SINGAPORE, May 2 (UPI) -- Singapore's former president, Dr. Wee Kim Wee died Monday at his home of complications of prostate cancer at the age of 89.
Wee was president from 1985 to 1993. He retired citing his age, health and constitutional amendments that provided for an elected president.
Wee's first job was as a clerk in the Straits Times newspaper before becoming a reporter. In the late 1960s he moved into the diplomatic corps, and served as High Commissioner to Malaysia and later ambassador to Japan and South Korea.
After retiring from the diplomatic service in 1984, he became chairman of the then Singapore Broadcasting Corp. A year later, he became the country's president.
His eldest son, Bill Wee, 68, told Channel NewsAsia his body would lie in state Tuesday through Thursday.
He will then be cremated, and according to instructions he gave his family, will not be given a war hero's grave.
"He wished to make it all simple without undue ceremonies," his son said.
Wee is survived by seven children.
