Yusof bin Ishak

Infobox President
name = Yusof bin Ishak


imagesize = 157
caption =
order = 1st
office = President of Singapore
term_start = 9 August 1965
term_end = 23 November 1970
primeminister = Lee Kuan Yew (1959–1990)
predecessor = Newly-created post
(he was previously Yang di-Pertuan Negara of Singapore)
successor = Benjamin Henry Sheares
order2 = 2nd
office2 = Yang di-Pertuan Negara of Singapore
term_start2 = 3 December 1959
term_end2 = 9 August 1965
predecessor2 = Sir William Goode
successor2 = Himself (as President)
birth_date = 12 August 1910
birth_place = Perak, Federated Malay States
death_date = Death date and age|1970|11|23|1910|8|12|df=yes
death_place = Singapore
nationality = Singaporean
spouse = Noor Aishah
alma_mater = Victoria School; Raffles Institution
occupation = Journalist
religion = Islam
website = [http://www.istana.gov.sg/FormerPresidents/YusofIshak www.istana.gov.sg] |

Yusof bin Ishak (pronounced|ˈjʊsɒf bɪn ˈɪshɑːk, ) (12 August 1910 – 23 November 1970) was an eminent Singaporean politician and the first President of Singapore. His portrait appears on the Singapore Portrait Series currency notes introduced in 1999.

Early life

Born on 12 August 1910 in the state of Perak, which was then part of the Federated Malay States, Yusof is the descendant of prominent Sumatran Malay Datuk Jannatun who migrated to Penang in 1759.

Yusof is of Minangkabau descent from his father's side while his mother is a native of Langkat regency in Indonesia. [ [http://www.istana.gov.sg/FormerPresidents/YusofIshak The Istana - index] ] His brother is Aziz Ishak who was a Malayan journalist and freedom fighter.

He received his primary education at Victoria Bridge School (now known as Victoria School [secondary school] but only offers Primary school classes then) and secondary education at Raffles Institution.

Career

Yusof was well known both as a journalist and the founder of the Malay newspaper "Utusan Melayu" prior to becoming head of state of Singapore. He was married to Noor Aishah.

He first served as "Yang di-Pertuan Negara" (head of state) between 1959 and 1965, remaining in office during the time that Singapore was part of the Federation of Malaysia between 1963 and 1965. Following Singapore's departure from Malaysia in 1965, he served as the first President of the Republic until his death in 1970.

Yusof is buried at Kranji State Cemetery.

Notes

ee also

*Yusof Ishak Secondary School - a Secondary School in Singapore named in his honour.

References

*cite web|title=Yusof Ishak|url=http://www.istana.gov.sg/FormerPresidents/YusofIshak|publisher=ISTANA Singapore : Office of the President of the Republic of Singapore, Government of Singapore|date=2006-04-28|accessdate=2007-09-20

succession box
before=Sir William Goode
title=Yang di-Pertuan Negara of Singapore
years=1959 – 1965
after=Abolishedsuccession box|before=Post created
title=President of Singapore
years=1965 – 1970
after=Benjamin Henry Sheares

Persondata
NAME = Yusof bin Ishak
ALTERNATIVE NAMES = Yusof Ishak
SHORT DESCRIPTION = First President of Singapore
DATE OF BIRTH = 12 August 1910
PLACE OF BIRTH = Perak, Federated Malay States
DATE OF DEATH = 23 November 1970
PLACE OF DEATH = Singapore