SINGAPORE — Schoolgirls and politicians came to bow Saturday before the body of Singapore's former president out of respect for a man who was a minor insurgent in a largely ceremonial post.
Ong Teng Cheong, 66, died Friday night of lymphoma, a form of cancer that targets the lymphatic system, after battling the disease for nearly 10 years.
Ong was the first elected president in this tiny Southeast Asian island nation of 4 million inhabitants and served from 1993 to 1999. Previous presidents were appointed.
Singapore's political system gives most executive power to the prime minister, currently Goh Chok Tong, and the Cabinet. The president has a mostly symbolic post, busy with ribbon-cuttings and other public appearances on the government's behalf.
But under Singapore's constitution, presidential duties include the review of senior appointments and auditing of the country's reserves.
In July 2000, Ong told reporters that he had difficulty getting information on the national reserves. He said he had the feeling government ministers didn't appreciate his looking over their shoulders.
Ong's revelation was rare in Singapore, a tightly controlled country where disputes within the government are virtually unheard of.