FORMER MP Ho See Beng, a founder of the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC), died last night at the age of 90.
Mr Ho died in hospital after being stricken by pneumonia that led to the failure of his organs.
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President S R Nathan's tribute to Mr Ho See Beng
He was a PAP MP for Bras Basah and Khe Bong for more than 20 years, from 1963 to 1984.
His youngest daughter is West Coast GRC MP Ho Geok Choo, who said he served his country passionately and treated his friends generously.
Mr Ho was described by former colleagues and friends as 'down to earth'.
In a tribute, President SR Nathan said he 'invested all his time and energy' in forging the disparate group of trade unions that had moved away from the pro-Communist camp into his fold.
'He was approachable. His special grace was that he knew how to listen and make others listen to his appeals,' said Mr Nathan, who worked in the NTUC during the 1960s when Mr Ho was a top union leader.
'Despite the mounting agitation and pressure that marked the early years of the NTUC, Ho See Beng was one who was never deterred,' said Mr Nathan.
'He gave confidence to many Unionists who were hesitant to remain in its fold and fought the pro-Communist remnants with equal vigour and determination.'
Mr Nathan also noted that Mr Ho was outspoken in raising worker's issues, whether at meetings with management or in Parliament.
'He also played a signal role in getting NTUC affiliates in those early years to understand and temper their militancy for the larger interest of creating a climate to secure investments and with that, more jobs and a larger economic cake to be shared by workers,' he said.
'Ho See Beng had no pretensions, and was unflappable in arguments. He never allowed his personal opinion to prevail against better ones of others, so long as they served the interests of workers and the NTUC.'
Mr Ho is survived by his wife, five children and many grandchildren as well as great-grandchildren.
Mr Ho died in hospital after being stricken by pneumonia that led to the failure of his organs.
RELATED LINKS
President S R Nathan's tribute to Mr Ho See Beng
He was a PAP MP for Bras Basah and Khe Bong for more than 20 years, from 1963 to 1984.
His youngest daughter is West Coast GRC MP Ho Geok Choo, who said he served his country passionately and treated his friends generously.
Mr Ho was described by former colleagues and friends as 'down to earth'.
In a tribute, President SR Nathan said he 'invested all his time and energy' in forging the disparate group of trade unions that had moved away from the pro-Communist camp into his fold.
'He was approachable. His special grace was that he knew how to listen and make others listen to his appeals,' said Mr Nathan, who worked in the NTUC during the 1960s when Mr Ho was a top union leader.
'Despite the mounting agitation and pressure that marked the early years of the NTUC, Ho See Beng was one who was never deterred,' said Mr Nathan.
'He gave confidence to many Unionists who were hesitant to remain in its fold and fought the pro-Communist remnants with equal vigour and determination.'
Mr Nathan also noted that Mr Ho was outspoken in raising worker's issues, whether at meetings with management or in Parliament.
'He also played a signal role in getting NTUC affiliates in those early years to understand and temper their militancy for the larger interest of creating a climate to secure investments and with that, more jobs and a larger economic cake to be shared by workers,' he said.
'Ho See Beng had no pretensions, and was unflappable in arguments. He never allowed his personal opinion to prevail against better ones of others, so long as they served the interests of workers and the NTUC.'
Mr Ho is survived by his wife, five children and many grandchildren as well as great-grandchildren.
