Jek Yeun Thong

Jek Yeun Thong (simplified Chinese: 易润堂; traditional Chinese: 易潤堂; pinyin: Yì Rùn Táng) was a prominent first generation People's Action Party (PAP) politician in Singapore.

Early life and education

Jek was educated in the Chinese High School but was expelled by the British colonial government before joining the Chinese newspaper Sin Pao.

Political career

In 1955, Jek's foray into politics began when he assisted the PAP in the 1955 legislative assembly election. He was appointed to the party's Central Executive Committee (CEC) as a political secretary in 1957. However in the same year he was detained under the Internal Security Act by the Lim Yew Hock government. He eventually was released and when the People's Action Party came to power, from 1959 to 1976, he held the posts of Assistant Treasurer and then Treasurer on the Central Executive Committee of the PAP.

Together with Lee Khoon Choy in 1960, Jek were appointed as the government representatives on the Joint-Government-University Liaison Committee to reform Nantah, which was finally merged in 1980 by Singapore University to become National University of Singapore.

Retirement (1990s-)

Jek is considered as one of the 'Old Guard' - the first generation of leaders of independent Singapore. He is one of its remaining living members, outliving Lee Kuan Yew, along others like Othman Wok, Ong Pang Boon and Chor Yeok Eng.

Honours and awards

Jek was awarded the Order of Nila Utama (Second Class) in 1990.

References

Bibliography

• Lam, Peng Er and Tan, Kevin (Ed.) (2000). Lee's lieutenants : Singapore's old guard. Singapore: Allen & Unwin. ISBN 1-86508-172-8