J. Y. Pillay

Joseph Yuvaraj Pillay, DUNU (First Class) (born 30 March 1934), also known as J. Y. Pillay, was the chairman of the Singapore Council of Presidential Advisers (CPA) from 2005 to 2019.

J. Y. Pillay
President of Singapore
Acting
In office
1 September 2017 – 14 September 2017
Prime MinisterLee Hsien Loong
Preceded byTony Tan
Succeeded byHalimah Yacob
Chairman of the Council of Presidential Advisers
In office
September 2005 – 2 January 2019
President
Preceded bySim Kee Boon
Succeeded byEddie Teo
Personal details
Born (1934-03-30) 30 March 1934
Klang, Malay States (now Malaysia)
Spouse(s)
Beatrice Rasammah
​
(m. 1963)​
Alma materImperial College London

He was appointed acting President of Singapore following the end of President Tony Tan's term on 31 August 2017. He served 34 years (until 1995) as a top-ranking civil servant and an entrepreneur. He is one of the pioneers who helped build the Singapore economy after its separation from Malaysia in 1965.

Life and career
Few can match his record of public service in the Ministry of Finance, Temasek, GIC, MAS, MND and not to speak of SIA and SGX.

Temasek chairman and former top civil servant S.Dhanabalan[1]

Pillay was born at Klang in Selangor, British Malaya in 1934. He studied at Imperial College London and was awarded Bachelor of Engineering from University of London in 1956.[2]

His most significant contribution was building Singapore Airlines into a world-class carrier.[2][3] He served as Chairman of Singapore Airlines from 1972 until 1996. He is one of the few Civil Service officers to reach Staff Grade III.[4]

He was the Chairman of the Singapore Exchange between 1999 and 2010.[5]

He was the Chairman of Tiger Airways Holdings[6] from 2011 until 2014. He was the Chairman of the Council of Presidential Advisers from 2005 until 2019.[7]

He was the Acting President from 1 September 2017 when President Tony Tan's term expired on 31 August 2017, until the next president Halimah Yacob, was sworn into office on 14 September 2017.[8]

He stood down as Chairman of the CPA on 2 January 2019 which was handed over to Eddie Teo.[9]

Awards

In 2012, the National University of Singapore (NUS) set up two professorships in his honour, for his contributions.[10][11]

For his public service, Pillay was awarded the Order of Nila Utama (First Class), one of Singapore's most prestigious National Day Awards on 9 August 2012.[12][13]

In August 2019, Pillay was awarded the Order of Temasek (With Distinction), Singapore's highest civilian honour.[14][15]

References
  1. "J. Y. Pillay a pioneer in public, private sectors". The Straits Times. Retrieved 15 August 2012.
  2. "J Y Pillay Profile". National University Singapore. Archived from the original on 5 September 2012. Retrieved 15 August 2012.
  3. Lee, S.H. (10 April 1998). "Ex-SIA chiefs honoured as "legends'". The Straits Times.
  4. Ibrahim, Zuraidah (26 March 1995). "J. Y. Pillay: Visionary with a clear focus". The Straits Times. p. 1.
  5. "J Y Pillay to step down as SGX chairman at year-end". Channel NewsAsia. Retrieved 14 September 2010.
  6. "Tiger Airways: Appointed Mr. J Y Pillay As Non-Executive Chairman". ShareInvestor. Retrieved 29 August 2012.
  7. "Istana — Council of Presidential Advisers". Istana, Singapore. Archived from the original on 15 August 2012. Retrieved 14 August 2012.
  8. "Pillay takes on role of acting president". The Straits Times. Retrieved 8 September 2017.
  9. "J Y Pillay retires as Council of Presidential Advisors chairman, Eddie Teo to succeed". CNA. 17 December 2018. Archived from the original on 18 May 2020.
  10. "NUS honours Prof J Y Pillay". National University of Singapore. 17 January 2012. Archived from the original on 11 November 2018. Retrieved 5 September 2014.
  11. "NUS honours J Y Pillay". Channel NewsAsia. Archived from the original on 19 January 2012. Retrieved 17 January 2012.
  12. "J Y Pillay awarded highest public service honour". Channel NewsAsia. Retrieved 14 August 2012.
  13. "Recipients". Prime Minister's Office Singapore. 2012.
  14. "Top honours for J.Y. Pillay who built up SIA, led GIC, MAS". The Straits Times. 9 August 2019.
  15. "Recipients". Prime Minister's Office Singapore. 2019.
Political offices
Preceded by
Tony Tan		 President of Singapore
Acting
2017		 Succeeded by
Halimah Yacob
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