HENRY KISSINGER RICHARD HU S R NATHAN FONG LOO FERN CHRISTINE LEE FORMER U.S. FORMER EDUCATION THE FORMER MR LEE’S MR LEE’S SECRETARY FINANCE MINISTER PRESIDENT TAILOR SHOEMAKER OF STATE MINISTER AND FORMER PRINCIPAL PRIVATE SECRETARY I REMEMBER TO MR LEE

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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2015 Mr Lee’s last trip to Parliament today

Public can pay INSIDE AT : last respects Visitors to family wake and those who turned up while body is at the gates lying in state Pages 2-3 People pay tributes By ZAKIR HUSSAIN at condolence centres DEPUTY POLITICAL EDITOR and elsewhere across the island THE casket of ’s found- Pages 4-8 ing father, Mr Lee Kuan Yew, will be moved from the Istana to Par- Tributes from liament House this morning for around the world the start of four days of lying in Page 9 state, with thousands expected to pay their respects to the former 20 years of prime minister. photographing In the highest honour accorded Lee Kuan Yew to a leader, the State flag will be Pages 12-13 draped over the casket, with the crescent and stars lying over the head and close to the heart of Mr (Left) The line of people Lee, who died on Monday, aged waiting to pen their 91. Eight officers will then trans- tributes outside the fer the casket onto a gun carriage. Istana snaked all the way A ceremonial foot procession to Plaza Singapura at will be led by Mr Lee’s elder son, around 8pm yesterday. Prime Minister , ST PHOTO: MARK CHEONG and his wife, Ms ; daugh- ter Lee Wei Ling; younger son Lee (Below) Earlier in the Hsien Yang and his wife, Ms Lim day, PM Lee greeted the Suet Fern; and seven grandchil- public outside the Istana. dren, for about 70m. ST PHOTO: CHONG ZI LIANG The gun carriage procession will travel the 2km route from Or- (Below, left) A woman in chard Road to Parliament House, the crowd wiping tears from her eyes. passing through Bras Basah Road ST PHOTO: CHEW SENG KIM and North Bridge Road. The Chief of Defence Force, Commissioner of Police, Speaker of Parliament, as well as PM Lee and the family will then receive the casket before it is transferred onto the bier for the lying in state. Members of the public can pay their respects from 10am to 8pm from today to Saturday. Queues will start at the prome- nade along the Singapore River, next to Parliament House. Condolence cards will also be available for well-wishers to pen tributes, and those with flowers may lay them at condolence boards along the promenade. Yesterday, some 4,000 visitors paid their respects at Sri Te- masek, the official residence of the Prime Minister in the Istana grounds, where a private wake had been held since Monday. PM Lee was also presented with a new orchid, named the Aranda Lee Kuan Yew, by NParks chief executive Kenneth Er and National Orchid Gardens nursery manager David Lim. Outside the Istana gates in Or- chard Road, more than 21,000 because the flag only means some- so turned up at 10 community and demonstrated leadership by set up and shaped – the People’s The state funeral for Mr Lee people turned up to leave flowers thing today, thanks to the country sites set up by the People’s Associ- example. Association and the National will be held on Sunday afternoon. and cards, and pen messages in that Mr Lee built.” ation across Singapore. Another “He visited the school, and not Trades Union Congress – held cer- Last night, PM Lee posted a Malay, Mandarin, Tamil and Eng- Mr Jailani Sanwor signed a con- eight tribute sites will be operat- only that, he picked up a broom emonies to honour Mr Lee at their photo of Sri on Facebook lish on condolence cards that dolence card in Malay with the ing from today. and swept alongside us students headquarters. saying: “We never lived here, but were then displayed on memorial message: “May God have mercy Many expressed thanks to Mr as well,” he said. Tributes continued to pour in my parents spent many happy eve- boards. on his soul and place him among Lee for shaping various aspects of Former opposition MP Chiam from world leaders, and United nings here with the children and President Keng Yam the ranks of the righteous.” life in Singapore, from the health- See Tong said Mr Lee always took States President Barack Obama grandchildren. Tomorrow, my dropped by at around 12.30pm to Some could not hold back care system to well-looked-after a strategic, long-term view of Sin- spoke with PM Lee to express his father’s body will leave Sri Te- thank well-wishers, and PM Lee tears, like student Wong Si Min, public housing estates. gapore and added: “He will live on condolences. masek for the last time.” stepped out briefly at around 2pm 17, who had to be consoled by a Grassroots leader Jefferson in history, remaining for future The White House said: “The He added: “On behalf of my to view the messages and thank friend. “I’ve never met Mr Lee but Neo, who was at a Choa Chu Kang generations the symbol of President recognised founding family, I would like to thank all those who were there. learnt about him through history tribute site, recalled how he was a Singapore’s success. His absence Prime Minister Lee’s remarkable who have paid their last respects Businessman R. Veerappan, 54, classes. He is a role model and we Secondary 2 student in 1976 when from our 50th National Day Pa- leadership and lasting contribu- to my father, whether at Sri Te- who left a Singapore flag and a wouldn’t have a comfortable life Mr Lee came to his school, Tiong rade later this year will be particu- tions, not just to Singapore’s de- masek, at the tribute centres all condolence message from his fami- without Mr Lee,” she said. Bahru Secondary, as part of the larly poignant to us.” velopment, but also to the over the island or online.” ly, said: “I brought the flag here Thousands of well-wishers al- Keep Singapore Clean campaign Two key organisations Mr Lee region’s dynamism.” [email protected] Plane crashes in remote French Alps; all 150 on board feared dead EYNE-LES-ALPES (France) – An thansa’s Germanwings budget air- stand ready to help investigate. German Chancellor Angela Mer- a steep descent which lasted eight bris,” senior police officer Airbus operated by Luf- line crashed in a remote area of French President Francois Hol- kel said she will travel to the crash minutes, and that it lost contact Jean-Paul Bloy told Reuters. the French Alps yesterday, and all lande said he believed none of site today. She called the crash a with French air traffic control at The accident occurred in an al- 150 on board were feared dead. those on board the A-320 had sur- shock that had plunged Germany, an altitude of about 1,830m. pine region known for skiing, hik- 122 PAGES IN SIX PARTS “A black box that we found a vived. France and Spain into “deep Weather in the area was report- ing and rafting, but which is hard TO SUBSCRIBE: 6388-3838 few hours after the crash will im- Germanwings confirmed its mourning”. ed to be fine, with light winds. for rescue services to reach. www.sphsubscription.com.sg mediately be examined to help the Flight 4U 9525 from Barcelona to Germanwings said it believed The wreckage of the aircraft It was the first crash of a large 90 cents investigation move forward quick- Dusseldorf crashed with 144 pas- 67 German nationals were on was located by a French military passenger plane on French soil ly,” French Interior Minister Ber- sengers and six crew on board. board. Spain’s Deputy Prime Min- helicopter near the town of since the Concorde disaster just A Singapore nard Cazeneuve told reporters. French aviation authority Direc- ister Soraya Saenz de Santamaria Prads-Haute-Bleone, according outside Paris nearly 15 years ago. Press Holdings The crash does not appear to tion Generale de l’Aviation Civile said 45 passengers had Spanish to Mr Eric Heraud, a spokesman Airbus confirmed that the Ger- publication have been caused by a terror at- (DGAC) said the plane did not is- names. in Paris for the DGAC. manwings plane was 24 years old. tack, the White House said, add- sue a distress call. Air traffic con- During a press conference, Ger- “It is going to take days to re- REUTERS, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE MCI (P) 032/02/2015 ## ing that United States officials trollers issued the Mayday call. manwings said the plane fell into cover the victims, then the de- í TOP OF THE NEWS A1 2 WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2015 WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2015 3

ISTANA: FAMILY WAKE 1923 - 2015

LASTING LEGACY “I’ve benefited from Mr Lee’s leadership right from the day I was born. He built a country PM, President from humble beginnings that is more prosperous, clean and safe than any other place in South-east Asia. I know that my son will have a bright future here. He will have a good visit tribute site education, be judged based on merit and have the same opportunities that others have.” – Mr James Zhang, 32, a hawker who sells satay, was at the Istana with his wife Suwanti Tan, 28, at Istana gates a housewife, and their 18-month-old son Lucas Zhang

the Maldives in 1991 that shows WE ARE LIKE MR LEE’S SONS They read condolence cards, speak herself with Mr Lee Kuan Yew “We are Singapore citizens and and his late wife, Madam Kwa that’s like saying we are to visitors paying tribute to Mr Lee Geok Choo. Mr Lee’s sons. I brought the flag The former Singapore Airlines here because the flag only flight attendant said Mr Lee had By CHONG ZI LIANG him, all the feelings about Mr Lee no airs and she joked with him means something today, thanks and WALTER SIM Kuan Yew just welled up and I like she did with any other passen- to the country that Mr Lee couldn’t speak.” ger. built.” SEPARATELY, Prime Minister Madam Hiap, who sells drinks He had asked for warm beer, – Mr R. Veerappan, 54, a Lee Hsien Loong and President at a hawker centre, had arrived at she recalled. businessman who laid a Singapore Tony Tan Keng Yam visited the the Istana at 11am to lay flowers “I replied, ‘We don’t have flag together with a condolence tribute site near the Istana’s main and waited three hours to see PM warm beer but maybe I could send message from his family gates yesterday afternoon, to pe- Lee after she heard he would be at the chief steward to 7 Eleven to A ROLE MODEL ruse the condolence messages left the tribute site. buy a can.’ He cracked up. (Clockwise from far left) by Singaporeans. President Tan, who came earli- “I’m nobody but he could PM Lee reading some of “I’ve never met Mr Lee but I They also spoke to the people er, spoke to security guard Low laugh along with me. It was just the condolence messages learnt about him through queueing to pay tribute to Mr Lee Kok Wai, among others. such an honour being able to left by well-wishers near history classes on moments Kuan Yew. The 54-year-old, who had trav- serve him, to be so close to him.” the gates of the Istana, such as the battle for merger. accompanied by his wife By 9pm yesterday, 21,000 mes- elled more than an hour by bus Retiree Woo Sing Yuen’s inter- We came to pay tribute because sages had been placed there dur- from Boon Lay, said: “I told the action with Mr Lee was at age Ho Ching and son Li Hongyi; Mr Dallas Koran, he is a role model to all of us. I ing the day, and there were 3,200 President that without Mr Lee five. He was accompanying his don’t think many of my peers hawker father, who was plying 76, with his wife Tang Lin more outside the gates of Parlia- Kuan Yew, we wouldn’t be enjoy- Foong, 74, were among realise how hard it was for ment. ing the high standard of living the streets with a pushcart carry- the thousands who turned Singapore to come this far and PM Lee, accompanied by his that we have today.” ing dim sum and char kway teow. up outside the Istana; what we have today is because wife Ho Ching, spent about 10 Dr Tan later updated his Face- They had run into Mr Lee in President Tony Tan Keng of him. I hope they will not take minutes looking at the messages, book page with photos of his Chinatown. Yam reading messages left cards and flowers. lunchtime visit. Mr Woo recalled being asked: it for granted and continue the by Singaporeans from all legacy that he has built for us. I He shook hands with some of People from all walks of life, in- “Are you a good Singaporean?” walks of life as well as the well-wishers, who expressed cluding foreigners, continued to And he replied: “Yes, sir.” foreigners. ST PHOTOS: did not really believe it when I their sorrow at his father’s death. pay tribute to Mr Lee, who died That commitment to Mr Lee CHEW SENG KIM first heard the news of his A few called out in his direc- on Monday. has been a driving force in his life, death. It was too shocking, that tion: “Be strong, Mr Lee.” Some recalled their personal en- said Mr Woo, who was a regular somebody so great has passed He replied: “Thank you.” counters with Singapore’s first blood donor and at age 63, is still on. I was holding on to the hope Madam Hiap Cheng Lay, 71, Prime Minister. a marathon runner. that he could celebrate SG50 who shook his hand, told The Mrs Jenny Fleming, 57, brought [email protected] with us.” Straits Times later: “When I saw a photograph taken on a flight to [email protected] – Wong Si Min, 17, who visited the Istana with friend Chan Yu Ping, 17 New orchid Aranda Lee Kuan A GOOD TEACHER Family, friends and old colleagues gather at the Istana to share memories “I thank Mr Lee Kuan Yew for being a nice ‘teacher’ who has By CHARISSA YONG Mrs Lee and staff shared a lodge Yew in honour of ‘Chief Gardener’ taught Singaporeans many in New Zealand and went fishing, lessons in life. I feel very proud AS THEY gathered to pay their Mr Yatiman said they talked of is- each time I hear the National respects to Mr Lee Kuan Yew, re- sues Singapore faced. “He lis- A NEW specimen of orchid has Anthem. Majulah Singapura!” tired politicians reminisced about tened to you very closely and been christened the Aranda Lee – Mr Mohamed Basheer Ali Shahul what it had been like to work with asked questions until he was satis- Kuan Yew in honour of the late Hameed, 59, a cleaner working at Singapore’s founding father. fied... We were able to give our former Prime Minister. a primary school Several who were MPs when feedback and our viewpoints.” The bright golden yellow flow- Mr Lee was Prime Minister said Former Housing Board chief ex- er, with a green tinge, is from the LESSONS FROM MR LEE that though he looked stern, he ecutive Liu Thai Ker said Mr Lee same line that yielded one named “I’ve learnt three lessons, thanks was a good listener and unafraid was a “worrier” who could antici- for his beloved wife, the Vanda to Mr Lee – (i) ‘impossible’ to change his mind after hearing a pate problems. He recalled Mr Lee . should not exist in the convincing, rational argument. noting certain types of walls The new orchid was presented dictionary; (ii) never assume They were among the 4,000 would allow heat from sunlight to to Prime Minister Lee Hsien visitors who paid their respects build up in homes, worrying too Loong yesterday in honour of Mr anything; and (iii) never say ‘I yesterday at a private family wake much energy would be consumed Lee by NParks chief executive don’t know’ to anything but for Mr Lee, who died on Monday to cool homes. This, at a time Kenneth Er and National Orchid rather ‘I’ll check’. I’ve also at the age of 91. Yesterday was when global warming was not a Gardens nursery manager David learnt the importance of being the last day of the private wake at prominent issue, he noted. Lim. resilient. Singapore has survived the Istana’s Sri Temasek, official He was good with both the lit- NParks staff have been look- because of him. Even if some residence of the Prime Minister. tle details and the big picture, said ing for some time for a suitable policies look harsh, they are Mr Chng Hee Kok, an MP from Mr Liu, adding that he was a big orchid hybrid to name after Mr implemented for the good of the 1984 to 2001, recalled a time he thinker and great strategist. Lee, that would fit his tastes and majority and not for the good of disagreed with Mr Lee over the But above all, the MPs said, Mr befit the man who National De- the individual.” pace of telecommunications devel- Lee’s mind was always on Singa- velopment Minister Khaw Boon – Mr Patrick Tan, 74, an adjunct opment in developing countries pore. Wan called Singapore’s “Chief lecturer in criminology and a like Vietnam. “He listened to me The wake was attended by Gardener”. freelance certified trainer in and then he just kept a bit quiet. I more than 5,200 people over two Mr Khaw wrote on his blog: hospitality and tourism think he was running through his days. Many of yesterday’s visitors “It would have been wonderful if management. He is a former police head what I was saying. He accept- were delegations from local organ- we had the opportunity to officer, and was part of the Lees’ team of family bodyguards from 1971 ed it,” said Mr Chng. isations, including statutory present the Aranda Lee Kuan to 1974. He was one of 38 retired Mr Lee never let things rest, he boards such as HDB and the Yew to Mr Lee himself. It was police officers who attended the added. “When you raise an issue People’s Association. Also repre- not meant to be. I am certain Mr private wake on invitation by Prime (over lunch with Mr Lee) about sented were sovereign wealth Lee would have loved the flow- Minister Lee Hsien Loong the civil service, about the Govern- fund GIC and Temasek Holdings. ers.” ment, don’t be surprised if, a few Other past MPs at the wake in- He added: “Ironically, Aranda weeks later, you get a letter from cluded former Finance Minister Ri- Lee Kuan Yew has just flowered LEE KUAN YEW: the civil service trying to defend chard Hu and parliamentary secre- and will remain in flower for the its position and elaborating on tary Tang Guan Seng. next two to three weeks.” PM Lee shaking hands with National Orchid Gardens nursery manager David what you raised. Last night was the final night The public can view it in Par- Lim as NParks CEO Kenneth Er looks on. Mr Lee was presented with the Aranda A tribute “That’s what I admired most Mr Lee’s casket would rest in Sri liament House when Mr Lee’s Lee Kuan Yew, a bright golden yellow orchid, yesterday. ST PHOTO: NEO XIAOBIN about him: He listened,” he said. Temasek. Today, his body will be body lies in state until Saturday. Get the latest updates in our live blog on the website Mr Yatiman Yusof, an MP from taken to Parliament House, where The hybrid is a cross between 1984 to 2006 and a former senior it will lie in state until Saturday. a native orchid, the arachnis and a tinge of white at the base. the fragrant flowers the best. Pen your favourite parliamentary secretary, said Mr But before the journey, the cer- hookeriana, and an orchid from Each bloom is complemented by Every so often, Mr Lee would memories of Mr Lee on Lee was an incisive Prime Minis- emonial gun carriage bearing the Hawaii – from the same line as a contrasting light brown waxy bring his Chinese language tutor the ST Tribute Wall ter who asked robust questions. hearse will be driven around the that named after Mr Lee's wife, lip. to chat about the flower names Follow us on the ST app “He appreciated honesty and Istana grounds, giving Mr Lee a fi- who died in 2010. Singapore Botanic Gardens in Mandarin. The last time Mr in your smartphone and frankness no matter how painful, nal tour of the place that had been The Aranda Lee Kuan Yew’s manager Teo Chan Seng, 62, said Teo saw him was in early 2012, tablet how hard the facts were,” he said. such a big part of his life. petals are bright greenish golden yesterday that Mr Lee had often he said. Recalling a time he, Mr Lee, [email protected] yellow with light tessellations visited in the evenings, and liked CHARISSA YONG Follow @STcom on Twitter and The Straits (Anti-clockwise from main Times on Facebook picture) Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and his wife Ho Ching with young visitors from Hampton Pre-School at Sri Temasek in the Istana yesterday. Others who came to pay their respects included the ’s Malay language teacher Amin Sapawi (second from left), UOB chairman emeritus Wee Cho Yaw, former MP and senior parliamentary secretary Yatiman Yusof, former President S R Nathan and his wife, and Minister for National Development Khaw Boon Wan. The private wake Click on was attended by more www.straitstimes.com than 5,200 people over two days. for more on Mr Lee’s ST PHOTOS: NEO XIAOBIN work, vision and life 4 WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2015 WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2015 5

TRIBUTES: A NATION GRIEVES 1923 - 2015

18 sites to pay last respects Finding their own way EIGHTEEN community sites are being set up for the public to pay their last respects to Mr Lee Kuan Yew. The sites will be open from 10am to to remember Mr Lee 8pm until March 29. Residents can also visit the sites for a live telecast of the State People stream to sites islandwide to grieve quietly and express their thanks Funeral on March 29.

By JOHN LUI summed up as: Look at my life. are composed. remembering. For Ms Shirley Tin, Ang Mo Kio GRC Look around you. They speak of Mr Lee in famil- 43, a designer, it was to go online. Ang Mo Kio Central IT IS not easy to sum up a life. She had come to the condo- iar terms - that he lifted a country She is here with husband Kong Stage @ Ang Mo Kio Madam Imro’ah Dasuki tries. She lence site in Bedok Central with by its economic bootstraps, Chee Hoe, a photographer, and Town Centre wants to leave, embarrassed by her granddaughter Natasha Na- crushed corruption, made the two children. She dabs at her Between 712 and 709 the tears that come so easily to dira Imran. streets safe and clean and green, eyes. Ang Mo Kio Avenue 8 her. She somehow thinks it is not On a piece of POSB stationery, and forged a nation out of diverse “Last night I watched the proper to show emotion. in very neat handwriting, the peoples. One man from China re- YouTube videos. Of him, speak- Bishan-Toa Payoh But she also wants to tell me nine-year-old has prepared the spects Mr Lee for helping his coun- ing, to students, to everyone,” GRC she says. something, about how one life few lines she would try walk the path to Toa Payoh Central In the book, she writes: “Love changed hers. copy into the com- prosperity in the Community Club and respect, for you, beyond Born 58 years ago, she grew up memoration book. FEELINGS OF CONCERN 1980s. 93 Toa Payoh Central Ms Koh Kit words. Chee Hoe, Shirley, Oliver, poor, in Kampong Darat Nanas, In her best voice, Singapore 319194 close to Changi Prison. Her father she reads: “He was a “He was always Meng, 63, a retired Sonya.” died young. giant of a leader worried for Singapore, senior secretary, re- I see and meet people wearing always thinking of Chua Chu Kang GRC “My mother had a hard life,” when Singapore need- members a few key Panasonic uniforms, from the Members of the SAF rehearsing for today’s ceremony in which Mr Lee’s body will be conveyed via a ceremonial gun carriage from the Istana to Parliament House. PHOTOS: AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE she says, with urgency in her ed one…. Our suc- Singapore. I wanted images. Such as nearby factory. There are manag- Hardcourt opposite Choa voice. Food was scarce, and they cessful Singapore is him to take life a bit when he passed a ers on a lunch break from Land Chu Kang MRT Station scraped a living selling kueh. his legacy. He shall easy.” kiss from his hand Transport Authority. There is a Choa Chu Kang Loop, Singapore 680355 Mdm Imro’ah, now a house- be remembered.” – Ms Koh Kit Meng, 63, to his late wife, Mad- Japanese woman with two chil- wife, got to Secondary 4. She Madam Imro’ah a retired senior secretary am Kwa Geok Choo, dren in line to sign the book. Body to wanted her two daughters to go seizes her chance to at her funeral in There are three mainland Chinese East Coast GRC Public can Open space @ Bedok further, to live lives that were easi- leave, her hand 2010. She was also engineers and a public relations ex- er. clutching her granddaughter’s, so glad when he stepped down as ecutive from India. lie in Town Centre Today, both are graduates of she can remember, and shed her Prime Minister in 1990 to take on Then there are the men and (In front of 209 New the National University of Singa- tears in private. an advisory role as Senior Minis- women who hang back outside pay respects Upper Changi Road pore and work in major corpora- In this white tent, in a scene re- ter. the tent, looking on, a few with Singapore 460209, tions. played at several other sites “He was always worried for Sin- red-rimmed eyes, not wanting to state after outside Sheng Siong She came yesterday to thank around the island, people are lay- gapore, always thinking of Singa- fully participate, but desiring the Supermarket) Mr Lee Kuan Yew, she says. I ask ing flowers, sitting, remembering. pore. I wanted him to take life a company of others, united and from today Entry for foreign what for, and like everyone I inter- Here in Bedok, a few weep open- bit easy,” she says. grieving quietly. A personal tribute to Mr Lee Kuan Yew placed at the People’s Association solemn dignitaries Jurong GRC viewed, her answer could be ly, but for the most part, people Everyone has his or her way of [email protected] headquarters yesterday. ST PHOTO: ALPHONSUS CHERN ■ Mr Lee Kuan Yew’s body Canopy beside Jurong Regional Library will lie in state at Jurong East Central 1 journey Parliament House from today till Saturday Moulmein-Kallang By JANICE HENG ■ People can pay their GRC

AREA and JERMYN CHOW respects from 10am to MEDIA Hong Lim Park next to 8pm daily, till Saturday Telok Ayer Hong Lim AS SINGAPOREANS bid farewell ■ Visitors should enter Green Community to Mr Lee Kuan Yew, another leg from the promenade Centre of his final journey starts today. along the Singapore River 20 Upper Pickering On the one hand there will be Street Singapore 058284 ceremony and gestures that repre- ■ No dress code, but EXIT sent the highest state honour ac- visitors are advised to Pasir Ris-Punggol corded a leader. On the other, keep solemnity of GRC doors will open for ordinary peo- occasion in mind Sengkang ple to pay their respects. Community Hub The journey starts this morn- (Hardcourt) ing with a ceremonial gun car- 2 Sengkang Square riage conveying Mr Lee’s body Singapore 545025 from the Istana to Parliament White tentage White tentage House, where it will lie in state un- Ms Vivian Ng, 31, and her two-year-old son Damien paying their respects to til Saturday. Tanjong Pagar GRC Mr Lee at Tanjong Pagar Community Club yesterday. ST PHOTO: DESMOND LIM At 9am, the coffin bearer party Tanjong Pagar of eight Army, Navy, Air Force Community Club and Police Force officers will 101 Cantonment Road march into Sri Temasek, where Singapore 089774 the private wake had been held. ‘He cared for the The national flag will be draped Tampines GRC over Mr Lee’s coffin – the highest Tampines Community of state honours. The casket will Plaza (in front of

then be placed in a glass case up- QUEUE STARTS HERE Tampines One Mall) people and gave on a platform sitting on the cere- 10 Tampines Central 1 monial gun carriage. ENTRANCE Singapore 529536 Eight pallbearers, comprising Mr Lee’s Istana staff, will follow People’s Association behind. us a better life’ EXIT Headquarters As the Singapore Armed Forces White tentage and condolence boards have been set up along the 9 King George’s Avenue Band plays Beethoven Funeral riverside promenade by Parliament House, where visitors will queue SINGAPORE today to enter and pay their last respects to the late Mr Lee Kuan Yew. Singapore 208581 By PEARL LEE, MIRANDA YEO agree with Mr Lee’s style of run- March No.1, the family – led by RIVER and SAMANTHA BOH ning Singapore. A tribute to former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew at Suntec City. At tribute centres such as Tampines Community Plaza, more than 2,500 people had turned up by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong – ST GRAPHICS ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI Aljunied GRC She studied in an Australian mid-afternoon and more than 800 handwritten notes were left on a large board with a portrait of Mr Lee. ST PHOTO: CAROLINE CHIA will walk with the gun carriage Kovan Hub MADAM Koh Choo Neo had three university and read books that from Sri Temasek for about 70m. A bagpiper from the Singapore Motorists can expect traffic de- al Ng Chee Meng, Commissioner head of the casket, facing it. No. 206 Hougang Street children, was 20 years old and were banned here when she took They will then head separately Gurkha Contingent will play Auld lays along affected roads, said the of Police Hoong Wee Teck, Speak- President Tan and his wife will 21 Singapore 530206 struggling to make ends meet political science classes. to Parliament House, while the Lang Syne. Traffic Police in a statement. er of Parliament Halimah Yacob, arrive to pay their respects. Over (Near Heartland Mall) when she decided to see her MP “I felt at the time that Singa- gun carriage carries on past an Then, the gun carriage will Road closures from tomorrow PM Lee and the rest of the family. the next few days, friends and for help. pore had many restrictions on English garden with yellow flame leave the Istana and start its 2km till Saturday will also affect eight There, the first of many Vigil former colleagues of the late Mr Holland-Bukit Timah She lived in Tanjong Pagar, so freedom that I did not fully agree trees, towards the main building journey to Parliament House. bus services: SBS services 100, Guards will be mounted. In this Lee will also hold vigil. she went to see Mr Lee Kuan Yew. with,” she said. But she changed of the Istana. GRC It will travel along parts of Or- 107, 130, 131 and 195, and SMRT tradition, which is a mark of re- People can pay their respects Senja-Cashew “I had no education and no job her mind when she started work- There, President Tony Tan chard Road, Bras Basah Road and services 75, 167 and 961. spect, an officer stands at each from 10am to 8pm daily, till Satur- prospects. He could not give me fi- ing and had to worry about Keng Yam and Emeritus Senior Community Club North Bridge Road. These stretch- At Parliament House, the cof- corner of the casket, head bowed day. 101 Bukit Panjang Road nancial help but he told me to en- bread-and-butter issues. Minister will be [email protected] es will be closed to traffic from fin will be received by the Chief of and facing away. They are led by a Singapore 679910 dure, work hard and look for- “I realised that there were sacri- waiting to offer their respects. 8.45am to 9.30am. Defence Force Lieutenant-Gener- senior officer who stands at the [email protected] ward,” said Madam Koh, now 77. fices that had to be made for the “His words gave me the cour- many things that I now appreci- Marine Parade GRC age to go on, and that reminder to ate, like the safety of our streets, Kampong Kembangan work hard guided me through the accommodation for the poor and Paying your last respects at Parliament House Community Club ups and downs in my life.” retirement savings through the (Foyer) She was at Tampines Communi- Central Provident Fund scheme,” 5 Lengkong Tiga MR LEE Kuan Yew’s body lies in screens have also been set up 8pm daily. official Remembering Lee Kuan where Mr Lee’s body lies. Singapore 417408 ty Plaza yesterday morning and she said. state at Parliament House from along the way. Here is a guide Yew Facebook page. stood in line with other Tampines Ang Mo Kio GRC MP Inderjit today to Saturday for the public on the lying-in-state: Is there a dress code? How Can I write messages of residents to leave flowers and mes- Singh said his mother had cried Nee Soon GRC to pay their last respects. should I behave? Where do I enter? condolences or leave flowers? sages for Singapore’s first Prime on learning of Mr Lee’s death. Hardcourt at Block 749 Yesterday, workers were seen Can anyone pay their respects? There is no dress code or code Instead of the usual public You can’t do this inside the hall. Minister, who died on Monday. “She said he is a giver: He gave Yishun Street 72 putting the finishing touches to Yes, although children should be of conduct. However, the public entrance on Parliament Place, But you can write tributes to Singapore 760749 When her turn came, Madam us Singapore, he gave us comfort white tentage extending from accompanied by adults. is advised to “be mindful of the visitors should enter from the the late Mr Lee on condolence Koh bowed her head in prayer and and he gave us peace. She came to Parliament House to the statue solemnity and decorum of the promenade along the Singapore boards that will line the then placed a bouquet of lilies on Singapore before independence of Sir Stamford Raffles by the When should I go? occasion, both in their dressing River. Visitors will be ushered queueing area along the river. Sembawang GRC a table in front of Mr Lee’s por- and she said no one cared, but he Singapore River. Television Visiting hours are from 10am to and bearing”, according to the to the Hall of Parliament House, Flowers may be laid there too. Woodlands Civic Centre trait. cared for us. So I think we should (Open Space) “With his effort, all Singapore- remember him as someone who 900 South Woodlands ans have a home and clean water cared for us and changed our Drive Singapore 730900 to drink. I pray that his spirit and lives,” he said. soul will rest in heaven,” she said. He was at Ang Mo Kio Central West Coast GRC By mid-afternoon, more than Stage, where a tribute site for Mr Block 442 and Block 449 2,500 people had visited the trib- Lee was set up for residents. ‘The day Mr Lee freed me from jail’ Clementi Avenue 3 ute centre and more than 800 Health attendant Teng Poh (Open Area) handwritten notes were left on a Geok, 57, said she had never inter- (Entrance of Clementi large board with a portrait of Mr acted with Mr Lee but knew he By LIM YAN LIANG Mr Lee, who was the union’s le- had represented Tanjong Pagar would follow Mr Lee, and as long Lee shout “Merdeka” (Malay for Town Centre Estate) Lee. was a great man from listening to gal adviser, represented him in for 60 years, since 1955. TPCC is as the (People’s Action Party) independence) at a rally his par- Over at Parliament House, stories her father, a long-time IT WAS six decades ago, but Mr court and argued for him to be one of 18 community sites where keeps its promises, I will serve the ents took him to. Marina Barrage sales manager Tafline Tay, 40, grassroots leader, had told her. Wan Daud Embong remembers freed. the public can pay their respects. PAP to the best that I can. And it In a fitting tribute yesterday, 260 Marina Way showed up in the afternoon, de- “My father told me he was clearly the day Mr Lee Kuan Yew Mr Wan Daud said: “I was re- Release from jail was a defining has kept its promises: to educate Mr Tan pumped his fist and shout- Singapore 018976 spite having her injured right leg strict and fierce but only because won him his freedom from jail. leased without condition. By then moment for Mr Wan Daud – it the people, to house the people, ed “Merdeka” at the top of his in a cast. Like hundreds of other he did what he thought was right, Then a member of the Singa- I had been under detention for was then that he decided to follow and to unite them, not divided lungs, in front of a portrait of Mr Singapore Botanic working adults, she wanted to pen even if others were against him,” pore Factory and Shop Workers’ nine months. I was 17 years old.” Mr Lee, he said yesterday. across racial lines.” Lee. a note to express her feelings. said Madam Teng, fighting back Union, Mr Wan Daud had been de- Yesterday, the 77-year-old He later became the chairman Another person at the commu- He told The Straits Times in Gardens “Mr Lee did what he had to do tears. tained by the Lim Yew Hock gov- was among more than 8,000 peo- of Malay affairs at the PAP Siglap nity club whose life was changed Mandarin: “Till today, seeing him (Botany Centre) for us to enjoy a First World city lee [email protected] ernment many months earlier in ple who made the trip to Tanjong branch committee and remains a by Mr Lee was Mr Tan Hai Yan. shout the word on television 1 Cluny Road Singapore now,” said Madam Tay. [email protected] 1956, accused of being a commu- Pagar Community Club (TPCC) to party member. The 61-year-old was just 11 makes me emotional.” 259569 She said she did not always [email protected] Many people turned up at Ang Mo Kio Central Stage, one of several tribute centres across the island, to pay tribute to Mr Lee. ST PHOTO: CAROLINE CHIA nist. pay their respects to Mr Lee, who He said: “I decided that I years old when he first heard Mr [email protected] 6 WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2015 WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2015 7

TRIBUTES: A NATION GRIEVES 1923 - 2015 PA staff recall high expectations Englishman

A poignant that “his demands were very high. shows You had to do your best”. There were three community events that Mr Lee never missed he is a each year, despite his national absence on duties and foreign travel. big admirer They were the National Day dinner, Chinese New Year dinner and Tree-Planting Day. MR LEE Kuan Yew certainly made “We put a lot of pressure on his mark on Englishman Roy Bark- Aug 9, ourselves to make sure nothing er – the permanent resident has a went wrong at these events,” said tattoo of the former Prime Minis- Mr Long. “If there were problems, ter on his left forearm. he would let you know. He didn’t The black-and-white portrait put blame, but we would feel very of Mr Lee is carved on the inside says Chiam bad.” of Mr Barker’s forearm. The tat- PA’s current deputy chairman, too spans the area from where his Mr Lim Swee Say, said in a condo- watchstrap starts to his inner el- Opposition veteran says Mr Lee will lence letter issued on behalf of the bow, complete with the initials grassroots movement that Mr Lee L.K.Y. stay a symbol of Singapore’s success put in place “the building blocks The 73-year-old retiree told of a socially connected Singa- The Straits Times: “A lot of peo- pore”. ple never liked Mr Lee because of Community centres and By THAM YUEN-C Kuan Yew, since he became Prime his harsh policies and asked, Mr Jack Sim is forking out $10,000 for 10 busts of Mr Lee. One has already been Minister in 1959. He was a man residents’ committees, present in ‘What do you want to get a tattoo delivered and it sits in the garden at his home in . for all seasons. He will live on in every Housing Board neighbour- for?’ I would say, ‘He’s a great VETERAN opposition politician history, remaining for future gen- hood, were meant to break down man, he deserves it, and I want to Chiam See Tong yesterday said erations the symbol of the linguistic and cultural barriers give him recognition.’” Mr Lee Kuan Yew had been for Singapore’s success,” he said of that divided Singaporeans in the Mr Barker, who has lived in Sin- Singapore what British prime min- his fiercest rival. country’s fledgling years, he said. gapore since 1973, was not a fan Not one, but 10 bronze ister Winston Churchill was for Mr Chiam, the longest-serving The PA also had the task of initially, finding Mr Lee’s early his country. opposition MP until 2011, said he promoting the Government’s policies harsh. The campaign In a heartfelt condolence letter and his wife, Non-Constituency agenda in the heartlands. against men having long hair, for busts for ‘Mr Toilet’ to Prime Minister Lee Hsien MP Lina Chiam, were saddened “In setting up the PA, Mr Lee example, was “unheard of”. Loong on his father’s death, the by Mr Lee’s death. laid the foundation for the Govern- But Mr Barker, who hails from THE founder of the World Toilet around the world.” PA chief executive director Ang Hak Seng (right), together with board member Timothy James de Souza (second from right) ment to be closer to the people leader of the Singapore People’s “His absence from our 50th Na- and about 2,000 other PA employees, visiting a tribute site at the PA headquarters yesterday to pay their respects to industrial Sheffield in northern Organisation, Mr Jack Sim, is in- Mr Sim, 58, first sketched what and the people closer to the Party said: “He was there at the tional Day Parade later this year Mr Lee, who was the founding chairman of the statutory board created in 1960. ST PHOTO: ALPHONSUS CHERN England, “started to understand ternationally renowned for crusad- he wanted based on portraits of time when Singapore was will be particularly poignant to Government,” wrote Mr Lim. he was doing everything for the ing for better sanitation. So when the former Prime Minister, sent swarmed with numerous prob- us,” he added. “Mr Lee’s vision of a united good of Singapore and Singapore- he wanted to mark Singapore’s the sketches to a bronze work- lems, ranging from domestic to in- Meanwhile, Mr Ravi Philemon, By RACHEL CHANG young army officer’s Mandarin other PA employees visited a trib- and harmonious multiracial ans. There’s always a good reason golden jubilee, the go-getter real- shop, and then went through sev- ternational issues. He was there, who was with the National Soli- ASSISTANT POLITICAL EDITOR tutor – and they then contacted ute site at the PA headquarters nation is a work-in-progress that behind his strict policies and he’s ly bust out. eral rounds of refinement over just as Britain needed Winston darity Party until recently, said: her to check Mr de Souza had put yesterday to pay their respects to will never end. He will always be not doing it to be funny”. He is getting 10, half-a-metre three months. Churchill during World War II – “With the passing away of Mr Lee AS A young Lieutenant-Colonel, in some proper preparation. They Mr Lee, who died on Monday. the inspiration to us all in the The prominent tattoo of Mr tall bronze busts – head-and- He said: “I wanted to get the always taking a strategic and Kuan Yew, a part of us is also Mr Timothy James de Souza was were satisfied that he had, and he Mr Lee, 91, was the founding grassroots movement.” Lee is one of eight Mr Barker shoulder sculptures – made of his feeling of a robust, rugged, strong long-term view of Singapore.” gone.” given the honour of reading out a was given another chance the fol- chairman of the PA, the statutory PA’s chief executive director sports, including two marking his hero, Mr Lee Kuan Yew, costing a and brave person. I took his past Mr Lee, Singapore’s first Prime Amid the tributes, the Think roll call of 350 names at the Na- lowing year to get the task right. board created in 1960 to group Ang Hak Seng said Singaporeans time in the British army – which total of $10,000. pictures, and interpreted it in an Minister, died on Monday at Sin- Centre, a political non-govern- tional Day Awards ceremony in This time, he nailed it. together all key voluntary social of all races and religions coming led him to Singapore in 1965. One is already complete and artistic manner that showcased gapore General Hospital, where mental organisation, was critical the late 1970s. Mr de Souza, now 67 and a organisations. together to mourn Mr Lee was “What Mr Lee did in Singa- sits in the garden at his home, a his character.” he had been in intensive care of Mr Lee, saying he suppressed Anxious to pronounce them board member of the People’s As- Its role was to promote closer one sign of the success of his and pore, the Western leaders have bungalow in Katong. On his choice of subject, he since Feb 5, when he had severe the media, unions and civil socie- correctly, he sought the help of a sociation (PA), said yesterday: “I ties among Singapore’s ethnic PA’s efforts to promote multi- been grappling and trying to do When it arrived last month, Mr said of the late Mr Lee: “(He) is pneumonia. He was 91. ty, as well as his political oppo- Mandarin tutor. learnt that you have to really groups, for which it received racialism. for years, and he did it almost Sim liked it so much he decided to our biggest hero. I was born in the Like several other political play- nents. Despite this, the day after the prepare. But you can only do your government resources. “We had a difficult beginning, overnight,” said Mr Barker, who order more. 1950s in a slum and I didn’t know ers this week, Mr Chiam listed Mr “He even developed the pro- ceremony, Mr de Souza, then best, not more than that. He Mr Lee’s exacting nature was and we cannot take racial harmo- is married with three children. He is not sure where to put the country could be what it is Lee’s achievements. “He was a cess of bankrupting his political aged 32, was summoned to the would give you another chance, also remembered by one of PA’s ny for granted,” he noted. “See- “He gave everybody their own them, but he is donating three to now. But through the whole jour- great statesman, parliamentarian opponents through defamation Istana and told: “The Prime Minis- and then once you’ve delivered staff members in his Tanjong Pa- ing different races and religions home. When I was a young kid in the Institute of Technical Educa- ney, life just became better and and a master of public policy. suits into a fine art, sending a chill- ter says you made nine mistakes.” the goods the way he wants it, he gar GRC. coming together to honour him, Sheffield, I didn’t know anybody tion colleges. As for the other six, better for us. I felt it was a privi- “No one else had shaped mod- ing effect across society,” it said. Mr Lee’s staff even took down would give you the praise.” Mr Long Khin Suan, 66, a this in itself is racial harmony.” Mr Roy Barker, a Singapore permanent resident, is proud of the tattoo of Mr Lee Kuan Yew on his left forearm. He says who owned a home.” “I’m dreaming that (they) could lege to have had such a leader.” ern Singapore more than Lee [email protected] the name and number of the Mr de Souza and about 2,000 former regional officer, recalled [email protected] “there’s always a good reason behind (Mr Lee’s) strict policies”. ST PHOTO: DESMOND WEE KOK XING HUI go to every Singapore embassy KOK XING HUI Memorial exhibition opens today at National Museum

By MELODY ZACCHEUS

A NEW memorial exhibition on the life of the late Mr Lee Kuan Yew has been put together by a team from the National Museum of Singapore. Called In Memoriam: Lee Kuan Yew, the showcase chronicles his life and political career, and high- lights the ideals and convictions that shaped him. It opens today and will run dai- ly from 10am to 8pm till April 26. The memorial showcase will be held at the Stamford Road museum’s glass atrium on level 2. Admission is free. Highlights on display include Mr Lee’s personal artefacts such as a barrister wig he wore for his admission to the Bar, a Rolex watch that the Singapore Union of Postal and Telecommunica- tions Workers gave to him after he successfully represented it in arbitration proceedings over a wage dispute, and the rosewood rostrum he used to deliver his Na- tional Day Rally speeches from the 1970s. Featuring seven panels, the ex- hibition examines Mr Lee’s early formative years as a law student at Cambridge and his involve- ment in the anti-colonial strug- The labour movement will hold a memorial service for Mr Lee Kuan Yew on Friday. Yesterday, about 500 union members and workers observed a one-minute silence for Singapore’s first Prime Minister. Besides labour chief Lim Swee Say, others at the A man moving a wreath along near Parliament House yesterday afternoon. Mr Lee’s body lies in state at Parliament House from today to Saturday for the public to pay their last respects. Visiting hours are gle. It then goes on to cover his po- ceremony included NTUC deputy secretary-general Chan Chun Sing, Mr Heng Chee How, Mr Patrick Tay, Ms Nora Kang, Ms Cham Hui Fong, Mr Yeo Khee Leng, Mr Desmond Choo and Mr Nakalingam Silva. ST PHOTO: CAROLINE CHIA from 10am to 8pm daily. PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI FOR THE STRAITS TIMES litical career – from being a key figure in forming the People’s Ac- tion Party and later, as People’s Action Party Singapore’s Prime Minister, to his activists from Tanjong Pagar final years as and Without tripartism, we won’t be here, says labour chief GRC and Radin Mas observed Minister Mentor. a minute of silence and paid The museum’s director, Ms An- tribute to the late Mr Lee gelita Teo, said it is fitting that By TOH YONG CHUAN ion Congress (NTUC) held a cere- The 87-year-old told The It will allow the labour move- Among those who turned up to like me.” Kuan Yew at the party’s New the museum, as the main institu- MANPOWER CORRESPONDENT mony at its current home in One Straits Times he will talk about ment to pay its respects to Mr sign the condolence book was of- NTUC has also published a Upper Changi Road tion that showcases Singapore's Marina Boulevard, with about 500 the early struggles of workers and Lee, said Mr Lim yesterday. fice attendant Wan Cheong, who 40-page newsletter compiling Mr headquarters last night. history to the public, presents a THE labour movement, in a sym- union members and workers ob- how Mr Lee improved workers’ Earlier, during the ceremony, works at Allen & Gledhill, a law Lee’s quotes and photographs Mr Lee, who died on memorial exhibition in tribute to bolic move, will hold a memorial serving a one-minute silence for lives by his non-confrontational he read aloud NTUC’s condolence firm with offices at One Marina from the 1950s. Monday at age 91, was Mr Lee. “The objective is for peo- service on Friday for Mr Lee Kuan Singapore’s first Prime Minister. approach towards trade unionism. letter to unionists and workers. Boulevard. “(The newsletter) captures all the PAP’s first ple to appreciate and reflect on secretary-general and Yew at its first permanent home, Labour chief Lim Swee Say lat- Other speakers will include “Mr Lee dedicated his whole The 80-year-old has been liv- that he had said, all that he has represented the Tanjong the magnitude of Mr Lee’s contri- the Singapore Conference Hall. er told reporters: “Mr Lee created former Singapore president S.R. life to the workers and people of ing for more than 30 years in done for workers and with the un- Pagar area for 60 years. butions to the nation and the lega- The building, long associated tripartism. Without tripartism, Nathan, who had headed NTUC’s Singapore. He has left an indelible Bukit Merah, which is part of Tan- ions,” said Mr Lim. “We hope it MPs (from far left) cy he has left behind,” she said. with trade unionism in Singapore, without his vision for Singapore, Labour Research Unit, as well as mark on the lives of all of us.” jong Pagar GRC where Mr Lee was will help the public and Singapore- Indranee Rajah, Chan Chun The in was officially opened in 1965 by we will not be here.” younger and older workers. He also said that while Mr Lee an MP. ans understand better how great a Sing, Lily Neo (partially Victoria Street will also be hold- Mr Lee, who had played a major This model of unions, employ- About 800 past and present un- pushed for economic develop- “I attended his rallies, he spoke leader he was.” hidden) and Sam Tan led ing an exhibition on the late elder role in nurturing tripartism to ers and the Government working ion leaders and People’s Action ment, “he has always believed with so much passion,” said Mad- The free newsletter is available some 250 activists in statesman’s public life at its lob- avoid the confrontation style of la- together will also be highlighted Party (PAP) members, as well as that the purpose of economic am Wan. “I have never met him at selected NTUC FairPrice super- cheers of “Majulah PAP, by. It will feature his most nota- bour relations in other countries. at Friday’s memorial service by representatives from employer progress and development must personally, but I wanted to thank markets. Majulah Singapura!” at the ble quotes drawn from speeches This role was underlined yester- one of the speakers, NTUC’s first groups and government officials, be to serve the interest of the peo- him for making life better for Sin- [email protected] event. dating back to the 1950s. day when the National Trades Un- chairman Mahmud Awang. will be invited to the service. ple and workers”. gaporeans, especially older ones Additional reporting by Samantha Boh ST PHOTO: DESMOND WEE [email protected] 8 WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2015 WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2015 9

TRIBUTES: A NATION GRIEVES 1923 - 2015 At the NUS site of World leaders continue his old college, he to hail Mr Lee’s legacy

Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Myan- is a tall leader who eradicated Many praise model of governance mar and Vietnam joined later. poverty from many Tamil fami- still touches lives In Laos, the first to send condo- lies. Our deepest condolences,” and express gratitude for his counsel lences was Prime Minister Thongs- read one banner, while another ing Thammavong when the Singa- called him “the real protector of to give their condolences to the By RAVI VELLOOR Mr Lee, who helped guide it pore embassy opened a condo- Singapore”. Mr Lee remembered for deep interest family of Singapore’s first Prime ASSOCIATE EDITOR through its formative years. lence book within hours of Mr In Kuala Lumpur, Democratic Minister. In a letter to PM Lee, Asean Lee’s passing. Yesterday, Deputy Action Party chief Lim Guan Eng in, and contributions to, education Mr Lee died early Monday THE tributes continued to flow secretary-general Le Luong Minh Prime Minister and Foreign Minis- drove to the Singapore High Com- morning at the age of 91, after be- yesterday for Mr Lee Kuan Yew as acknowledged Mr Lee as one of ter Thongloun Sisoulith drove to mission to record his respect for By PEARL LEE But with her excellent grades, ing hospitalised for more than a the world pondered his contribu- those “instrumental in the estab- the embassy to record his Mr Lee. He was accompanied by a she managed to get the Lee Kuan month for pneumonia. tion to regional peace and his lishment of the Association of government’s condolences. In the host of senior party figures. MEDICAL student Koh Shi Min, Yew Scholarship to Encourage Up- The memorial ceremony at models of governance and devel- South-east Asian Nations” in Philippines, Finance Minister Ce- “Lee Kuan Yew is the legend 23, has never met Mr Lee Kuan grading Award, which is given to NUS’ Bukit Timah campus started opment that were often held as a 1967. sar Purisima and dozens of diplo- who started the model of transfor- Yew personally, but it is one of polytechnic students pursuing a with a video screening of the man beacon to leaders in many parts of Singapore is one of Asean’s mats signed the condolence book. mation from an undeveloped coun- his charitable initiatives that has full-time degree in universities and his achievements. the globe. five founding members and, to- Mr Lee’s impact reached into try to a developed country by allowed her to pursue her dream here. At the event, NUS president (Above) Ms Koh Shi Min could do her United States President Barack gether with the other leaders, he some of the unlikeliest spots of relying solely on human capital,” of becoming a doctor. “Without the scholarship, I Tan Chorh Chuan said it was fit- medical course with help from the Lee Obama phoned Prime Minister guided the grouping in its forma- Asia, one of which was the hinter- said Mr Lim. “I think his sheer The daughter of a taxi-driver might have given up my dream of ting for the university to pay trib- Kuan Yew Scholarship to Encourage Lee Hsien Loong to express condo- tive years, the letter noted, going land district of Tiruvarur in south- willpower, some say through iron father and a supermarket becoming a doctor and chosen oth- ute to Mr Lee at the very place Upgrading Award. (Left) The Singapore lences and convey “his apprecia- on to add that he “has left a last- ern India’s Tamil Nadu state, and blood, transformed Singapore sales-promoter mother had ap- er courses instead,” Ms Koh said. where he had studied and met his flag and NUS flags flying at half-mast. tion for founding Prime Minister ing legacy not only for Singapore which has sent many workers to from a Third World to First World plied for medical school at the Na- The scholarship was made pos- wife in the 1940s. ST PHOTOS: TERENCE LIM, TIFFANY GOH Lee’s wise counsel and strong sup- but also for Asean and he will be Singapore. Condolence banners to nation.” tional University of Singapore sible as the late Mr Lee had donat- The Lee Kuan Yew School of port for US-Singapore relations”. greatly missed”. The other found- mourn him were put up on streets Singapore’s model of develop- (NUS) after completing her diplo- ed sale proceeds from the auto- Public Policy now stands where tions to education in Singapore. very much about the science or this became clear to Prof Tan later Several world figures have con- ing members are Indonesia, Malay- and small meetings were held. ment has often been sought for ma at Singapore Polytechnic in graphed version of the second vol- Singapore’s first tertiary educa- Prof Tan remembers a meeting the projects. Instead, he asked the on. “Biomedical sciences is an firmed their attendance for sia, the Philippines and Thailand. “Lee is like the Himalayas. He replication. For instance, many 2012. ume of his memoirs. tion institution, Raffles College, he had with Mr Lee about 15 years professors and presenters, ‘Where area that relies on having the right Sunday’s funeral, including Indi- consider Dubai’s Jebel Ali Free “I was accepted into medical Ms Koh was one of the more used to be. Mr Lee and his wife ago. Then, Prof Tan was in charge did you come from?’, ‘Where did type of talent. And the question re- an Prime Minister Narendra Mo- Zone, which opened in 1985, as school, but the course fees were than 1,000 students, staff and fac- were both former students of Raf- of coordinating a presentation on you study?’, ‘Why are you doing ally is, would you be able to at- di, Myanmar President Thein having been deeply influenced by much higher than other courses ulty members of NUS who went fles College. NUS had named its biomedical sciences research at your research here and not some- tract quality... individuals that Sein, Indonesian President Joko Singapore’s port and industrial and I was worried about it,” she to the Lee Kuan Yew School of public policy school after Mr Lee NUS to Mr Lee. “When the presen- where else?’” you need,” he said. Widodo, South Korean President parks. said. Public Policy yesterday afternoon in 2004 to honour his contribu- tation started, Mr Lee did not ask The reason for Mr Lee doing [email protected] Park Geun Hye and Thai Prime Yesterday, Sheikh Mohammed Minister Prayut Chan-ocha. Rashid Al Maktoum, the develop- “He laid a concrete foundation ment-focused emir of Dubai and Events axed for the development of every as- Vice-President and Prime Minis- pect of Singapore, based on good ter of the United Arab Emirates, governance and morality. He put hailed Mr Lee as a “truly great or postponed HE WAS THE REASON FOR VISITING S’PORE public interest above self,” Gener- leader” and “my dear friend”. al Prayut said in an interview “The strength of his fighting “I have always considered him one of the yesterday with The Straits Times spirit and the depth of his wisdom during week and Channel News Asia, express- charted a new path for his coun- wisest and most intelligent people I have ing his condolences to Singapore- try,” Sheikh Mohammed said in a of national ever known. We met together many times ans. condolence message. “Lee Kuan More names are expected to be Yew will be deeply missed.” and I was the better for it. I often travelled added to the list of dignitaries [email protected] mourning to Singapore and, with all due respect to travelling to Singapore, as Asia Additional reporting by Asrul Hadi shows its respect for the last of Abdullah Sani, Nirmal Ghosh, By MELISSA LIN the appeal of the city, the real reason was the titans who helped deliver their Nirmala Ganapathy, Zubaidah Nazeer to see Harry Lee. I am so glad that I was people from European colonial and Raul Dancel ACTIVITIES and events have rule and set the region on course been cancelled or postponed is- able to visit Singapore and see Harry once for rapid development. landwide, in a mark of respect for more in late 2013.” Yesterday, Australian Prime Singapore’s first Prime Minister Minister Tony Abbott and Japa- Lee Kuan Yew, 91, who died on – Dr George Shultz, who was US Secretary of State from 1982 nese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe Monday morning. to 1989. The two men had known each other since 1973 and were at the respective Singapore This includes a visit by a would tap each other’s views on global developments regularly. missions in their countries to sign foreign leader, sporting events condolence books, one of which is and a travel fair, as the set to be opened in Washington’s country observes seven days of na- Capitol Hill today. tional mourning, which ends on Former Indonesian president Sunday. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono The People’s Association has called Mr Lee a close personal cancelled its Chingay parade at friend as well as “a true friend of Nee Soon GRC this Saturday. It Indonesia”. was the last of five satellite pa- “I have always benefited from rades meant to take the annual my conversations with him,” he Chinese New Year street proces- said in a clip posted on his Twitter sion to the heartland. account. “In every one of those Meanwhile, the inaugural Trav- meetings, he always gave me valu- el Revolution fair meant to be held able motivation and advice for the this weekend – organised by a success of Indonesia.” group of travel agencies that Dr Yudhoyono also noted that broke away from the annual Natas Mr Lee was one of the founding (National Association of Travel fathers of Asean. Agents Singapore) fair – has been “Mr Lee had been a key figure pushed back by a week. in the remarkable transformation Ms Alicia Seah, a spokesman of South-east Asia into the peace- for the fair, said: “The postpone- ful, dynamic community that it ment will definitely affect over- has become today. He will be seas exhibitors and partners sorely missed, not just by Singapo- around the world, but we felt the reans but by Indonesians and Leaders around the world continued to express condolences yesterday. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (top) signed a need to postpone the event as a South-east Asians.” condolence book at the Singapore embassy in Tokyo, while United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon (above) paid his mark of respect for Mr Lee Kuan Asean also bowed in respect to respects at the Singapore permanent mission in New York. PHOTOS: EUROPEAN PRESSPHOTO AGENCY, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE Yew. Singapore is what it is be- cause of this one great man.” And the 77th Singapore Open Track and Field Championships, Regional newspapers pay homage to originally scheduled for this week- end, will take place on April 4 and 5 at the National Stadium. The mood at Mr Lee Kuan Yew’s alma mater Raffles Institution was sombre. School principals delivered speeches about Mr Lee at assemblies yesterday. ST PHOTO: LAU FOOK KONG ‘the sage and giant of South-east Asia’ Free sports activities at the Sin- gapore Sports Hub, part of its Ex- perience Sports community out- By LEE SEOK HWAI such as Berita Harian, often criti- jor dailies – the Philippine Daily offshoot of the People’s Daily, reach programme, will be can- cal of Singapore and its leaders, Inquirer, Philippine Star and Ma- mouthpiece of the Communist celled this week, as well as all ac- Telok Kurau Primary pupils learn about founding father’s legacy REGIONAL media continued to had several pages in honour of the nila Bulletin – covered the news Party – hailed China’s “maturity” tivities at its library. cover the death of Mr Lee Kuan “architect of modern Singapore”. on their front pages. in maintaining good ties with Sin- Likewise, the Esplanade has By KASH CHEONG Mrs Charis Wong, principal of Mr Lee studied at RI from 1936 Yew extensively, with newspa- The Chinese-language Sin Chew Several media outlets, includ- gapore though the latter is also cancelled all its free performances Telok Kurau Primary, said: “Peo- to 1940, but was never quite the pers devoting front-page head- Jit Poh said Mr Lee spent his life ing Star, ran editorials describing courted by major powers and at its concourse and outdoor thea- A MAN who kept his promises, ple often say Lee Kuan Yew has model student, with his “mischie- lines and entire sections to the life “embracing Singapore”. how Mr Lee transformed Singa- neighbouring countries, a refer- tre this week. played a key role in making Singa- four children. The fourth was Sin- vous, playful streak”. As a stu- and achievements of Singapore’s In Indonesia, at least six pa- pore from a backwater into one of ence to the Republic’s close ties to A Chinese classical music con- pore clean and green and was a gapore and he was always speak- dent, he was always a late riser, founding father. pers, including Kompas, Jakarta the world’s economic powerhous- Western countries, especially the cert at the venue on Sunday has al- loving husband. ing about her, thinking about her.” “an owl, more than a lark”, he Malaysia’s top English-lan- Globe and Jakarta Post, gave es, and saying what the Philip- United States. so been cancelled, and those who Some 1,300 pupils from Telok The pupils read out tributes to wrote in his memoirs. When he guage paper, The Star, ran eight front-page treatment to news of pines can learn from it. Japan’s Asahi Shimbun ran a bought tickets will be given a full Kurau Primary, aged seven to 12, Mr Lee that they had written on was late for a third time in a term pages across various sections yes- Mr Lee’s death. Mr Lee’s death was also the commentary on “The man who refund. were taught about Mr Lee Kuan heart-shaped cards. Others folded in 1938, then-headmaster D.W. terday. One headline was “Malay- Jakarta Post eulogised Mr Lee cover story on online news sites cultivated the pearl of the East”, Elsewhere, Resorts World Sen- Yew’s legacy during an hour-long origami flowers, which will be McLeod gave him “three of the sians share the grief”. with a commentary headlined Rappler and Interaksyon. while The Japan Times looked tosa has toned down its program- slide show yesterday. gathered into bouquets and deliv- best with his trousers on”, Mr Lee Calling Mr Lee “a steely man”, “Lee Kuan Yew, the sage and gi- In China, some media outlets back on Mr Lee’s quotes. ming, cancelling its nightly shows Teachers from the school – Mr ered to Parliament House when added. the newspaper said: “He found ant of South-east Asia” as well as cited Mr Lee’s legacy to justify The Times of India carried the and street shows in Universal Stu- Lee’s alma mater – impressed up- the school community pay their Student Isaac Leong, 17, felt himself as Prime Minister of a tiny an editorial headlined “Lessons Beijing’s model of development news of Mr Lee’s death on the top dios Singapore, while Marina Bay on pupils the influence of the last respects there. such anecdotes made Mr Lee, the nation with little resources but from a neighbour”. The latter laud- and foreign policy. right corner on its front page. It al- Sands has cancelled its nightly former Prime Minister. On Sunday, Primary Six pupil politician and towering states- dragged it, whether its citizens ed Mr Lee’s policies to curb terror- In an editorial yesterday head- so ran stories inside, describing multimedia light and water show. They recounted, for instance, Lim Yu Li, 12, wanted to travel to man, more relatable. “Still, it liked it or not, through the dec- ism and foster harmony among its lined “Lee Kuan Yew’s legacy Mr Lee as “a tall statesman, one Thailand’s Prime Minister, Gen- how he delivered on his bold prom- Singapore General Hospital to takes a special person to achieve ades and moulded it into the mod- different religious groups. meaningful for China”, the China who was probably too big for Sin- eral Prayut Chan-o-cha, who was ises – such as in 1961, when a fire place a card at the well-wishers’ what he did,” he said. ern-day metropolis it now is. Jakarta Globe bade “Farewell Daily said Mr Lee’s governance gapore”. supposed to make his first visit to swept through Bukit Ho Swee and corner, but her uncle’s car broke At Crest Secondary, which spe- “Rest in peace, Mr Lee.” to a Giant of the 20th Century” style of integrating Western and Newspapers in Australia paid Singapore yesterday, has post- he promised distraught residents down en route. “I just want to cialises in the Normal (Technical) The New Straits Times (NST), and said Indonesia will remember Eastern cultures bears lessons for tribute to Mr Lee’s success in poned his trip, said the Ministry new flats to live in within nine thank Mr Lee – he did not give up curriculum, 14-year-old Daniel Is- Berita Harian and Utusan Malay- Mr Lee as an “inspiration”. China. transforming Singapore into a of Foreign Affairs. months. Together with his team, A Telok Kurau Primary pupil writing a tribute to Mr Lee on Monday. The school’s on the dream of Singapore,” she madir said: “He and his team sia ran black-and-white photos of Thai newspaper The Nation “Reviewing what this man has modern economic powerhouse “Both sides will work on resum- he made it happen. pupils also folded origami flowers. ST PHOTO: CHEW SENG KIM said. cleaned up the Singapore River, Mr Lee on their front pages. published an editorial which done for his own country, we but criticised his “ruthless” ap- ing the visit and the Singa- “He was a man of his word,” At Raffles Institution, Mr Lee’s Without him, we would not have The NST said on its cover he called strong rule of law Mr Lee’s should have more confidence in proach to cracking down on politi- pore-Thailand Leaders’ Retreat at said Madam Marliana Rashid, 32, other alma mater, the mood was the clean and green city that we “had transformed the Republic legacy. sticking to our own culture and cal opponents and restricting free a mutually convenient time,” it national education coordinator at of the country’s development, Singapore’s founding father at as- sombre. “I am grateful to Mr Lee do now.” from an island trading post into “Justice and a vision for multi- philosophy. But we should also speech. said in a statement. the school, who delivered the from housing to economics to de- semblies yesterday, drawing on a for emphasising meritocracy... so Flags in all schools are flying at an economic powerhouse” and racial harmony are what set Lee never forget that he had the vision [email protected] [email protected] slide show on Mr Lee’s life. fence policies. note Education Minister Heng that we all have the chance to half-mast. Many also observed a Mr Lee’s death was reported on the front pages of many major newspapers dedicated six pages to reactions Kuan Yew apart in South-east to learn from the advanced cul- Additional reporting by Shannon Teoh, Additional reporting by Wang Meng Meng Pupils were also told how Mr Principals at schools across the Swee Keat had posted on Face- make a living for ourselves,” RI minute of silence yesterday. around the world. Many of them devoted numerous pages to the life and and commentaries on his death. Asia,” it said. tures,” it added. Zubaidah Nazeer, Raul Dancel, Kor Kian and Jessica Lim Lee played a key role in all aspects nation delivered speeches about book. student Rachel Koh, 17, said. [email protected] achievements of Singapore’s founding father. Malay-language newspapers In the Philippines, the three ma- The Global Times tabloid – an Beng and Jasmine Osada 10 WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2015 WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2015 11

THE LEE KUAN YEW I REMEMBER 1923 - 2015 Our chief diplomat to the world Mr Lee’s red By TOMMY KOH that Asean remains united, inde- pendent and neutral. MR LEE Kuan Yew was the most famous Singaporean in the world. ASIA-PACIFIC COMMUNITY For nearly half a century, he per- 5Fifth, Singapore is committed sonified Singapore to the world. to the vision of building an During his long tenure as Prime Asia-Pacific community. Singa- box and his Minister (of independent Singa- pore wants a balance of power in pore), from 1965 to 1990, he was the region and welcomes the posi- the principal architect of tive roles which the US, China, Ja- Singapore’s foreign policy. pan, India, the European Union Later, as senior minister and and Russia play in the political, minister mentor, he continued to economic and cultural lives of the unwavering give his successors valuable ad- region. vice on our external relations. It Singapore supports trade liber- would not be wrong to say that he alisation and regional economic in- served as our chief diplomat to tegration through both the the world. Trans-Pacific Partnership, under Singapore is a very small coun- the aegis of Apec, and the Region- try. However, it enjoys a role and al Comprehensive Economic Part- dedication influence in the world not enjoyed nership. Singapore supports dia- by other countries of similar size. logue, confidence-building and co- A British newspaper once wrote operation via institutions such as that Singapore punches above its the Asean Regional Forum and the weight. This is due to three fac- East Asia Summit. tors: our record of domestic PHOTO: MINISTRY OF achievements, our skilful diploma- BE A CONTRARIAN COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION to Singapore cy and the Lee Kuan Yew factor. 6Sixth, Singapore should not Why was Mr Lee so greatly ad- be afraid to defy conventional wis- mired by foreign leaders? Because dom. During the 1960s, Singapore of his intellectual brilliance, his JAN 27, 2010: Professor Tommy Koh and Mr Lee at a conference to celebrate the HDB’s 50th year. Singapore punches welcomed foreign investment by power of analysis and judgment, above its weight because of its domestic achievements, skilful diplomacy and the Lee Kuan Yew factor. ST FILE PHOTO multinational corporations when his eloquence and charisma, and the rest of the Third World his willingness to share his candid viewed them as the purveyors of By HENG SWEE KEAT with no syrup. It was picked up Based on the day’s events and their grandchildren were doing. After his dinner and evening worked. They liked to put on clas- ised again, this time for a chest in- and disinterested views. His lon- joint session of Congress. would not have attached so much and fatalistic. Not at all. We have evil. Singapore was not afraid to and brought home in a tiffin carri- instructions, I tried to get ready Then back home went Mr Lee, stroll, Mr Lee would get back to sical music while they stayed up. fection. While he was in the hospi- gevity also gave him an advantage At that time, the protectionist importance to international law or been extremely proactive in tak- be criticised by its Asean partners MR LEE Kuan Yew had a red box. er every morning from a food cen- the materials that Mr Lee might Mrs Lee and the red box. After din- his work. That was when he In his days as PM, Mr Lee’s av- tal, Mrs Lee passed away. Mr Lee as he evolved from being the bril- tide was running strong in the US to the United Nations. Our con- ing the leadership to form such when it decided to negotiate a free When I worked as Mr Lee’s princi- tre near Mr Lee’s home. He need. It sometimes took longer ner, Mr and Mrs Lee liked to take opened the red box and worked erage bedtime was 3.30 in the has spoken about his grief at Mrs liant Prime Minister of Singapore body politic. In his speech, which stant lodestar is to promote the se- groupings as the Forum of Small trade agreement with the US. Sin- pal private secretary, or PPS, a washed it down with room-tem- than I expected, and occasionally, a long stroll. In his days as Prime his way through what we had put morning. As Senior Minister and Lee’s passing. As soon as he to being a wise elder statesman. received several standing ova- curity and prosperity of Singa- States and the Global Governance gapore was willing to welcome the good part of my daily life revolved perature water. Mr Lee did not I had to ask the security officer to Minister, while Mrs Lee strolled, into it in the office. Minister Mentor, he went to sleep could, he left the hospital to at- Mr Lee travelled extensively on tions, he explained why it was in pore. Group. We know that we live in US military presence in the region around the red box. Before Mr Lee take coffee or tea at breakfast. come back for the red box later. Mr Lee liked to ride a bicycle. It Mr Lee’s study is converted after two in the morning. If he tend the wake at Sri Temasek. behalf of Singapore. He befriend- the strategic interest of the US to an unfair and dangerous world. when it was forced to leave the came in to work each day, the When Mr Lee came into the of- While Mrs Lee was still alive, was, in the words of those who out of his son’s old bedroom. His had to travel for an official visit At the end of the night, he was ed and earned the respect of many continue to support free trade and SELF-RELIANCE We know that small countries will Philippines. locked red box would arrive first, fice, the work that had come earli- she used to drop by the Istana at saw it, “one of those old man bicy- work table is a simple, old wood- the next day, he might go to bed under doctor’s orders to return to foreign leaders, in government, open economies. The senator sit- 2Second, we rely, first and fore- always be vulnerable to the pres- at about 9am. er in the red box would be ready the end of the day, in order to cles”. en table with a piece of clear glass at one or two in the morning. the hospital. But he asked his secu- business and academia. He had an ting next to me, Mr Edward most, on ourselves. Believing that sures of bigger countries. BE A GOOD GLOBAL CITIZEN As far as the various officers for his review, and he would have catch a few minutes together with None of us who have worked at placed over it. Slipped under the Deep into the night, while the rity team if they could take him to impressive global network. For ex- Kennedy, confided in me after- the world does not owe us a liv- 7Seventh, Singapore should try who have worked with Mr Lee can a further set of instructions for Mr Lee, just to sit and look at the the Istana can remember him ever glass are family memorabilia, in- rest of Singapore slept, it was com- the Singapore River instead. ample, he was respected by Chi- wards that he was not previously ing, Singapore did not seek for- ASEAN’S CENTRALITY to be a good global citizen. Within remember, he had it for many, our action. Istana trees that they both loved. changing his bicycle. He did not cluding a picture of our current mon for Mr Lee to be in full work It was late in the night, and Mr nese leader Deng Xiaoping, Ger- aware of the linkage between free eign aid from the developed coun- 4Fourth, Singapore has a funda- Asean, Singapore has played a many years. It is a large, boxy From that point on, the work They chatted about what many use it in his later years, as he be- PM from his national service mode. Lee was in mourning. His security man leader Helmut Schmidt, trade and US strategic interests in tries. We did not want to develop mental commitment to Asean and leading role in trying to narrow briefcase, about 14cm wide. Red day would run its normal course. other old couples would talk came frail, but I believe the “old days. Before he went to bed, Mr Lee team hastened to give a bereaved French leader Jacques Chirac and the world. The speech did help to a dependency mentality. Instead, to making South-east Asia a re- the gap between the old and new boxes came from the British gov- Mr Lee read the documents and about. They discussed what they man bicycle” is still around some- When Mrs Lee was around, she would put everything he had com- husband a quiet moment to him- Japanese leader Kiichi Miyazawa. stem the tide of protectionism in we concentrated our energies on gion of peace and prosperity. Sin- members. Singapore maintains ernment, whose ministers used papers, cleared his e-mails, and re- should have for dinner, or how where. stayed up reading while Mr Lee pleted back in the red box, with self. He knew and was respected by the US Congress. attracting foreign investment and gapore is a strong supporter of training centres in Cambodia, La- them for transporting documents ceived official calls by visitors. I clear pointers on what he wished As Mr Lee walked slowly along every American president, from Mr Lee’s enduring contribution creating jobs for our people. We Asean integration and is working os, Myanmar and Vietnam to train between government offices. was privileged to sit in for every for us to do in the office. The last the bank of the Singapore River, Lyndon Johnson to Barack to Singapore’s foreign policy can started building up our armed forc- closely with our partners to en- the government officials of those Our early ministers had red box- meeting he conducted. thing he did each day was to place the way he and Mrs Lee some- Obama. Two of America’s be summed up in the following es and introduced national service sure the success of Asean’s transi- countries. Under the Singapore es, but Mr Lee is the only one I He would later ask me what I the red box outside his study times did when she was still alive, thought leaders, Dr Henry Kissing- seven principles. in order to develop a capacity to tion from an association to a com- Cooperation Programme, run by know who used his consistently thought of the meetings – it made room. he paused. He beckoned a security er and Dr George Shultz, are deter aggression. munity by this year. We took an the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through the years. me very attentive to every word The next morning, the duty se- officer over. Then he pointed out among his many admirers. PRAGMATISM active part in drafting the Asean Singapore trains 7,000 govern- When I started working for Mr that was said, and I learnt much curity team picked up the red box, some trash floating on the river, One of the greatest honours 1First, our foreign policy is ACCEPT REALITIES Charter and support Asean’s ambi- ment officials from other coun- Lee in 1997, it was the first time I from Mr Lee. brought it to us waiting in the of- and asked: “Can you take a photo the United States can confer on a based on pragmatism and not on 3Third, we accept the world as tion to become a more tries annually. To date, Singapore saw a red box in use. It is called Evening was Mr Lee’s exercise fice, and a new day would begin. of that? I’ll tell my PPS what to do foreign leader is an invitation to any doctrine or ideology. The it is and not as we would like it to rules-based institution. Singapore has trained 80,000 government the red box but is more a deep time. Mr Lee has described his ex- Let me share two other stories about it tomorrow.” Photo taken, address a joint session of the US scholars who have written that be. We have no illusions about the strongly supports the central role officials from 170 countries. wine colour, like the seats in the tensive and disciplined exercise re- involving the red box. he returned to the hospital. Congress. I will never forget Oct Singapore’s foreign policy is world. We take a clinical attitude which Asean plays in the regional Ambassador-at-large Tommy Koh, 77, is chamber in Parliament House. gime elsewhere. It included the In 1996, Mr Lee underwent bal- I was no longer Mr Lee’s PPS at 9, 1985. On that beautiful autumn based on realism are mistaken. If towards facts and realities. This architecture. We will do every- an international lawyer, a diplomat and a This red box held what Mr Lee treadmill, rowing, swimming and loon angioplasty to insert a stent. the time. I had moved on to the day, Mr Lee addressed a packed it were based on realism, we does not mean that we are passive thing within our power to ensure former law faculty dean was working on at any one time. walking – with his ears peeled to It was his second heart operation Monetary Authority of Singapore, Through the years, it held his pa- the evening news or his Mandarin in two months, after an earlier op- to continue with the work to pers, speech drafts, letters, read- practice tapes. He would some- eration to widen a coronary artery strengthen our financial regulato- ings, and a whole range of ques- times take phone calls while exer- did not work. After the operation, ry system that Mr Lee had started tions, reflections and observa- cising. he was put in the intensive care in the late 1990s. tions. For example, in the years He was in his 70s then. In more unit for observation. But I can guess that Mr Lee The world will miss Lee Kuan Yew that Mr Lee was working on his recent years, being less stable on When he regained conscious- probably had some feedback on memoirs, the red box carried the his feet, Mr Lee had a simpler exer- ness and could sit up in bed, he keeping the Singapore River By HENRY KISSINGER spirational – to see Lee, in materi- leadership. He understood the rel- multiple early drafts back and cise regime. But he continued to asked for his security team. The clean. I can also guess that the pic- al terms the mayor of a medi- evance of China and its looming forth between his home and the of- exercise. security officer hurried into the ture and the instructions were fer- LEE Kuan Yew was a great man. um-sized city, bestride the inter- potential and often contributed to fice, scribbled over with his and Since retiring from the Minis- room to find out what was need- ried in Mr Lee’s red box the next And he was a close personal national scene as a mentor of glo- the enlightenment of the world on Mrs Lee’s notes. ter Mentor position in 2011, Mr ed. Mr Lee asked: “Can you pass morning to the office. Even as Mr friend, a fact that I consider one bal strategic order. this subject. But in the end, he in- For a long time, other regular Lee was more relaxed during his me the red box?” Lee lay in the hospital. Even as of the great blessings of my life. A A visit by Lee to Washington sisted that without the United items in Mr Lee’s red box were exercises. Instead of listening in- Even at that point, Mr Lee’s Mrs Lee lay in state. world needing to distil order from was a kind of national event. A States, there could be no stability. the cassette tapes that held his dic- tently to the news or taking phone first thought was to continue The security officers with Mr incipient chaos will miss his lead- presidential conversation was Lee’s domestic methods fell tated instructions and thoughts calls, he shared his personal sto- working. The security officer Lee were deeply touched. When I ership. nearly automatic; eminent mem- short of the prescriptions of cur- for later transcription. Some ries and joked with his staff. rushed the red box in, and Mr Lee heard about these moments, I was Lee emerged onto the interna- bers of the Cabinet and Congress rent US constitutional theory. But years back, he changed to using a While Mr Lee exercised, those asked to be left to his work. The also moved. tional stage as the founding father would seek meetings. They did so so, in fairness, did the democracy digital recorder. of us in the office would use that nurses told the security team that I have taken some time to de- of the state of Singapore, then a not to hear of Singapore’s nation- of Thomas Jefferson’s time, with The red box carried a wide time to focus once again on the other patients of his age, in Mr scribe Mr Lee’s red box. The rea- city of about one million. He devel- al problems; Lee rarely, if ever, its limited franchise, property range of items. It could be commu- red box, to get ready all the day’s Lee’s condition, would just rest. son is that, for me, it symbolises oped into a world statesman who lobbied policymakers for assist- qualifications for voting and slav- nications with foreign leaders, ob- work for Mr Lee to take home APRIL 29, 2011: Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew talking to residents of Tampines GRC before the 2011 General Election. Mr Lee was 72 at the time. Mr Lee’s unwavering dedication acted as a kind of conscience to ance. His theme was the indispen- ery. servations about the financial cri- with him in the evening. With him are two of PAP’s candidates for Tampines GRC, Mr Heng Swee Keat and Ms Irene Ng. ST FILE PHOTOS In 2010, Mr Lee was hospital- to Singapore so well. leaders around the globe. sable US contribution to the de- This is not the occasion to de- sis, instructions for the Istana The diverse contents it held tell Fate initially seemed not to fence and growth of a peaceful bate what other options were grounds staff, or even questions us much about the breadth of Mr have provided him a canvas on world. His interlocutors attended available. Had Singapore chosen about some trees he had seen on Lee’s concerns – from the very which to achieve more than mod- not to be petitioned but to learn the road of its critics, it might the expressway. big to the very small; the daily rou- est local success. from one of the truly profound glo- well have collapsed among its eth- Mr Lee was well-known for tine of the red box tells us how Mr In the first phase of decolonisa- bal thinkers of our time. nic groups, as the example of keeping extremely alert to every- Lee’s life revolved around making tion, Singapore emerged as a part This process started for me Syria teaches today. Whether the thing he saw and heard around Singapore better, in ways big and of Malaysia. It was cut loose be- when Lee visited Harvard in 1967 structures essential for the early him – when he noticed something small. cause of tensions between shortly after becoming Prime Min- decades of Singapore’s independ- wrong, like an ailing raintree, a By the time I served Mr Lee, he Singapore’s largely Chinese popu- ister of an independent Singapore. ent existence were unnecessarily note in the red box would follow. was the Senior Minister. Yet, he lation and the Malay majority Lee began a meeting with the sen- prolonged can be the subject of an- We could never anticipate continued to devote all his time to and, above all, to teach the frac- ior faculty of the School of Public other discussion. what Mr Lee would raise – it thinking about the future of tious city a lesson of dependency. Administration (now the Kennedy I began this eulogy by mention- could be anything that was hap- Singapore. I could only imagine Malaysia undoubtedly expected School) by inviting comments on ing my friendship with Lee. He pening in Singapore or the world. what he was like as Prime Minis- that reality would cure Singapore the Vietnam War. was not a man of many sentimen- But we could be sure of this: It ter. of its independent spirit. The faculty, of which I was one tal words. And he nearly always would always be about how In policy and strategy terms, But great men become such dissenting member, was divided spoke of substantive matters. But events could affect Singapore and he was always driving himself, me through visions beyond material primarily on the question of whe- one could sense his attachment. Singaporeans, and how we had to and all our colleagues to think calculations. Lee defied conven- ther President Lyndon Johnson A conversation with Lee, stay a step ahead. about what each trend and devel- tional wisdom by opting for state- was a war criminal or a psycho- whose life was devoted to service Inside the red box was always opment meant for Singapore, and hood. The choice reflected a deep path. and who spent so much of his something about how we could how we should respond to it in or- faith in the virtues of his people. Lee responded: “You make me time on joint explorations, was a create a better life for all. der to secure Singapore’s well-be- He asserted that a city located sick” – not because he embraced vote of confidence that sustained We would get to work right ing and success. on a sandbar with nary an econom- war in a personal sense but be- one’s sense of purpose. away. Mr Lee’s secretaries would As his PPS, I saw the punishing ic resource to draw upon, and cause the independence and pros- The great tragedy of Lee’s life transcribe his dictated notes, pace of work that Mr Lee set him- whose major industry as a coloni- perity of his country depended on was that his beloved wife was while I followed up on instruc- self. I had a boss whose every al naval base had disappeared, the fortitude, unity and resolve of felled by a stroke that left her a tions that required coordination thought and every action was for could nevertheless thrive and the United States. prisoner in her body, unable to across multiple government agen- Singapore. achieve international stature by Singapore was not asking the communicate or receive communi- cies. Our aim was to do as much But it takes private moments building on its principal asset: the United States to do something cation. Through all that time, Lee as we could by the time Mr Lee like these to bring home just how intelligence, industry and dedica- that Singapore would not under- sat by her bedside in the evening came into the office later. entirely Mr Lee devoted his life to tion of its people. take to the maximum of its abili- reading to her. He had faith that While we did this, Mr Lee Singapore. A great leader takes his or her ty. But US leadership was needed she understood despite the evi- would be working from home. For In fact, I think the best descrip- society from where it is to where OCT 27, 2009: Dr Henry Kissinger with Mr Lee Kuan Yew at the US-Asean to supplement and create a frame- dence to the contrary. example, during the time that I tion comes from the security offi- it has never been – indeed, where Business Council’s 25th anniversary gala dinner, where Mr Lee was awarded a work for order in the world. Perhaps this was Lee Kuan worked with him (1997-2000), cer who was with Mr Lee both of it as yet cannot imagine being. By lifetime achievement award for fostering US-Asean ties. ST FILE PHOTO Lee elaborated on these themes Yew’s role in his era. He had the the Asian financial crisis ravaged those times. He was on Mr Lee’s insisting on quality education, by in the hundreds of encounters I same hope for our world. He many economies in our region and team for almost 30 years. He said suppressing corruption and by bas- had with him during international fought for its better instincts even unleashed political changes. It of Mr Lee: “Mr Lee is always coun- ing governance on merit, Lee and centre, the leading intellectual me- encouraging them to adopt the conferences, study groups, board when the evidence was ambigu- was a tense period as no one could try, country, country. And coun- his colleagues raised the annual tropolis of South-east Asia, the lo- best practices from all over the meetings, face-to-face discus- ous. But many of us heard him tell how events would unfold. Of- try.” per capita income of their popula- cation of the region’s major hospi- world. sions and visits at each other’s and will never forget him. ten, I would get a call from him to This year, Singapore turns 50. tion from US$500 at the time of tals and a favoured site for confer- Superior performance was one homes over 45 years. WASHINGTON POST check certain facts or arrange Mr Lee would have turned 92 this independence in 1965 to roughly ences on international affairs. component of that achievement. He did not exhort; he was nev- Dr Henry Kissinger is a former American meetings with financial experts. September. Mr Lee entered the US$55,000 today. It did so by adhering to an ex- Superior leadership was even er emotional; he was not a Cold politician who has served as national In the years that I worked for hospital on Feb 5, 2015. He contin- In a generation, Singapore be- traordinary pragmatism: by open- more important. As the decades Warrior; he was a pilgrim in quest security adviser and secretary of state him, Mr Lee’s daily breakfast was ued to use his red box every day came an international financial ing careers to the best talents and went by, it was moving – and in- of world order and responsible under several US administrations. a bowl of dou hua (soft bean curd) MARCH 25, 1999: Mr Heng (fourth from left) with Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew on a trip to New Zealand where they met Ms Helen Clark, who was then leader of the opposition. until Feb 4, 2015. 12 WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2015 WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2015 13

IMAGES: BY ST PHOTOGRAPHERS 1923 - 2015

Mr Lee enjoying a snack while watching the 2001 National Day Parade from the VIP lounge at the National Stadium. Mr Lee gets a kiss from Dr Kanwaljit Soin, founder of the Women’s Initiative for Ageing Successfully, during a gala dinner Mr Lee was not one to fuss over his public image or pose for photographs. If the photographer was not ready, Mr Lee joins thousands of other volunteers to sweep the streets on the last day of the week-long mass clean-up campaign in 1959. ST PHOTO: GEORGE GASCON on July 18, 2007, to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the International Women’s Forum Singapore chapter. he would have missed the shot. ST PHOTO: CHEW SENG KIM ST PHOTO: WAN SENG YIP Every photographer’s dream... and nightmare

photographer’s dream and night- image. He refused to be staged. his newly minted scroll. Squaring reunion photograph, then he throaty guffaw. There were hundreds of everyday milestones it covered. was approaching 90 then. But the He refused to pose for shots mare. Not ready? You missed the shot. I his shoulders, Mr Lee replied: “I strode in to take his place. A few In 2013, while putting together well-documented official over- I was also taken by how most years faded away as he lingered He was ever intimidating, impa- don’t remember anyone ever call- will hold it my way.” clicks later, dinner was served. the Lee Kuan Yew – A Life In Pic- seas trips he made as Prime Minis- of the photos were diligently cap- on a shot of him and his children but was unfailingly expressive tient with the time-sapping craft ing out to him to look in their di- On the occasions I photo- Yet, having said all that, Mr tures book, I was given access to ter, Senior Minister and Minister tioned in neat handwriting by Mrs playing with their dog at the Is- of photography. His aversion to rection, the way press photogra- graphed the Lee family, including Lee was every photojournalist’s more than 20 large boxes of the Mentor, growing up photos of the Lee, detailing where and when tana. “I should have been 40 flash photography, especially in phers routinely cajole other politi- their Chinese New Year reunion dream subject. Lee family’s photo albums. It was Lee children flashing toothy grins they were shot. She obviously here,” he reminisced, and went on By STEPHANIE YEOW the next 20 years, I photographed his later years, meant that photog- cians. dinner in 2011 and 2013, I noted There were no dull, impassive like Christmas come early for me. in their Oxley Road home, don- cherished every moment of bring- to recall his children’s ages then. PICTURE EDITOR him extensively for news assign- raphers had less than a minute to In 2013, when he received an that even his extended family interviews. No hemming, no haw- What a privilege it was to leaf ning graduation gowns, getting ing up her children and grandchil- It was a moment I will always ments and the 2011 book Hard shoot, before being asked to turn honorary Doctor of Laws degree members held him in awe. Once, ing. No ambiguity. He was unfail- through thousands of never-be- married and having children them- dren. hold close to my heart, and which I BEGAN photographing Mr Lee Truths To Keep Singapore Going. off their flashes. from the National University of they unanimously applauded ingly expressive. His was raw emo- fore-seen images chronicling his selves. What struck me was how When I presented a copy of A I will share with my children and Kuan Yew soon after I joined The I also accompanied him on official Mr Lee was not one to pose. He Singapore, one photographer when he entered the room. Every- tion at work, with that trademark most personal and private mo- ordinary this extraordinary Life In Pictures to Mr Lee in 2013, grandchildren. Straits Times in 1995, and over trips overseas. Mr Lee was every never fussed over his public bravely beckoned him to hold up one arranged themselves for the wagging finger, clenched fist and ments. family’s photo album was, what he peered at it with interest. He [email protected]

(From left) Mrs Lee, Mr Lee, Mrs Pamelia Lee and Dr Lee Suan Yew tossing yu sheng at a reunion dinner at Mandarin Court restaurant on Feb 4, 2000. ST PHOTO: GEORGE GASCON Relive LKY’s Mr Lee, accompanied by security personnel, on a morning jog outside his hotel in Shanghai, while on a 13-day trip to China in 1985. ST PHOTO: FRANCIS ONG greatest moments, (Left) Mr Lee in his office at the captured on camera Istana Annexe. through the years. ST PHOTO: GEORGE GASCON

Get this commemorative photo album at bookstores for $25 (before GST).

(Right) Mr Lee receiving a standing ovation during an event to mark the 60th anniversary of the PAP’s founding at Victoria Concert Hall on Nov 7 last year. ST PHOTO: CAROLINE CHIA Mr Lee laughing at the thrill of being carried in a sedan chair to the top of Huangshan, a mountain range in Anhui province in eastern China, during his visit in October 1992. ST PHOTO: ALBERT SIM 14 WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2015 WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2015 15

THE LEE KUAN YEW I REMEMBER 1923 - 2015

S. Jayakumar, 75, consultant, Drew & Napier, was an MP from 1980 to 2011, a Cabinet minister from 1984 to 2011, including Deputy PM from 2004 to 2009 and Senior Minister from 2009 to 2011 SEPTEMBER we wanted others to perceive meeting who was the Transport travelling on the national carrier memoranda from ministers seeking Singapore, right? Surely your 1988: Prof Jayakumar, Multiracial S’pore Singapore. Minister. Turning to him, he said he would form an impression of approval to send delegations to ministry can find a good Malay or with PM Lee, He had many views in this regard, had just come back after a long flight Singapore. It was not good that the represent Singapore at important Indian officer to be included?” greeting Chinese on the world stage but let me single out one aspect on Singapore Airlines (SIA), and in-flight crew were all ethnic international conferences. He would Often, the minister would Premier Li Peng which made a great impression on me among the in-flight service crew, Chinese. He said SIA should do its turn to the minister who put up the withdraw the memorandum and during an official – that we should always get others to there were no Malays, Indians or best to have Malays, Indians and Cabinet paper and ask about the list resubmit later an amended delegation visit to China. MR LEE Kuan Yew had a strong view view us as a multiracial country. Eurasians. Eurasians. of officials proposed for the list. His determination to portray PHOTO: MINISTRY on how we should conduct ourselves Once, after he came back from an He asked the minister to convey In a similar vein, he would from delegation. He would say: “Look, abroad Singapore’s multiracial aspect OF FOREIGN on the international stage and how overseas visit, he asked at a Cabinet feedback to SIA that foreigners time to time comment on Cabinet they are going to represent had a profound impact on me. AFFAIRS

AUG 9, 2010: MM Lee with Prof Jayakumar at the National Day Parade. ST FILE PHOTO A man of To his Chinese tutor, he was a ‘gentle lion’ exceptional intellect and perception

Mr Lee had strong views but could be persuaded to change his mind

Richard Hu, 88, served as oxidants in fruit. JULY 14, 2007: Dr Koh showing Mr Lee a wooden sculpture during the official opening of the Confucius Institute at the NTU@one-north campus. Next to Dr Koh is Mr Kong Fan Biao, the craftsman from China who carved the sculpture. ST FILE PHOTO Finance Minister His favourite fruit was pomelo from 1985 to 2001 and he would say to me: “You eat it too. It’s good for you.” Koh Hock Kiat, 54, wrote with much delight. He was a health nut. He would is the former director With age, Mr Lee spoke more IN THE lead-up to the 1984 Gener- swim or cycle daily and kept tell- of the Confucius Institute slowly and softly than he used to. al Election, after I finally agreed to ing me during our lunches that I But whenever he began talking enter politics, Kuan Yew invited should be exercising to keep fit, so at the Nanyang about an issue related to me to his office at the Istana. I would last longer. Technological University Singapore’s survival or well-be- It was a spartan room, which re- In this environment, he was ing, he would become excited, his flected the character of the man. quite friendly. We would discuss tone moving up a notch. He did not believe in spending the issues of the day: policy mat- I STILL remember clearly the first Discussing Singapore trans- money unless it was absolutely nec- ters, primarily financial ones, as Chinese lesson I conducted for Mr formed him into a young man, I re- essary. The room was just plain, ex- well as international develop- Former finance minister Richard Hu offering his condolences to PM Lee yesterday. With them are the PM’s wife, Ms Ho Ching (left). Dr Hu recalls that Mr Lee Kuan Lee Kuan Yew. member thinking to myself. cept for some books. ments. One thing he did not dis- Yew’s primary interest had been in making sure the economy grew and the people benefited. ST PHOTO: NEO XIAOBIN It was a rainy day in 2006. Mr Lee’s interest in the Chi- In the Cabinet room, one floor cuss with me, though, was domes- Even though I was well-prepared, nese language is well-document- below his office, the table has been tic or electoral politics. I was slightly nervous as I stepped ed. It dates back to the 1950s, there for as long as I remember. He discussed this with other into the Istana to make my way to shortly after he entered politics. The cloth covers of the armchairs ministers because he knew this is his office, where the lesson was to In his later years, however, he were finally changed three or four not my area. I was never much in- be held. showed a desire to learn more, years before he retired. He had pre- terested in politics in the partisan Mr Lee, after all, was not just of the language – for con- viously refused to. or electoral sense. He understood Singapore’s founding father. versational and speech-making It got to a point where his col- that and kept me out of it. Many viewed him as a stern man, purposes – but of Chinese culture leagues were embarrassed that visi- Other than these one-on-one not to be crossed, a “shi zi” (lion), as well. tors might think the Singapore lunch meetings, our discussions as some would say in Chinese. He wanted to talk about Chi- Government had no money. But to mainly took place during Cabinet My nervousness was very nese geography and the cultural him, these things mattered little. meetings and during the annual quickly dispelled. As a student, he significance of various sayings His primary interest was in mak- Budget meeting between the Fi- was humble and easy-going. He and art forms. ing sure the economy grew and the nance Minister (after I took up this never hesitated to ask questions, I have always believed in an ap- people benefited. portfolio in 1985) and the Prime and these were not just about Chi- proach to learning Chinese that Kuan Yew was relaxed in that Minister. nese language and culture. balances linguistic skills with cul- first meeting. He wanted to allay I would prepare a paper laying He wanted to know too what I tural knowledge. any lingering concerns I had about out the important tax changes in thought about issues like China For me, this shift he made in entering politics and to make me the Budget. Because tax issues and its rapid rise. his later years was evidence that feel comfortable about taking the were very sensitive, we did not He also never stood on ceremo- he had matured in his journey as a leap. That meeting marked the be- want to discuss them openly, even ny. Once, we did a lesson at the student of Chinese. ginning of a friendship that lasted at the Cabinet level. For example, Singapore General Hospital be- When Mrs Lee passed away in 2010, our Chinese lessons were three decades, including 17 years if we were going to increase petrol cause he was hospitalised there. SPH chief executive Alan Chan (with grey tie) looks on as then Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew struck the gong to start a Chinese cultural festival presented by Lianhe put on hold. It would have been as Cabinet colleagues. or tobacco taxes, any leak would He was in good spirits and ap- Zaobao newspaper and the Singapore Chinese Chamber Of Commerce & Industry. PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO I had heard a lot about Kuan be very problematic. peared in a shirt and shorts. understandable if Mr Lee had de- Yew before that, of course, but The role of Finance Minister in I always began lessons by ask- cided then to permanently set from actually interacting with Singapore is relatively straightfor- ing him how he was. This light- aside the classes. But remarkably, him, I found him to be a man of ex- ward, unlike in other countries ened the mood and was a good within a month, he chose to ceptional intellect and perception. where finance ministers have to way for him to warm up before we resume lessons, and at a normal He had what I would call heli- fight with central bankers because moved on to converse about other frequency, no less. Journey with a master teacher copter qualities – the ability to one side wants to spend and the topics. Even in the later years, when rise above the masses and look at other side wants to control. Often, the topics were related his health did not permit for les- things from a higher perspective, Because the issues were less to current affairs. We would read sons to be held as frequently, he Alan Chan Heng Loon, 62, is that I had started reading Nan- other nine bankers for comments. try official would join him on the to not get confused by the forest. complicated, Kuan Yew and I rare- news articles or commentaries in never completely gave them up. the chief executive of yang Siang Pau at the age of seven So for every paper that came in, visit. The notice was so short that As a lawyer, he had not re- ly found ourselves in disagreement Lianhe Zaobao or in newspapers Sometimes, when he got tired, he Singapore Press Holdings. and that I read every copy of the there would be nine others as there was no time for anyone to ceived formal training in economic or having to debate an issue very from China and Taiwan, and then would ask to rest for 30 minutes He worked in the Yazhou Zhoukan, Asia Weekly. well. I had to sift through this in- gloss over the blemishes. and financial matters. But he more vigorously, except on one issue: discuss them. before resuming the lesson. Government for 25 years, After about 30 minutes, he formation and organise it for my- At the appointed hour, Mr Lee than made up for it with an acute whether we should international- We stopped from time to time There was a determination and holding posts such as said: “Okay, you go and take the self – and sometimes I found my- would walk around, inspecting mind with the ability to calculate ise the Singapore dollar. if he needed to clarify the mean- a fighting spirit in him that I saw, written exam.” And I was select- self lost in it. But he could read all the cleanliness and maintenance. implications, as well as by reading This debate happened in the ing of a word or a term, or if there not just in the learning of Chi- permanent secretary and ed. 10 papers, distil the ideas and tell Then he would go about gathering widely. 1980s. The big international banks was a pronunciation that he had nese, but in other areas of his life principal private secretary Just one week after I became me which ones were worth pursu- feedback from the ground. He He also had a strong intuitive at the time wanted greater access to go over a few more times. – such as in his refusal to allow to then Senior Minister Lee. his PPS, I followed him to Taiwan ing. would speak to families and peo- sense on the principles of ma- to the Singapore dollar, which But otherwise, we let the con- his security officers to aid him in where he met its leaders. He wanted the maximum possi- ple he met along corridors and ask croeconomics and how nations they saw as a strong and stable cur- versation flow freely to mimic as walking. IN 1994, I was called up for an in- The discussion lasted from ble opinions on a particular sub- pointed questions like: “What ex- moved up. He agreed with Dr Goh rency – almost as strong as the US far as possible a natural conversa- But above all, I remember Mr terview with Mr Lee Kuan Yew, 10am to 10pm. I was taking notes. ject. actly do you do? How much do Keng Swee early on that it was im- dollar and more familiar to people tion he might hold with his Chi- Lee most fondly for the kindness who was looking for a new princi- Mr Lee told me to give him the I was by Mr Lee’s side when he you earn?” portant to have an open economy in this region. They proposed to nese-speaking guests. he never failed to show to the peo- pal private secretary. minutes the following morning – met Fang Chuang Pi, the former And wherever we went, whe- that attracted the investments of Kuan Yew to allow the Singapore I enjoyed these conversations ple around him. He looked at my CV and said: verbatim. I stayed up that night underground leader of the Malay- ther it was India or Vietnam, he multinational corporations. Later dollar to be borrowed for use in immensely as they often provided Twice a year, he would host “Chan Heng Loon, you don’t qual- to write the minutes, and when he an Communist Party in Singa- would always ask to visit a mar- on, he could see that low-cost large amounts outside Singapore – a glimpse of a side to Mr Lee that I dinners for his Chinese teachers, ify. That’s the end of the inter- read them the next morning, he pore, better known as “The Plen”. ket. He told me: “When I walk say, to fund Indonesian develop- would come to admire very much. security officers, doctors and nurs- said: “Alan, you passed.” The meeting took place in 1995 in around the market and I look at countries were moving up, and I SEPT 19, 1985: Chinese Premier Zhao Ziyang (right) greeting Finance Minister Richard Hu in Beijing as Mr Lee looked on. With them were (from left) Minister of State view.” consequently worked with him to ment projects. for Community Development and Communications and Information Wong Kan Seng, Mrs Mary Tan, Trade and Industry Minister Tony Tan and Foreign Minister S. His sentimentality was quite es to show his gratitude. When I was shocked and said: “Mr In 1994, Mr Lee tasked me to Diaoyutai, China. Mr Fang had a the availability of goods there, grow our services sector in order A few years before this, these Rajaratnam. ST FILE PHOTO evident, for example, when he re- his books were published, he Lee, may I know why I am not help him monitor the progress of bag with him that, out of courte- then I know whether that place is to stay competitive – financial, le- banks proposed that a US-dollar called, with much nostalgia, his would autograph a copy for each qualified?” the Suzhou Industrial Park sy, we didn’t search. There could prosperous or poor.” gal, business services and so on. offshore market be established in friendship with Chiang of his Chinese teachers. He said: “Your Chinese is no project. have been anything inside that He felt that while you can get He had a vision of how Singa- Singapore. We allowed this and it supported my view on this issue. In the end, we were able to con- Ching-kuo. He would talk about Often, he would also return good. You only got a C6 for your I also had to carry his messages bag, though I believe it was proba- everything in a five-star hotel, pore was going to create jobs and worked very well. It was the first A LEADER WITH HELICOPTER QUALITIES But it took a lot to bring Kuan Yew vince him that Singapore could be- the two stone lions he had re- from his overseas trips with gifts Chinese. Therefore, you are not to Chinese officials and convey bly just a tape recorder. Still, the local market was more of a stay one step ahead of other devel- step in our move towards develop- round. He asked if we could allow come a financial centre without in- ceived as a gift from the late Tai- for us. When the Chinese leader good enough to be my principal their responses back to him. The throughout the conversation, dipstick of the economy. oping countries and he was not ing Singapore as a financial centre. “He had what I would call helicopter qualities – some internationalisation to hap- ternationalising our currency – by wanese leader and remind us of Hu Jintao gave him some pu’er private secretary.” Chinese used to laugh and call me while I was taking minutes, I was In 1994, we were in Shenyang afraid to try different strategies. Those banks saw the internationali- the ability to rise above the masses and look at pen initially, and then to gradually developing other financial services how Chiang had generously acced- tea, he gave it all to us – after ask- I told him that I had always “yu chai da ren” (the royal mes- actually watching that bag very, in Liaoning province when he They turned out to be extremely sation of the Singapore dollar as build up. I maintained that once in parallel that could provide just ed to a request to allow the Singa- ing us to explain the significance been very proud of my command senger). very closely. The two men knew asked a vendor where their pineap- successful. the logical next step. things from a higher perspective, to not get you opened the door, it was diffi- as good benefits, if not better. pore Armed Forces to train in Tai- of the tea – along with a teapot, of the Chinese language and that During my stint as Mr Lee’s and respected each other. But ples were from. The answer was After I entered politics, Kuan As chairman of the Monetary confused by the forest.” cult to stop it. What I learnt from this ex- wan. which was a gift from another offi- this O-Level result had been a PPS, the liberalisation of the finan- there was something Mr Fang Taiwan. Mr Lee was taken by sur- Yew and I would meet regularly Authority of Singapore, I, together There was a lot of to-ing and change about Kuan Yew was that He also treasured memories of cial. huge disappointment. I had, after cial and banking sector was also asked for that Mr Lee could not prise: “Taiwan, not Hainan? You for one-on-one lunches. He had with the MAS leadership, was total- – Dr Richard Hu on Mr Lee fro-ing between the two of us. He he could be persuaded. On many is- his days in Britain. When I And so, even though for many all, been among the 10 per cent in the works. Almost every other grant. So it’s a bit of a regret. mean there is trade between Chi- simple eating habits. There would ly opposed to this proposal. We was a night burner who worked in- sues, he had strong views and e-mailed him one year to wish Singaporeans the thought of Mr who passed the preliminary exam evening, he would meet 10 bank- Mr Lee kept his ears close to na and Taiwan?” be soup – usually vegetable soup – felt that once borrowing outside eign entities held large quantities buying back. to the wee hours of the morning. would try to dominate. Often, I him well on his birthday, he re- Lee will continue to bring to mind at Raffles Institution. ers and quiz them on a specific the ground. At about 11 or 12 The vendor said yes. So there followed by fish or steak. He loved Singapore was allowed, there of Singapore dollars offshore, a This was in fact what happened Often, he would think nothing of saw him challenge proposals put plied in a long e-mail that he was images of a forbidding lion, for He said: “Ten per cent?” topic. If he liked a banker’s pro- o’clock on a Saturday, he would were already pineapples from Tai- a good steak – about 120g, lean would be pressure on the mint to mischievous speculator with to the British pound at one point calling me up at midnight to ask forward by ministers at Cabinet dining in a restaurant in London. those who had the privilege of in- I said: “Ya, O-Levels, I don’t posal, he would tell the man: say: “I’d like to visit a three-room wan in China in 1994. And Mr with all the fat cut out. Finally, print more money, in excess to the enough resources would, in theo- and, later, to the Thai baht during me about a particular detail or to meetings. But he was never so It was a restaurant he had been teracting with him at close quar- know what happened.” “Write me a paper on this. Elabo- flat in XYZ precinct at 4 o’clock.” Lee, who always wanted to know there would be fruit. He was con- GDP requirements in Singapore. ry, be able to undermine your cur- the 1997 financial crisis. get me to elaborate on a certain locked in to a particular view that to as a student and which he liked ters, he was a gentle and compas- Then he started quizzing me rate on the points.” Only the manager of the town what was going on, was able to vinced about the benefits of anti- Over time, if more and more for- rency by selling down and then Keng Swee, who had retired, point. he could not change his mind. a lot. It had not changed at all, he sionate lion. on what I read. He was surprised I had to send the paper to the council in question and one minis- ferret that out. 16 WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2015 WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2015 17

THE LEE KUAN YEW I REMEMBER 1923 - 2015

‘The greatest Chinese outside mainland China’

Robert Kuok, 91, is chairman of the Kerry Group, a Hong Kong-based conglomerate with varied interests ranging from property to palm oil

By LI XUEYING him, you have governed Singapore from time to time. power, grab.” From Hong Kong, Mr feeling of superiority” about him. He fortune and earned him the title of Kuok moved to Hong Kong. After Yet it was Mr Lee’s single- HONG KONG CORRESPONDENT too strictly, you have put a “He had grown far more mellow,” Kuok presides over an US$11.4 billion did not mix much, though he did Malaysia’s Sugar King. that, they met mostly when Mr Lee mindedness that made Singapore IN HONG KONG straitjacket on Singapore. Now, you recalled Mr Kuok in an interview at (S$15.4 billion) family business empire attend the college’s annual fancy Mr Lee was a lawyer and rising visited Hong Kong. thrive, Mr Kuok acknowledged, and it need to take a pair of scissors and cut his Deep Water Bay home in March that spans the Shangri-La hotel chain dress ball in 1941 in Malay garb politician, and a founder of the “Over the years, he shed a lot of helped that he possessed “all these ON HIS regular visits to Hong Kong, it.” 2013. It was a different side of a man to logistics to being the world’s complete with a songkok. Mr Kuok People’s Action Party. his stiffness,” he said, though they strong leadership traits – an Mr Lee Kuan Yew observed that when The Malaysian tycoon would he had known for seven decades. biggest processor of palm oil. went as a Mandarin. They would meet occasionally and did not agree on everything. intimidating attitude, presence of face people there failed in business, they sometimes invite other Hong Kong They were born 20 days apart – He said they were not especially On Dec 8 that year, their lives were Mr Kuok found Mr Lee “still pretty “Politically, I did not share all his and body”. blamed themselves or bad luck, businessmen to meet Mr Lee, who Mr Lee on Sept 16 and Mr Kuok on close in school. Harry, as the young disrupted when the first Japanese curt”, but now he was obsessed with views,” revealed Mr Kuok, citing as “He was very sure of himself, picked themselves up and tried again. was always ready to talk politics. Oct 6, 1923 – and met in 1941 as Mr Lee was known then, already had bomb landed, bringing World War II Singapore. In 1970, Mr Kuok received an example the benchmarking of resolute, even ruthless. But he turned He wondered how to encourage But on his last trip, in May 2012, students at Raffles College in pre-war a reputation for pugnacity. “He was to Singapore. a call from the Istana inviting him to ministerial pay to the private sector. Singapore into a model nation, put in that entrepreneurial spirit among Mr Lee was more subdued. His wife Singapore. “We’re both pigs, born in combative, wanting to win every Mr Kuok returned to Johor Baru, the Prime Minister’s Office. Mr Lee He thought Mr Lee was too place a government that cared for its Singaporeans, and would put the had died, and he visited another old the Year of the Pig,” Mr Kuok said argument. Not someone you would where his parents ran a shop selling wanted his views on Malaysia, saying obsessed about Singapore. “He people, and made sure that others APRIL 2011: Mr Robert Kuok (seated, left) and his wife (seated, in green) together with question to powerful businessmen he friend, media mogul Run Run Shaw, with a laugh, referring to the Chinese take an immediate great warmth and rice, sugar and flour. By the time he his analyses were more wanted to talk about politics all the would not bully Singapore,” he said. their family hosted a dinner for Mr Lee Kuan Yew during his visit to Hong Kong. met there. South-east Asia’s richest who was ill. Mr Lee sat quietly by Sir zodiac sign. liking to,” said Mr Kuok. And because returned to Singapore in 1955, he had down-to-earth than the official time. There is more to life than “The greatest Chinese outside the Mr Kuok is an old friend of Mr Lee’s. man, Mr Robert Kuok, remembers Run Run’s wheelchair, saying little Did that make them stubborn? No, Harry was “intellectually a cut above established a sugar refining business briefings he received. These meetings politics. To me, there is more to life mainland is Lee Kuan Yew.” PHOTO: COURTESY OF MINISTER MENTOR’S OFFICE how he responded to Mr Lee: “I told but patting the centenarian’s knee he said. “Greedy. See food, eat. See the average”, there was “a slight that would be the foundation of his occurred regularly till 1973 when Mr than business.” [email protected]

MAY 14, 1955: Mr Lee and Mr David Marshall (facing Mr Lee) were both lawyers of some eminence, said Mrs Jean Marshall, and “I think they both respected each other as lawyers”.

NOV 10, 2011: Mrs Marshall, with a bust of her husband (below). PHOTOS: ST FILE

Exceptional speakers of different styles

Jean Marshall, 88, is the widow of Mr David Marshall, DEC 30, 1996: (above) Mr Lee Kuan Yew giving a press conference after the PAP SEPT 29, 2000: Mr Lee with then editor-in-chief Cheong Yip Seng when he visited Singapore's first elected rally at the Esplanade next to UOB Plaza. Mr Lee said a sycophant, obsequious Times House, The Straits Times’ former headquarters in Kim Seng Road, to Chief Minister from press would be worthless to him – it would have no credibility. PHOTO: BT FILE participate in a Web chat at ST Online. PHOTO: ST FILE April 1955 to June 1956

BEFORE I knew either Mr Lee Kuan Yew or David Marshall, I remember being at a political meeting at the university in 1957 Press freedom was a fine or 1958. I can’t remember the circumstances, but both David and Mr Lee spoke on the future of Singapore. After my years at the London balancing act with Mr Lee School of Economics, I was not unfamiliar with political speeches. But it struck me that Cheong Yip Seng, 71, former the press that blazed across the would have no credibility. that we were undermining those here were two exceptional editor-in-chief of Singapore front pages of The Straits Times, In truth, most of his policies initiatives. speakers of great difference in Press Holdings’ English and and went all the way to the made sense. The list is long: Or spending policies. How their styles. Malay Newspapers Division, International Press Institute (IPI) Robust multinational much should people be taxed, for Mr Lee was a master of silence recalls the many run-ins annual assembly in 1959 in corporation-led growth wiped incomes, car ownership, and the pause. He could pause Berlin, where Mr Hoffman out double-digit unemployment, employing maids, and goods and and everybody would be professional life and the way he express appreciation for David’s appealed for IPI support. widespread in the early years services tax? And how much absolutely on edge as to what he fought in court – not necessarily work in France. ONE November evening in 1999, Once in office, Mr Lee set out following independence. financial support to give to the was going to say next. David had for high fees either – but for David had immense Mr Lee Kuan Yew telephoned: He to change the rules of the game: Affordable public housing was poor and “sandwiched class”? a different, sometimes more people he thought would admiration for what the PAP was troubled by a new He and his government, not the easily available, made possible by Moreover, not every policy oratorical, style. He could inspire otherwise be denied justice. team had achieved in Singapore. information phenomenon, which press, would set the agenda for large-scale land acquisition at was reasonable. For instance, The people and take them out of This outlook could place him Let nobody say that David was threatening to overwhelm the country. They wanted below-market rates and use of Straits Times could not embrace themselves to be something at odds with the systematic held back in paying tribute to the the traditional media industry. command of the national the Central Provident Fund. An his controversial attempt to get bigger than themselves. planning and thinking that Mr achievements of Mr Lee and his In America, the markets were narrative. overhaul of the education system more graduate women to marry Both of them were of course Lee and his team had, from the government! rapidly coming to the conclusion What did he want of the press reduced once unacceptably high and have children. We felt, like lawyers of some eminence, and I very beginning, planned, worked Mr Lee’s way of doing things that there was no future in print in Singapore? He put it best in drop-out rates in schools so most of the people, that it was think they both respected each on and maintained for years and was different from David’s, but newspapers, whose eyeballs were 1971 when he went to another IPI everyone could realise his full too divisive to further advantage other as lawyers. But David had a years. David said, and not only to me, migrating to cyberspace. conference following another potential. Tough laws were graduate women by giving them very different personality from For instance, one policy to that he could never have How would this information bitter confrontation with the introduced to ensure safety in the generous perks. Mr Lee and it was at times which David took great exception achieved what the PAP had revolution impact the Singapore Singapore media: “The mass streets. Good housekeeping by Mr Lee did not believe a I was at The Straits Times, from promiscuous conduct and would understood the realities of having difficult for them to appreciate was the “stop at two” policy. He achieved through its media? He was anxious to find a media can help to present never living beyond our means Western-style media was in 1963 to 2006. react strongly whenever we ran a to live off a small resource-poor In his closing years as Prime Minister, he took each other because they really was very against that and said so. organisation, cohesiveness and response that would enable the Singapore’s problems simply and meant a debt-free state, crucial Singapore’s best interest. He Put simply, in the early years, piece that appeared to promote tropical island one degree north looked at life in very different He felt it was taking away a very sheer abilities. mainstream media to keep its clearly, and then explain how if for a sound economy. wanted a media like the BBC, he used the hard line, with what such behaviour. of the Equator in an a more sophisticated and persuasive approach, ways. fundamental right for people to David saw the PAP as a eyeballs. He wanted us at they support certain programmes These and many more. That whose objectivity he valued. He he called knuckledusters to press He did not press his strongly ever-changing world, they would stepping up his contact with the media – editors David’s emotional reactions choose to have or not to have juggernaut which did iron out Singapore Press Holdings to and policies, these problems can might well be, but the pitfalls for was impressed with the Japanese his point of view, whenever he held beliefs just once, but kept it not understand, and hopefully and younger, promising reporters alike – to were a very important children. legitimate opposition at various think about the way forward. be solved. us were many even though he press. He had read about them was dissatisfied with the way we up all through his years in office. support, his tough policies. explain the issues in person, to convince and to component of his personality. Mr Mrs Lee was very friendly. We times in its history. I think it For him, the media was one of “More important, we want the and our editors shared broadly from books by Western scholars covered the challenges Singapore He always reminded us how Over time, one reality he had cajole. On our part, we continued to press the Lee appeared to have ironed out talked about knitting patterns, would be very difficult for David three institutions in Singapore he mass media to reinforce, not similar goals: We both wanted and believed that its agenda was faced. the world worked. He would send to accept was this: As Singapore or not used emotional reactions, education policies, children – all ever to forget that. told an aide he needed to control undermine, the cultural values what was best for a young nation driven by what would best serve He believed that Singaporeans us articles he had read or shared developed, he had to abandon his need for more space and diversity of opinions in or possibly covered them up. kinds of things. I was very But he would be very capable in order to govern effectively. and social attitudes being and we believed in a credible Japanese interests. had deeply embedded Asian with editors his experiences over knuckleduster ways; they were our pages, or lose credibility. We had to respond David believed that every relaxed with Mrs Lee and I think of openly showing admiration for The other two were the Treasury inculcated in our schools and press at the same time. We went to Japan to find out values they should not dilute the occasional lunch or dinner. ill-suited to a more educated to the changing needs of the public who wanted human being has value, and that she was relaxed with me. I was many of the ministers and PAP and the armed forces. universities... The freedom of the For example, land acquisition more. But they are a different without serious consequences. They were mostly about electorate wanting more political out-of-bounds, or OB, markers for national the individual has a value that not relaxed with Mr Lee. He people who concern themselves His relations with the media press must be subordinated to unsettled many thousands of society in so many different ways Hence, he went all out to protect developments elsewhere that had space. discourse moved. can’t be ironed out because every could be very, very acerbic. with some of the issues that had been rocky at the start of his the integrity of Singapore and the people who refused initially to – culturally, geographically, the strength of the family unit. an impact on Singapore. Closing down newspapers and individual is worthy of respect We would host them for David was concerned with. political career. While he was in primacy of purpose of an elected resettle and had to be forcibly historically. They operated press So, coverage of lifestyles that He was always looking over detaining journalists, actions that and is important. dinner when David was For instance, all the the opposition, not everyone in government.” moved. How do we report this clubs in every ministry and could weaken the family was a the horizon, studying what traumatised us in our newsrooms Of course this is difficult when ambassador to France from 1978 conversations that have been the press had sympathy for his He wanted the press to help massive exercise without journalists at the clubs work at constant bone of contention. It trends would affect us and what in the early 1970s, were no alike – to explain the issues in out-of-bounds, or OB, markers it comes to working out public to 1993 but I was never relaxed. I taking place about the people political goals. The Malaysian him if it thought his policies reflecting the angst as well? Or, the ministry every day in a proved tricky for the newsroom, new strategies were needed to longer options. person, to convince and to cajole. for national discourse moved. policy. But it did permeate his think Mr Lee was probably just as who feel left out, the people who Malay media, which could then deserved support. The operative in the case of education, we largely symbiotic relationship. It so exposed were we to Western either take advantage of them or In his closing years as Prime On our part, we continued to It was always a fine balancing views about Singapore’s awkward with David as David are being left out. There is a real circulate in Singapore, was word was “if”. He did not want could not avoid reporting the would not be workable here. cultural influences and fads. minimise their adverse effects. Minister, he took a more press the need for more space act, how to professionally serve post-colonial status, the need for was with him. They were concern, for whatever reason, hostile. blind support. A sycophant, very adverse reactions to How did he translate into We could not ignore trends His goal was to educate his sophisticated and persuasive and diversity of opinions in our our readers without appearing to independence, and the need for painfully correct with each other among the ministers and PAP of My first editor-in-chief, Mr obsequious press would be streaming and bilingualism. But practice his vision of the kind of like premarital sex, but to him, it people and one way was through approach, stepping up his contact pages, or lose credibility. We had undermine policy. Regular public participation in the and Mr Lee then probably still today about that group. That’s a Leslie Hoffman, had a furious worthless to him, he would tell in the process, we opened journalism he wanted? was a serious threat to the family the mass media. The purpose was with the media – editors and to respond to the changing needs run-ins with the Government political process. regarded David as a bit of a group that David certainly would row with him over freedom of us on more than one occasion. It ourselves up to strong suspicions I can only answer for the time unit. He disapproved of simple: Unless Singaporeans younger, promising reporters of the public who wanted were thus par for the course. It also permeated his maverick – though he did later have been concerned about. 18 WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2015 WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2015 19

THE LEE KUAN YEW I REMEMBER 1923 - 2015

James Fu, 91, was Mr Lee’s press secretary from 1972 to 1993

I was not sure if he was a determined quite prepared to fight with the very as a Chinese sub-editor. I was speeches. I conversed in English As a boss, he did not accept any newspapers, so I discussed the matter Day. Suddenly a police car came to might not survive. He never took politician. fierce communist cadres and he stood assigned to do reporting a few years whenever possible and studied quite reasons for you not being able to with them then and there. the course and I had to cancel my That was a very difficult task for I made up my mind after observing his ground. I began to believe that not later and gradually I was asked to hard. achieve what he had in mind. That is the thing you were game. me as a former Chinese newspaper him for some time, during which I only was he a serious politician, but report on Lee Kuan Yew. He was a very good instructor too. And he didn’t have a time limit – expected to do. You couldn’t say, “I At the time there were no mobile journalist, having to face the old ‘no’ for an answer was doing political reporting with he also had the determination and I found it difficult because my He corrected my English and adjusted from six o’clock in the morning to can’t”. He didn’t believe in that. phones, so they’d contacted my house directors of the Chinese newspapers. Nanyang Siang Pau. dedication to achieve his political English was still not up to standard my writing structure. That helped me midnight, there may be something He would think that everything and were told: “James went to play But that was his idea and I had to I FIRST met Mr Lee around 1954 or I remember one occasion when he goal. and it was not easy covering his to avoid repeating the same mistakes from him. could be done, you just had to think golf.” So they went to the golf course take time to implement it. I had to 1955, in his office in Malacca Street. I was campaigning during the 1963 I was detained in Operation Cold speeches. In 1972, I was asked to and improved my written English. During the wedding of one of my about how to do it. That was his to get me. After that, I said, no more talk to the directors repeatedly and was a reporter with Sin Pao then and General Election and he was pushed Store for a few months later that year become Mr Lee’s press secretary. I His writing is quite super and his daughters, he called and said he attitude. golf. get their agreement. That was very I was trying to get some news. He by opposition supporters into a drain. as I was one of the founders of the was reluctant because my English was speeches were all written by him, you wanted me to discuss something with It was not easy to work for Mr Lee. Generally, his assignments were difficult. had formed the PAP and was the legal But he remained there and continued Singapore National Union of still quite poor. know. We only supplied whatever the press. I said, well, actually I’m at You had to have some tolerance and quite difficult. But Mr Lee has been quite kind to adviser to some of the Chinese school the argument with the opposition Journalists and we were inclined to So I made a helluva effort to material he needed. He could take a this function. He said, no, no, you endurance and you had to work very, For example, the merger of the two me and helped me a lot. Even after I students. union leaders. left-wing views. improve my English. For one or two few days to a week – or even more – can still do it. very hard. Chinese newspapers in 1983. That retired, when I had a kidney DEC 2, 1983: Mr Fu with PM Lee, who was He struck me as a serious politician That made me think that he was After my release from detention, I years, I read English magazines and on important speeches because he Fortunately I had invited a few When I was his press secretary, I was his idea as he thought their operation, he wrote to me to express not easy to work for. You had to have with strong political convictions, but quite a determined person. He was joined Radio and Television Singapore journals. I read all of Mr Lee’s past needed to consult others. senior journalists from all the went to play golf in Jurong one May circulation was going down and they his concern. tolerance and endurance, says Mr Fu.

DEC 27, 1996: Then Senior Minister Lee Kuan Preoccupied Yew at a press conference after touring shops in Bedok Reservoir with (from left) with Aljunied GRC PAP candidates George Yeo, Sidek Saniff and David Lim. Mr Sidek our survival recalls that discussions with Mr Lee were no-holds-barred S R Nathan, 90, was Singapore’s sixth president from and he was free 1999 to 2011. He was a social worker, trade union research to raise sensitive official and diplomat before that matters. PHOTO: BT FILE AFTER I joined the Ministry of or printed book could have given Foreign Affairs in 1965, one of me. my roles as a junior civil servant As I re-read some of his was to take notes at meetings. speeches of the 1950s and 1960s, It was a great privilege to I was reminded that “socialism” observe at close quarters the way was a recurrent theme. Was it a in which Mr Lee Kuan Yew, substantial element in his together with other pioneer political philosophy? Was it a leaders including Dr Goh Keng tactical sop to left-wing Swee and Mr S. Rajaratnam, set challengers? It is a term one about the task of establishing the rarely hears in speeches today, newly independent city state of but I hope that concern for the Singapore on a firm footing. Mr common good remains, as we Lee displayed extraordinary work to produce “socialist energy, resilience and an benefits through capitalist unfailing commitment, despite methods”. the odds stacked against him. My first working contacts with Statehood meant confronting Mr Lee Kuan Yew more than 50 not only the ongoing communist years ago marked the beginning threat, but also other problems of a long and eventful journey. such as language issues, racial My formal credentials are tensions and riots. Even after modest. Yet, on many occasions Separation, the relationship with he has been willing to trust me Malaysia continued to be tense with important tasks in a number and required careful handling, as of fields, including the diplomatic did relations with Indonesia. service. An open man Singapore’s economy was in a When I was well into my 70s, fragile state, and jobs were in when I thought my career in short supply. Much of the public life was probably over, he who embodied the population had to be rehoused in asked me decent conditions. These were to put my name forward as a huge challenges at the time. The candidate for the presidency of word ‘statesman’ Prime Minister’s mind never this great land. stopped working as he mulled I was honoured to be given MAY 19, 1976: PM Lee Kuan Yew with (from left) Mr Ngiam Tong Dow, Mr SR Nathan, Mr Ahmad Mattar, Mr Lee’s daughter Lee Wei Ling, Mrs Lee and Mr Hon Sui Sen at Lake Taihu, Wuxi. Mr Lee was on a two-week goodwill visit to China. over the issues, big and small, that opportunity. ST FILE PHOTO Sidek Saniff was a PAP MP That was a classic example of that confronted Singapore. If he I hope that my performance in from 1976 to 2001, and a what leadership and travelled anywhere, he was the great variety of positions I Fong Loo Fern, 61, is managing director of family-run Minister of State and statesmanship is about. So when always asking if something he have held over the years has tailoring business CYC The Custom Shop, where A man of New Year Senior Minister of State people say he was very garang saw could be applied in measured up to the confidence He was a Lee Kuan Yew had his shirts made. and fierce, yeah, he was. But you Singapore. Mr Lee Kuan Yew placed in me. from 1991 to 2001. must know that against the He would grill anyone he met During my career in the public background of communism, he for ideas that could be useful – service, I never had any reason to simple card every had to deal with it and do what many a time I saw foreign change my high opinion of Mr master teacher “THERE is another side to Lee was necessary. But he had a soft dignitaries and other experts Lee Kuan Yew, the man who, tastes, year for Kuan Yew. I had the opportunity side. emerge from a meeting with him more than any other individual, of having lunch with him several He inducted new blood, in a state of exhaustion, after he created modern Singapore. Lim Siong Guan, 68, times, sometimes one on one. like-minded Singaporeans that had pumped them for ideas and As a boss, he was exacting and group president of GIC, says tailor shoemaker You had to be on your toes put the well-being of Singapore information. He was totally yet capable of great warmth. was Mr Lee Kuan Yew’s constantly. and Singaporeans at heart, preoccupied with our survival My first assignment with him We would not only discuss my especially the second generation principal private secretary Lee Kean Siong,62, of Lee and prosperity. was in 1966 when I was assigned (1978-1981) and head of the “MR LEE ordered shirts from us, portfolio at the time, whether it leadership headed by Mr Goh He could be extraordinarily to take notes at his meeting with and we also had pyjamas made Hoi Wah Shoes and his sister was the Ministry of Social Chok Tong. tough in negotiations when our the Thai foreign minister at Sri Singapore Civil Service for him. His name was usually Christine Lee, 64, had been Affairs, Communication, Trade I remember one occasion national interests were at stake. Temasek. (1999 to 2005) embroidered on them in full. Mr Lee Kuan Yew’s personal and Industry. We would also talk when my family and I were on He was a pragmatist at such I hurriedly put on a tie and In the past, he was served by shoemakers since 1991, about important things, sensitive vacation in Malaysia. I got a times, a practitioner of coat, and went to the meeting my father who was in charge of when their father Lee Hoi matters about the Malays, the note: “Sidek, please do not realpolitik, even if that meant room. When he saw me, he came sales at the time in the 1960s. Chinese, the Indians. extend your vacation, PM would ignoring high-minded critics, close to me, adjusted my tie, and “MY MOST direct contact with I remember my dad was very Wah died at age 74. It was He was an open man and the like to see you.” So a few days both at home and overseas. His told me: “You must remember Mr Lee Kuan Yew was as his impressed with him, saying that Mrs Lee who first patronised embodiment of the word later, I met Mr Lee and he told single-mindedness fired my you are no longer in the labour first-ever principal private Lee Kuan Yew was his hero. the shop in 1987. “statesman”. I appreciated it me: “I want you to follow Hon enthusiasm. movement.” secretary. My father probably met him very much because the Sui Sen to China.” We then sat During these years of That touched me immensely. I He was a master teacher to only a couple of times in the discussions were down for a chat. He told me nation-building, working for Mr had no father, no elder brother. me. He had me sit in on all 1960s. After that, it was always “HE WAS our customer for more no-holds-barred and you were three things I can never forget. Lee Kuan Yew was pressured, No one had ever done that for his meetings other than the Mrs Lee who took care of his than 20 years, since 1990. We free to raise sensitive matters like Number one: “Can you tahan me, with such affection. needs, until she passed away. She the Singapore Armed Forces, (tolerate)? The weather will be stressful, exciting and political ones, just to listen and AUG 21, 1978: Mr Lim Siong Guan with made shoes for Mrs Lee too, so challenging. That experience was I am privileged to have worked learn from the exposure, even Mr Lee Kuan Yew, who had him sit in came to the shop once or twice a when her husband needed shoes, mosques and the azan (the minus 18 deg C.” I just told an education that no university with him. though the conversations often on his meetings so as to listen and year and would order shirts for she recommended us to him. Islamic call to prayer five times a myself that if Hon Sui Sen who had nothing to do with any learn from the exposure. ST FILE PHOTO him. It was our father who first day). I was told that we had to was above 60 at the time could particular topic he wanted me I first met him in 2010. It was made shoes for Mr Lee. The first MAY 22, 1996: Miss Christine Lee with the moulds for Mr Lee's shoes (left) and lower the volume of the azan. do it, so could I – I was only 40 A MOMENT I CHERISH: S R NATHAN to work on. a very ordinary meeting in his mould he made of Mr Lee’s feet those for Mrs Lee. Mr Lee would make a pair once every two years, says his Mr Lee suggested broadcasting it then. So I nodded. From Mr Lee, I learnt the Swee, I learnt always to look out Istana office, just a spacious is still in the store. After our shoemaker Lee Kean Siong. PHOTO: TNP FILE over the radio. Up to now, you Second question: “You have “I vividly recall the first time I came close to him principles of governance which for talent and to do whatever I room rather simply furnished. father died in 1991, my sister and can hear the azan on the radio an overcoat?” I think he knew around 1967. I was assigned to take notes for him. undergirded the transformation could to bring people up to their The meeting lasted maybe I continued to make shoes for five times a day. that people may not use of Singapore, from the early days potential. And I learnt a about 20 minutes, and sales him. addressed each other as Mr Lee the 1990s, we received signed Another discussion I learned overcoats frequently. I said: “I’ll I approached him in awe, but he surprised me, of self-government in 1959 and relentless drive for excellence, to manager Roland Tan took his Mr Lee would make a pair in Mandarin. When we talked, it New Year cards with from was about the donations to buy one.” beyond expectations. He approached me, with subsequent independence in 1965 be the best we can be in measurements. The order was for once every two years. They were was about shoes and what he photographs of his family. the Mosque Building Fund. At the He said: “No need, Don’t almost brotherly attention, and correcting my to a modern metropolis. everything we do. a batik shirt. The fabric was a always a simple pair of formal needed. As long as you made Sometimes, he sent us fruit time the donation was 50 cents. waste money.” He paused for a necktie, said, ‘Nathan, you must remember you I learnt that building a nation For Singapore, unlike for so gift from someone. shoes made of soft black leather. good shoes for him, he’d be hampers. Then, Mr Lee agreed to increase while and said: “Ahmad Mattar is not the same as building a city. many other countries, survival We had a short conversation It was very important that they happy and smile. Then I’d be The older he got, the less he the donation to $1. But after we has a good overcoat. Borrow are no longer in the labour movement’. It is a A city may be plans and concrete and success are two sides of the with him. He asked me about my were comfortable. happy too. His bodyguard told wrote. He used to write my name got $1, we thought, let’s make it from him.” moment I cherish ... structures, but a nation is people same coin. Singapore must seek family and my business. He was Whenever he needed to have me he praised my shoes to his on the cards but not in the more $2, $3. But Mr Lee said: “Sidek, Third question: “Do you have His greatest contribution to us, was the strength with hopes and aspirations who to have as many friends as warm and approachable and put his shoes made or adjusted, he foreign visitors. recent years. His signature also when you collect money from the boots to cover your shoes?” somehow have to be persuaded possible but, as Mr Lee would us at ease. would contact me. I usually went The shoes usually cost $300 to got shorter and it looked like his your citizens, make it the barest This time, I tried to convince him he gave us, at a time when forces of destruction to function together for a worthy often emphasise, never forget I noticed that the shirt he was to his house in Oxley Road. make. Adjustment cost may be handwriting was getting weaker. minimum. Those who want to that I could buy the boots myself were seeking to destroy us and turn Singapore future for all. that no one owes us a living and wearing was kind of old already. Sometimes, he would send a car $30, depending on what needed In 2004, he sent us a copy of give more, can give.” because they would cost me at into a communist state. He helped us to stand up And I learnt from Mr Lee we must ourselves defend He kept his shirts for a long time. to pick me up from my shop in to be done. We gave him a 5 per his Mandarin book, Lee Kuan I gave Mr Lee a copy of my most $100. and fight back those disruptive forces, despite the that a leader not only needs to Singapore: no one else is He had very simple tastes. His Jalan Kukoh. cent discount. Yew: A Pictorial Biography. book, Paradigma Melayu But he said: “Oh, don’t waste have clarity of views and responsible for our security. favourite colour was pink and He visited my shop twice in I made the shoes using moulds Once, he sent us a beautiful Singapura, The Paradigm of money, don’t waste money.” overwhelming strength with which they sought to single-mindedness of purpose, These are deep lessons on patterns were very unlikely. He 2011 when he was less busy. I of his feet I already had. They crystal ornament that looked like Singapore Malays, which outlined He was very thrifty. That was destroy our society. but also a tremendous capacity leadership and governance usually ordered work shirts, and apologised that my shop was very changed only slightly. He always it cost about $200 to $300. With my thoughts on the development how he handled our money, our We will miss this giant of a man. May his soul for communication, where which have been infused in didn’t really choose the expensive dirty. He said it was not a needed metatarsal pads put in. it, he wrote a note that said: of our Malay community over the kitty. That thrift must start from complex problems are brought my soul. The drive to be materials. problem, he just wanted to come As he aged, his foot bone slowly “With my appreciation and years, in 2011. you. That was his clear message. rest in peace.” down to what the man-in-the- exceptional in the way we think He wasn’t very concerned and see. We took a photo protruded over the years. friendship. May your business He wrote back to say thank So in the end, I went to China – Former president S R Nathan in a March 23 statement following the street can identify with. is not an option; it is destiny for NOV 7, 2001: Mrs Fong with three of Mr Lee’s shirts made by CYC The Custom about what he wore, Mrs Lee together on his second visit. He sent us quite a few things and your shop Lee Hoi Wah you and signed it himself. He with borrowed overcoat and death of Mr Lee Kuan Yew From him and Dr Goh Keng Singapore.” Shop. She remembers Mr Lee as a warm and approachable man. ST FILE PHOTO always took care of all that.” We’re both Hakka and over the years. Every year since prosper and flourish.” found time to say thank you. borrowed shoes.” 20 GG WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2015

1923 - 2015

THE THREE LEE KUAN YEWS THAT I KNOW

Tough Perfectionist Elder prime minister writer statesman

Chan Heng Chee, arguments were good he deleted or ambassador-at-large and amended the paragraphs. chairman of the Lee Kuan Yew But it did not end there. He would revise his chapter and send it Centre for Innovative Cities at back to us to ask again: Is this the Singapore University of better? Could he improve it further? Technology and Design, was Only when we had no further ambassador to the United States comments did he leave the draft. from 1996 to 2012 and is a I was posted to Washington by former political science lecturer mid-1996. I received his faxed chapters in the morning. My comments were sent to him by noon. My astonished secretary OVER the years, I came to know would come to my office at 2.30pm three Lee Kuan Yews: the tough to say he had sent back the revised prime minister, the perfectionist version. It was 2.30am in Singapore. writer, and the elder statesman. This rhythm of exchange was The first time I met Mr Lee was repeated again and again. He was a in May 1969. I was a young perfectionist. assistant lecturer newly returned As ambassador in Washington, I from Cornell. The Prime Minister accompanied him and Mrs Lee when had come to speak to the staff of the he visited the US as Senior Minister University of Singapore. and later Minister Mentor. A week earlier he had been deeply Whatever his title, Americans at disturbed by the reactions of the highest levels – presidents, students who did not seem to secretaries of state, defence or understand the gravity and treasury, elected representatives – implications of the May 13 racial made time for him. They wanted to riots in Malaysia, judging by their hear his assessments of Asia and the questions and mood at his public world. lecture. Ex-presidents and prime The PM was seized by the ministers of other countries do not potential contagious impact on normally get a White House meeting Singapore, then a fledgling nation. with American presidents. Mr Lee How could he make them was the rare exception. The captains understand the stakes and our of industry and business, the vulnerabilities? chairmen and CEOs too were eager I stood up to say something in to get a share of his time and defence of the students. Mr Lee insights. dismissed what I said. I came back Mr Lee knew how to put a point with another response. Someone across that landed the punch and who was present mumbled: “She is left a strong impression with his very young.” American hosts. He never told Mr Lee was seen as a stern, anyone what they wanted to hear. no-nonsense, authoritarian figure. He told them what he thought. In He was respected and feared. He these meetings he infused American brooked no opposition. He felt the officials and industry with weight of the immense tasks ahead confidence and trust in Singapore of him. He probably disagreed with and Singaporeans. He created our and did not like most, if not all, of brand name, and investments my writings as a political scientist flowed into our country. for the next two decades. Mr Lee was strong and energetic I saw him again after I returned when he came to the US in the from my posting as the Permanent mid-1990s. His visit was the best Representative to the UN. I was thing for an ambassador, for his invited to the Istana with Tommy name opened doors. I noticed then Koh and Kishore Mahbubani to that sometimes when asked a lunch with him. question, he would admit frankly It was 1993. We ate simply in a that he did not know the answer. He small room. There I met a different was a mellower and more Lee Kuan Yew. He was putting forth philosophical Lee Kuan Yew. his views on the world. The Cold I came to know how close and War was over, the Soviet Union had devoted he was to Mrs Lee. He was collapsed, the US and Europe were touchingly solicitous of her and triumphalist. He was thinking more so as she became frail after her through his assessment of the new first stroke. But her presence calmed power configuration and what this him. Later, after her death, he meant for Singapore. himself turned frail. In hindsight, he was positioning In 2010 when he went to Singapore in the new world order to Washington to receive the Lincoln ensure maximum prospects for its Medal, his last trip to the US as it survival. We were his sounding turned out, he was widely acclaimed board. He wanted us to challenge as “one of the great statesmen of his conclusions. Asia”. I realised then that he was open Everyone spoke of how he built a to argument, but you had to have remarkable success of Singapore out strong arguments. He was rigorous of so little. The admiration and and robust in arguing back, like an respect for him and for Singapore advocate in court. After several were genuine and universal. They OCT 27, 2009: MM Lee with Prof Chan at the US-Asean Business Council’s 25th anniversary gala dinner at Mandarin saw him as the last of the era of lunches, I learnt gradually that his Oriental hotel, where he was presented with a lifetime achievement award by the council. ST FILE PHOTOS brusque and strong response was his great post-war leaders. debating style. If the argument was It is hard to sum up Lee Kuan good, he would accept it. Yew. He was truly a patriot. He This was demonstrated again in worked indefatigably for Singapore. 1995 when he started writing his He had the interest of his country at memoirs. He sent each draft chapter heart. around to a few people to critique. I could improve it. Was it tedious? him it was tedious and he would with his reading of an event or My wish is that younger was one of them. Factual errors, statistics, lose the reader’s interest. conclusion in his analysis of Singaporeans should read about He would ask what we thought of misremembered dates, he took in at There were occasions when one domestic or international him, know him and understand his what he had written, and how he once. He accepted comments telling or a couple of us would disagree developments. Again if the role in the making of our nation.