J. Y. Pillay
Joseph Yuvaraj Pillay, also known as J. Y. Pillay DUNU (First Class) DUT (with Distinction) (born 30 March 1934), is a Singaporean retired civil servant.
J. Y. Pillay | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Pillay in 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chairman of Singapore Airlines | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| In office 1972–1996 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Preceded by | Position established | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Succeeded by | Michael Fam Yue Onn | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Managing Director of the Monetary Authority of Singapore | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| In office 1985–1989 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Prime Minister | Lee Kuan Yew Goh Chok Tong | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chairman of the Singapore Exchange | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| In office 1999–2010 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Prime Minister | Goh Chok Tong Lee Hsien Loong | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Preceded by | Position established | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| President of Singapore | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Acting | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| In office 1 September 2017 – 13 September 2017 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Personal details | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | 30 March 1934 Klang, British Malaya | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Spouse |
Beatrice Rasammah (m. 1963) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Education | Imperial College London | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Alma mater | University of London (BEng) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
For 34 years, Pillay was one of Singapore's top-ranking civil servants. He is also one of the pioneers who helped build the Singapore economy after its independence in 1965, including the country's national airline Singapore Airlines, having served as its first chairman for 24 years from 1972 to 1996.
Pillay served as the country's acting president for 13 days from 1 to 13 September 2017 as an interregnum between Tony Tan and Halimah Yacob during the 2017 Singaporean presidential election. He had also served as the chairman of the Council of Presidential Advisers (CPA) between 2005 and 2019.