In February 1966 , Nathan was transferred to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs . He served as Assistant Secretary and rose to be Deputy Secretary before being appointed Deputy Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs in January 1971 . On 6 August of the same year , Nathan moved to the Ministry of Defence where he was Director of the Security and Intelligence Division ( SID ) . In the Laju incident on 31 January 1974 , members of the terrorist Japanese Red Army and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine bombed petroleum tanks on Pulau Bukom off the coast of Singapore ; Nathan was among a group of government officers who volunteered to be held hostage by the JRA and flown to Kuwait to secure the release of civilian hostages and ensure the terrorists ' safe passage . For his bravery , in August 1974 he was awarded the '' Pingat Jasa Gemilang '' ( Meritorious Service Medal )
Laju incident
Laju incident
S. R. Nathan