Barker, Edmund William (E. W. Barker)

Edmund William Barker (b. 1 December 1920, Singapore - d. 12 April 2001, Singapore), a.k.a. E. W. Barker, was a prominent local politician.

Barker was educated at Serangoon English School and Raffles Institution and was School Captain, Head Prefect and Champion Athlete in 1938. He had also studied at Raffles College and was awarded a scholarship in 1940. Mr. Barker was a top athlete in his school and university days. He represented Raffles College in cricket, soccer, rugby, athletics and hockey. In 1948, he went to St Catherine's College, Cambridge, to study law. He practised law in Singapore from 1952 to 1964.

By going into politics, Barker gave up a promising career as a lawyer. He was elected Assemblyman for Tanglin in 1963, and was returned six times without a contest (21September 1963 to 16 August 1988). Barker was Speaker of the Legislative Assembly (1963 to 64) before becoming Minister for Law. After separation, he took on the additional portfolio of National Development. He is considered as one of the Old Guard leaders, and left office after 25 years of service in 1988.

Between 1970 to 1990, he had held other positions, such as the first President of the Singapore National Olympic Council (SNOC, Novembr 1970 to 1990), President of the South-East Asia Peninsular Games Federation Council (September 1973), Chairman of Bukit Turf Club (1989 to 1994), and Chairman of the Singapore Stock Exchange (1989 to 1993)

Barker had three daughters and a son. He was in good health until April 2000 when he was hit by a series of medical problems. He died on 12 April 2001 at 12:40 pm at the National University Hospital, after two months of intensive care following an emergency colon surgery in February 2001.

Appointments in Parliament
22 Oct 1963 - 30 Oct 1964 : Speaker.
1 Nov 1964 - 8 Aug 1965 : Minister for Law.
9 Aug 1965 - 15 Sep 1972 : Minister for Law and National Development.
16 Sep 1972 - 31 Oct 1972 : Minister for Law, Home Affairs and National Development.
1 Nov 1972 - 1 Jun 1975 : Minister for Law and National Development.
2 Jun 1975 - 25 Mar 1977 : Minister for Law and Environment.
26 Sep 1977 - 31 Jan 1979 : Minister for Law, the Environment and Science and Technology.
1 Feb 1979 - 31 Mar 1981 : Minister for Law and Science and Technology.
1 Apr 1981 - 8 May 1983 : Minister for Law.
9 May 1983 - 6 Sep 1983 : Minister for Law and Labour.
7 Sep 1983 - 12 Sep 1988 : Minister for Law.



Author
Koh Lay Tin, 2001



References 
Whos who in Malaysia and guide to Singapore. Kuala Lumpur: V. V. Morais.
(Call no.: R 920.0595 WWM)

Old guard Stalwart Eddie Barker dies. (2001, April 13). The Straits Times, p. 1.

The reluctant politician. (2001, April 13). The Straits Times, Home, p. 2.

Kind, friendly and a real gentleman. (2001, April 13). The Straits Times, Home, p. 3.

Breadwinner. (1970, May 8). The Straits Times, p. 6.  



The information in this article is valid as at 2001 and correct as far as we can ascertain from our sources. It is not intended to be an exhaustive or complete history of the subject. Please contact the Library for further reading materials on the topic.

Subject
Personalities>>Biographies>>Political Leaders
Politicians--Singapore
Law and government>>Political process>>Leadership
Law and government>>Public administration>>Parliament



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