It is with much regret that we report the passing of Master Yong Pung How (Chief Justice Yong Pung How). He passed away in early January, aged 93. The Inn’s flag will be flying at half-mast tomorrow, Tuesday 11 February, in his memory.
Master Yong Pung How was called to the bar by The Inner Temple in 1951 and returned to practice law in Malaya at his father’s firm Shook Lin & Bok. After setting up their branch in Singapore, he went onto work in business, finance and public administration. Master Yong Pung How returned to law in 1989 as a Judge of the Supreme court and was appointed as Singapore’s second Chief Justice a position he held from 1990 to 2006. Master Menon (Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon) in his tribute refers to his legacy as being ‘nothing less than the modern and progressive Judiciary and legal system that Singapore has today’. Master Yong Pung How was elected an Honorary Bencher of the Inn in 1997.