As a founding father of Singapore, Mr S. Rajaratnam made an immense contribution to the political and social fabric of our nation. He also provided vision and direction in shaping our foreign policy. Singaporeans owe many of their cherished ideas to him. This includes the Singapore Pledge, a testimony to his deep sense of multiracialism. He first articulated the vision of Singapore as a global city at a time when many developing nations were inward-looking and shunned globalisation. Today, Singapore has attained prosperity and stability as one of the foremost global cities in the world. His vision of a multiracial Singapore has been an inspiration to all Singaporeans.

As foreign minister, Mr Rajaratnam succeeded in getting Singapore accepted as a serious and respected voice in the United Nations and the Non-Aligned Movement. He also made a significant contribution to the development of Southeast Asian regionalism. He was a founder of ASEAN and played a major role in seeing it through its difficult early years. He earned the attention and respect of fellow ASEAN foreign ministers due to his intellectual ideas and no-nonsense, pragmatic approach to regionalism. He saw in ASEAN an important vehicle for reconciling national interest with regional identity and common good.

The establishment of the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies at Nanyang Technological University is a fitting tribute to Mr Rajaratnam's great contribution to Singapore's domestic and foreign affairs.

Mr S. Dhanabalan is the Chairman of
Temasek Holdings. He held various Cabinet
appointments from 1978 to 1994 including
the Foreign Affairs, Culture, National
Development, Community Development, and
Trade and Industry portfolios

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