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Yeoh Ghim Seng

Yeoh Ghim Seng (Chinese: 杨锦成; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Iôⁿ Gím-sêng; pinyin: Yáng Jǐnchéng) was a Singaporean politician who served as Speaker of the Parliament of Singapore between 1970 and 1988.

He is one of the longest-serving speakers of any parliament in the world. Yeoh served briefly as the acting president of Singapore between the death of Yusof Ishak on 23 November 1970 and the inauguration of President Benjamin Sheares on 2 January 1971.

Early life and education

Yeoh was born on 22 June 1918 in Ipoh. He received his early education at St. Michael's Institution and at Penang Free School. Yeoh studied medicine at the Cambridge University, England in the 1940s and was attached to hospitals in England. He became a fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of England in 1950.

Medical career

In 1951, Yeoh left England for Singapore to become consultant surgeon to the Singapore General Hospital. In 1955, he was appointed professor of surgery at the University of Malaya. He resigned the chair in 1962 to set up his private practice, but continued to train medical graduates from the university. A six-footer, Yeoh was described once as "the biggest but fastest Asian surgeon".

Political career

In 1966, Yeoh was recruited by the People's Action Party to stand in the Joo Chiat by-elections. The by-elections was uncontested and he was elected with a walkover. He would be the constituency's Member of Parliament for 22 years.

In 1968, Yeoh was appointed deputy speaker and elected speaker two years later.

When President of Singapore Yusof Ishak died on 23 November 1970 due to heart failure, Yeoh became the acting President, per the duties of the speaker, the following day.

In 1977, Minister of law, environment, science and technology, E. W. Barker, congratulating him on his re-election to yet another term as speaker, said that if not for Yeoh's commitment to surgery, he "could with ease and distinction occupy one of the front benches on this side of the House". As speaker, Yeoh's residence was the Command House.

In 1977, he also became the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Organization's (AIPO) first president.

Yeoh retired from politics in 1988.

Awards

Yeoh was a Public Service Star (B.B.M.) recipient, an active Rotarian, and a justice of the peace who also served as chairman of various boards including the Detainees' Aftercare Association and the University of Singapore Council.