Former Singapore President S.R. Nathan dies at 92

SINGAPORE, Aug. 22 (UPI) -- S.R. Nathan, who was Singapore's longest-serving president until 2011, died Monday at age of 92 after having a stroke on July 31, the prime minister's office said.

Nathan, 92, was in critical condition in the intensive care unit at Singapore General Hospital for the past month. It was his second stroke in two years.

Nathan was in office for two terms from 1999 to 2011.

Before that he was permanent secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, ambassador to the United States, director of the Security and Intelligence Division and executive chairman of The Straits Times Press.

As president of Singapore, Nathan initiated the President's Challenge in 2000, which raised more than $100 million for more than 500 beneficiaries during his two terms of office.

His successor as seventh president, Dr. Tony Tan, wrote on Facebook: "Our thoughts and prayers are with Mrs. Nathan and Mr. Nathan's family during this time of mourning."

The prime minister's office said Nathan would lie in state at the Parliament House from Thursday morning until noon Friday. A state funeral was scheduled for Friday afternoon at the University Cultural Center, after which there will be a private cremation.

Nathan's death comes one day after Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, 64, fainted during a televised national address, disappearing for nearly 90 minutes before returning to finish the speech. He told the country he was fine but would be having a full medical exam afterward.

Lee, who has been in power since 2004, spoke for more than two hours in several languages at National Day Rally.

Lee, a cancer survivor, later told listeners he was dehydrated.