Lee Hsien Yang’s Father-in-Law, Prominent Economist Lim Chong Yah, Dies at 91 Years Old

Last Updated on 2023-07-11 , 9:20 am

Professor Lim Chong Yah, a prominent economist in Singapore, has passed away.

He died on the morning of 8 July 2023 at 91.

Besides serving as the chairman of the National Wages Council (NWC) for over 29 years, Prof Lim was very academically accomplished.

He leaves behind two sons and two daughters, including lawyer Lee Suet Fern, the wife of Mr Lee Hsien Yang.

Professor Lim Chong Yah’s Early Life

Prof Lim was born in Malacca in 1932.

While his father was a shopkeeper, his mother died when he was only eight.

In his years as a pre-teen, he farmed rice, tapioca and vegetables to help increase his family’s income.

He also worked as a bread delivery boy when he was 14.

During the Japanese Occupation, Prof Lim saw how jobless rubber tappers succumbed to starvation and promised to work hard and achieve an education.

He was awarded a scholarship to study economics at the University of Malaya.

After graduating with an honours degree in 1955, Prof Lim joined the Singapore administrative service.

He also served as assistant secretary on a committee led by Sydney Caine.

This committee would go on to implement the Central Provident Fund (CPF) scheme.

Professor Lim Chong Yah’s Academic Achievements

Prof Lim had the rare distinction of being professor emeritus at Nanyang Technological University (NTU) and the National University of Singapore (NUS).

This title is the highest academic accolade one can achieve.

In 2005, he was appointed the Albert Winsemius Chair Professor of Economics at NTU.

This appointment is given to renowned scholars.

He published over 160 journal articles, monographs and books in his lifetime.

If you’ve taken the A-levels, you’ve probably seen two of Prof Lim’s books before.

He was the author of Elements of Economic Theory and Economic Structure and Organisation.

Professor Lim Chong Yah’s Work in the National Wages Council

In 1972, the Singapore government appointed Prof Lim to chair the NWC.

The NWC consists of representatives from unions, employers and the government. 

It is credited as an essential body in avoiding industrial unrest.

The council played a significant role during the 1973 oil crisis and the economic recessions of the 1980s and 90s.

He handed over his position as chairperson to Lim Pin, another academic, in 2001.

However, Prof Lim continued to work on improving the wage rights of workers.

In 2003, he called for a review of the flexible wage system.

The same year, he called for re-examining government policy on foreign workers and its effects on wage workers.

In 2012, he argued for reforms to raise the salaries of low-wage workers.

Prof Lim has made other contributions as well.

He was the president of the Economic Society of Singapore (ESS) from 1973 to 1991.

He also founded the Federation of ASEAN Economic Associations and was a member of the Presidential Council for Minority Rights.

Professor Lim Chong Yah’s Autobiography and Personal Life

In 2017, Prof Lim released an autobiography titled Life Journey of a Singaporean Professor, which talked about politics and academia in Singapore.

Notably, he injected personal stories into the autobiography as well.

For instance, he coached Prime Minister (PM) Lee Hsien Loong before his A-levels.

According to him, Mrs Lee Kuan Yew had specially asked him to coach PM Lee in Economics.

He also wrote that Suet Fern’s “academic talents showed at an early age”.

In his autobiography, he also revealed that Suet Fern and Lee Hsien Yang would queue up together in the snow to wait for the examination hall at the University of Cambridge to open.

Professor Lim Chong Yah’s Legacy

Many prominent figures have expressed their condolences to Prof Lim’s family.

Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) Lawrence Wong posted a dedication to Prof Lim on Facebook, writing, “Saddened to hear of the passing of Prof Lim Chong Yah. As a student, I remember reading his seminal Economic textbooks.”

The DPM shared his experience chatting with Prof Lim during the NWC’s 50th-anniversary dinner in 2022.

He added, “The best way to honour his memory is to continue this important work and do everything we can to strengthen our tripartite partnership in Singapore further.”

Professor Euston Quah, Albert Winsemius Chair Professor of Economics and director of NTU’s Economic Growth Centre, told The Straits Times, “I have been very fortunate throughout much of my academic career to have the trust, the wisdom, and the invaluable advice of Prof Lim.

“He has been instrumental in his role in nation building, his many contributions to academia, especially in development and policy economics, and his great belief that economics must be useful and relevant to society.”

Other prominent people who have expressed their condolences include Workers’ Party member and economist Jamus Lim and Minister of Manpower Dr Tan See Leng.

In May 2023, NTU launched the Professor Lim Chong Yah Reading Room at the Humanities and Social Sciences Library to honour his contributions.

The Reading Room has a specially curated selection of books that Prof Lim donated.

In a Facebook post honouring his memory, the university wrote, “Through his works and contributions, his legacy will continue to inspire the next generation.

“Our thoughts are with his family during this difficult time.”