Othman Wok

[3] For his political, economic and social contributions to the nation building of Singapore, he was awarded the Order of Nila Utama (Second Class) in 1983 by President Devan Nair.

However, not only did Othman stay faithful to his religion, he would also became an important bridge between the local Malay–Muslim community and the then new People's Action Party (PAP) government from the 1950s.

This affirmed Wok Ahmad's beliefs that an English-language and mainstream education is essential for a brighter future ahead of his people and the country.

In 1950, Othman pursued a Diploma in Journalism in London on a Colonial Development Scholarship, and rejoined Utusan Melayu as a news editor in 1951.

Upon his return, Othman was also elected as Honorary Secretary of the Singapore Printing Employees Union (SPEU), which sought to secure better wages and working conditions for its members.

This was a significant period in Othman’s early years as it marked the time when he would become acquainted with Lee Kuan Yew, who had been the legal adviser to Utusan Melayu as well as SPEU.

The Singapore Pilgrimage Office would eventually evolve the Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura (MUIS) entity, which continue to regulate and oversee Hajj-related as well as other Muslim affairs.

The Ministry for Social Affairs would also go on to implement the Administration of Muslim Law Act (AMLA) and Mosque Building Fund (MBF) under his leadership.

[10] At the time, they were being heavily courted by the Kuala Lumpur–based United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) to fight for Ketuanan Melayu (lit.

As a result, Othman lost in the 1959 Singaporean general election when he was contesting as a PAP candidate for the electoral ward of Kampong Kembangan.

On this day, Othman highlighted his concern regarding the Malayan Communist Party (MCP) to Lee Kuan Yew, and only upon assurance did he put pen to paper.

Othman was responsible for setting up a Sports Department within the purview of the Ministry of Social Affairs in 1966, and officiated the groundbreaking ceremony of the first National Stadium.