chan Chee Seng: PM Lee". The Straits Times. ISSN 0585-3923. Retrieved 26 September 2024.
  6. ^ "Singapore polls nominations". The Straits Times. 13 September 1963. p. 5. Retrieved 26 September 2024 – via NewspaperSG.
  7. ^ Sam, Jackie (18 October 1963). "3 NEW MINISTERS". The Straits Times. p. 1. Retrieved 26 September 2024 – via NewspaperSG.
  8. ^ "58 ELECTORAL DIVISIONS: Woman among 14 to contest". Eastern Sun. 18 February 1968. p. 3. Retrieved 26 September 2024 – via NewspaperSG.
  9. ^ "Where they'll stand..." New Nation. 23 August 1972. p. 1. Retrieved 26 September 2024 – via NewspaperSG.
  10. ^ "New Cabinet will be sworn in tonight at Istana". The Straits Times. 16 September 1972. p. 30. Retrieved 26 September 2024 – via NewspaperSG.
  11. ^ "22 up!". New Nation. 13 December 1976. p. 1. Retrieved 26 September 2024 – via NewspaperSG.
  12. ^ "TWO MPs QUIT CABBIES' BODY". The Straits Times. 11 February 1976. p. 11. Retrieved 26 September 2024 – via NewspaperSG.
  13. ^ "The 37 who got walkovers". The Straits Times. 14 December 1980. p. 9. Retrieved 26 September 2024 – via NewspaperSG.
  14. ^ "Just slight change in second-line leadership". The Straits Times. 14 January 1981. p. 39. Retrieved 26 September 2024 – via NewspaperSG.
  15. ^ a b "Chan Chee Seng quitting politics". The Business Times. 3 September 1984. p. 16. Retrieved 26 September 2024 – via NewspaperSG.
  16. ^ "Retiring MP Chee Seng to carry on running". The Straits Times. 3 September 1984. p. 9. Retrieved 26 September 2024 – via NewspaperSG.
  17. ^ Ho, Sheo Be (17 May 1994). "ISS plans to open more international schools in major Chinese cities". The Straits Times. p. 3. Retrieved 26 September 2024 – via NewspaperSG.
  18. ^ Cheng, Ian (19 December 2022). "'He served Singapore well': PM Lee sends condolences to wife of PAP pioneer Chan Chee Seng". Channel News Asia. Retrieved 26 September 2024.
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