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SINGAPORE: Former President of the National Trade Union Congress (NTUC) Mahmud Awang died on Monday (January 4) at the age of 93.
Mr. Mahmud was a founding member of NTUC, serving as interim president and first president of the union.
He was then elected to the Legislative Assembly and later became a Member of Parliament for Kampong Kapor from 1963 to 1968.
In a letter to Mahmud’s son, Endut Mahmood, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said he was “deeply saddened” by the passing of the former union leader.
“In the two years that Singapore was in Malaysia, Malaysian PAP leaders, including Encik Mahmud … came under fierce and unrelenting pressure from UMNO politicians to choose race over nation. But Encik Mahmud and his comrades embraced the noblest dream and they stood firm in their conviction.
“Because of his courage and leadership, the vision of a multiracial Singapore was kept alive and today is a reality,” said Lee.
Mr Lee added that Singapore’s founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew was “eternally grateful” for Mahmud’s “strong support at this critical time in our history.”
Mahmud was a pallbearer at the state funeral of Mr. Lee elder.
Mahmud Awang (far left), pallbearer at the funeral of Singapore’s Founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew in 2015 (Photo: MCI / LH Goh).
NTUC General Secretary Ng Chee Meng said in a Facebook post that the union movement was “saddened” to learn of Mahmud’s passing.
“Brother Mahmud was a man of service who persevered, not for personal gain, but because he believed that his efforts would bring a better life to those who followed him,” said Mr. Ng in a letter to Sopiah Mahmud, the daughter of the Mr. Mahmud, and that was also co-signed by NTUC President Mary Liew.
“The labor movement will continue to honor him by following his example of helping our workers because Brother Mahmud has inspired us, and as he said: ‘We will help at any moment.’
Mahmud Awang (center) and Devan Nair were greeted at Harbin Airport by the Vice President of the China Federation of Trade Unions in May 1960 (Photo: NTUC Archives)
Mahmud Awang (seated third from left) was the Chairman of the Singapore Traction Company Employees Union in 1961. (Photo: NTUC Archives)
Mahmud first became involved in union work when he joined Singapore Traction Company as a bus driver.
He gained the support of many unions and was elected president of the Singapore Trade Union Congress (STUC) in 1958.
When the STUC was dissolved, Mahmud was appointed interim president and first president of the NTUC Pro Tem Committee. Later, he assumed the position of vice president of the union.
In 1963, he was awarded the Public Service Star and in 1980, the prestigious Veteran of Labor award for his service and contributions to the labor movement.
He also served on the Industrial Arbitration Court, the Adult Education Council and the Vocational Advisory Council of Singapore.
