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Mr Lim Kim San (second from left) on a working visit to Germany, 1964
Mr Lim Kim San was the first Minister for Finance of the Republic of Singapore. He was known as an indispensable problem-solver who helmed many key ministries during his illustrious political career of 18 years. He is best remembered as "Mr HDB", the man who solved Singapore's housing problems in the 1960's, building flats at a rate of a unit every 45 minutes. Mr Lim served as a voluntary Chairman of HDB when the Board was established in 1960 and became the Minister for National Development when he was elected to Parliament in 1963. Mr Lim also served in ministries such as Interior and Defence, Education, Communications and the Environment.
Although Mr Lim retired from politics in 1981, he continued to serve Singapore in other capacities, as Chairman of the Council of Presidential Advisors and the Port of Singapore Authorities, and Executive Chairman of the Singapore Press Holdings.
Valuables Donated
The 83 items acquired consisted of personal items, including photographs, paintings/copper relief, posters, publications, souvenirs, gifts and awards. They are a good range of physical items as well as paper records. Of significance is a framed display on the orchid series of Singapore currency signed by Mr Lim, in his capacity as the first Minister for Finance of independent Singapore.
Why is this collection valuable?
The family's generous donation of Mr Lim Kim San's public service records and personal memorabilia not only enriches NAS' collection of Singapore's heritage but also gives a rare insight to the more personal side of Mr Lim's life. These are of great value to NAS as it enriches NAS' collection on independent Singapore's first leaders, with items likely to be of immense interest to biographical researchers and future generations of Singapore.
Collection Highlights
1. A complete set of Singapore currency Orchid series
As the first Minister for Finance of the Republic of Singapore, Mr Lim laid down a key principle of a sound economy in his annual budget statement on 13 December 1965, when he stated that "the Government recognises that soundness of the currency is a prerequisite for financial stability and public confidence". In June 1967, with the dissolution of the common Currency Board for Singapore, Malaysia, and Brunei, Singapore established its own Board of Commissioners of Currency and issued its own currency. The first currency, the Orchid series was issued on 12 June 1967 bearing Mr Lim's signature. Today, the Singapore dollar is still going strong and the economy remains stable.
2. Citation for the 1997 May Day Medal of Honour to Mr Lim Kim San
This is an award given to Mr Lim "in acknowledgement of his guidance to NTUC WELCOME", the predecessor of NTUC FairPrice. As honorary Chairman of the Board of Trustees, he directed NTUC WELCOME to stabilise rising food prices in the 1970s, when the consumer price index rose by over 20% between 1973 and 1974. Under Mr Lim's leadership prices were controlled, falling 3% in 1975 and 1.9% in 1976.
The award is another testimony to Mr Lim's numerous and varied contributions to Singapore during his long and illustrious career in the public service. | 