S. Dhanabalan

Suppiah Dhanabalan (born 8 August 1937) is a Singaporean former politician who served as Minister for Foreign Affairs between 1980 and 1988. A member of the governing People's Action Party (PAP), he was the Member of Parliament (MP) representing Kallang SMC between 1976 and 1991, and the Kuo Chuan ward of Toa Payoh GRC between 1991 and 1996.

Dhanabalan was a prominent political leader in Singapore during the 1980s, where he served as Minister for Foreign Affairs between 1980 and 1988, Minister for National Development between 1987 and 1992, and Minister for Trade and Industry between 1992 and 1993 under Prime Ministers Lee Kuan Yew and Goh Chok Tong.

He had also served as Leader of the House between 1985 and 1987.

Early life and education Dhanabalan was born in 1937 to Suppiah Arumugam, a clerk at a naval base and Gunaretnam Suppiah. He was the third child and the eldest son in a family of three girls and three boys.

Born in a Singaporean Indian family of Tamil descent, he was raised as a Hindu. Later in his life, he became a devout Christian (Brethren).

He attended Victoria School before graduating from the University of Malaya with a Bachelor of Arts with second class honours degree in economics.

Early career Dhanabalan joined the Ministry of Finance as an administrative officer between 1960 and 1968. During his tenure, he helped to established the Economic Development Board and DBS Bank.

He subsequently left the Civil Service and joined DBS as a vice-president between 1968 and 1970. He was later promoted to the position executive vice-president and continue to serve between 1970 and 1978.

Political career In the 1976 Singapore general election, Dhanabalan was elected as Member of Parliament for Kallang SMC, as a People's Action Party (PAP) candidate.

During the 1980 Singaporean general election's rallies, Dhanabalan disparaged opposition politician Chiam See Tong on his professional competence. He was subsequently sued by Chiam for defamation and he issued a public apology over it.

Timeline 1960 : Graduated from university and joined the civil service. 1961–1968 : Economist with Economic Development Board. 1968–1978 : Helped to establish the Development Bank of Singapore. 1976–1991 : Member of Parliament for Kallang. 1980–1988 : Minister for Foreign Affairs. 1981–1984 : Minister for Culture. 1981–2005 : Director of Government Investment Corporation. 1984–1986 : Minister for Community Development. 1986–1991 : Minister for National Development. 1991 : Retired from politics. 1991–1993 : Returned to government as Minister for Trade and Industry. 1993–1996 : Chairman of Singapore Labour Foundation. 1996–1998 : Chairman of Singapore Airlines. 1996–2013 : Chairman of Temasek Holdings. 1998 : Appointed a permanent member of the Presidential Council for Minority Rights. 1999–2005 : Chairman of DBS Group Holdings. 2004–present : Member of the Council of Presidential Advisors. 2007 : Received the Order of Temasek (Second Class). 2015 : Received the Order of Temasek (First Class)

Career after politics Senior Advisor, Nuri Holdings – 1994–1999 Chairman, Singapore Airlines – 1996–1998 Chairman, Temasek Holdings – 1996–2013 Emeritus Chairperson, Temasek Trust - Current Director, Temasek Trust, 2015 - 2022 Chairman, DBS Bank – 1999–2005 Chairman, Parameswara Holdings Ltd – Current Director, Government of Singapore Investment Corporation – Current

Other contributions Member, Presidential Council for Minority Rights – Current Member, Council of Presidential Advisers – 2004–Current Member and Council chairman Emeritus, Asia Business Council – Current Founder Member, Singapore International Foundation President, Singapore Indian Development Association (SINDA) – 1996–2002 Chairman, YMCA Advisory Council, YMCA of Singapore - 2010-2018

Personal life Dhanabalan is a devout Christian (Brethren) and attends a small church in Bukit Panjang – Bukit Panjang Gospel Chapel. He is married to Christine Tan Khoon Hiap and they have one son and one daughter.