President Tony Tan Keng Yam, who has known Haji Ridzwan for more than 30 years, said he had "served Singapore with distinction in numerous public positions in his long career".Dr Tan added: "As the President of the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS) from 1986 to 1990, he helped to propel MUIS into a new era."
He was instrumental in transforming MUIS into a corporate entity and leading Singaporean Muslims towards excellence in all fields, Dr Tan said.
President Tan said: "Singapore has lost a faithful and dedicated servant, and the Malay/Muslim community an illustrious son," adding he and Mrs Tan have lost a dear friend.
In his letter, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said as the first chief executive officer of Mendaki, "Haji Ridzwan's efforts to uplift the Malay community through education laid the foundation for Mendaki's important role today".
"Usually the important decisions were made late at night, and Ridzwan was always running around, keeping track of the information -- who was taking what position, and always ahead of the developments so that we could develop our own position.
As director-general of TDB (now IE Singapore), he helped expand Singapore's trade links and companies to venture into new markets overseas, said the prime minister.
Mr Lee said when he was the minister for trade and industry, he relied on Haji Ridzwan's "wide experience and sound advice on trade matters, especially during the GATT (now WTO) Uruguay Round negotiations".
"Hj Ridzwan has been a dedicated community leader, a distinguished public servant and a humble and dependable colleague and friend. His passing is a sad loss to all of us," added Mr Lee.
Meanwhile, Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong said in a condolence letter he trusted Haji Ridzwan as a person and his judgement.
Mr Goh added Haji Ridzwan devoted all his adult life to serving Singapore and the Malay/Muslim community, which he did tirelessly and with distinction.
Speaking to reporters after paying his last respects at Haji Ridzwan's home, Mr Lim said Haji Ridzwan's association with the labour movement went as far back in the 1970s.
At a time when there was rife profiteering during the oil crisis in the 1970s, Haji Ridzwan helped negotiate for the supply of rice into Singapore.
MUIS president Alami Musa said under Haji Ridzwan's leadership as MUIS president, the Muslim community in Singapore became more receptive of MUIS' position as the supreme religious authority here.
"This improved greatly the level of professionalism in the administration of MUIS' haj services, zakat collection and distribution, and the development of wakaf - or endowment - assets, among others."
MUIS conferred the 30th Anniversary Award (Individual) in 1998 to Haji Ridzwan for his significant role in enhancing the image of Islam and the Malay/Muslim community.
Echoing praises of Haji Ridzwan, Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Yaacob Ibrahim said Haji Ridzwan has never wavered from giving his opinions.
"So, he's always thinking about the community. It's very important, it means that there are people concerned and they want to do something. "
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