Koh Lip Lin

Singaporean former politician and chemist (1935–2015)

In this Chinese name, the family name is  Koh.

Koh Lip Lin

Member of Parliament
for Nee Soon Constituency
In office
23 December 1980 – 3 September 1988
Preceded by| Ong Soon Chuan
Succeeded by| constituency abolished
Member of Parliament
for Nee Soon South SMC
In office
3 September 1988 – 16 December 1996
Preceded by| constituency established
Succeeded by| constituency abolished
Personal details
Born| 1935 (1935)
Straits Settlements
Died| 12 February 2015 (aged 79)
Singapore
Children| 2
Alma mater| Boston University

Koh Lip Lin (Chinese: 高立人;[1] 1935 – 12 February 2015) was a Singaporean chemist and former politician. A former member of the People's Action Party (PAP), he served as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Nee Soon Constituency from 1980 to 1988 and the MP for Nee Soon South Single Member Constituency from 1988 to 1996, both of which he served two terms, until they were absorbed by Ang Mo Kio Group Representation Constituency. He also served as the first dean of the Science Faculty for the National University of Singapore (NUS) from 1980 to 1996.[2]

## Early life

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Koh was born in 1935. He attended Chung Cheng High School in 1954.[3] In 1960, Koh received a Bachelor of Science from Nanyang University and a PhD in Science from the University of Boston.[4]

## Career

[edit]

Koh was director of Heeton Holdings until 2012 when he retired.[5]

### Academic career

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In 1972, Koh was appointed the dean of the College of Science of Nanyang University.[6] In 1978, Koh joined the People's Action Party (PAP) and was a member of the Estimates Committee of Parliament (from 1979 to 1990) and the Urban and Rural Service Committee (from 1979 to 1988).[4] He stated that before joining, he had previously been asked by the PAP to join in "1970 or 1972".[7]

In the late 1970s to 80s, Koh, along with several others, supported the merging of Nanyang University and the University of Singapore to form the National University of Singapore (NUS).[8][2]

### Political career

[edit]

Koh became the Member of Parliament (MP) representing Nee Soon Constituency after the 1980 Singaporean general election where he was elected unopposed.[9][10] In 1987, Koh opened the S$5 million Jiemin Primary School.[11] In the 1984 Singaporean general election, Koh remained as the MP representing Nee Soon Constituency after winning 74.24% of the vote against Singapore United Front's (SUF) Quek Teow Chuan's 25.76% of the vote.[12][13]

During the 1988 Singaporean general election, Koh became the MP representing Nee Soon South Single Member Constituency after winning 64.9% of the votes against Singapore Democratic Party's (SDP) Yong Chu Leong with 30.7% and United People's Front's (UPF) Munjeet Singh with 4.39%.[14]

In the 1991 Singaporean general election, Koh secured a second term as the MP representing the Nee Soon South Single Member Constituency by winning 52.9% of the vote against SDP's Low Yong Nguan.[15] In 1996, Koh complained that his branch's library had not been made since it was materialized 10 years ago, asking for a progress report on the Library 2000 project.[16]

He retired from politics in 1996 after being an MP since 1979.[17][18]

## Death

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Koh died on 12 February 2015 at 79.[19]

## References

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1. ^ "座谈会：两种语文与道德教育 Forum: Bilingualism And Moral Education". www.nas.gov.sg. Retrieved 31 March 2025.
2. ^ a b Yuen-C, Tham (14 February 2015). "Ex-PAP MP Koh Lip Lin dies". The Straits Times. ISSN 0585-3923. Retrieved 19 March 2024.
3. ^ "Ahli kimia jadi calon ke 4 PAP" [Chemist becomes the 4th PAP candidate]. Berita Harian (in Malay). 12 January 1979. p. 1. Retrieved 19 March 2024 – via NewspaperSG.
4. ^ a b "NEE SOON SOUTH". The New Paper. 27 August 1991. p. 16. Retrieved 19 March 2024 – via NewspaperSG.
5. ^ "Ex-PAP MP Koh Lip Lin dies aged 79". AsiaOne. 14 February 2015. Retrieved 21 March 2024.
6. ^ "New dean". New Nation. 14 October 1972. p. 3. Retrieved 19 March 2024 – via NewspaperSG.
7. ^ "4TH CANDIDATE A CHEMISTRY DON". The Business Times. 12 January 1979. p. 12. Retrieved 19 March 2024 – via NewspaperSG.
8. ^ "Two send in views for separate Nantah". The Straits Times. 22 March 1980. p. 7. Retrieved 19 March 2024 – via NewspaperSG.
9. ^ "Page 10 Advertisements Column 2". The Straits Times. 10 February 1979. p. 10. Retrieved 19 March 2024 – via NewspaperSG.
10. ^ Fong, Leslie (1 February 1979). "TWO PAP MEN IN UNOPPOSED". The Straits Times. p. 1. Retrieved 19 March 2024 – via NewspaperSG.
11. ^ "Koh's date". The Straits Times. 16 April 1987. p. 16. Retrieved 19 March 2024 – via NewspaperSG.
12. ^ "Election issues: Big difference in views". The Straits Times. 13 December 1984. p. 19. Retrieved 19 March 2024 – via NewspaperSG.
13. ^ "SUF candidate blames leader for his defeat". The Straits Times. 24 December 1984. p. 12. Retrieved 19 March 2024 – via NewspaperSG.
14. ^ "NEE SOON SOUTH". The Straits Times. 4 September 1988. p. 8. Retrieved 19 March 2024 – via NewspaperSG.
15. ^ "Of buses, markets and incense burners". The Straits Times. 16 October 1994. p. 20. Retrieved 19 March 2024 – via NewspaperSG.
16. ^ "2 MPs want libraries built in their wards". The Straits Times. 15 March 1996. p. 29. Retrieved 19 March 2024 – via NewspaperSG.
17. ^ "Two potential PAP GE candidates seen with BG Lee". The Straits Times. 16 September 1996. p. 3. Retrieved 19 March 2024 – via NewspaperSG.
18. ^ "18 ex-PAP MPs left political arena this week". The Straits Times. 28 December 1996. p. 5. Retrieved 19 March 2024 – via NewspaperSG.
19. ^ "Education pioneer and former MP Koh Lip Lin dies aged 79". TODAY. 14 February 2015. Retrieved 19 March 2024.