TODAYONLINE.COM WE SET YOU THINKING MONDAY, 23 MARCH 2015 SPECIAL EDITION MCI (P) 088/09/2014 1923–2015 Lee Kuan Yew Architect of modern Singapore As for me, I have done what I had wanted to do, to the best of my ability. I am satisfied. 2 REMEMBERING LEE KUAN YEW MONDAY 23 MARCH 2015 Mr Lee Kuan Yew, who was then Prime Minister of Singapore, addressing a crowd on National Day, June 3, 1962. PHOTO: AP ‘We won’t see another like him’ A nation, led by PM Lee Hsien “The Prime Minister is deeply grieved Mr Lee had been warded at SGH be lown at half-mast during the week to announce the passing of Mr Lee since Feb 5 after coming down with of mourning. Loong, mourns — ‘the first of Kuan Yew, the founding Prime Minister severe pneumonia. Despite a later A private family wake will be held our founding fathers is no more’ of Singapore,” PMO said in statement statement that his condition had im- today and tomorrow at Sri Temasek — issued just past 4am. proved, he never recovered. His condi- the Prime Minister’s oicial residence BY CARL SKADIAN Deputy Editor and At about 6.20am, the Cabinet also tion worsened progressively last week, on the Istana grounds. From today to LOH CHEE KONG Associate Editor issued a statement: “We will always statements from the PMO said, and a Sunday, condolence books and cards remember his sound guidance, his con- inal update on his deterioration which will be placed at the Istana’s main gate r Lee Kuan Yew, Singapore’s stant questioning, and his fatherly care arrived on Sunday afternoon said his for the public to pen their tributes to visionary founding Prime for Singapore and for all of us. Let us condition had “weakened further”. At Mr Lee. Condolence books will also be MMinister and architect of the dedicate ourselves to Singapore and 4:05am today, the announcement that opened at all overseas missions. country’s rise from a ledgling island Singaporeans, in the way that Mr Lee Singapore had been bracing itself for Mr Lee’s body will lie in state at nation expelled from Malaysia to one showed us.” and dreading for more than a month Parliament House from Wednesday to envied worldwide for its rapid economic Mr Lee’s last public appearance was was made. Saturday, for the public to pay their re- progress, far-sighted political leader- on Nov 7 last year, at the 60th anniver- The Republic now enters a seven- spects. A State Funeral Service will be ship and all-round eiciency, died this sary celebrations of the People’s Action day period of national mourning - from held at 2 pm on Sunday at the National morning. Party’s (PAP) — which he founded in today to Sunday - for its founding leader, University of Singapore’s University He was 91. 1954 — held at Victoria Memorial Hall. a man who inspired awe and was re- Cultural Centre. Mr Lee’s death came a few months PAP chairman Khaw Boon Wan garded as an intimidating presence at Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, shy of the 50th anniversary of the Re- said in a statement that Mr Lee had the start of his tenure as Prime Minis- the eldest of Mr Lee Kuan Yew’s three public’s independence on Aug 9. devoted his whole life to Singapore. Mr ter in 1959, but who later became syn- children, addressed the nation this In a brief statement announcing Khaw said: “Millions of Singaporeans onymous with Singapore’s success and morning via live television. his death, the Prime Minister’s Oice have improved their lives because of his was widely viewed with respect and With his voice choking with emotion (PMO) said Mr Lee, whose health had dedication and sacriice. As we mourn admiration — even if it was grudging at times, he spoke in English, Mandarin been deteriorating over the past two his passing, let’s also re-dedicate our- in some quarters. and Malay. In his English speech, he years, died peacefully at the Singapore selves to building on his legacy, for the As a mark of respect to Mr Lee, State said: “The irst of our founding fathers General Hospital at 3.18 this morning. Party and for Singapore. lags on all Government buildings will CONTINUED ON PAGE 4 REMEMBERING LEE KUAN YEW 4 persuasion. The merits of his arguments were always discussed, sometimes de- bated, but the astute observer always arrived at the same conclusion —that Mr Lee never stopped thinking about the challenges facing this country. As he put it himself memorably: “Even from my sick bed, even if you are going to lower me into the grave and I feel something is going wrong, I will get up.” His visionary leadership drew praise from all over the world, and the success of Singapore gave it a relevance and weight in global afairs that few small states ever achieve. Former US Presi- dent Bill Clinton, for example, called him “one of the wisest, most knowl- edgeable, most efective leader in any part of the world for the last 50 years”. Other world leaders were similarly efusive in their praise, and many, in- cluding heavyweights such as China’s Deng Xiaoping and Britain’s Margaret Thatcher, eagerly sought his views as they themselves sought to transform their countries. To be sure, Mr Lee had his share of detractors. He went after what he deemed political “duds” with a venge- ance, resorting sometimes to surpris- ingly sharp language: He once de- scribed how he carried a igurative hatchet in his bag, a weapon he would CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2 experience, knowledge, ideas and life Mr Lee Kuan Yew ing him to formulate the US’ policy of use against “troublemakers”. is no more. He inspired us, gave us cour- with us. He was my leader, mentor, in- of People’s Action rebalancing to the Asia Paciic. “(Mr His use of lawsuits against political age, kept us together, and brought us spiration, the man I looked up to most. Party (PAP) Lee’s) views and insights on Asian dy- opponents and Western media outlets here. He fought for our independence, He made me a proud Singaporean. speaking at namics and economic management which were accused of meddling in built a nation where there was none, and Now he is gone. I mourn but he lives the rally for were respected by many around the Singapore politics drew much criti- made us proud to be Singaporeans. We on in my heart. On behalf of Marine Singapore General world, and no small number of this and cism, as did his iron grip on the local won’t see another like him.” Parade residents, I ofer our profound Election 1972 at past generations of world leaders have press — he insisted at the outset that He added: “I am grieved beyond condolences to PM Lee Hsien Loong Fullerton Square. sought his advice on governance and there was no “Fourth Estate” role for words at the passing of Mr Lee Kuan and his family.” PHOTO: MINISTRY OF development,” he added. it, and that its business was as a nation- Yew. I know that we all feel the same President Tony Tan said: “Mary and INFORMATION AND THE Obituaries also appeared on the building entity. ARTS COLLECTION, way. But even as we mourn his pass- I are deeply saddened by the passing of COURTESY OF NATIONAL websites of international media, includ- Mr Lee also waded into areas citi- ing, let us also honour his spirit. Let Mr Lee Kuan Yew. We extend our deep- ARCHIVES OF SINGAPORE ing The New York Times, The Financial zens deemed private, such as his ven- us dedicate ourselves as one people to est condolences to his children Mr Lee Times, The Economist, the BBC and tures into social engineering via the build on his foundations, strive for his Hsien Loong, Ms Lee Wei Ling and Mr the South China Morning Post. Graduate Mothers’ Scheme or the ideals, and keep Singapore exceptional Lee Hsien Yang, and their families.” The outpouring of grief relected Speak Mandarin And Not Dialects and successful for many years to come. In his three-page condolence letter the stature of a man who led a team of campaign, and drew lak as a result. May Mr Lee Kuan Yew rest in peace.” to the Prime Minister, Dr Tan paid trib- able and equally visionary leaders and Policies such as the banning of chew- Across a grieving nation, which had ute to Mr Lee’s achievements, such as oversaw Singapore’s rise by formulat- ing gum, meanwhile, drew a mix of been bracing itself for bad news since how he rallied Singaporeans together ing policies aimed at overcoming the criticism and ridicule internationally. it was announced a little more than after forced separation from Malaysia myriad challenges faced by a tiny na- He remained unapologetic, however, a month ago that Mr Lee had been in 1965. “Many doubted if Singapore tion set amid what he described at the insisting that whatever he did was in the warded and subsequently put on a could have survived as a nation but Mr outset as a “volatile region”. better interests of Singapore. He stood mechanical ventilator, grief gave way Lee rallied our people together and led His ideas spanned the gamut, from by his belief, which he explained starkly slowly to tributes for a man regarded his cabinet colleagues to successfully Singapore’s place in the larger world, in an interview published by National as a modern-day titan, not just in Sin- build up our armed forces, develop our the defence of an island just 50km Geographic magazine in 2010, that to be gapore, but in much of the world.