J Y Pillay

Joseph Yuvaraj Pillay, popularly known as J Y Pillay (b. 1934), has served in various capacities, including Acting President of Singapore, Chairman of the Council of Presidential Advisers, Ambassador and as Permanent Secretary in the Ministries of Finance, Defence, and National Development. He has also played leadership roles in major government agencies and government-linked companies in finance, investment, and transportation that have contributed to Singapore's development. In particular, he made Singapore Airlines a world-class company. He served the Indian community as the Chairman of the self-help group, Singapore Indian Development Association (SINDA).

Born in Klang, Malaysia, he studied at St. John's Institution in Kuala Lumpur. He went to England for further studies and obtained a Bachelor of Engineering (First Class) degree in 1956 from Imperial College, University of London. He then worked as an engineer in England and Malaya for a few years and came to Singapore in 1960. Pillay joined the Economic Development Division of the Ministry of Finance in 1961 and was soon appointed Deputy Secretary of the Economic Planning Unit. Later, in 1968, he took over as the interim Permanent Secretary in the same ministry and rose to the rank of Permanent Secretary in 1972. In the 1970s and 1980s, Pillay served as Chairman of Temasek Holdings (1974–1986), Chairman of the Development Bank of Singapore (1979–1985), and Director of the Monetary Authority of Singapore (1985–1989). He took over as Chairman of Singapore Airlines in 1972 and held the position until 1996. While holding the post, he also served as Permanent Secretary (1989-95) in the Ministry of National Development.  

Upon his retirement from the civil service after 35 years, Pillay served in many capacities, appointed by the government. He served as ambassador to England and Ireland for three years (1996-99). He was then appointed as the first Chairman of the Singapore Stock Exchange for a decade (1999-2010). He also served in the Council of Presidential Advisers as a member (2001 – 2005) and then as Chairman (2005 – 2019).  In between, he was appointed Chancellor of the Singapore Management University (2015-2020) and an adjunct professor at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy. When Pillay was Chairman of Singapore Airlines, his bold decision to buy 19 aircraft for US$900 million in 1978 was hailed as the "sale of the century". In 1998, the Aviation Week and Space Technology magazine honoured Pillay with the Legend Award for the leadership of Singapore Airlines in many pioneering initiatives and innovations in catering, entertainment and other service elements to improve the air travel experience, which significantly changed the course of the air transport industry.

A recipient of many awards for his work, Pillay was bestowed the Order of Nila Utama (First Class), the highest public service award, in 2013, and Singapore’s highest award, the Order of Temasek (First Class), in 2019. In Pillay's honour, the National University of Singapore established two professorships in his name in 2012. Praised by the first Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew as "equal to the best brains in America" and by the second Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong as "a civil servant who dared reverse the Prime Minister’s decision", Pillay was noted for his sharp intellect and professional integrity. He is widely respected not only for his contributions to the country's development but also for his exceptional leadership qualities.



For more information
Huei, Peh Shing. The Last Fools - The Eights Immortals of Lee Kuan Yew. Singapore: The Nutgraf Books, 2022
Koh, Tommy, Timothy Auger and Jimmy Yap. Singapore: The Encyclopedia. Singapore: Editions Didier Millet, 2007

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The information in this article is valid as of August 2025 and correct as far as we are able to ascertain from our sources. It is not intended to be an exhaustive or complete history of the subject. If you have any feedback on this article, please submit here.