Ridzwan Dzafir

Ridzwan bin Haji Dzafir (27 March 1927 – 28 September 2011) was a Singaporean civil servant who was known for his extensive experience in promoting Singapore through trade missions and meetings, earning him the nickname "Mr ASEAN".

Ridzwan served as director general of the Trade Development Board from 1983 to 1999, while serving concurrently as Singapore's first roving ambassador from 1986 to 1997.

Early life and education On 27 March 1927, Ridzwan bin Haji Dzafir was born in Singapore to a Baweanese family, and shortly after, his family moved to a rented room in a pondok. His father, Dzafir Abdul Karim, moved to Singapore from Bawean in the early 1900s, and his mother, Rugayah Khodri, was born in Singapore to a Madurese family.

Ridzwan attended Kampong Gelam Malay School, Kota Raja Malay School and Geylang Malay School, before attending Telok Kurau English School (now known as Telok Kurau Primary School). Subsequently, Ridzwan studied at Raffles Institution (RI) for his secondary education, but was soon forced into digging tunnels at Pasir Panjang Hill under the Japanese Occupation. After the war ended, he returned to RI and graduated with a Senior Cambridge in 1947.

Upon graduation, Ridzwan was awarded a Raffles College scholarship worth , but the scholarship was withdrawn after he failed his first year of studies. Ridzwan secured a government bursary and financial assistance from his professor, Alexander Oppenheim, to continue funding his studies, and eventually graduated in 1952 with a Bachelor of Arts in economics.

Career In October 1952, Ridzwan joined the Customs Department (now known as Singapore Customs) as a junior customs officer, before being recruited to work in the trade division under the Ministry of Finance in 1961. During his tenure, Ridzwan lead envoys to Japan, United States and Europe, with the aim of creating export opportunities for companies in Singapore.

On 1 January 1983, Ridzwan was appointed as director general of the Trade Development Board (TDB), continuing the agenda of negotiating with other countries to provide economic opportunities for Singapore. On 24 January 1986, Ridzwan was also appointed as Singapore's first roving ambassador to Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Panama, holding the position till 1996. On 4 April 1997, Ridzwan was appointed as high commissioner to Bangladesh.

From August 1986 to January 1991, Ridzwan also served as the president of the Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura (MUIS). Initially, Ridzwan requested for a term of 18 months instead of the usual three years, citing his existing responsibilities as director general of TDB and roving ambassador. However, his term was renewed three times, and eventually Ridzwan served for a total of four years and five months. During his term, Ridzwan improved the quality of operations, reorganised and corporatised the structure of MUIS. Subsequently, Ridzwan was appointed as chairman of Mendaki. With critical issues such as drug taking among Malay youths, higher failure rates of Malay pupils in school, and concentration of Malays in less-skilled jobs, Ridzwan suggested a complete restructuring of Mendaki, with proper resources and staff to establish programmes aimed at tackling these issues.

On 27 December 1991, Ridzwan was appointed as an adviser in the Council of Presidential Advisers for President Wee Kim Wee.

In 1999, Ridzwan stepped down as director general of TDB, while continuing to participate in trade missions and meetings. In total, he participated in 60 trade missions, and represented Singapore at more than 500 international conferences and meetings, earning him the nickname "Mr ASEAN".

On 28 September 2011, Ridzwan died of a heart attack after complications arising from kidney failure.

80x80px Order of the Liberator General San Martín (Grand Cross), in 1987.