Former deputy PM & PAP founding member Toh Chin Chye dies

Former deputy prime minister Toh Chin Chye died on Friday morning at his home. -- ST PHOTO: DESMOND FOO

Former deputy prime minister Toh Chin Chye died at his home on Friday morning at 9.30am in his sleep. He was 90.

A prominent member of Singapore's first generation of leaders, Dr Toh co-founded the People's Action Party (PAP) in 1954 and was its first chairman - a role in which he won respect from many PAP cadres for his firm opposition to the pro-communists within the party.

He served in the Cabinet as Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Science and Technology and Minister for Health. From 1968 to 1975, he was also the vice-chancellor of the University of Singapore.

He retired from the Cabinet in 1981 and become an outspoken backbencher - dissenting with the Government over wide range of issues, including the elected presidency. He retired from politics in 1988.

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