On 9 Sep 99, Singapore Post will honour the first President of the Republic of Singapore, Mr Yusof bin Ishak with a commemorative stamp issue. This stamp is released in conjunction with the launch of the Portrait series currency notes at a mega exhibition in Suntec City, which Singapore Post will also be participating.

The exhibition is organised by the Board of Commissioners of Currency (BCCS). The Minister for Finance and Chairman of BCCS, Dr Richard Hu will launch the stamps and the new currency notes. This event is also part of the millennium celebrations spearheaded by the Ministry of Information and the Arts.

Mr Yusof is remembered as the peoples' President, a man who inspired rather than led, who by dedication and example served his country well. Mr Yusof was elected to the office of Yang Di-Pertuan Negara, or Head of State, on 3 Dec 1959. He was the first local to hold the highest office in the land since Singapore obtained self-rule. When Singapore became fully independent in 1965, he was elected President.

The portrait on the stamp design has been engraved by Mr Czeslaw Slania, world-renowned engraver, while the background of the stamp design is a line drawing of the Istana, the President's office.

Released together with the stamps is a very limited edition of the Perforated Full Printer's sheets in its original printer's format. The stamps are printed in a pane of four and there are altogether eight panes on each Printer's sheet incorporating 32 stamps. This beautiful and unique sheet is the first of such product in Singapore and befits this event of such great consequence as the launch of a new currency notes series depicting Singapore's first head of state.

Priced at $88.00, this perforated full printer's sheet contains $64.00 worth of stamps. Proceeds above face value (GST included) will be donated to Singapore Community Chest. The Perforated Full Printer's sheets will only be available at the 11 philatelic counters and during the Exhibition and only whilst stocks last.