Mps Hail Mr Lee's 60 Years in House

MASAGOS CHIA INDRANEE CHRISTOPHER MPs’ ZULKIFLI YONG YONG RAJAH DE SOUZA TRIBUTES MR LEE I WOULD NOT HE CARED THANK YOU, SAFEGUARDED BE WHAT I AM DEEPLY FOR MR LEE, TO MINORITIES’ TODAY IF SINGAPOREANS FOR YOUR MR LEE SELF-ESTEEM NOT FOR HIM AND SINGAPORE ENCOURAGEMENT

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FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2015 MPs hail Mr Lee’s 60 years in House Longest-serving MP had served Tanjong Pagar since 1955, became founding PM, and shaped today’s Singapore

At yesterday’s special sitting of Parliament to pay tribute to Mr Lee Kuan Yew, a spray of white flowers occupied his chair (left). The simple, 110-minute session ended with a minute of silence. PHOTOS: MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION

By CHUA MUI HOONG Yesterday, the House that Mr ber for Tanjong Pagar in 1955. Mr Lee over the decades. ter a state funeral. OPINION EDITOR Lee served for 60 years gave him He led the People’s Action Par- Leader of the House Ng Eng INSIDE Ms Indranee said Singaporeans a fitting farewell, with a special ty to victory and self-government Hen highlighted one milestone – responded thus because they AN EMPTY chair with a small 110-minute sitting both understat- in 1959. He went on to lead Singa- Mr Lee’s call to Singaporeans to knew that all of Mr Lee’s actions spray of white flowers was a ed and simple. Most male MPs pore for 31 years till 1990 as adapt to the reality of the British sprang from his deep care for Sin- poignant reminder of a vast gap in wore white shirts and dark ties Prime Minister, and remained in military withdrawal in 1968, tak- gaporeans. She said that was Mr Parliament House yesterday. with black ribbons; the women Cabinet until 2011. He was still ing away one-fifth of Singapore’s Lee’s legacy: “a people united; a Mr Lee Kuan Yew’s seat in the came in dark dresses and jackets, representing Tanjong Pagar when GDP: “Adapt and adjust, without people with heart; a nation strong front row, fourth from the corner, white roses on their chests. he died on Monday, aged 91, the any whimpering or wringing of and free”. opposite the Front Bench, was In the public galleries were longest-serving MP. hands.” He added that “the world The most emotional tribute empty. former MPs, unionists, civil serv- Madam Halimah highlighted re- does not owe us a living and ... we came from someone who never He will never sit there again. ants, students and members of marks he made in 1999, when cannot live by the begging bowl”. met Mr Lee. When former deputy prime the Lee family. MPs moved from the old Parlia- That hard-headed approach Nominated MP Chia Yong minister Wong Kan Seng came in The 11 MPs who spoke record- ment House to the current build- would extend to debates on bilin- Yong, who uses a wheelchair, said and was confronted with the ed the nation’s thanks for Mr ing. Noting that Parliament was gualism, the judiciary, ministerial that if she had been born any- sight, he took his seat next to it Lee’s contributions and highlight- an arena for the contest of ideas salaries and race, among others. where else in Asia, “as a girl with and dabbed his eyes discreetly. He ed his role in leading Singapore on policies, he said: “In this Cham- Mr Low Thia Khiang of the a disability coming from a poor later described the day as one of from mudflats to metropolis and ber, we are playing for keeps. The Workers’ Party credited Mr Lee’s í UP TO 8-HOUR WAIT TO GET family with no connections, I the saddest of his life. in building a multiracial society. future of Singapore and its “outstanding wisdom and cour- INTO PARLIAMENT HOUSE: A2-3 would not have been able to go to Mr Goh Chok Tong, whose seat Speaker Halimah Yacob kicked people… is not a question for age” in promoting Singapore to school, enter a profession and is on the other side of Mr Lee’s, off the proceedings, recounting light-hearted banter.” the world, and winning the re- í MORE REPORTS AND PICTURES: serve the community today”. kept looking left. “But he was not how Mr Lee entered the colonial Matters of life and death, of spect of major powers. A4-19 In words that drew hearty there,” he said later. Legislative Assembly as the Mem- policy and politics, were raised by But his remark that “many Sin- thumps of approval in the House, gaporeans were sacrificed during and will resonate with many more the process of nation-building special treatment for minorities. outside it, Ms Chia said: “Son of and policymaking” drew a swift re- Mr Vikram Nair quoted lines Singapore. Father of Singapore. Germanwings co-pilot ‘deliberately crashed plane’ buttal from Ms Indranee Rajah from a poem in Tamil that praised Pardon my inability to craft a trib- 112 PAGES IN FIVE PARTS that the sacrifice required was to Mr Lee for treating all races equal- ute worthy of you. Words fail me. TO SUBSCRIBE: 6388-3838 THE co-pilot of the refused to reopen the door and “set aside divisions and animosity ly, and for making Tamil one of “And today, all that I can say www.sphsubscription.com.sg Germanwings plane that crashed operated a control that sent the in the interest of national unity”. the four official languages. to you, my first Prime Minister, is 90 cents in the French Alps, killing all 150 plane into its fatal descent on Mr Masagos Zulkifli said in Ma- Several MPs also alluded to the what I never had the opportunity people aboard, appears to have Tuesday, the prosecutor from the lay that Mr Lee’s most precious way Singaporeans had queued for to tell you in person: Thank you, brought the A-320 Airbus down city of Marseille said. The legacy is “a harmonious, multira- hours in the sun, or overnight, Mr Lee.” A Singapore Press Holdings deliberately, a French prosecutor prosecutor said Lubitz was not cial society”. The Malay communi- without complaint, to wait their MPs then stood to observe a publication said yesterday. known to be a terrorist and there ty in Singapore, he said, was turn to pay respects to Mr Lee. minute of silence, before filing German Andreas Lubitz, 28, were no grounds to consider the proud that it could compete and His body lies in state in the lob- out in groups to pay homage to MCI (P) 032/02/2015 ## left in control of the Airbus after crash to be a terrorist incident. excel in education and employ- by of Parliament House until Sun- the man who started it all. the captain left the cockpit, í TOP OF THE NEWS A20 ment on an equal footing, without day when he will be cremated af- [email protected] A2 FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2015 FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2015 A3

LYING IN STATE 1923 - 2015

STABLE AND PROSPEROUS Turnout exceeded our “Before the time of the People’s Action Party (PAP), my father had been bedridden More organised, expectations: Khaw since I was 11. There was very little financial aid for us, and we all suffered because of it. THE crowds that turned up in the found that we were wrong. And Now, my job relies on tens of thousands to bid Mr Lee now even with 24 hours, we are people having stable finances, Kuan Yew a final goodbye were afraid that we will not be able to and the fact that the job is but more people far bigger than expected, said fully fulfil the wishes of Singapore- doing well means that the National Development Minister ans. But we will do our best.” country is doing well, Khaw Boon Wan yesterday. What was reassuring was that something that we owe to Mr set up. Work continued through About 147,800 people have despite the long wait, people were Lee. I think that Mr Lee has Wait more pleasant with new queue the afternoon to set up more tents. paid their last respects to Mr Lee calm, Mr Khaw said. helped our little red dot to Engineer Elvin Foo, 33, who at Parliament House in the last “People are sad, yes, but there glow like a sun.” system, but delay is as long as before works in the area, said he had in- two days, with people waiting in isn’t this fear or worry that the tended to join the queue on Wednes- long queues round the clock. great man has passed on and Sin- – Mr Low Kim Suan, 67, a By RACHEL AU-YONG, However, those in the crowd day with his colleagues. “The queue “When we planned this one gapore will collapse,” he said. financial consultant at NTUC Income, recalling the lack of MIRANDA YEO and WALTER SIM said the wait was made more was all over the place,” he said. week of national mourning, we of “That shows the great achieve- social assistance before Mr Lee pleasant than the day before “It’s much better today, with one course expected a tremendous out- ment of this man. He made sure and the PAP came to power thanks to better organisation, shel- place to join the queue.” pouring of emotions. But the reali- that a post-Lee Kuan Yew society A NEW queue system put in place ter, clear instructions from ushers Mrs Suzie Laing, 57, a real es- ty exceeded our expectations,” will continue to be sustainable yesterday for people to pay their and refreshments handed out tate agent, said: “Today’s queues Mr Khaw said at a tribute to Mr and continue to be successful.” GOLDEN HANDSHAKE last respects to the late Mr Lee along the way by well-wishers. are more organised.” Lee held by People’s Action Party People have until 8pm tomor- Kuan Yew shortened waiting For the first day of the ly- By 4pm, an unrelenting stream activists last night. row to pay homage to Mr Lee who “Twenty years back, Mr Lee times in the morning, but could ing-in-state, Wednesday, queues of citizens extended round War “We thought we would just is lying in state. visited the Yishun area, and he not hold back the unceasing had extended around the city dis- Memorial Park and through the close at 8pm. But very quickly, we FIONA CHAN shook hands with my crowd by nightfall. trict and waiting times were as City Hall underpass, then filed daughter. I told her, don’t Early birds who began lining up long as eight hours. After times to through the new lines at the Pa- wash your hands, Lee Kuan in the morning to get to Parliament pay respects were extended first dang, until at last they reached Yew’s handshake will bring House, where Mr Lee is lying in to midnight, then to 24 hours, peo- Parliament House. Good Samari- you good fortune.” state, did so in 45 minutes. But by ple continued to arrive all night. tans – companies and individuals – Mr Teo Hock, 60, a coffee shop 11pm, an official announcement said But at 7am yesterday, a new alike– made the waiting easier by worker, recalling his excitement the wait would take seven hours. system for the queues took effect. giving out refreshments and upon meeting Mr Lee in person However, such was the sheer hand-fans. Temasek Holdings for the first time volume of numbers that ushers on loaned out 30,000 umbrellas. the ground said the reality was an Members of the public may Housewife Joelle Lu, 31, mean- eight-hour wait. This put the pay their respects to the while, who arrived in the late FROM KAMPUNG TO FLAT queue time back to what it was late Mr Lee Kuan Yew all morning, was grateful for the rela- “I remember that Mr Lee came the day before, on the first day of day today, overnight and tively shorter priority queue that to Yishun Kampung back in public mourning. until 8pm tomorrow. she could enter with her twin sons, 1966. I was five years old The number of visitors over aged 18 months. She said: “The then. When he laughed and the two days, as of 11pm yester- line to pay respects to Mr Goh smiled, we felt compelled to day, was 147,791. State funeral organisers designat- Keng Swee (former Deputy Prime do the same. It was very Yesterday, even those in the ed the Padang as the sole entrance Minister and finance minister who addictive. To me, he felt like a “priority” queue – for the elderly for the queue, whereas before, died in 2010) was already a citizen just like us, not a very with their families, and those haphazard lines caused confusion two-hour wait – no doubt Mr high-and-mighty leader like with children or special needs – about where to join the queue. Lee’s would be longer. I’m glad the heads of other countries. were told by ushers the wait Yesterday, there were ushers they announced this queue, so that The first person to get a would be at least seven hours. who walked the length of thelines mothers can still pay their respects flat in our family was our And as day turned to night, the holding signs, directing those to Mr Lee without putting the chil- maternal grandmother. It was priority queue began restricting aged above 60, the infirm and dren through too much stress.” (Left) The priority queue. (Above) The normal queue in the Padang, with shade a Toa Payoh flat, much bigger entry for the elderly to those ac- those pregnant or with children to Inside Parliament House, ush- tents. (Left, below) People paying their respects to Mr Lee. PHOTOS: MARK than what we had in the companied by only one adult – as “keep to the right” for priority ers repeatedly urged crowds not to CHEONG, KEVIN LIM, NEO XIAOBIN (SHOT FROM SWISSOTEL THE STAMFORD) kampung, and so much more at least one family of three found lines. While there was a priority stop, and “to pay your respects as comfortable.” out to their dismay and told The line the day before, not many had you move”. One elderly Indian – Madam Peh Geok Choo, Straits Times about it. known about it until news reports woman, however, paused to stoop an office cleaner Secretary Lily Wong, 60, like surfaced. The ushers shepherded and touch the ground near Mr many others, left the priority queue the rest towards the Padang, Lee’s casket. With tears running Crowds queue overnight on hearing of the longer delay. “I’m where the normal queue begun. down her cheeks, she then brought PASSPORT THAT not dressed to go to work tomor- The Singapore Armed Forces her fingertips to her eyes – a move ALWAYS IMPRESSES row,” she said. (SAF) had worked through the that signifies respect, according to to pay their last respects An usher advised people to go night to put up barricades and customary Indian practice. “When I travel overseas and to community clubs to pay their re- shade tents there. By 6.45am yes- [email protected] By CHARISSA YONG I miss this opportunity.” immigration officers see the spects, or “come back around 3am terday, barricades marking out [email protected] The lying in state ends at 8pm red passport I hand them, they when the air is more cooling”. clear paths and 102 tents had been [email protected] ON ANY other week, the streets tomorrow. always look very impressed or of the Central Business District The estimated waiting time as in awe. I think that if not for would have been empty after mid- of 12.30am yesterday was about Mr Lee being here, we would night. three hours, but this shortened to not be able to get a reaction But in the early hours yester- one or two hours by 2am. like this.” day morning, it was abuzz with At Hong Lim Park, politicians, – Madam Alice Foo, 51, a hawker thousands of people making the including Minister in the Prime most of the extended 24-hour Minister’s Office Grace Fu and entry into Parliament House to Manpower Minister Tan Chuan- WOOING FOREIGN FIRMS pay their last respects to Mr Lee Jin, chatted separately with those Kuan Yew. waiting in line. “(Foreign) investors do not Already, from morning until Over at the Padang, as 4am come in easily, they need to be midnight on Wednesday, a total approached, students in uniform convinced... Mr Lee managed of 59,420 visitors had passed joined the line on the perimeter, to do that, and get them to through. while on the Padang field itself, stay in the country. As night became day, the squads of military personnel Even now, all the big stream of people joining the desig- worked tirelessly to set up crowd countries say they have nated lines stretching for kilome- control barriers in preparation for missed a great friend. They tres around the Padang or at Hong the day ahead. understand how great a person Lim Park never let up. Primary school pupils were he was.” At 1am, the crowd was mostly accompanied by parents in office – Mr Peter Goh, 66, who says he younger people arriving after attire. would not have got his job at work. Several senior citizens also Organisers had announced that Japanese company Murata Electronics if not for Mr Lee’s gamely waited in line with their queueing would start at the Pa- efforts in attracting foreign families, rather than joining the dang from 7am yesterday, and investors to Singapore priority pioneer queue. just before 5.30am, crowds were One mourner, Mr Veerakan directed there. Aran, 45, who works in estate By then, barriers topped with A CARING PERSON management, came at night as he black tents – to provide shelter – was unable to get time off in the had been set up in a zig-zag forma- “I met Mr Lee during his day. “To see Mr Lee, going a day tion for queueing. pre-election campaigns in without sleep should be fine. He And another day of mourning Hougang. This was before he was a great leader and I’m not began anew. became Prime Minister, before going to be able to see him again if [email protected] 1959. I was drawing water from a well at that time. He stopped to ask me if that water was clean enough to drink. That proved to me immediately that he was a very caring person, and that he was able to interact easily with the people he met.” – Madam Irene Tay, 66, a former businesswoman, on her experience speaking to Mr Lee when she was a pupil at Xin Min Primary School

A FIRM HAND “He was always very friendly to Singaporeans... Yes, he was straight-talking but he needed to be firm in order to get things done. I can still remember when he cried on national TV when we separated from Malaysia. I’ve always respected him for that. He contributed to our lives in such meaningful ways. Without his leadership, we wouldn’t be living so comfortably in our Housing Board flats today. We probably also wouldn’t have clean water or accessible transport.” – Madam Ho Chow Toh, 83, who (From left) After waiting patiently in line for their moment in front of Mr Lee’s casket, people said their goodbyes to him in personal ways. Among the thousands who queued alone at the Padang from filed past yesterday were those who wept, knelt, waved, saluted and bowed. ST PHOTOS: ONG WEE JIN, MARK CHEONG 3pm to 7pm A4 FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2015 FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2015 A5

THE STATE FUNERAL 1923 - 2015

WHO IS COMING State funeral service route Bill Clinton will The route starts at Parliament House and ends at the University Cultural Centre

STAMFORD ROAD Parliament House St Andrew’s Cathedral The cortege will COMMONWEALTH COMMONWEALTH leave Parliament AVENUE WEST AVENUE Fort House at 12.30pm lead US delegation Canning NORTH BRIDGE OAD on Sunday R MALAYSIA Park ROAD ’S W E V Malaysian King, Sultan Abdul I RE R added. PARLIAMENT D Halim Mu’adzam Shah, who sent Former US leader CLEMENTI T PLACE AND Padang Other global figures who have condolences on Monday, will T H ROAD S confirmed their attendance in- attend the funeral service on UG will be joined by KENT A Esplanade - clude Indian Prime Minister Sunday. RIDGE NORTH Theatres On ONN Narendra Modi, Prime Minister CRESCENT BUONA VISTA C The Bay Queenstown Esplanade past and current Tony Abbott of Australia, Indone- ESPLANADE DRIVE ROAD Park sian President Joko Widodo, Estate Parliament envoys, Kissinger South Korean President Park Ge- House City Hall and un Hye, Cambodian Prime Minis- QUEENSWAY The Padang ter Hun Sen, Myanmar President EU TONGNEW SEN BRIDGE STREET ROAD Marina By RAVI VELLOOR The Arts House at ASSOCIATE EDITOR Thein Sein, Thai Prime Minister PORTSDOWN Reservoir Prayut Chan-ocha and Prime Min- AVENUE The Old Parliament STAMFORD SINGAPORE’S closest friends and ister Thongsing Thammavong of AYER RAJAH ROAD Laos. allies are gathering to mourn the INDONESIA Singapore loss of Mr Lee Kuan Yew, in a re- Japan’s Prime Minister, Mr The President Joko Widodo will River CavenaghSingapore RiverFullerton markable tribute to a man who Shinzo Abe, is trying to juggle his arrive on Sunday for the state Bukit Merah Bridge Hotel stepped down from national lead- legislative agenda to travel to Sin- funeral, Indonesia’s Cabinet EXPRESSWAY One University Cultural Estate ership almost a quarter of a centu- gapore, officials in Tokyo said. Secretary Andi Widjajanto told Fullerton Centre, National ry ago. Across the world, leaders con- reporters on Monday. J A University Of Singapore L A N CHULIA United States President Barack tinued to mourn Mr Lee’s passing. B U Parliament STREETK I Obama, who spoke with Prime Germany, one of the first 13 A state funeral service for T M Raffles CANTONMENT House Marina UNITED STATES E R Place Barrage Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Tues- countries to recognise Singapore’s Mr Lee Kuan Yew will be A FULLERTON ROAD Former US president Bill Clinton H ROAD day, reached out to his Democrat- independence, yesterday de- held here at 2pm station and US Vice-President Joe Biden signing the condolence book at the Singapore will lead a high-level delegation NEW BRIDGE ic Party’s eminence grise, former Embassy in Washington yesterday. He wrote that he had met many world leaders scribed Mr Lee as a “remarkable Gardens to Singapore which will include ROAD president Bill Clinton, to lead the but few possessed the insight and wisdom of Mr Lee. ST PHOTO: JEREMY AU YONG historical figure” as President Tanjong By The US Ambassador to Singapore ALEXANDRA RAFFLES QUAY US presidential delegation for Joachim Gauck and Chancellor Pagar Bay Kirk Wagar, former US ROAD Sunday’s funeral service for Mr Angela Merkel sent their condo- ambassador to Singapore Steven Lee. world leaders in my time in office ters, including Foreign Minister lences. SHENTON WAY Mr Clinton, who continues to but few possessed the insight and Anifah Aman. Among those who called PM Green and former US national KEPPEL ROAD be enormously popular in his coun- wisdom of (Mr Lee),” he wrote. Reports said Malaysia will be Lee over the past few days were security adviser Tom Donilon. try, will be accompanied by Dr One of his fondest and lasting represented at the funeral by its Mr Obama, Turkish President Re- Notable US statesman Henry Henry Kissinger, who was secre- memories was meeting Mr Lee in King, Tuanku Abdul Halim cep Tayyip Erdogan and United Kissinger, who had a close ST GRAPHICS tary of state to former president Singapore last year, he wrote. Mu’adzam Shah. Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki friendship with Mr Lee, will also Richard Nixon and had been a “We discussed the relative posi- Also here for the funeral is Is- Moon. make the trip. longstanding friend of Mr Lee’s tion and prospect of India, China, raeli President Reuven Rivlin, who In Beijing, President Xi Jinping, since they first met at Harvard Russia and the United States – the told reporters before his depar- Premier Li Keqiang and Commu- University in 1967. breadth and depth of his under- ture that he was travelling with “a nist Party and government leaders Also in the official US delega- standing impressed me. sense of respect” for the people of sent wreaths yesterday to the Sin- Procession to pass landmarks, heartland tion are former national security “My only regret was that I did Singapore. gapore Embassy. INDIA adviser Tom Donilon, US Ambas- not have a full week just to ask “I am going to represent Israel In a rare move, four of the sev- India’s Prime Minister Narendra sador to Singapore Kirk Wagar him questions regarding world af- and its citizens not only to en members of the Politburo Modi has called Mr Lee a “lion will also pass City Hall, the Pa- died on Monday, will be held at in the following order: rasamy; and Mr Steven Green, a former fairs.” express condolences at the pass- Standing Committee – namely Mr among leaders”, as he led the Ten eulogies will be delivered dang, NTUC Centre and Singa- the UCC from 2pm to 5.15pm. í Mr Lee’s elder son, Prime Minis- í Tanjong Pagar community lead- American envoy to Singapore. More global leaders confirmed ing of the founder of Singapore, Xi, Mr Li, National People’s Con- tributes and condolences pore Conference Hall. Members of Mr Lee’s family, ter Lee Hsien Loong; er Leong Chun Loong; Vice-President Joe Biden yes- their attendance for Sunday’s fu- but also to express our apprecia- gress chief Zhang Dejiang and Ex- pouring in from all over India on at funeral service on Sunday The event will be telecast live President Tony Tan Keng Yam, í President Tony Tan Keng Yam; í Civil servant Cassandra Chew, terday signed the condolence neral, while Malaysian Prime Min- tion for his work as an important ecutive Vice-Premier Zhang Gaoli the demise of Singapore’s on TV and online at the website Cabinet ministers, representa- í Emeritus Senior Minister Goh a former journalist; and book for Mr Lee at the Singapore ister Najib Razak flew down to and valued leader,” Mr Rivlin – sent their condolences on Mon- founding prime minister. His www.rememberingleekuanyew.sg tives of the judiciary, Members of Chok Tong; í Mr Lee’s younger son, Mr Lee Embassy in Washington. pay his respects to Mr Lee at the said, referring to the founding day. An official spokesman said a government announced on AS A week of public mourning for the 15.4km route that the proces- The procession will start at Parliament, foreign leaders and í Former Cabinet minister Ong Hsien Yang. “What a wonderful legacy Mr wake yesterday. Prime Minister. senior leader from China will be at- Tuesday that he would be Mr Lee Kuan Yew comes to an sion will take from Parliament 12.30pm, according to details that Singaporeans from all walks of life Pang Boon; After the funeral service, the attending the funeral. Lee Kuan Yew left his beloved Mr Najib was accompanied by “Israel sees Singapore as a sig- tending the funeral service. end, his funeral procession on Sun- House to the University Cultural the state funeral organising will attend the funeral service. í Former Cabinet minister S. late Mr Lee will make his final country Singapore. I met scores of his wife and four Cabinet minis- nificant and important friend,” he [email protected] day will pass the heartland and Centre (UCC) at the National Uni- committee released online yester- Mr Peter Ong, who heads the Dhanabalan; journey to Mandai Crematorium. landmarks in the heart of the city, versity of Singapore, where the fu- day. Civil Service, will be the master of í Former senior minister of state The cremation service will be such as the Old Parliament House. neral service will be held. Following the procession, the ceremony at the service. Sidek Saniff; private. Members of the public can line Along the way, the procession funeral service for Mr Lee, who Ten eulogies will be delivered, í Trade unionist G. Muthukuma- CHARISSA YONG AUSTRALIA Australia’s Prime Minister Tony Abbott on Wednesday said in a statement that he would join other national leaders at the Some shops to funeral. “Sunday will be a day on which to celebrate Mr Lee’s many achievements, as well as to mourn his passing,” he close on Sunday added. in mark of respect

By JESSICA LIM CONSUMER CORRESPONDENT tions manager Veronica Lee said SOUTH KOREA the decision to shut was to give its The office of South Korean 500 staff members “a day for si- President Park Geun Hye SEVERAL businesses will close on lence and reflection”. confirmed on Monday that she Sunday as a mark of respect for Singapore Polytechnic senior will attend the state funeral, as former Prime Minister Lee Kuan retail lecturer Sarah Lim esti- Ms Park offered deep Yew, whose funeral will be held mates the closure will cost each condolences to Singaporeans that afternoon. department store more than over the death of Mr Lee, whom Others will drop their sales $200,000. she called a friend of South events and freeze operations from Shutting on Sunday will cost Koreans. 2pm – the time the service begins. King Kow, which has just one out- Department stores Tangs, let in Paragon, between $3,000 which has outlets in Vivocity and and $5,000. Its 10 employees will Orchard, and Met- head to Parlia- ro, with five ment House on THAILAND branches here, will Saturday night, Thailand’s Prime Minister Prayut close for all of Sun- where Mr Lee’s Chan-o-cha will be attending the day – their sec- CLOSED body is lying in ond-busiest day of state. state funeral. He said in an Shops that will be interview on Tuesday: “(Mr Lee) the week. “If we close on So will closed on Sunday Sunday, staff laid a concrete foundation for include: the development of every aspect Mothercare’s 14 don’t have to rush of Singapore, based on good outlets, accessory home – the queue í Tangs may be very Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, seen with his wife Ho Ching, bowing as Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak (centre) and his wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, pay governance and morality. He put chain Accessorize’s sev- í Metro long,” said compa- their respects to Mr Lee. Also present are (third from left) Malaysia’s Natural Resources and Environment Minister G. Palanivel, Foreign Minister Anifah Aman, public interest above self.” í Mothercare Transport Minister Liow Tiong Lai and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office Mah Siew Keong. ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM en outlets, two Is- ny spokesman Sal- land Shop bou- í Accessorize ly Maisarah, add- tiques, apparel í Island Shop ing that weekends store Cache í Cache Cache make up 60 per Cache’s two out- í King Kow cent of total week- One of the great men in history: Najib lets and children’s í Ya Kun Kaya Toast ly takings. “We clothes store King (from 2pm to 4pm) still have to pay (Above) Department Kow. rent. We lose mon- store Metro’s Centrepoint By RACHEL AU-YONG economy finding its own place in Office Mah Siew Keong. The 48-outlet ey, but we feel we branch and its four other the world. All Singaporeans owe Sheikh Hamed Bin Zayed Ya Kun Kaya Toast must close as a outlets will close on Sunday to give its 500 CALLING him a “great man”, Ma- him a debt of gratitude,” he told VISION AND LEADERSHIP Al-Nahyan, the United Arab will halt operations from 2pm to mark of respect for our founder.” laysian Prime Minister Najib Ra- reporters later. Emirates’ chairman of Crown MYANMAR 4pm, and three retailers in The The majority of businesses, employees “a day for silence and reflection”. zak yesterday thanked Mr Lee “Mr Lee Kuan Yew also was a He will go down as one Prince Court and the UAE Myanmar President Thein Sein Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands however, will remain open, includ- Kuan Yew for strengthening ties man who helped shape South- government’s representative, also will attend the funeral on have postponed their events, in- ing major retailer Courts and de- of the great men in Sunday. partment stores Robinsons and Ta- (Left) The national flag between Malaysia and Singapore. east Asia as a region of peace and paid his respects, as did cluding Cath Kidston’s is- flying at half-mast He also credited him with help- prosperity,” he added. history, whose vision Indonesia’s Parliament Speaker land-wide marketing campaign kashimaya. outside the Paragon ing to “shape South-east Asia as a “He will go down as one of the and leadership helped Setya Novanto, the head of the and the official store opening It is also business as usual at su- shopping mall in Orchard region of peace and prosperity”. great men in history, whose vision Regional Representatives Council ISRAEL event of Kate Spade New York. permarkets such as Sheng Siong Road. Datuk Seri Najib arrived at Par- and leadership helped make this make this world a better Irman Gusman, and several Indo- Israeli President Reuven Rivlin Ms Sherri Lim, Tangs’ and NTUC FairPrice. liament House around noon yes- world a better place, and I’d like place, and I'd like to nesian MPs. travelled on Wednesday to vice-president of store operations Malls contacted by The Straits PHOTOS: terday to pay his final respects to to thank him for strengthening Sultan Nazrin Shah of Perak Singapore to pay his respects to and human resources, said the de- Times said that no other tenants LIM YAOHUI FOR THE Singapore’s first Prime Minister, the bilateral ties between Malay- thank him for and Malaysian Defence Minister Mr Lee. “I am travelling with a cision to close is “a gesture of re- have informed them about shut- STRAITS TIMES, and to express his “heartfelt con- sia and Singapore.” strengthening the Hishammuddin Hussein signed sense of respect for the great spect”. ting on Sunday and the Singapore BLOOMBERG dolences”, and those of the Malay- Yesterday, Mr Najib was accom- the condolence book at the Singa- people of Singapore upon the Tangs has about 1,000 employ- Retailers Association is not aware sian government and people, on panied by his wife, Datin Seri Ros- bilateral ties between pore High Commission in Kuala death of a significant leader ees. Sunday sales contribute of other closures. his passing. mah Mansor, and four ministers – Malaysia and Singapore. Lumpur. Sultan Nazrin wrote: such as Lee Kuan Yew,” he said about 15 per cent of its weekly rev- Takashimaya said it decided to “Mr Lee Kuan Yew was a great Foreign Minister Anifah Aman, “Lee Kuan Yew was a leader of vi- in a statement before flying. enue. “The closure will also en- remain open because “we still man whose leadership, vision, for- Transport Minister Liow Tiong – Malaysian Prime Minister sion who founded and nurtured a “Israel sees Singapore as a able our staff to pay their final re- have tourists coming in and we titude and perseverance helped Lai, Natural Resources and Envi- Najib Razak country. The world has lost a significant and important spects to Mr Lee Kuan Yew,” she want to take care of our custom- shape modern Singapore into ronment Minister G. Palanivel and great statesman.” friend.” said. ers.” what it is today: an advanced Minister in the Prime Minister’s [email protected] Metro’s advertising and promo- [email protected] A6 FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2015 FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2015 A7

PARLIAMENT SITTING 1923 - 2015

By RACHEL CHANG tal overhaul of what Singaporeans ment delivered, said Dr Ng, who self-aggrandisement or personal with which so many other new na- history would judge him. Once, he ASSISTANT POLITICAL EDITOR were accustomed to”, Dr Ng, who throughout his speech quoted benefit, but for the benefit of Sin- tions try to impress themselves replied: “I’ll be dead by then.” is Defence Minister, recalled of from several parliamentary ad- gapore, she said. and their followers.” Mr Lee could “Mr Lee, we would like to tell Bilingual KEEPING promises is a strong Lee the country’s nascent years. dresses of Mr Lee’s to, he said, “People respected and fol- very well have been describing you that Singaporeans have decid- Emotional session Kuan Yew trait that forged the Mr Lee and his Government “capture the essence” of the most lowed him because of one very im- himself and his own life with that ed,” said Dr Ng. “Thousands up- bond he had with Singaporeans, chose to persuade Singaporeans electrifying presence the House portant element: trust,” she said. statement, said Madam Halimah. on thousands have lined the policy ‘our who trusted him through painful to do, again and again, what was has ever seen. Both Madam Halimah and Dr Former deputy prime minister streets. They queued for hours un- and disruptive policies. necessary but painful because, as Mr Lee always reminded his Ng spoke of Mr Lee’s distaste for Wong Kan Seng, voice choking der the hot sun to pay their re- In chaotic times and through the man himself declared in 1968, younger colleagues to “un- “froth over substance”, for “silver with emotion, recalled a Mr Lee spects here. They did so spontane- cultural tough measures that would pay “we are not an easy-going peo- der-promise and over-deliver”, tongues and sweet, empty promis- who, unlike what some think, ously (in) an outpouring of grati- as MPs laud off only later, his steel, clarity and ple”. A soft people would leave added Dr Ng. “Say less and do es” and for vanity structures. would listen, could be persuaded tude and admiration for what you confidence became theirs, said things be and hope for the best, more. What you promise, you In 1999, Mr Lee had said of the and respected his successors’ deci- have done for their lives.” Leader of the House Ng Eng Hen he said then. must deliver and more. Mr Lee new Parliament House’s modest- sions even when they differed He added: “They have pro- ballast’ in a stirring address yesterday at a But, he added, because “we walked his talk.” ness that “behind the understate- from his. “When many leaders of nounced the final judgment on special Parliament sitting to pay have restless minds, forever prob- In her opening remarks of trib- ment lies great strengths of charac- his time hung on to power, Mr Lee your life’s work. It is a great work By THAM YUEN-C the man who cared tribute to Mr Lee. ing and testing, seeking new and ute, Speaker of the House Hali- ter, integrity and determination”. was a firm believer and practition- that has surpassed all expecta- He died on Monday, aged 91. better solutions to old and new mah Yacob said Mr Lee was a “That is what will see Singa- er in self-renewal of leadership,” tions. It is called Singapore, and AS CHILDREN, Senior Minister of Trade unions were crushed, problems, we shall never be tried “conviction politician”. pore through, not the grand state- said Mr Wong. filled with Singaporeans who love State Masagos Zulkifli and his sib- work hours extended and conscrip- and found wanting”. People could see he did not ments and monuments in brick Leader of the House and Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen said Mr Lee always Dr Ng said Mr Lee never had and revere you.” lings were described as “Lee Kuan Some choke back tears as they speak of Mr Lee’s legacy tion entrenched in a “fundamen- And Mr Lee and his Govern- make decisions for his own and mortar or steel and concrete, reminded his younger colleagues to “under-promise and over-deliver”. the time for the question of how [email protected] Yew’s children” by an uncle in Ma- laysia. The uncle felt his younger relatives, who had remained in Singapore after separation from Malaysia in 1965, may be unfairly treated in a country with a Chi- nese majority, and had coined the phrase to tease them. Recalling this in Parliament yes- terday, Mr Masagos said in Malay: “Before he passed away...my un- cle still teased us as Lee Kuan Yew’s children. However, this time he added that he was proud and full of admiration because we were able to become professionals and could compete in the Lion City with the other races.” His story was among several re- counted by Members of Parlia- ment representing different eth- nic groups, as they lauded Mr Lee Kuan Yew for delivering on his vi- sion of a united society regardless of race, language or religion. Mr Masagos said at a special Parliament sitting to pay tribute to Singapore’s first Prime Minis- ter that such a society has allowed the Malay-Muslim community to practise its religion peacefully. It has also “safeguarded” the community’s self-esteem by prov- ing its members could attain suc- cess through their own merit, in- stead of through favouritism, he added, choking with emotion. Religious and world leaders he had met have expressed admira- tion for it, he said, adding: “This is the identity of Singapore Mus- lims that was built by Mr Lee.” Mr Christopher de Souza (Hol- land-Bukit Timah GRC) said Mr Lee’s conviction about multi-ra- cialism had been an “immense as- PM Lee Hsien Loong standing together with his family members as they watch as the Cabinet ministers pay their respects to Mr Lee after the special parliamentary session at the Parliament House yesterday. ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG A screen grab of the live telecast in Parliament yesterday showing Mr Lee’s family attending the special session as MPs paid tribute to their patriarch and founding Prime Minister. PHOTO: CHANNEL NEWS ASIA surance” to minority groups. The Eurasian community, de- spite being one of the smallest here, had “made their way in our nation, taking opportunities pre- ‘He cared deeply’ sented to them, on merit”. Low: S’pore’s This was also the case for Singa- porean Indians, who make up only “IN THE last week, we What is the essence of He cared deeply for 10 per cent of the population, said have seen a tremendous the man that inspires such Singaporeans and Mr Vikram Nair (Sembawang outpouring of love for Mr an overwhelming reaction? Singapore, and all his progress has GRC) in Tamil. Lee. Thousands – young, Some might say it’s his actions were driven by a He pointed out the Tamil lan- old, rich, poor, from all vision, his drive, his desire to make things better guage is one of Singapore’s offi- races, religions and all intellect. for them. Singapore was his cial languages, and that this was walks of life – came. First, But these alone would life’s work. come at a price provided for in the Constitution to wish him well and, then, not have been enough to And people know this. because of Mr Lee’s multiracial to say goodbye. generate this wellspring of So just as he was there and multilingual policies. I have been at Tanjong emotion. for us on that amazing By JANICE HENG “Only in this way can policy- Minister of State Sim Ann also Pagar Community Club The real secret of Mr Lee journey from Third World making avoid harming people and spoke about how Mr Lee had every day, the last five Kuan Yew’s enduring bond to First, Singaporeans have THE late Mr Lee Kuan Yew was creating resentment.” made sure each ethnic group stud- days. You have also seen with Singaporeans is that been here for him in the an extraordinary leader who guid- If resentment builds over time, ied its mother tongue language, the queues that have we all fundamentally last days of his life and now ed Singapore’s progress from its it could hurt national unity and on top of Singapore’s working lan- snaked around this understood that (this) for his final journey.” tumultuous beginnings, said oppo- cause citizens to feel estranged, guage: English. This policy of bi- Parliament. You have to be vision, drive and intellect - Senior Minister of State for sition leader Low Thia Khiang he added. lingualism had ensured Singapore there among the people to were all powered by one Law and Education Indranee (Aljunied GRC). But Mr Low also gave credit to could preserve its “cultural bal- understand. thing – he cared. Rajah (Tanjong Pagar GRC) He praised Mr Lee’s contribu- Mr Lee for being reasonable and last” while still creating a “com- tions to Singapore’s economic open-minded, saying: “From my mon space” to “unite all races”. progress and his success in unit- dealings with Mr Lee in Parlia- Adjusting to this had been pain- ing and building a multicultural ment, I don’t think he was an auto- ful for some, Ms Sim conceded, ‘He respected women’ Singapore. crat who didn’t listen. but bilingualism had laid the foun- “This is an achievement that is “If you had strong reasons and dation for harmonious communi- not possible without Mr Lee. My a tight argument and could win cation between all races, she said. “MR LEE never described successful women in many gender equality in society. deepest respect goes to founding him over through debate, I think “He has led us on the road to bi- himself as a feminist, yet fields. Women can walk on He believed that traditional Prime Minister, Mr Lee Kuan he would consider your views.” lingualism, in pursuit of unity as his policies made an our streets without fearing notions of male dominance Yew,” said Mr Low, who went on But the sitting’s final speaker, one people, the preservation of immense difference to for our personal safety, and men refusing to marry to add that, in the Ms Indranee Rajah our cultural ballast, and ease of in- women. enjoying a degree of their equals were outdated, process of na- (Tanjong Pagar teraction with the world.” Mr Lee had always freedom yet to be fully and must change with the tion-building, GRC), seemed to ob- [email protected] valued education, ensuring realised in many other times. “many Singaporeans ject to Mr Low’s that a good part of the societies. Without Mr Lee, the were sacrificed”. mention of sacri- national Budget went Mr Lee’s loving and women of Singapore would At a special Parlia- fice. ‘Always cared towards education even lasting union with Mrs Lee not have enjoyed so many ment sitting in mem- Without refer- when our country’s has set an excellent example gains in so short a time.” ory of Singapore’s ring directly to Mr resources were meagre. for many families. – Minister of State for first Prime Minister, Low, she said: “It for workers’ This helped many Mr Lee’s basic attitude Education and Mr Low commended was not people who women get educated and towards women was one of Communications and the late Mr Lee’s were sacrificed but “IN 2003, when Sars broke out, get jobs. We now see respect, and set the tone for Information Sim Ann fighting spirit, tenaci- the things which he knew that I was associated ty and sincerity, would have made us with the taxi associations, and which took Singa- a lesser people, a was the first one to send me an pore from Third Opposition leader Low lesser country than e-mail. He wanted to know what ‘Build on his legacy’ World to First. Thia Khiang commended we are today.” the association was doing to help But the People’s Mr Lee’s fighting spirit, “(Mr Lee) called the taxi drivers, and he said if we Action Party’s tenacity and sincerity. upon us to make sac- need his help, he would try his “SOME say that he was Singapore in an earlier era, international scene. one-party rule was rifices in accord- best to help. He said: “I can help ruthless, unforgiving, or if I were born in a similar Today, our lives have not key to this trans- ance with some very you to send a message to all the unrelenting. But the era but in another Asian improved, and Singaporeans formation, he said. basic principles: humanity, integri- taxi drivers.” So, we got a ty, thrift, welfare of the people.” children of his political foes country, I would not, being have a strong foundation Former Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng, voice choking with emotion, recalled a Mr Lee who, unlike what some think, would listen, and respected his successors’ decisions. PHOTO: MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION Many Singaporeans were sacri- message signed by him, and we had rights and opportunities a girl with a disability upon which to work hard, ficed in the process of develop- Singapore gave up “laziness, passed on this message to all the like any other children. coming from a poor family to make life better for ment, he added. “Society has paid corruption, division, hatred of oth- taxi drivers, telling them what They were able to enter with no connections, I ourselves and our children. the price for it.” er races”. they must pay attention to. professions, able to become would not have been able to He has completed his Mr Lee was thus a controver- “The other kind of sacrifice we So, we can see that he was very lawyers, doctors, public go to school, enter a sojourn with us. But his ‘Mr Lee was a mentor’ ‘He boosted ties with China’ sial figure in some people’s eyes, were asked to make, was to set concerned about workers’ welfare. servants – because, this is profession and serve the journey, and the journey said Mr Low, who is Workers’ Par- aside divisions and animosity in He often met the union leaders. Singapore. community today. that he and our forefathers ty secretary-general and the long- the interest of national unity,” He saw a greater purpose, Did he do well for Shortly after he took began, has not ended. That “MR LEE knew that I was it is tough. delegation, he would ask your personal “FOR many years he was the established Business China and country that he established, to est-serving opposition member in she said, adding that it was the which is to bring better jobs for Singapore? Look around us. office, he said he had the journey will continue. This the youngest MP in the I had the opportunity to over dinner or in the encouragement. Thank you, main driver for closer relations integrated the strengths from the continue his lifelong enterprise Parliament today. late Mr Lee who made the biggest Singapore workers, and better We can say what we will, lives of a few million people is our Singapore. And we 2006 batch. Although many travel with Mr Lee Kuan corridor or in his hotel Sir, for laying the between China and Singapore. various circles in politics, in so that it will reach greater Mr Lee crafted policies based sacrifice of all. lives for Singaporeans. The history shall be the judge. to account for. He said will build it, and we will do not know this, he would Yew and Mrs Lee to room: Are you learning? foundations of the He encouraged our enterprises to business and academia and heights... Singapore under the on the situation at the time, mak- She quoted Mr Lee’s own Industrial Relations Bill and the History will judge those Singapore would survive. protect it.” encourage me whenever the Indonesia and then to India, How have you learnt? Singapore we have today.” go to China and the region to promoted the economic and guidance of his spirit will ing rational choices in the inter- words about his sacrifice: “At the Employment Bill in 1968, he was who act, and history will By any measure, – Nominated MP Chia Yong opportunity arose and on official visits there. In What have you learnt? He - Mr Christopher de Souza invest, to widen the space for cultural bi-directional continue to develop.” ests of the country. end of the day, what have I got? A the main driver behind them.” judge those who only speak. Singapore has more than Yong, a wheelchair-user, on remind (us) that what we between the official was a mentor, and he (Holland-Bukit Timah GRC), 39, our businesses. cooperation between the two – Nominated MP Thomas Chua, Yet policymaking should not successful Singapore. What have I – Mr Seng Han Thong (Ang Mo Kio As for me, I am convinced survived. Today, we are a how people here can do well, do as MPs is worthwhile meetings and calls, when it encouraged. on how Mr Lee played a In order to seize the business countries... We remember him president of the Singapore Chinese just be rational, but also humane given up? My life.” GRC) on Mr Lee Kuan Yew’s concern that if I were born in reckoned player in the regardless of their background and lasting even though was just the Singapore Thank you, Mr Lee, for mentoring role to younger MPs opportunities in China, Mr Lee best by developing further the Chamber of Commerce and Industry and compassionate, said Mr Low. [email protected] for workers A8 FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2015 GG FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2015 GG A9

IN HIS OWN WORDS 1923 - 2015

When Parliament convened yesterday to pay homage to its longest-serving member, speaker after speaker referred to the Maintaining confidence in Singapore’s continued stability major speeches that Mr Lee Kuan Yew had made in the House at key moments in the nation’s history. Perhaps the Parliament’s which will assure local investors SEPT 8, 1967 and overseas investors of the most electrifying presence ever, he pulled no punches and spoke certainty of their planning with clarity and conviction on the challenges facing Singapore assumptions for the WITHDRAWAL establishment and expansion of at various stages of its evolution. Here are edited excerpts their industries. OF BRITISH Second, the capacity of our from 10 significant speeches he delivered in the House over population to adapt and to his 60 years as MP for Tanjong Pagar. adjust, without any whimpering TROOPS or wringing of hands, as a way of life to which they have been accustomed for over 30 years The People’s Action Party had just swept the 1959 Legislative Assembly General In 1967, the British announced that comes to an end. they would be withdrawing their JULY 21, 1959 Election, winning 43 out of 51 seats. It was the first time the PAP, which up till The least of the changes then was an opposition party, had come to power. Mr Lee Kuan Yew was 35 military presence from bases all over Asia, including Singapore. The British contemplated means that years old when he delivered his first speech in the Legislative Assembly as Prime dockyard workers, working on Minister, attacking those who stood against the PAP and even the civil servants bases in Singapore, built from the SURVIVAL opposed to its policy changes. He also assured voters that the PAP stood with the 1930s, contributed as much as 20 per naval vessels for naval masses and that party leaders remained dedicated to the service of Singapore. cent of Singapore’s economy at the commanders, who are not time. In his speech to the House, concerned with the time a vessel Mr Lee Kuan Yew laid out the difficult is out of service whilst options on the table. undergoing repairs, have now to Vow to cleanse the system adjust their attitudes to work and adapt their methods of work, and IT IS a problem of also the manner in which they of the evils of the past considerable magnitude and may be rewarded for work, to “complexity. Put simply, it meet the needs of shipowners is this: what to do with this vast who want their vessels repaired MR SPEAKER, Sir, may I contrast which will throw up the of the people without deviating military complex, one naval base in as little a time as possible, as say that the PAP virtues of the PAP into for opportunist reasons. and a dockyard, three military every hour in repair means vast “Government had put its magnificence. This will be an era which will airfields, and a vast army sums of money in loss of earnings. cards on the table before it But if we fail, let me tell them light up the dark pages of the complex of workshops, supply A farewell parade on Oct 29, 1971 at Kangaw Barracks in Sembawang, where the Union Jack came down in Singapore for At the worst, it means being assumed office. We did it over that this is not a constitutional history of Singapore, post 1945. depots and other supporting the last time, marking the end of British military command here. ST FILE PHOTO three months of campaigning position of Tweedledum and If we succeed, as we intend to, services. able, sometimes at a very beginning from the famous day Tweedledee, Democrats and in building a climate not only of For whilst we will inherit all difficult age of life for the people of 15th February at Hong Lim. Republicans in America, or Tories national solidarity but a climate the fixtures which have been comprise some half a million assist in meeting economic Singapore depends upon our in their middle 40s and above, to It was there the Deputy Prime and Labour in Britain. in which the ordinary people built over the years on lands persons; three-quarters of them problems which the run-down of capacity to maintain orderly and make the painful change of Minister said things and set off a If we fail, and we are unable begin to believe that institutions made available by the Singapore are now our citizens. their bases, according to stable economic and social earning a living in a different way chain reaction which finally to make the system work, it is of government in the country are Government to the British armed Both in their public statements programme, will cause. conditions as we go through the – from being a storekeeper or a ended with the routing of the not they who are going to come run by people who are loved and services, we will also inherit and in discussions and They have stated that they pangs of withdrawal of British clerk to a skilled, semi-skilled or rogues and scallywags that used back. revered because they are working more than 40,000 bread-winners communications between British would be ready to consider with base expenditure. The success of even a manual worker. to haunt this Chamber. They will be fleeing for their for the mass of the people, then and their families who have come ministers and ourselves, they us the most effective and this operation depends upon The third factor is whether the We have placed before the lives, because behind us there is we will have done a service, not to Singapore from India, have made it plain that they productive uses of the economic three factors. economic aid that we have been people the mandate that we no other alternative which is only to ourselves, our party and West Malaysia, and from places shared our interests in and technical resources they First, our ability to maintain promised will be substantial sought of them. We did not try prepared to work the democratic our movement, but we will also as far off as Hong Kong and maintaining confidence in the could provide. that climate of quiet confidence enough and utilised intelligently to deceive anyone. system. have done a service to the Weihaiwei. continued stability and prosperity Mr Speaker, however and the establishment of labour enough to create the maximum We know exactly what is And therefore, in the last democratic socialist movement. With their families, they now of Singapore and were anxious to significant the aid, the future of attitudes and social conditions number of jobs.” expected of us because we have analysis, if we fail, then brute Until the advent of the PAP, made these promises. Unlike the force returns. no group proclaiming the previous government, we gave no I am sure no one in this House democratic socialist cause ever hostages to fortune. nor anyone in the country would struck roots in the mass of the Plainly and simply, we took want this to happen. And people. Make the right decisions, even if they are unpopular the stand which we knew was therefore, I say to all those who Let me say, Mr Speaker, Sir, necessary and in the interest of wish us ill, that if we fail, woe judge us not in the next five the survival of the democratic betide them. years by the standards of the British left-wing minister who The problem is really so state in order, first, to cleanse But to those who wish us well, British House of Commons and FEB 23, 1977 started the free health service simple, yet it has been solved the system of the evils of the I give this message. This is a the British Government in scheme in Britain, Aneurin only a few times in a few past, and to retrieve some of the Government consisting of people Whitehall. Bevan. He described his countries and only over certain liberalism, the tolerance which who put their ideas, their ideals Judge our performance in the MPs & experience and the dangers of a periods of time – one man, one were the good things we should and the welfare of their people context of our objectives and the Britisher or Welshman in his vote, to produce a group of men carry into the future. above themselves. realities of our situation, and at case, going into Parliament. who can provide a continuity in I tell the Opposition this. They This is a party which has the the end of five years, you will POPULARITY His (the MP’s) first impression good government, change of provide us, and I hope they will courage of its convictions, which certainly not find us wanting in is that he is in a church – the policies, flexibility, to reflect the continue to provide us in the is prepared to pursue what it courage, in skill, and in stained glass windows, the rows changing moods of an electorate. In one of former Prime Minister Lee next five years, with that vivid believes to be right in the interest sincerity.” JULY 1, 1959: Mr Lee Kuan Yew entering the Legislative Assembly Chamber for the Assembly’s first session. ST FILE PHOTO Kuan Yew’s longest speeches ever, he of statues of great statesmen of In other words, you need a held forth for nearly four hours in a the past, the echoing halls, the wide spread, a wide variety wide-ranging parliamentary address. soft-footed attendants and the representing all types, reflective In the first Parliament sitting after Singapore became an independent Two overturned Former prime minister Goh Chok whispered conversations, and representative of the DEC 14, 1965 country, then Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew spoke to the House, cars in Paya Tong recently singled out this speech contrast depressingly with the population. And that is why we denouncing the opposition Barisan Sosialis and exposing their Lebar Road, as memorable, recalling how, as a crowded meetings and the clang are here. communist links. He discussed racial politics in Malaysia and how it near the young MP listening to it, “my bladder and clash of hot opinions he has But from amongst us, most of would impact Singapore. This speech set the tone for the country’s Geylang Fire was about to burst”. Mr Lee spoke on RACIAL POLITICS multiracial policies in the decades ahead. just left behind in his election us, or perhaps I can say, all of us, Station, during leadership, succession, fighting the campaign. speak more than one language or the 1964 racial communists and winning elections in you would not be here. You may his address to 11 young MPs – Mr Here he is, a tribune of the riots. Mr Lee people, coming to make his voice not speak the second language said in 1965: Goh included – who had just entered the House. heard in the seats of power. well but you understand what is Quest for a just and “Whilst we are Instead, it seems, he is expected being said. You know what your unable to say... to worship; and the most constituents want. You know what will conservative of all religions – what it is all about. Therefore, I happen in the PERHAPS I ought to begin ancestor worship. The first thing am a little disappointed to find enduring future for everyone next two years, by saying that the (new he should bear in mind is that people who have gone through I think we can Members of the House) these were not his ancestors... this process questioning the safely predict “ The Area Licensing Scheme in operation in Bencoolen Street in 1975. The scheme wisdom of demanding minimum ought to take themselves His forefathers were tending was unpopular but Mr Lee did not flinch from implementing it. ST FILE PHOTO SIR, we are nearly two We are here in South-east which can affect our own that in two seriously because we, on this side sheep or ploughing the land, or pass standards in the second million people – 1.9 million Asia for better or for worse, and position. decades, either as Members of the Government, serving the statesmen whose language. This is Singapore... – in an island of 224 square we are here to stay. But whatever the result will there is a take them seriously. Upon us is names he sees written on the unanimously and completely. writers and advisers, that the And, you know, when you want “ tolerant, miles with a few adjacent islands. Our policies are designed to be, we would like those who the burden of finding a successor walls around him. This is a marathon, not a man becomes scholarly, learned, to win votes, the Queen’s English The statistics do not tell the ensure that we stay peacefully in come after us to believe, and to multiracial government worthy of its So we have not, fortunately, hundred-yard spurt. With (an solicitous in his speech. Catch is not going to help you... society world the factor that really South-east Asia in accord and have grounds for believing, that responsibilities. It is not an easy inherited the British Empire. We MP’s) every passing speech, with him at a press conference and a If you want to be popular, do comprising us in decides performance, the quality amity with our neighbours, but we did not leave a stone job. have inherited a very small every passing act, the character, question-and-answer session, not try to be popular all the time. this region, or with a right to decide how we unturned in seeking a just and First, let me explain the shock fragment of it. We have not the the style, the strength, the where the ghosts cannot whisper Popular government does not of each individual digit, the this will be an to him, and the man is betrayed. mean that you do popular things intensity of the effort that the order our own lives in our own enduring future for all the people area of constant for new Members. They have deep class antagonism but if we weaknesses are etched in the digits are capable of, and the home. who made up the society – those strife, very been at the hustings. They made do not bring out these differences minds of the public. You can do a What I wish to remind all the time... Popular, efficacy of the framework within Every action, every policy, who were here when the British much like what different kinds of speeches. They of opinion, and if we had not PR job, as has been written in Members is this: that we take representative government means which they can be marshalled and must be decided by this came, those who came when the the Balkan come here, they are bound by done so successfully since 1965, American books after the making them seriously, and over a period that within each five-year period, organised for high performance. yardstick. British were in control, and those States were Standing Orders and rules of when the Barisan Sosialis MPs of presidents, where you have a of time, we begin to take some your policies have demonstrably For us, survival has always Any policy which endangers who are willy-nilly now rooted in before and after debate, which we have inherited, walked out of this Chamber, I do vast electorate of 200 million MPs more seriously than others worked and won popular been hazardous. We sought to our long-term interests as a this corner of South-east Asia the First World copied, modified. not believe that in February people, with over 120 million because they have done their support. That is what it means. make it less so by seeking the separate and distinct community and whose destinies are War.” Let me explain the problems 1968, in September 1972 and potential voters, with the help of homework. It is a question of And if we flinch from the larger framework of Malaysia, in this region must be eschewed. interwoven – whatever we would ST FILE PHOTO that we face, by first reading an again in December 1976, we radio and TV, and you suddenly getting to know them, familiarity unpopular, we are in deep but it was not to be. Any act, any programme, any have wished it to be.” excerpt from a book written by a could have been returned find, with a whole host of ghost over a long stretch of time. trouble. We are on our own... not decision which will help to secure Of course, the Area Licensing helpless, but nevertheless in the a more enduring future for Scheme was unpopular. Of centre of an extremely ourselves and our progeny in this course, car taxes were unpopular. tumultuous arena of conflict. region must be pursued, But gentlemen, which would you Our survival depends upon our whatever the sacrifice. Absurd to suggest judges fall in line with Govt’s wishes have? A jammed-up Singapore capacity first to discern where We have not sought this with car owners exasperated, bus the dangers are for us as a particular formula of survival, THE Subordinate Court came along, nobody had any roots, that they all do my judgments went in accordance passengers exasperated, or distinct and separate community but it is now the basis on which JULY 30, 1986 judges are controlled by the doubts as to the integrity of the bidding... with the wishes of the 20,000 to 30,000 car owners in South-east Asia; and, second, we move forward; and with “High Court judges who can Courts. But first he attacked the I have two hands, two eyes, Government or the Prime having to lay up their cars and our ability to convince the bigger independence comes an only be removed by an Subordinate Courts judiciary, two feet, less teeth than I started Minister. It is an absurd, hundreds of thousands going powers interested in this region independence of action in policy JUDICIAL impeachment here in this House, exempting the High Court judges off life with. And I do my job to ludicrous proposition. through in buses or in shared that it is in their interests to and planning which can help by a two-thirds majority. from his strictures. maintain the system so that it For 23 years, from 1963 to cars? ensure our separate survival, and establish that enduring basis for INDEPENDENCE But in Singapore, we have an Now he has condemned Mr (T. will last, what we have built can 1986, (Wee Chong Jin) has been We made that decision, and it in the end, whatever happens, to ourselves in South-east Asia. extra supervision on them. When S.) Sinnathuray, the survive the creator generation. the Chief Justice. I have been the was right. Of course. ensure that we have got enough It is with confidence – a they write their judgments, they Attorney-General, the Chief This is a very serious problem. Prime Minister from 1959. I have If we had an election period, will and capacity to see that no confidence born out of the past As Prime Minister in the 1980s, two know that it could go up to the Justice, and he has also ruled out And if (younger leaders) do never discussed any case with like the New Zealanders and the policies, no solutions, are performance of our people – that of Mr Lee Kuan Yew’s fiercest Privy Council and judges, all High Court Judges from not know how to deal with him. It is a way of life. We meet Australians have, for three years attempted which will destroy our we feel we can overcome opponents were veteran opposition nothing to do with Singapore, hearing the Commission on the roughnecks, like the Member for socially. There are certain instead of five years, that is more right to be ourselves in this problems of economic politicians Chiam See Tong and the will scrutinise whether their allegations he made. So he has Anson, then this whole thing will conventions. I do not ring up the difficult. But (former Australian late J. B. Jeyaretnam, the MPs for corner of South-east Asia. development, problems of Potong Pasir and Anson respectively. findings are in accordance with broadened out over a wide field. go upside down. I would never Chief Justice and say, ‘Send me prime minister) Sir Robert Whilst we are unable to say, unemployment. In this speech, Mr Lee rebuts the law. The Member for Potong Pasir allow any challenge to the your judgment.’ Are we out of Menzies, in spite of three-year having gone through so many But in the other wider fields of allegations of government I cannot explain why some has carried the logic of the integrity of the system to go past our minds? And say, ‘By the way, periods, won and stayed in office changes in a matter of two years, inter-racial harmony and interference in the Subordinate judgments take so long. I do not extension one step further. Since and it should never be allowed. Mr Chiam ought to be fixed, you for 12 years. what will happen in the next two tolerance, there are so many Courts by Mr Jeyaretnam – the understand it. But I can only there is no proof... that any Therefore, we shall have this know. He is a strange man.’ He knew that popular years, I think we can safely other factors that even though subject of a Commission of Inquiry assume that the judges are member of the Executive opportunity to hear the Member It is not the way a government representative government means predict that in two decades, we are independent, we have not which found no evidence of it – as extremely careful when they interfered in the workings of the for Anson add the essential is run. If you run a government that, sometimes, even when 55 either there is a tolerant, got an exclusive prerogative to well as Mr Chiam’s remarks that the write their judgments, that it will Courts... it has nothing to do ingredients that will transform that way, you end up like the per cent... are against you, if it is multiracial society comprising us decide what is to be that PM “dominates the universities, the stand scrutiny. And if it does with the Government. this picture and show that there Philippines. Because at some right, proceed. civil service, statutory boards, I When it works out all right, in this region, or this will be an relationship even between our think, even Members of Parliament” not, they get sparks knocked off (Mr Chiam) now says, because were reasons why judges as they stage, it will all come out. It will area of constant strife, very much own citizens. them. It is an eminently I have been here for 25 years, I wrote their judgments were all come out, what President they will swing back. But if you like what the Balkan States were For as I have said, Mr Speaker, reasonable arrangement, has have become so dominant, so looking over their shoulders, (Ferdinand) Marcos said to the flinch, then that 55 per cent before and after the First World Sir, there are other factors, Opposition politicians Chiam See Tong (left) and J. B. Jeyaretnam at a televised debate in 1988. In a 1986 speech, Mr Lee Kuan Yew rebutted Mr Chiam’s remarks worked and will work. dominating, such a big banyan fearful, transferred out, demoted, judges and to the prosecutor, and becomes 65 per cent, and you are War. factors outside our dispensation, that the PM dominated the civil service and MPs among others, as well as Mr Jeyaretnam’s allegations of government interference in the courts. ST FILE PHOTO Until the Member for Anson tree with such widespreading humiliated, and therefore all so on and so forth.” out.” A10 FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2015 FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2015 A11

IN HIS OWN WORDS 1923 - 2015

This jaw-dropping speech revealed then-Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew’s JAN 26, 1987 zero tolerance of corruption. He kicks off the parliamentary session by reading out a suicide note addressed to him, written by the Minister for English for trade; mother tongue to preserve identity National Development Teh Cheang Wan, who had died suddenly a month CORRUPTION before. Mr Lee goes on to reveal for the first time that Teh was being investigated for accepting bribes. What did we do as a the two universities and made it NOV 24, 2004 Government? From 1959 to 1965, the National University of we had a laissez-faire policy. We Singapore. inherited from the British, I have been berated all these BILINGUALISM English schools, Malay schools, years by the Chinese-educated in Teh Cheang Wan case: No way a Tamil schools and other schools. Malaysia for having killed When we became independent Chinese education. I am a This speech in its entirety, made in in 1965, the Chinese Chamber of convenient excuse for letting off minister can avoid investigations support of a revised, more flexible Commerce committee came to their frustrations. They are not Chinese-language curriculum while he see me in my office, then at City really hating me. They are was Minister Mentor, is one of the Hall. They urged me to have saying, “Look. Please don’t go most complete statements of Mr Lee that way in Malaysia.” Kuan Yew’s views on bilingualism and Chinese as our national and language policy. official language. I looked them If you have a unified system in the eye and said, “You must be based on the national language, mad, and I don’t want to hear that will be a big problem for the any more of that from you. If you Chinese community. It is not a Start off from where we do, you are entering the political problem here because I never were, let us say after the arena. I have to fight you. forced anybody into the English “war, 1945, or even 1965. Because Singapore will come stream. They could have chosen We were in different communal apart.” Chinese as their primary groups – Malay kampungs, Supposing I had been language and English as a Chinese villages. You would see otherwise inclined, which my secondary language. But career Hainanese at Lorong Tai Seng, colleagues would not have prospects determined what they Malays in Kampong Ubi, and so allowed, and had said, “Yes, Mr Lee Kuan Yew speaking at the launch of the Speak Mandarin Campaign’s 30th chose. on. okay.” What would have anniversary celebrations in March 2009. PHOTO: MY PAPER Will we ever become (My Old Guard colleague) Mr happened to Singapore? Where completely homogeneous, a (S.) Rajaratnam was the exponent would the Malays be, and the melange of languages and of “we can create a race of Indians, what future would they her child can make a living. parents chose, and the rush cultures? No. Why did we take Singaporeans”. Idealistically, I have? The English-educated Therefore, we decided that, began to English schools... It this route? Because we have no would go along with him. But, Chinese would also be against us. however unpleasant, however became so rapid that I had no other choice. If we have only realistically, I knew it was going The country would fall apart. contrary to the concept of a choice but to urge parents to go English and we allowed the other to be one long, hard slog; maybe Let us assume that we were all homogeneous society, each racial slow, because we could not languages to atrophy and vanish, we’ll never get there, but we Chinese, no Malays, no Indians. group would learn his mother produce enough English teachers. we face a very serious problem of should try. Could we make a living with tongue as a second language. So I faced the problem of (the identity and culture. Ask yourself this question. If Chinese as our language of Most unhappy for Chinese-medium) Nanyang How do I know this? Because I your child brings back a government and our national English-speaking Chinese homes University. By 1978, Nanyang learnt Chinese late in life, and I boyfriend or a girlfriend of a language? Who is going to trade and, I am sure, also for Indian University was in dire straits... It rediscovered snatches of what I different race, will you be with us? What do we do? How homes. For Malays, nearly all of was so bad that when a Nanyang heard when my parents, my delighted? I will answer you do we get access to knowledge? them spoke Malay at home; so graduate applied for a job, he grandparents spoke: “Ah! yes, frankly. I do not think I will. I There was no choice. they were happy. would produce his school that was what they meant.” It Having made English the Was that policy right or certificate. Because employers resonates, pulled at my National Development Minister Teh Cheang Wan (left) showing Mr Lee a plan of the Changi Airport project in this 1979 may eventually accept it. So it is wrong? If you bring me back to knew that the Nanyang graduates heartstrings. Would I want to see photo. Mr Teh committed suicide in December 1986 while under investigation for accepting bribes. ST FILE PHOTO deep in the psyche of a human working language of government being. and administration, what do we 1965, I would say that is the of the 1950s and 60s were not it lost? Absolutely not!... Before we entered Malaysia do about the mother tongues? If policy I would still adopt... Did I the same as the Nanyang I tell all parents, “Look at your It is with sadness that I The director of the CPIB which he kept $400,000 and when we negotiated the terms of we had no set policy and allowed legislate it; (tell Chinese-medium graduates of the late 70s. The child carefully. Consider how make this statement on the (Corrupt Practices Investigation gave Mr Liaw, the contractor, entry, education, language and free market practices, free school students) you go to (good) students had moved much he can take – one or the “suicide of Mr Teh Cheang Bureau), Mr Evan Yeo, had seen $100,000. He went on to write: culture were such important choice, all mother tongues would English school, and (learn) across to English schools. other – and decide what you Wan. me on Nov 21 on a complaint of “If I am brought to trial, the subjects... Right from the start, have eventually vanished. Chinese as a second language? Do we allow this to go on? want.” I will give you a series of On Sunday Dec 14 last year, at corruption against Teh Cheang very process of it, which will be education was already a red-hot Because the first business of any I think we would have lost the What was the solution? We tried options. You want Chinese as about 9.10am at my home, my Wan. I asked that investigations painful and long, will certainly be SEPT 6, 1999: Mr Lee working alone inside the chambers of the old Parliament House (now the Arts House). PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO issue. parent is to make sure that his or next election. Because after to convert Nantah from within, your master language, go ahead. security officer, Inspector Ho be discreet because once people the end of me even if I am found Independence, the enrolment for get the teachers to lecture in You want English, how much. Wah Hui, told me that Mr Teh’s come to know that the CPIB was innocent.” Chinese schools increased; 1966, English because they all had And how much Chinese. A series security officer, Sergeant Richard investigating so prominent a Sir, there is no way a Minister over 55 per cent. Many parents American PhDs. They could not. of options. But remember the Kua, had come, carrying a letter Minister as that for National can avoid investigations, and a thought, “Yes. Let’s do Chinese They had lost their English choice is yours. If you make the given to him by Mrs Teh for me. Development, the news would trial if there is evidence to Higher pay will attract IRs needed for S’pore to now. We are out of Malaysia.” fluency. So we moved the whole wrong decision over your child’s Mrs Teh had told him that Teh spread like wildfire. support one. Teh Cheang Wan I left it alone. By the 1970s, campus into University of capability, do not blame the Cheang Wan’s body was found The Ministry of National chose death rather than face a the job market decided what Singapore... We decided to merge Government. cold in bed at about 8am. Development has more trial on the charges of corruption most talented team, keep abreast of the top cities I opened the envelope and opportunities for corrupt which the Attorney-General had read the undated note. It read: practices than any other. A yet to settle. The effectiveness of “Prime Minister Minister’s reputation would be our system to check and to APRIL 19, 2005 I have been feeling very sad put to severe test by an punish corruption rests, first, on so country can prosper ‘Equality is an aspiration, it is and depressed for the last two investigation. Such an the law against corruption weeks. investigation could not be kept contained in the Prevention of I feel responsible for the secret. Therefore, once open Corruption Act; second, on a NOV 1, 1994 SIR, my generation of ideals. You are not just doing a CASINOS occurrence of this unfortunate investigations had started, they vigilant public ready to give political leaders have job. This is a vocation. Not not reality, it is not practical’ incident and I feel I should would have to go on until all the information on all suspected “become dinosaurs, an unlike the priesthood, you must In the debate over whether to bring in accept full responsibility. As an evidence is uncovered to show corruption; and third, on a CPIB extinct breed of men who went feel for people, you must want to the integrated resorts and casinos to We explicitly state in our trying to put square pegs into honourable oriental gentleman, I either that the complaints are which is scrupulous, thorough, MINISTERIAL into politics because of the change society and make lives Singapore, Mr Lee stood up to state AUG 19, 2009 Constitution a duty on behalf of round holes. Will we ever make feel it is only right that I should baseless, or that there is enough and fearless in its investigations. passion of their convictions. better. that he was against gambling. He had the Government not to treat the pegs the same? No. pay the highest penalty for my evidence to submit to the For this to be so, the CPIB has SALARY The problem now is a simple If I had not done that and got initially resisted the move to bring everybody as equal. You suggest to the Malays mistake. Attorney-General for him to to receive the full backing of the one: How to select younger no satisfaction out of it, then I casinos into Singapore but he MINORITIES It is not reality, it is not that we should abolish these Yours faithfully, place before a Court of Law for Prime Minister under whose leaders when the conditions that would have been a fool doing it eventually changed his mind because practical, it will lead to grave and provisions in the Constitution (Signed) Teh Cheang Wan” trial and judgment. portfolio it comes. But the In debating the motion to change the had motivated the Old Guards to because I could have gone back he saw the benefits that it could bring irreparable damage if we work on and you will have grave disquiet. to the country. In a motion to continue to affirm the I noted “9.15” as the time I On Nov 27, the director of the strongest deterrent is in a public formula to calculate ministerial pay, sacrifice promising prospects of to Lee and Lee umpteen years that principle. So this was an So we start on the basis that Mr Lee Kuan Yew, then Senior tenets in the National Pledge when read it, on the corner of the CPIB wrote to me giving a opinion which censures and Minister, put up a robust argument a good life for a political cause ago and ridden the boom and sat debating government policies, aspiration. this is reality. We will not be able envelope. Then I rang up Mrs summary of the evidence he had condemns corrupt persons, in for paying ministers good salaries. He are no longer obtainable in a back, probably at least as rich as Nominated MP Viswa Sadasivan As Malays have progressed to get a Chinese minister or an other words, in attitudes which and a number have joined the Indian minister to persuade Teh at her home. She gave me gathered and asked for my said that the private sector had taken completely different social my brother, or my two brothers Mr Speaker, Sir, I am Mr Lee flanked by Mr Tan Hee Teck (left) of Resorts World Sentosa and Tan Sri questioned if it was time for make corruption so unacceptable Malay parents to look after their her account of how she permission for an open away many good men and women climate? This change in climate – one is a doctor, another a anti-gambling. As a child in Lim Kok Thay of the Genting group during a visit to the casino. ST FILE PHOTO Singapore to move beyond race and middle class with university discovered that Teh Cheang Wan investigation. I was satisfied that that the stigma of corruption from the Government, and without is inevitable with economic lawyer. “primary school, I saw my treat everyone as an equal. The next degrees and professional daughters more carefully and not had not awakened from his sleep. there were sufficient grounds to cannot be washed away by good people, the country would progress and a change in social But why not? father become a problem gambler day, Mr Lee Kuan Yew delivered one qualifications, we have asked have teenage pregnancies which I asked if a doctor had been do so. On Nov 28, I approved serving a prison sentence.” suffer. values. But somebody has to do this in for several years. I watched many projects show that potential is only a small part in the of his last major speeches in Mendaki to agree not to have lead to failed marriages; called to certify his death. She open investigations. Let me explain very simply, order that they can prosper. quarrels between my father and investors expect, on the average, remaking of Singapore. Parliament and took it upon himself their special rights of free subsequent marriages also fail, to “bring the House back to earth”. handed the telephone to her On Dec 2, the director and his Mr Speaker, that MPs are real And I am saying those who do mother. to earn more than two-thirds of Mr Speaker, Sir, we live in a He argued that equality of men is an education at university but to and delinquents. daughter, Dr Teh Kwan Geok, senior assistant director, Mr Tan men and women, just like you this deserve not to be penalised He wanted her jewellery to their revenue from foreign different and an ever-changing aspiration rather than the reality. take what they were entitled to; Can a Chinese MP or an who said that they were paging Ah Leak, for the first time and me, with real families who or you will get nobody doing this. pawn and gamble on “21” or tourists. world. Singapore must become put those fees to help more Indian MP do that? They will for Dr Charles Toh, the physician interrogated Teh Cheang Wan at have real aspirations in life. So One journalist told me that blackjack to win back his losses. As people in Asia, especially in more lively, more exciting, more disadvantaged Malays. say: “You are interfering in my who had been treating Teh the Istana Villa. They confronted when we talk of all these there was some public concern Fortunately for us, he gave up China and India, become of a fun place and, at the same So, we are trying to reach a private life.” But we have funded Cheang Wan for his high blood him with Liaw Teck Kee, the high-falutin, noble, lofty causes, that these higher salaries would gambling. I have never wealthier, they will travel and time, retain its virtues – clean, Sir, I had not intended to position where there is a level Mendaki and Muis, and they have pressure. contractor, who said that he, as remember at the end of the day, change, and I quote him, ‘the gambled... visit integrated resorts. Several green, safe and wholesome. intervene in any debate. playing field for everybody which a committee to try and reduce The daughter said her mother the intermediary, had handed very few people become priests. name of the game and attract a On several occasions, my said that their Singapore We can learn to limit the “But I was doing is going to take decades, if not the number of such unhappy hoped the cremation would not two sums of $500,000 each to The corporate world in different type of person with business friends in Hong Kong integrated resort would be their social fallout. In any case, we physiotherapy just now and centuries, and we may never get outcomes. be delayed by an autopsy. I said Teh Cheang Wan. The director Singapore knows that PAP MPs different motivations’. suggested that Stanley Ho, who flagship project in this part of the cannot prevent the outside world reading the newspapers and I there. The way that Singapore has that depended on whether the was satisfied that Liaw was a have been carefully selected. A It is possible that politically ran casinos in Macau, would be world. from affecting us. Our people thought I should bring the House Now let me read the American made progress is by a realistic doctor would certify that the truthful witness. PAP MPship is like a Good and socially uncommitted people happy to start one in Singapore. I The reasons are obvious. This travel. If we do not allow an back to earth. Constitution. In its Declaration step-by-step forward approach. death was natural. I said I would He reported this to me. I Housekeeping seal, a hallmark of from the higher management and ruled it out. I did not want to is a clean, attractive, integrated resort with a casino in Mr Rajaratnam had great of Independence on 4th July It may take us centuries visit them later. asked the Cabinet secretary, character and integrity that adds professional brackets will be undermine Singapore’s work well-policed, safe city, a financial Singapore, Singaporeans will still virtues in the midst of 1776, adopted in Congress, the before we get to a similar I immediately rang up the Wong Chooi Sen, to ask Teh value to a person. I instituted the attracted to the idea of public ethic and breed the belief that centre; no money laundering, no become victims frequenting despondency after a series of Declaration read, in the second position as the Americans. They Cabinet secretary, Mr Wong Cheang Wan to take leave of practice. office for this higher pay. I doubt people can get rich by gambling, muggings, no thieves, no drugs. casinos elsewhere... race riots when we were thrown paragraph: go to wars – the blacks and the Chooi Sen, and then my absence until Dec 31. By then the If you look through the MP it. something that is impossible And we have to keep it that way. Singapore has to reposition out during Independence. “We hold these truths to be whites. colleague, Goh Chok Tong. I investigations would have been list, from 1955 onwards, you will But if it is so, and they can do because the odds are against you. If we turn down their itself in this world. And our Malays in Singapore self-evident that all men are In the First World War, they asked them both to go over to completed and the find that in 1955 we had two better than the present Ministers, I have not changed my mind nor proposals, surely they will go If we reject these integrated were apprehensive that now that created equal, and that they are did not carry arms, they carried Mrs Teh to render what help was Attorney-General would have barbers, two postmen, clerks, but they should come out and offer my basic values. elsewhere in the region. resort projects, the world’s we were the majority, we would endowed by their Creator with the ammo, they were not given needed. decided whether or not to they were unionists. themselves as the alternative. But I have had to change my The old model on which I investors and players will in turn treat them the way a certain inalienable rights, and the honour to fight. At about 11.10am, Wong Chooi prosecute. The investigation They are not ordinary people. That would be good for attitude to casinos in Singapore worked was to create a First mentally scratch us off from the Malay majority treated us. among these are life, liberty, and In the Second World War, Sen informed me that Dr Toh had paper was sent to the But with rising standards, every Singapore. when it is part of an integrated World city in a Third World list of countries that will be good He drafted these words and the pursuit of happiness. To they went back, they were examined the body but could not Attorney-General on Dec 11. Teh election term, I had to move with If this salary formula can draw resort... region – clean, green, efficient, for them, for their business, for rose above the present. He was a secure these rights, governments ex-GIs – those who could make certify that death was by natural Cheang Wan died on Dec 14. the higher educational level of out higher quality men into What is important is: Will it pleasant, healthy and wholesome; their leisure and entertainment. great idealist. are instituted among men, it to university were given the GI causes. My wife and I went over We all know Teh Cheang Wan. the voters, something Mr Chiam politics, whatever their be a total plus for the economy safe and secure for everyone. Ask ourselves, every one of us, It came to me; I trimmed out deriving their just powers from grants – but they went back to to visit Mrs Teh at Jalan Bukit He was a man of considerable (See Tong) learnt rather late. So motivations, I say, let us have and is it worth the price we have These virtues are valuable but no after all the heart-wrenching the unachievable and the Pledge, the consent of the governed.”... their black ghettos (in 1945) and Tunggal. She was not happy at ability. Behind his diffident he discovered that he had to get them. It is better than the to pay in social cost... longer sufficient. stories, and anecdotes, if you are as it stands, is his work after I Nowhere does it say that the they stayed there. And today an autopsy but agreed that an manner and demeanour and his graduates. I knew that. By 1968, Opposition we now have... Each and every minister has Now we also have to be not in charge, if you are responsible have trimmed it. blacks would be differently there are still black ghettos. autopsy had to be held. I showed Hokkien-accented ungrammatical I started moving in that I make no apologies for strong personal beliefs and just economically vibrant, but for Singapore’s future, for its Was it an ideology? No, it is treated. These are realities. The her the handwritten letter by Teh English was a sharp clear mind. direction. collecting the most talented team convictions of what is good for also an exciting, fascinating city well-being, for its vibrancy, for an aspiration. Will we achieve it? But the blacks did not get the American Constitution does not Cheang Wan. After open investigations started, I am pitting my judgment, I could find. Without them, none his family, for Singapore, for the to visit, with top-class symphony the kind of life Singapore can I do not know. We will have to vote until the Civil Rights say that it will treat blacks That Sunday evening, Dec 14, we did not meet. I received a after 40 years in politics, and I of you would be enjoying life kind of society they want. At the orchestras, concerts, dramas, provide its people in 10, 20 years, keep on trying. Are we a nation? Movement in the 1960s with differently but our Constitution Dr Kwa Soon Bee, permanent letter from him dated Saturday, have been in this Chamber since today in Singapore, including the same time, you ask yourself, if plays, artists, singers and popular can you say ‘no’? In transition. Martin Luther King and his spells out the duty of the secretary, Ministry of Health, Dec 13, 1986, that morning. The 1955, against all the arguments reporters up there. I say this you say ‘no’, and this is but one entertainment. That is the question you have I want to move an amendment famous speech “We Dare to Government to treat Malays told me over the telephone that Permanent Secretary of the on the other side. I said this is without any compunction. of many steps Singapore must These are lifestyles of to answer. to this amendment that Dream”. An enormous riot took and other minorities with extra the death was caused by an Ministry of National necessary for Singapore. I say Who pays for all this? A take to keep abreast of the rest of international professionals and If I were the Prime Minister, “acknowledges the progress that place and eventually President care. overdose of Amytal Barbiturate. Development, Mr Koh Cher In 1998, Lee Kuan Yew: The Man And His Ideas was published. face up to the facts, get a good Singapore economy which has the world, how do you keep executives who locate in and I was challenged – I was Singapore has made in the 50 Johnson passed the Civil Rights So the basis on which the On Tuesday, Dec 16, I wrote a Siang, was on overseas leave and generation in, get the best of this been so finely tuned that it is ahead of the rest of the region to Singapore, working in challenged on many issues when years since it attained Act, and it took many more Nominated Member has placed letter of condolence to Mrs Teh was recalled by Teh Cheang Wan It was the first book that tried to capture the essence of generation. able to take advantage of every be a vibrant, exciting, interesting multinational banks, finance I was a younger man and had a self-government in 1959, in decades before the southern his arguments is false and and to acknowledge the to vet his draft and correct his Mr Lee and the ideas that shaped modern Singapore. And if we can keep (an) opportunity that comes our way. city to visit. We have to decide in houses and other MNCs. And we lot of energy – I would take nation building and achieving the states, which kept the blacks in flawed. It is completely untrue. It significant contributions Teh grammar. Mr Teh’s personal honest, competent government, What on earth are we arguing this present world whether want those companies who every challenger on and set out aspirations and tenets...”. These their position, allowed the has got no basis whatsoever. Cheang Wan has made in the assistant typed the letter before Watch out for an e-book extracting parts never mind about its being about? Except people get envious Singapore should still reject an manage these entertainment to convince Singapore that this is were aspirations. This was not an registration of black voters and And I thought to myself, HDB. I knew then that there he signed it. brilliant, that is a tremendous and they say, ‘They should really integrated resort because it has a troupes to include Singapore in right, that the price is high, but ideology. subsequently even after that, to perhaps I should bring this House would have to be a Coroner’s It was identical in terms to a of the original book, now out of print. achievement. be sacrificing.’ casino... their tour of cities around the the price of not having the Sir, reference was made to the allow black students to go into back to earth and remind inquest which would disclose his letter he sent to the director of So it is crucial when you have If it were possible to carry on I am convinced that (the two) world. integrated resorts is even higher. Constitution. The Constitution of white schools. everybody what is our starting suicide and the reasons for it. the CPIB on the same date. In his tranquil Singapore that you with the system, I will be in integrated resorts in Singapore My question is: Can we make This is your choice. Surely we Singapore enjoins us to specially It was 200 years before an point, what is our base, and if we Members have read the letter he denied the charge that The e-book will be FREE FOR DOWNLOAD recognise that politics demands favour of carrying on with what I must depend on tourists because it? I believe, yes, if we are open must move forward and keep look after the position of the exceptional half-black American do not recognise where we evidence placed before the he had on two occasions been on the Straits Times STAR app from tomorrow that extra of a person, a have been familiar with. But I they cannot survive if they were to change and willing to accept abreast of the top cities in Asia Malays and other minorities. It became president. started from, and that these are Coroner at the inquest on Jan 20. given half a million dollars of commitment to people and to know it is not possible.” to depend on Singaporeans. The new ideas. This integrated resort and the world.” comes under Articles 152 and 153... So, my colleague has put it: our foundations, we will fail. A12 FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2015 FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2015 A13

TRIBUTES: A NATION GRIEVES 1923 - 2015

LEGACY FOR THE YOUNG “One thing that I was very Singaporeans ‘know encour- aged by was to see children filing past importance of what the casket, and they were brought there by either their parents or their teachers. “And I’ve read so many Mr Lee stood for’ stories of parents who deliberately brought their young children, who probably Another key ingredient is a wouldn’t know who Mr Lee Queues to pay last respects reflect the society that supports candidates was. who demonstrate these values, “Last night, when I was at regard people have for him: Khaw and which is willing to swallow the Botanic Gardens tribute the bitter pill if necessary, he said. site, I saw a little card written “The people, the masses, must by a young Singaporean. He By LIM YAN LIANG Changi Road headquarters, which themselves also embrace sound must be very young, I think began with a minute of silence in politics and support it,” said Mr he’s probably in kindergarten. THE crowds that have formed remembrance of Mr Lee. Khaw. It read: ‘Dear Mr Lee, thank over the last two days to pay their “But we will do our best.” “They must be able to discern you for my house because final respects to former Prime That so many would queue for what is a sweet tongue, empty every night I sleep peacefully Minister Lee Kuan Yew are a up to eight hours to say their final promises, populist measures, in my bed.’ reflection of the regard people goodbyes to Mr Lee showed that against the honest truth – what “So I think that as young have for the man and what he Singaporeans knew the impor- Comrade Lee Kuan Yew always children come through and as stood for, People’s Action Party tance of what he stood for. called the hard truth – and sup- we continue to impress upon (PAP) chairman Khaw Boon Wan Mr Khaw said this included port that party, support those can- PAP members penning their tributes to Mr Lee at the party’s headquarters yesterday. The tribute began with a minute of young Singaporeans the said last night. good, honest government; and an didates.” silence in remembrance of Mr Lee. PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI FOR THE STRAITS TIMES enormity of what Mr Lee has He told more than 300 party ac- ability to speak the hard truths While Mr Lee had successfully contributed to all of us, I think tivists at an event to pay tribute when required. built up Singapore’s reserves, an that will go a long way in to Mr Lee that the outpouring of “A key ingredient of sound poli- irresponsible Government can and work their way upwards. Lee’s far-sighted vision: he had (of National Development), was making sure that our young emotions exceeded the tics is honest, able people,” Mr still “wipe them clean” in a term “It is a huge country, with all dreamt about a modern Marina many times bigger than what you Singaporeans know and authorities’ expectations. Khaw said to the activists, who or two in office, he said. sorts of natural resources: miner- Bay when it was just a “dirty, see today. As the Americans say, remember that the values that This led to an extension of are from his PAP Sembawang And should Singapore have to als, natural gas, oil. Whatever you smelly, Singapore river flowing in- ‘You ain’t seen nothing yet’. It Mr Lee stood for are the visiting times at Parliament branch. start from scratch, like it did 50 say, they have it,” he said. “And to the sea”. will be truly wonderful.” values that can carry us for a House to 24 hours. “Please come forward because years ago, it would be virtually im- 60 million people: they can start “What do we see of Marina Bay At the end of Mr Khaw’s long, long time to come.” “And now even with 24 hours, if you are not willing to come for- possible to succeed again. afresh, they know.” today? A beautiful skyline, abso- speech, Chua Chu Kang GRC MP we are afraid that we will not be ward, then the vacuum will be Citing Myanmar as an exam- But Singapore has neither natu- lutely world class,” he said. Alex Yam led activists in a rally- – Head of Civil Service Peter Ong, able to fully fulfil the wishes of filled by opportunists, or worse, ple, Mr Khaw said they had real- ral resources nor a domestic mar- “The marvellous thing is, it’s ing cry of “Majulah PAP! Majulah who took part in a 30-minute vigil by the late Mr Lee Kuan Singaporeans,” he said at the by smart people for selfish rea- ised the way forward: to start ket the size of Myanmar, he said. not even finished yet – the plan Singapura!” Umbrellas, courtesy of Temasek Holdings, available for loan to members of the public queueing to pay their respects to Mr Lee yesterday. People could pick up the umbrellas at the starting point of the queue Yew’s body yesterday, on whether event in the party’s New Upper sons.” with labour-intensive industries, He also gave an example of Mr that he has left us, in our Ministry [email protected] and return them near the end point. Across the Padang and surrounding areas, hundreds of people, some of whom were there on behalf of their companies, doled out aid to those in line. ST PHOTO: LIM SIN THAI future generations will remember Mr Lee’s contributions wanted solid food. So I came back Over 500 turn with drinks for them to hydrate themselves,” said Mr Lum. COLOUR DOESN’T MATTER up at memorial He plans to continue volunteer- “White? Black? What’s in a Strangers ing for the next few days. The colour? Just wear your heart agency has distributed 73,440 on your sleeve. I for one service by drinks so far. believe that even as we mourn Employees of Maybank, which and grieve, we are also Buddhist group has a branch next to the Fullerton celebrating his life and our Hotel, distributed 4,800 bottles Singapore. It’s something By ISAAC NEO give out of water. Drink supplier Vitagen really remarkable, isn’t it? also gave out chilled juices on “So whether it’s the Cavenagh Bridge, while plastics gorgeous hues of sunset at BUDDHISTS from all over Singa- manufacturer Toyogo handed out Marina Bay, a red and white pore met to remember Mr Lee 1,500 hand-held fans at the begin- tribute of a significant line in Kuan Yew yesterday at a memori- ning of the queue at the Padang. our pledge on my personal al service organised by the Singa- umbrellas, Some companies giving out bot- page profile shot or a black pore Buddhist Federation (SBF). tled water declined to be named, and white profile shot... we The service at Kong Meng San saying they were not doing it for are of one heart. Phor Kark See Monastery drew the publicity. “Regardless of race, more than 500 members of the Hunger pangs were also ad- language or religion. Or public as well as monks. It was al- food, drinks dressed, with staff from Tiong colour. so the first in a series of religious Bahru Bakery and BreadTalk dis- “A man came up to me events to mark Mr Lee’s passing. tributing pastries and buns. yesterday apologising The congregation at the temple Then there were Good Samari- repeatedly that he was in a in Sin Ming Avenue observed a Good Samaritans show random acts tan individuals such as Singapore brightly coloured shirt. ‘I had minute of silence, before bowing Management University student to rush over after work and three times in respect for Mr Lee. of kindness to those standing in line Tan Eng Teck, 25, who, with four was worried I couldn’t make it Devotees then recited, for an friends, distributed 14 boxes of in time.’ hour, the Avatamsaka Sutra, By CHARISSA YONG Temasek Holdings distributed cakes worth $300. “Uncle, what matters is which reiterates how the exist- and AW CHENG WEI ponchos and biscuits, and loaned The cakes were bought with do- that you cared enough to ence of each individual becomes out 30,000 umbrellas. nations from friends and family. come. Doesn’t matter the more meaningful through connec- SEVENTY-one-year-old Mr Foh A company spokesman de- At Cavenagh Bridge, a woman colour. Thank you.” tions with other people. Keng Yin was moved to action clined to reveal the cost, but said who declined to be named gave – Manpower Minister Tan SBF’s president, Venerable when he saw scenes on television it was “a small gesture of sup- out three boxes of Oreo cookies, Chuan-Jin, weighing in on the Seck Kwang Phing, said Mr Lee of people queueing for hours in port”. Their efforts will continue 40 bottles of iced water and 30 debate over whether one should “respected all religions”. “He in- the sun to pay their last respects until tomorrow night. chicken pies. On how much it had wear black or white on Sunday to teracted very closely with leaders to Mr Lee Kuan Yew. A grateful Mr Tan Ah Seng, 67, cost her, she said: “It’s not about mark Mr Lee’s funeral, in a of all the religious groups in Singa- The director of metal fixtures took shelter under an umbrella the money.” Facebook post yesterday pore, resulting in the harmonious supplier Yew Lee Metal Works that he received as he waited for The kind stranger explained to 1 society that we have today.” bought 1,000 umbrellas from an 1 /2 hours to enter Parliament The Straits Times that she was CROWDS FOR MR LEE The guest of honour, Senior Min- industry partner for $3,000. House, where Mr Lee will lie in born in Manila in the Philippines “From the casket leaving ister of State Josephine Teo, said: Yesterday, Mr Foh and three of state until 8pm tomorrow. and moved to Singapore 12 years Istana, across Bras Basah, to “Day and night, Mr Lee’s main pri- his employees gave the umbrellas “It’s been quite helpful,” said ago. North Bridge Road to ority wasn’t his own matters. It for free to people waiting in line Mr Tan, smiling as he added: “I “I wanted to give back to the Parliament House – the was how our nation would contin- near Cavenagh Bridge. am almost near him (Mr Lee).” country that allowed me an educa- outpouring of emotion has ue to be prosperous, and whether He said in Mandarin: “Giving Institute of Technical Educa- tion,” she said, adding that she been exceptional. people would have good lives.” them some respite from the hot tion student Lloyd Lum, 21, who now runs a business and is in the “People from all walks of Mrs Teo, who is MP for the sun is the least I can do.” paid his respects to Mr Lee earlier legal profession. life – the disabled, men on Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC, also re- His generosity was mirrored by in the morning, remembered how Consultant Huang Hua Ming, crutches, some with one leg, counted how she had been given acts of charity by hundreds of he felt while waiting in line, and 27, was touched by the kindness the elderly on canes and the chance to go with Mr Lee on other individuals, some of whom thought that those behind him of strangers all around him. wheelchairs, ladies (young and his trips and witness how he inter- were there on behalf of their com- would feel thirsty. “I’m heartened to see these ran- old) sobbing inconsolably, acted with foreign leaders. panies. So when he saw a Facebook dom acts of kindness from people strangers hugging one “He helped Singapore establish Across the Padang field and its post – by a creative agency he de- I don’t even know. It makes me another, young students and a foothold on the world stage, to surrounding areas, they distribut- clined to name – calling for volun- very happy,” he said. volunteers offering drinks to ensure that whenever we would ed free umbrellas, bottled water teers to give out packet drinks, [email protected] the people, restaurants bring out our red passport, we and even chicken pies to the thou- the student signed up on the spot. [email protected] (From top) Nineteen-year-old Gelivia Chong, a volunteer roped in by Youth Corps offering free bottled water and were not looked down upon.” A memorial service for Mr Lee was held at Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery yesterday. Organised by the Singapore Buddhist Federation, it was the first in a series of religious events to mark the sands waiting in line. “The weather was getting Singapore, distributing water, Toyogo staff giving out fans and FairPrice staff Additional reporting by Rachel Au-Yong snacks to those in the queues. [email protected] former Prime Minister’s passing. More than 500 members of the public as well as monks attended the service. ST PHOTO: CHEW SENG KIM About 20 staff volunteers from hotter and I didn’t think people handing out free crackers to students. ST PHOTOS: NEO XIAOBIN, LIN SIN THAI and Miranda Yeo Some queued for eight hours but that wasn’t going to stop them from saying Tribute centres continue to be packed ‘Fly flag on Sunday in show of unity’ goodbye to Mr Lee. I spent (Wednesday) around Parliament, speaking with and Monday morning. came together on Thursday to By KASH CHEONG we will build on your legacy in uni- itage Board’s website note that By SAMANTHA GOH thanking our people who had For Madam Cheng Swan Puak, honour Mr Lee. ty, in confidence, SG100 will be a outside the National Day celebra- and ISAAC NEO come to pay their respect to 86, who turned up at the tribute Yayasan Mendaki was joined DISPLAY the national flag as a Singapore better than today,’” tions period the flag must be Mr Lee. site at Yishun, it was not just to by other Malay/Muslim organisa- symbol of unity this Sunday when said Mr Lim, as he introduced the flown from a flagpole. And if it is Relive LKY’s “Around 1.30am, outside AFTER two difficult days of pay her last respects to the leader tions, such as the Singapore the state funeral of Singapore’s idea mooted by about 50 grass- displayed or flown at night, it Parliament, I was still being mourning, Emeritus Senior Minis- of the country but the friendly Muslim Women’s Association or founding father Lee Kuan Yew roots volunteers. should be properly illuminated. approached by large numbers ter Goh Chok Tong said he felt man who was a neighbour first. PPIS, and Singapore Kadayanallur takes place, a group of young One volunteer, finance execu- A spokesman for the Ministry of people offering their better yesterday. Back in the 1950s, Madam Muslim League, in paying tribute. grassroots leaders has suggested. tive Leong Yi Xing, 32, said: “Mr of Culture, Community and greatest condolences. Many shared Mr Goh said his “heart began Cheng stayed at her parents’ Ms Rahayu Mohamad, presi- The group from East Coast Lee has improved my parents’ Youth said it is looking into the their impressions and to feel a bit lighter”. home along Oxley Road next to dent of PPIS, read a poem titled A GRC hopes that rules will be re- lives, my grandparents’ lives.” request. encounters with Mr Lee. Their “The reason is quite simple. the former Prime Minister’s Great Man in tribute of Mr Lee, laxed to allow Singaporeans to He added: “But more than that, Another grassroots leader be- moments, emotions were obvious. One There is this inspiration in watch- home. which described his dedication to hang the national flag outside he rallied the nation. His greatest hind the idea, academic Yusuf Ali, lady told me that she works in ing the way the country has come “The outside of his house was building Singapore. their homes on Sunday. Outside legacy is the seed that he planted 36, said: “A lot of people say this captured on camera the UK. She didn’t come back together. Knowing that Singapore- always surrounded by security She said Mr Lee’s firmness the National Day celebrations peri- in each of our hearts, this hope, is a time for grief, but at the same for relatives passing away. But ans felt so much for Mr Lee Kuan officers,” said Madam Cheng. educated Singaporeans to be prag- od from July 1 to Sept 30, restric- confidence and positivity... so time grief and confidence are not through the years she came back for Mr Lee. Yew, I felt a little easier in my “Although we rarely saw him, matic, to focus on development, tions on flying the flag apply. that we know we can fight togeth- mutually exclusive. Many stories of people making heart. The heaviness became a he always greeted us when we which is what she thinks the Displaying the national flag en er and build upon the foundation “You can express grief and, at special effort to come and pay little lighter,” he said. passed by the house.” younger generation has to contin- masse is a symbol of unity, a he left us. the same time, express confidence the respect to Mr Lee.” Mr Goh was speaking to Mr Lee’s home was “very ue to learn to ensure stability and cause that Mr Lee dedicated his “We should display the flag to- for the future. Confidence that we reporters after visiting a tribute sparse, with no television, air- progress. life to, said Mr Lim Swee Say, an gether to show unity. I am very have what it takes as a people to – Law and Foreign Affairs centre at Kembangan Community conditioning, or luxuries of any A total of 10 community sites MP for East Coast GRC. sure that this is the kind of atti- really punch above our weight and Minister K. Shanmugam, on the people from all walks of life Club, where hundreds of people kind,” she said. will be opened for 24 hours. “In his final journey, we want tude that Mr Lee would have want- carry on the legacy that has been Get this commemorative photo album at bookstores for $25 (before GST) queueing up outside Parliament turned up to pay their last At Hong Lim Park, the [email protected] Mourners bearing flowers and notes paying their last respects to Mr Lee at the to tell Mr Lee, ‘Rest in peace, we ed us to have,” he said. around for the last 50 years.” House for hours to say their final respects to Mr Lee, who died on Malay/Muslim community also [email protected] community tribute centre at Sembawang yesterday. PHOTO: SAMANTHA GOH assure you that as Singaporeans Guidelines on the National Her- [email protected] goodbyes to the late Mr Lee A14 FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2015 FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2015 A15

TRIBUTES: A NATION GRIEVES 1923 - 2015 His purpose? He was a complex man who evoked many emotions

The following is a the starting point the world as it To secure is; a world as full of promise and tribute to Mr Lee Kuan opportunity but a world also inevi- Yew by the former tably flawed and, so, often peril- ous. Mr Lee invariably cut Permanent Secretary through all the fluff that usually of the Ministry of conceals the hard realities of inter- the future national relations. He zeroed in on Foreign Affairs. It is the very core of any issue or situa- reprinted with the tion. His analysis was always holis- author’s permission. tic, enriched and given depth and breadth by his realistic under- standing of history, of different of Singapore By BILAHARI KAUSIKAN cultures and, ultimately, of hu- man nature in all its rich variety. This is an excerpt he could deal with it. THOSE of us who were privileged He pursued what was possible in Even though he did most of the to work with Mr Lee Kuan Yew in practice, not what was desirable from a speech talking, these lunches were occa- whatever capacity, cannot but on principle. He wanted to get delivered at the sions for us to ask him any ques- feel a profound personal sense of things done. He always dared to tion, on the big geopolitical issues grief. Mr Lee was not only a great try – Singapore would not exist Singapore Press of the day or on the latest policy leader – that is obvious – he was otherwise – but was not given to Holdings memorial announcement in Singapore. a man, human, and thus inevita- chasing chimeras. This is again For a young journalist like me, bly complex. He evoked the entire rarer than one might expect. Mr for Mr Lee Kuan Yew Mr Lee never hesitated to do what it was like winning one of those range of human emotions, and Lee never stopped learning and yesterday necessity dictated for Singapore’s million-dollar auctions to have evoked them strongly. His legacy interests, says Mr Bilahari Kausikan. was never too proud to seek infor- lunch with (investment guru) War- will be many-faceted and debated mation even from the most junior, By HAN FOOK KWANG ren Buffett. for many years. and certainly never too proud to EDITOR AT LARGE Later on, my interaction with Straits Times journalists Sumiko Tan and Han Fook Kwang interviewing Mr Lee in 1995 for the book Lee Kuan Yew: The Man And His Ideas – the first book As a young MFA officer, I was There is no creature more suscep- change his mind whenever the sit- him was mainly over several the former Prime Minister was involved in. ST FILE PHOTO fortunate to have attended many tible to self-deception than cer- uation warranted. IT IS somewhat ironic that when I books we did together. It started meetings with Mr Lee and to have tain types of diplomats or erst- Third, I learnt no leader, how- was serving the Government as a with Lee Kuan Yew: The Man And travelled with him. Later in my ca- while statesmen. The worst types ever talented, can achieve much civil servant, I hardly saw him His Ideas in 1995 – the first book There was the bilingual book, page being circulated. He would Now, four years later when I about Singapore to want to spend reer, I sat in on policy discus- believe that whatever they do is alone. Mr Lee was undoubtedly a but, outside of it, as a journalist, I in which he was involved. My Lifelong Challenge: send these drafts to many people look back at these sessions, it is so many hours with journalists sions, several at times of crisis. I necessarily important simply be- great leader, but he was the great had the privilege to do so on many To do this book, I had to read Singapore’s Bilingual Journey; for comments and suggestions. not his combativeness or the actu- probing and questioning him? never intended to be a civil serv- cause they do it – they and no one leader of a great team and of a occasions. all of his speeches spanning, at there were also Hard Truths To And he was very open to mak- al arguments I remember. It is the Let me quote one answer he ant. I had prepared myself for an else, because, of course, they are great people. Leadership is not a In fact I met him in my first that time, almost 50 years. Those Keep Singapore Going; and One ing changes. We often think of Mr intensity of the man, the com- gave: “My purpose is to secure academic career. But I soon real- the centre of the universe. Mr Lee matter of intellect alone. His year in The Straits Times in 1989. were the days before the Internet Man’s View Of The World. Lee as that strong-willed person plete focus on wanting to secure Singapore’s future, and anything ised that most of what I thought I was never like that. He is often de- sense of mission, his dedication to This was at a lunch at the Istana became what it is today and, at And there possibly would have impervious to other views. Of Singapore’s future as much as he that consolidates or increases the knew was at least superficial, if scribed as a global statesman, and and passion for Singapore in- Annexe in a small dining room... the click of a mouse, you can pret- been some more if his health had course on many issues, he was. could possibly do. stability and security for Singa- not downright irrelevant. My real so he was. But I doubt Mr Lee ev- spired an entire generation of Sin- There would usually be two or ty much find almost all his speech- not taken a turn for the worse. But in the writing of his books, he Even at an age when many pore, I am in favour of. I’ve education in international rela- er set much store by that appella- gaporeans from all walks of life to three journalists invited for these es. At that time, I read them in In fact, soon after the launch of was very open to suggestions. others would be happy to go quiet- finished my job. I don’t need any tions began only when my life in- tion or any of the many formal defy the odds and to serve some lunches. hard copy form – more than One Man’s View Of The World in My second impression is over ly into the sunset and enjoy their more achievements. I mean it’s as tersected, however tangentially, honours he was given by foreign cause larger than themselves. I have often wondered why he 2,000 speeches – over many 2013, he asked for a further edi- how intense he was as a person, retirement, he was still at it, try- simple as that. What is it I can with Mr Lee. countries. These were means, not My generation of MFA officers took the trouble to meet young days. The book sold very well, tion of the book to be done. We and how in his every waking mo- ing to persuade younger Singapo- do? Consolidate from my experi- First of all, I learnt not to be ends. His laser-like focus – his have tried to pass on what we felt journalists. Obviously he wanted close to 100,000 copies, which agreed to add two chapters to it. ment, he was consumed with the reans to his point of view. He was ence what I think would help it ashamed to be a patriot. To the “universe” if you like – was al- and learnt to a younger generation to influence us, to make us under- was unheard of then for a local Several additional interviews lifelong project which is Singa- 86 when we interviewed him for continue in a safe condition. Can young, as I then was, the term car- ways Singapore. He operated on a of Foreign Service officers. But stand his point of view, and he book. were done last year and the drafts pore. the book Hard Truths in 2010. He it be forever? No, I cannot say ries a vague, undefinable whiff of global stage, but only for Singa- this is possibly the hardest lesson was willing to invest the time to But the book also did one other are now with his special assistant. He had no time for any other was 88 when we worked with him that. I mean you look at all the unfashionable mustiness. But to pore. He won many friends and to impart. do this. But I also think he wanted thing that might not be so well What is my lasting impression business. This was most evident for the next book, One Man’s city-states...” serve the Republic of Singapore in was personally greatly admired The Singapore that you see to understand our business, the known. Before the book, he told of him from doing these books? when we were doing the book View Of The World. That was an 86-year-old man any capacity is no mean profes- around the world. But this was al- around us today and which many media business, and he did so me he did not believe in writing There are several. First, we all Hard Truths, where we inter- By that time, he was already still egging Singapore on to do bet- sion because if Singapore does not ways deployed for Singapore. He young Singaporeans take for grant- through these interactions. memoirs. He said only Western know how meticulous he was and viewed him for more than 30 quite frail and weakening by the ter. survive, no other value can be real- spoke his mind and never hesitat- ed is a totally unnatural place. We Of all the ministers, he invest- leaders did memoirs, to embellish how much attention to detail he hours. Several of these sessions day. On some days, he hiccuped Mr Lee Kuan Yew has finally re- ised in this vale of tears we call ed to do what necessity dictated exist only by dint of human en- ed the most time on journalists, their reputation and legacy – Chi- gave to those issues he considered were to discuss some of his most non-stop during the interview. tired. He does not need to worry the world. for Singapore’s interests, even if deavour, not by any God-given even though you might think that, nese leaders, for example, never important. In the case of his controversial positions on poli- He was having gastric problems. about Singapore any more. He has You may think that all it put his personal friendships at right. What was created by hu- of all the ministers, he would have wrote memoirs. books, it meant writing and rewrit- tics, democracy, race and religion Halfway through several inter- done all he possibly could to put diplomats or all statesmen must risk. man endeavour must be main- many more important issues to I think the success of The Man ing the drafts many, many times. and the vulnerability of Singa- views, he had to stop to take his Singapore in a position to better obviously serve their own Second, I learnt that the pur- tained by human endeavour. My deal with. It shows how he operat- And His Ideas changed his mind, His secretary had to number pore. Not unexpectedly he was medicine. On other days, his secure its future. countries’ interests. Well, they suit and defence of Singapore’s in- generation of Foreign Service offi- ed. If a thing was important to and a year later, he decided to each draft to keep track of the combative, and we found our- voice was weak, his stamina wan- Now, it is our turn to worry certainly ought to. But as I grew terests must be grounded in a clini- cers and the generation before us him, it was worth the time to in- write his two-volume memoirs. changes and it was not unusual to selves at the receiving end of ing. Yet he persisted. whether his worry will come true. more experienced in the craft of cal and clear-eyed, indeed are proud to have contributed in vest in it, to understand it well so After that, we could not stop him. see draft number 20 of the same many of his robust rebuttals. Why was he still so concerned [email protected] diplomacy, I observed that this cold-blooded and intellectually some small measure to was all too often the exception ruthless, understanding of the en- Singapore’s unlikely success. rather than the rule; that too vironment in which a small coun- Singapore will be preserved on- many leaders and diplomats, from try operates. Small countries can- ly if the next generation shares too many countries, too often con- not afford illusions. Mr Lee never that passion from which flows the fuse personal interests with na- mistook the necessary politesse determination to overcome chal- tional interests, or convince them- and hypocrisies of statecraft and lenges that cannot now be fore- selves that these are synonymous. diplomacy for reality. He took as seen. Mr Lee is gone. A shared Singapore moment

This commentary It was vintage Lee Kuan Yew. The youth of the 1980s and ear- appeared in ly 1990s chafed at the restrictions The Business Times on civil liberties, real and per- ceived, imposed by the Singapore yesterday system. Years later, we all saw things with a clearer eye. Like pre- By WONG WEI KONG sent-day critics, history will judge EXECUTIVE EDITOR and NEWS EDITOR Mr Lee on the changes he had THE BUSINESS TIMES wrought, but they must do so in the context of what he had I HADN’T thought I would be achieved for Singapore. And what moved as much, but I am. he had achieved is well document- As a student of history, I have ed: an economic miracle, a nation always viewed great men with a forged from nothing – accom- certain wariness, conscious that plished in apparent defiance of his- how history would come to judge tory. such men could be very different The tributes that have poured from the time when they were in from around the world from glo- alive, or at their passing. History bal leaders and those in the can be fickle – as fickle as the Asia-Pacific are extraordinary. De- fying Singapore’s small size – just shifting mood of each generation. The gun carriage carrying Mr Lee Kuan But I would dare venture that Mr Yew’s body heading along North Bridge a little red dot, as some would re- Lee Kuan Yew’s greatness in histo- Road to Parliament House. mind us – Mr Lee stamped Singa- pore in the global consciousness. ry is assured – if not to the world (Above) Mr Wong Yew Kwan remembers Mr Lee as a man who “wanted things to be tried out”. It was Mr Lee’s idea to plant at large, then certainly to Singa- Singapore has no right to be Angsana trees to provide shade. (Top) Mr Lee planting a tree in Bukit Merah in 2003 on Tree Planting Day. He believed that pore and Singaporeans. lasted, but cherishing it at its here, but we are, and I am remind- turning Singapore into a Garden City would give it a competitive edge over other cities. ST PHOTOS: ST FILE, KEVIN LIM SPH staff, including chairman Lee Boon Yang (sixth from left) and CEO Alan Chan (seventh from left), observing a minute of silence during a memorial service held by the company for Mr Lee yesterday. Mr Chan, who was Mr Lee’s principal private I belong to what I call the close. In the reserves, when fami- ed of that each time I travel with secretary from 1994 to 1997, said during his speech that he was “most grateful for what Mr Lee and his first-generation leaders have done for us”. ST PHOTO: CAROLINE CHIA “straddle” generation. I grew up ly and work commitments beck- my red passport. In his defiance in the years Mr Lee was Prime oned, the thought of seeking a de- of the odds history threw at Singa- Minister; in my young adulthood, ferment arose before each annual pore, Mr Lee made being Singapo- I witnessed the transition of lead- in-camp exercise; yet, almost eve- rean mean so much. Visionary behind Garden City ership to the second generation. ry time, I put on my greens and So I stood, with thousands of SPH holds service to honour nation’s ‘architect and founding father’ My family went through the went – just as he would have ex- other Singaporeans, along the Lee Kuan Yew transformation. pected me to do. street outside the Istana to watch even decided what trees to plant By KOK XING HUI Mr Chan said he saw “two old always thought of Mr Lee as the “My second impression is over population, not only survived but with Mr Lee in Malaysia and had My father was Straits Chinese, As a journalist, the last major the flag-draped coffin bearing his uncle corporals” having rice and architect and founding father of how intense he was as a person, also had opportunities to flourish. asked him why he did not meet and my mother, an immigrant news event in which I covered Mr body make its way to Parliament By SAMANTHA BOH 1982, Mr Wong Yew Kwan, He wrote in his 2000 memoir, MORE than 700 employees of curry sauce for lunch at a make- Singapore... Mr Lee was always and how in his every waking He said: “Nowhere else in the then Malaysian Prime Minister from China. One grandfather Lee was the severe acute respirato- House, where he would lie in Singapore’s first Commissioner of From Third World To First: “Af- media group Singapore Press Hold- shift stall. When asked, one said very focused and serious. He moment, he was consumed with world is Tamil language an official Mahathir Mohamad. drove a cab, the other had a farm. ry syndrome (Sars) crisis of 2003. state. Where I was, the crowd MR LEE Kuan Yew did not just Parks and Recreation, said it was ter independence, I searched for ings (SPH) observed a minute of he had to support three children seldom engaged in small talk. He the lifelong project which is Singa- language of the nation today.” Without mincing his words, Mr Still, my parents received an Eng- The younger ministers were han- clapped and cheered, then main- have a broad vision of transform- evident that Mr Lee knew precise- some dramatic way to distinguish silence yesterday at its memorial on a $220 salary, and every cent would drill deeply into every is- pore. Ms Yew Lun Tian, a corre- Lee had replied in Malay: “He is a lish education and became teach- dling the crisis, but Mr Lee, then tained an impeccable silence; in ing Singapore into a Garden City, ly what he wanted. ourselves from other Third World service for Mr Lee Kuan Yew. counted. sue, whether it was a policy revi- “He had no time for any other spondent at Lianhe Zaobao, re- big man, I am a small man.” ers. I am old enough to remember Senior Minister, called a press con- other places, they called out his but played a key role when it And saying “no” was never an countries. I settled for a clean and The one-hour service at the “When I now see our well-fed, sion or something new.” business. This was most evident counted how a Saudi prince once Mr Robin Chan, SPH manager moving from a wooden house in ference to make this point: Singa- name. Each generation has its came to the detailed planning. option. green Singapore. SPH News Centre auditorium well-housed and well-travelled The Straits Times editor at when we were doing the book offered his private plane to Mr of media strategy and analytics, in- rural Bukit Timah to a brand-new pore was threatened, so he had to own defining memories, but in It was he, for instance, who “He said, ‘If from the start, “Greening is the most cost- started with the showing of a vid- Singaporeans, I am most grateful large Han Fook Kwang shared Hard Truths, where we inter- Lee so he could travel back to Sin- terviewed Mr Lee for the book HDB flat. In school, I struggled speak. He had fought many bat- the soft morning sunshine on ensured that flyovers had gaps to you say it cannot be done, I’ll effective project I have eo by SPH Razor on the life of Mr for what Mr Lee and his first- what he learnt about Mr Lee viewed him for more than 30 gapore in comfort. Hard Truths To Keep Singapore with learning Chinese under Mr tles, but Sars could prove a deadli- Wednesday, all Singaporeans let light and rain through, allow- chop off your head. But if you try launched.” Lee and ended with staff singing generation leaders have done for from working with him on his hours.” “The Singapore that Mr Lee Going while he was at The Straits Lee’s bilingual policy, and protest- er foe than any Singapore had shared a moment in history. They ing plants to grow underneath. it three times and fail, I’ll still give Mr Wong, who spoke to The the National Anthem. us. We have come a long way,” books. Mr Azhagiyapandiyan Du- and his team built is already 50 Times, and said he felt privileged ed when I had to spell my name in faced. Every Singaporean had a will again do so on Sunday, when Singapore’s first Prime Minis- you a gold medal,’” recalled Mr Straits Times on Wednesday at SPH chief executive officer said Mr Chan, who worked as Mr “First, we all know how meticu- raiswamy, deputy editor of Tamil years old. It’s time we can tell to have spent that time with him. hanyu pinyin. I was interested part in the fight, and one careless the nation comes together to bid ter also gave the instruction to Wong, who is now 82 years old. the Botany Centre in the Botanic Alan Chan and staff from four Lee’s principal private secretary lous he was and how much atten- Murasu, spoke of how Mr Lee him, ‘We’ve got this, please rest “Even at the age of 86, with his enough in politics as a schoolboy slip could cost everyone dearly. Mr Lee a final farewell. plant raintrees and Angsana trees “He wanted things to be tried Gardens, said: “He had a vision SPH daily newspapers who had in- from 1994 to 1997. tion to detail he gave to those is- made sure that “the Indians, assured and get on with your jour- health fluctuating, his passion for to go listen to Mr Lee’s fiery elec- The Government would not hesi- And history will be judging, as their huge crowns provide plen- out.” that if you wanted people to come teracted with Mr Lee in the course SPH chairman Lee Boon Yang, sues he considered important. In along with the Malays, had a place ney,’” she said in Mandarin. Singapore was unwavering, his tion speeches in Fullerton Square. tate to take tough action against too, how Singapore and Singapore- ty of shade. Mr Lee believed that turning and stay in Singapore, you must of their work also paid tribute to a former Cabinet minister under the case of his books, it meant in the Singapore sun”. Mr Chairul Fahmy Hussaini, appetite for a fight no less vora- I served national service – the anyone breaking quarantine laws ans move forth from here. From the dozen occasions Singapore into a Garden City have a place nice for them to live Singapore’s first Prime Minister. Mr Lee, also attended the service. writing and rewriting the drafts Mr Lee ensured that Tamil, spo- deputy digital editor of Berita Har- cious,” said Mr Chan. bedrock of his defence policy – and endangering others, “so let’s [email protected] when he met Mr Lee over his would give it a competitive advan- in.” As a young conscript in 1971, He said in a statement: “I have many, many times,” he said. ken by less than 5 per cent of the ian, recalled how he was once [email protected] dreading the experience while it get a grip on ourselves”, he said. @WongWeiKongBT eight years in office from 1974 to tage over other cities. [email protected] A16 FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2015 FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2015 A17

COMMENTARIES 1923 - 2015

MR LEE AND CHINA WHILE many political leaders and and political liberalisation, rather commentators around the world than cash and control, with free- have lavished praise on Mr Lee dom and equality celebrated along- Kuan Yew and his record, there side stability.” have also been voices of criticism Amid the tributes, some The New York Times echoed and some have raised questions the theme in an article called whether the island he built up has Singapore, The Nation That Lee First foreign outgrown its founder’s methods Kuan Yew Built, Questions Its of running the country. Direction. There are also questions on It said the country’s increasing- how Singapore’s politics will play brickbats and questions ly assertive and demanding elec- out in the years ahead, and how torate are calling for a new social leader to see orderly its political succession contract, a more consultative gov- will be. ernment and participatory While hailing the economic rule-making. transformation that Mr Lee and Critics hit out at how Mr Lee governed, tackled opponents, curbed freedoms The paper said issues that were his team had wrought, several unthinkable in Mr Lee’s time now commentators also labelled Singa- novel, unorthodox, heresies, to of Mr Lee, Politico magazine ran a apologetic autocrat has helped to vote and all but six of the 87 seats. cannot be dismissed so easily, terracotta pore an autocratic state, charging established churches and estab- feature called The Curse of Lee rehabilitate and legitimise authori- The Government responded by including the prospect that the that the people’s freedoms had lished governments – where there Kuan Yew. The article, written by tarianism”. changing its tone and expanding PAP could split into factions, “a had been curbed in the name of is a constant contest for men’s Mr Ben Judah, author of a book on Thanks to the “myth of Singa- programmes to help the less possibility that some believe is progress. hearts and minds on the basis of Russian President Vladimir Putin, pore”, Kremlin elites came to be- well-off. Even so, the gulf be- beginning to take shape”. Human rights groups such as what is right, of what is just, of called Mr Lee “a myth, a global lieve – for the first time since the tween rich and poor remained Mr Bill Emmott, who as former Amnesty International urged the what is in the national interests, idea – an intellectual cult built 1980s – that there could be a vast and had fed discontent, along editor of The Economist had sever- warriors next generation of leaders to en- or is it a closed society where the around the idea that not all auto- third way between Western liber- with living costs and immigration. al run-ins with the Singapore sure that their era is marked by mass media – the newspapers, the crats are bad”. al democracy, especially following Controls on Internet news sites Government, also pondered how what it called genuine respect for journals, publications, TV, Noting that Mr Putin and the path of the European Union, have been tightened, it noted. post-Lee politics would evolve, human rights and ask the same radio… are fed with a constant former Georgian president and despotic authoritarian rule, “Change is overdue,” said The particularly when it came to lead- hard questions Mr Lee himself drone of sycophantic support for Mikheil Saakashvili are admirers Mr Judah said. Guardian. “A growing number of ership transition. “The issue is cer- Accolades pour in recognising spoke of in 1964, a few months a particular orthodox political of Mr Lee, it added that since the The Guardian of London noted Singaporeans chafe at Lee-style tainly solvable, especially given before Singapore’s independence. philosophy?...” Amnesty said, early 2000s, “the cult of Lee Kuan that the last parliamentary elec- paternalism and seek to assert an excellent education system and Mr Lee’s role in China reforms “Is this an open, or is this a quoting from Mr Lee’s speech of Yew has been an unmitigated dis- tions marked the People’s Action their rights. Perhaps the country high-quality institutions of all closed, society? Is it a society the time. aster in Eastern Europe, where Party’s (PAP) worst performance, could one day be the model for a kinds. But Lee’s own actions sug- where men can preach ideas – In the most trenchant criticism the example set by Singapore’s un- even as it got 60 per cent of the new set of Asian values: social gest that he harboured doubts.” By KOR KIAN BENG in a Chinese-majority society CHINA BUREAU CHIEF during a visit to Singapore in IN BEIJING 1978, it reinforced the late Chi- nese strongman’s resolve to open The myth of Autocracy in S’pore? ON HIS first trip to China in May up China. 1976, former Singapore Prime In 1992, Deng’s favourable Minister Lee Kuan Yew learnt impressions of Singapore led him trade-offs Hardly, says writer about the discovery of terracotta to hail the Republic as a model of warriors two years earlier in north- development for China to emu- ern Shaanxi province. late, during his famous “southern By CALVIN CHENG In short, are you a civilised per- By SAHANA SINGH and a thriving trade port – all Keen to see them, he made a tour” of the coastal provinces to son who wants to live in a civi- achieved in just a few decades. last-minute request to then push economic reforms further. THE Western press has been re- lised society? Because the things BETWEEN my early life in India The engine behind that transfor- Vice-Premier Li Xiannian, who His call led to Chinese officials lentless in trotting out the opinion you cannot do in Singapore are and my current life in the United mation was the governance of Lee facilitated a detour to Shaanxi’s being dispatched to Singapore to that Mr Lee Kuan Yew had built precisely the sort that civilised States, I spent 14 years in para- Kuan Yew, the man whose vision provincial capital Xi’an, making study its public policies, and later Singapore’s undeniable economic people should not do anyway. If dise: Singapore. took this little dot of a city-state Mr Lee the first foreign leader to prompted Mr Lee and Deng to success while trading off funda- you are, you have nothing to fear. From clean water and “from Third World to First”. view one of the world’s major agree on the first government-to- mental civil liberties. Or maybe like the Western crime-free streets to reliable pub- But not everyone shared my wonders. government project in the Suzhou Much as I understand that it is press has kept saying these few lic transportation and easy access admiration. At the time, a friend Former Chinese journalists Industrial Park in 1994 to help in the West’s fundamental DNA days in their commentaries on Mr to libraries, the Government antic- of mine from the US told me who reported on his Xi’an visit de- China with its industrial upgrad- to assert certain inalienable Lee, you fear that you could be ipates all the basic needs to pro- nothing could make her move to scribed the Singapore leader as an ing efforts. freedoms, as a Singaporean, I locked up because we do not have vide its residents a good quality of Singapore: “I would hate to live in freedom of speech? a country where my freedoms are affable person who did not mind Mr Eagle Lyu, 31, a civil serv- strenuously object that there has Among the freedoms that Singaporeans have is the freedom to be out late at life and eliminate the stresses that curtailed,” she declared loftily. trodding on the muddy paths at ant from coastal Zhejiang prov- been any such trade-off. Do you want to come here and night unmolested, writes Mr Calvin Cheng. ST FILE PHOTO can impede personal progress. the discovery site, then still not ince who signed the condolence Some of my Western friends insult other people’s race and reli- But in the coverage that fol- I could only laugh. There I was, open to the public. book for Mr Lee at the Singapore who have never lived here for any gion? Maybe these are fundamen- lowed the death of Singapore’s freer than anytime I had been in Amid the tributes in China af- Embassy in Beijing, said he was period of time have sometimes tal freedoms in your country, but ber of Parliament who won five trial? Again and again ad nause- founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan my life. I had just found a job I ter Mr Lee’s death on Monday, grateful that Mr Lee was generous self-righteously proclaimed, no in ours, because we have experi- consecutive elections against Mr am, the Western press has used Yew on Monday, Western media loved. I could go see a movie with this little-known piece of trivia in sharing Singapore’s expertise doubt after reading the cliches in enced deadly racial riots at the Lee’s People’s Action Party? Or the example of Operation Cold has painted a very different friends and return by myself late emerged in Chinese media to with China. the media, that they could never birth of our country, these are a Mr Low Thia Khiang, who not on- Store to bolster its narrative of Mr picture. at night. show the country’s regard for “Looking at places like Suzhou, live under the “stifling and draco- no-no. But then again, why would ly won five consecutive general Lee as an autocrat, where 111 They describe a crushing auto- I could fall asleep in a taxi, Singapore’s you can tell that nian” laws that we have. you want to purposely offend oth- elections, but in the last one in left-wing politicians were arrest- crat who chained his people and after reeling off my address, and founding Prime they are governed My answer to them is simple: ers? 2011, also led a team that unseat- ed on suspicion of being commu- stripped them of basic freedoms. the driver would safely take me Minister and the better the minute Are you the sort to urinate in pub- Or maybe you want to tell lies ed the incumbent Minister for For- nist in 1964. My experience was quite the con- home and gently wake me up. favourable im- you are there. I lic when a toilet isn’t available, about our public figures, accuse eign Affairs and our first female But what about Operation trary. Outside of this tiny island Singapore maintains an effi- pressions he left think that can be the sort to vandalise public proper- them of corruption when you Cabinet minister? Demetrius, where in 1971, 342 per- utopia, I never felt more free. cient – if strict – judicial system, on its people INSPIRED BY S’PORE attributed to how ty, the sort that would leave a have no evidence to back them Both these opposition MPs sons suspected of being involved When we first arrived and fundamental to living in a from early on. many of the Chi- mess in a public toilet that you up, or accuse them of stealing, have never been sued, much less with the IRA were detained with- checked into a hotel, I called room low-crime society while practis- In a rare move, Looking at places nese officials share with others? Are you the cheating, or all manner of un- bankrupted. In fact, Mr Chiam out trial by the British Army? Or service and ing individual four out of the like Suzhou, you there have also sort who would throw rubbish on truths? If so, then be prepared to won several libel lawsuits against closer to the present where thou- asked for a jug freedom. I had seven members been trained in the streets for others to pick up, be sued for libel. Even if Western Mr Lee’s ministers. You would sands have been interred without of filtered water tasted the real in the apex Polit- can tell that they Singapore,” he the sort that would stick gum on societies think that you can say never have heard of them, or have trial by the United States in Guan- – a standard Critics call freedom that buro Standing are governed better said. train doors or leave them on the these things about your political chosen not to, because it doesn’t tanamo Bay on suspicion of being health precau- came with secu- Committee sent Another who floor to dry up into one ugly black figures, we don’t and we are bet- fit the Western narrative that le- terrorists? Firstly, detention with- tion. The hotel Singapore an rity. the minute you are ter for it. gitimate opposition was stifled by out trial is not something used on- Many point condolences over signed the condo- scar on the pavement? Are you employee dis- autocracy. But Mr Lee’s death, there. I think that lence book was perhaps a drug smuggler? Because And those political opponents Mr Lee through lawsuits. It ly by the Singapore Government, missed my con- to the price which was report- Mr Chen Kailin, we execute those. Or maybe you of Mr Lee who have been bank- doesn’t suit your narrative of but countries need to make their cerns: “You can I never felt more Singapore’s citi- ed prominently can be attributed to 34, a PhD student molest women? Because we rupted, allegedly because they trade-offs. The fact is that every own judgment about applying drink water zens and resi- on the front pag- at Tsinghua would whip you. Are you the sort were such formidable foes? No single opposition politician suc- such laws when they feel their se- from the tap in free than when dents pay for es of major dai- how many of the University study- that would get drunk and then get such thing. Mr J.B. Jeyeratnam cessfully sued for libel engaged in curity is threatened and the nor- your bath- achieving that lies, including the Chinese officials ing Singapore’s into fights and maybe beat up a and Dr Chee Soon Juan may be the type of politics that we do not mal judicial process is inadequate; room.” I lived there. security. The mouthpieces of political party sys- stranger in the bar? Back home the martyrs much adored by the want, the kind founded on vicious in the 1960s and 70s, communists At first, I was In Singapore, Government im- there have also been tem. Mr Lee viewing terracotta warriors in Xi’an, Shaanxi province, during his first visit to China in 1976. With him were (from right) Dr Ahmad Mattar, Mr S R Nathan, Western press, but have you lies being told in the name of polit- inciting armed revolution were poses strict the Chinese Com- Mrs Lee, daughter Lee Wei Ling (holding camera) and Mr Lee Khoon Choy. Former Chinese journalists who reported on his Xi’an visit described the Singapore leader you may get away with it but if horrified by the heard of Mr Chiam See Tong, the ical campaigning. Singapore’s greatest threat. I couldn't chew laws with steep munist Party and trained in “While having as an affable person who did not mind trodding on the muddy paths at the discovery site, which was not open to the public then. ST FILE PHOTO you are that sort, then maybe this suggestion. In the People’s Liber- elections in China place isn’t for you. longest-serving opposition Mem- What about detention without Whether those people were in- India, water gum. But at least fines and pun- ation Army. Singapore. might not be pos- deed communists will be a ques- filters were as ishments for President Xi – Mr Eagle Lyu, a civil servant sible, China can tion no doubt debated endlessly common as TV I never feared for even minor Jinping lamented from Zhejiang province learn from Singa- by historians, in the same way as sets and refriger- transgressions: Mr Lee’s death pore in areas such MR LEE AND INDIA whether the 342 in Northern Ire- ators in middle- my safety. Breaching the “as a loss to the as corruption con- land were indeed IRA members, and upper-class ban on selling international com- trol and its practi- or the thousands in Guantanamo homes. But gum can fetch a munity”, while cal, non-ideologi- Bay were indeed terrorists. here, I soon dis- fine. Vandalis- Premier Li Keqiang said that the cal approach to problems,” he A forceful role model, even for dissenters So where is the trade-off? How covered, the state maintained a ing property can lead to caning. Singapore statesman’s “contribu- said. are we unfree? high-quality water treatment These kinds of sentences may tions towards China’s reform and Sino-Asean expert Deng Shich- I tell you what freedom is. process that delivered purified be an affront to American ideals, opening up will be recorded in his- ao of Jinan University in By NIRMALA GANAPATHY views on India, he represented do it anywhere else except lesson for India. Freedom is being able to walk water nationwide. Not only was but in Singapore, like many Asian tory”. Both accolades are hardly Guangzhou said China is also INDIA BUREAU CHIEF how a strong leader could make Singapore. In that sense, it is India operates in a difficult on the streets unmolested in the Singapore’s water drinkable countries, ensuring the greater used for foreign leaders, say ana- grateful that Mr Lee, who made 33 IN NEW DELHI a difference to a nation. unique.” neighbourhood, and it has gone wee hours in the morning, to be straight from the tap, but it al- good is paramount to self-determi- lysts. visits in 37 years from 1976, acted Said Dr Sanjaya Baru, who Strategic affairs analyst C. to war thrice with Pakistan and able to leave one’s door open and ways gushed with good pressure, nation. Americans, it should be The plethora of accolades as its bridge with the outside served as media adviser to Uday Bhaskar, who as a young once with China. not fear that one would be bur- even on the top floors of the tall- noted, also pay a price for the pre- heaped on Mr Lee by officials and world, especially with the West- AT A South Asian diaspora former Indian premier naval officer visited Singapore “There is a certain amount of gled. Freedom is the woman who est buildings. It was my first intro- mium they put on individual liber- the media included descriptions ern countries. convention in Singapore in 2011, Manmohan Singh and later often in the 1970s, said he was pragmatism and how to can ride buses and trains alone; duction to a government that ties. such as “China’s old friend”, Mr Lee was the only Singapore when Mr Lee Kuan Yew was taught at the Lee Kuan Yew struck by the transformation he maximise fairly difficult freedom is not having to avoid cer- works. Westerners ridicule Singapore “world-class strategist” and leader to have met five genera- asked if he could replicate School of Public Policy: “I think saw in the nation under Mr Lee. geopolitical and geostrategic tain subway stations after night In my first days in Singapore, I for restrictions on personal expres- “China’s pure friend”. tions of Chinese leaders from Mao Singapore’s success in India, he most middle-class Indians who “He will be remembered as circumstances,” said Mr falls. Freedom is knowing our chil- worried about safely getting sion and protest, but overlook China’s respect for Mr Lee, Zedong to Mr Xi. laughed out loud, but his answer visited Singapore would envy the great architect of Singapore. Bhaskar. dren can go to school without fear around town, especially with a how the nation provides more stemming from a sense of pride in But there are also detractors was clear: No. Singapore’s success and would It is very impressive what he has Mr Lee knew India quite well. of drugs, or being mowed down baby. I had never used local trains freedom than some of the him as an ethnic Chinese who here against Mr Lee, as seen in “No single person can change wish India had a leader like him. done, though he has been He first visited the country in by some insane person with a gun. and feared ending up in a danger- most-lauded democracies. managed to steady Singapore some commentaries and editorials India,” he responded. “If you “The fact is that, in the past, accused of ruling with an iron 1959 for a conference of the Freedom is knowing that we are ous neighbourhood. In Singapore, there was no gun through a bleak situation after its this week, particularly over his compare with China, 90 per Lee Kuan Yew did have a high fist. But he was able to infuse an International Commission of not bound by our class, our race, But what would be reasonable culture like America’s or neigh- 1965 split from Malaysia, has often-repeated stand that the cent speak one language. It is a regard for India and did reach identity of Singapore in spite of Jurists (ICJ). As Prime Minister our religion, and we can excel for fears for a newcomer in most bourhoods with street gangs to be grown since then due to various United States should maintain or much easier country to lead than out to India. I think, towards the a very complex ethnic of independent Singapore, he the individuals that we are – the countries were gratuitous in Singa- avoided. reasons, say analysts. increase its influence in the region India. India consists of many end, he had become quite diversity,” said Mr Bhaskar. visited six times. He returned in freedom to accomplish. Freedom pore. Everywhere were street As my daughter grew older, I One was Mr Lee’s prescient as a balance against a rising Chi- different nation groups and critical. He feels that the way Mr Lee 2005 to deliver the Jawaharlal is living in one of the least corrupt signs and directions in English, could easily let her move around view on the country’s re-emer- na. dialects.” “I think all of us admired the navigated through complex Nehru Memorial Lecture in New societies in the world, knowing clearly marked and intelligently the city with no worries about her “I believe most respect Mr Lee kind of energy that he sustained relationships with neighbours Delhi and for later visits. that our ability to get things done placed, as if invisible planners safety. Around the country, there gence as a force – a stand he took He had many observations Then Indian President V. V. Giri bidding Mr Lee a warm farewell on Sept 17, 1971, after a three-day state visit here. Also for being open and consistent As early as in 1966, he is not going to be limited by our are plenty of mosques, churches publicly from as early as 1967 in a about India, some flattering and in leadership and created such as Malaysia and other present for the ceremonial send-off was Singapore’s second President, Dr Benjamin Sheares (right). ST FILE PHOTO were anticipating your next ques- televised interview by NBC News with his views, and that whatever several not so flattering. something unique. But you can’t countries in Asean also holds a suggested during a visit that ability to pay someone. Freedom tion. and temples in close proximity, in the United States. he did, he did for Singapore’s He called India a “nation of India should take a leadership is fresh air and clean streets, be- There was no litter in along with Christian, Muslim, Hin- Asked if China, which was then interests,” Sino-Singapore expert unfulfilled greatness” with its role in South-east Asia. He even great-grandson, spent a week in speaking about India, seeing that India’s current Prime cause nothing is more inimical to Singapore’s streets. Every build- du and Buddhist national holi- in the midst of the Cultural Revo- Lyu Yuanli of Shenzhen Universi- potential “lain fallow, proposed that India and Japan Singapore at Mr Lee’s invitation as a desire for India to do better. Minister, Mr Narendra Modi, our liberty of movement than be- ing looked clean and every walk- days. lution, could become a strongly ty said. under-used”. should start a regional economic and had meetings with him. “Lee Kuan Yew was candid who will attend Mr Lee’s funeral ing trapped at home because of way looked newly washed. The The national government is unified country again, Mr Lee Singapore Business Federation India’s complex caste system HE WANTED INDIA TO REACH ITS FULL POTENTIAL cooperation accord. He knew Dr Baru revealed that, at one about India in his own on Sunday, is known to be an suffocating smog. National Library had numerous highly transparent and virtually said: “I would say they are deter- president Teo Siong Seng said was an “enemy of meritocracy”, Lee Kuan Yew was candid about India in his own many Indian leaders personally meeting between Mr Lee and Dr characteristic way, and hoped admirer of Mr Lee and These are the freedoms that branches, stocked with wonderful incorruptible, functioning better mined, as a people, to unify and most of his Chinese associates he said. The potential of the and most of its prime ministers, Singh, the latter sought advice we would rise to our real Singapore’s model of Singaporeans have, freedoms that books. With my baby in a stroller, than some chaotic, so-called build a modern, powerful, appreciated Mr Lee’s frankness, country was bogged down by a characteristic way, and hoped we would rise to our real from India’s first Premier on how to handle the Chinese potential. Some of his views development. were built on the vision and hard I could go practically anywhere. It democracies. wealthy Chinese nation and I say knowing that he had also spoken bureaucracy “wrapped in a potential. Some of his views regarding our nationhood might Jawaharlal Nehru to Dr leadership. regarding our nationhood might In the past year, Mr Modi has work of Mr Lee, our first Prime was like an India I had always And yet the world asked why good luck to them.” up for them when needed. colonial mindset”. be disagreed with but, overall, his heart was in India, and he Manmohan Singh. Many saw Mr Lee’s be disagreed with but, overall, focused on areas such as Minister. And we have all of dreamed of: clean, green and has- the average Singaporean, who had China is also thankful for the “They knew that he would In one interview, he said genuinely wanted us to achieve our real potential. In later years, Mr Lee also contribution in recognising early his heart was in India, and he cleanliness, promoting these, these liberties, while also sle-free. good schooling, a job, affordable pivotal role that Mr Lee played in speak for China at the crucial time India was “not a real country” became somewhat of a mentor that India could play a role in genuinely wanted us to achieve manufacturing and reducing red being one of the richest countries How was this possible? Singa- housing, healthcare, childcare and its reform and opening-up policy but also speak up when it was not but “32 separate nations”. – Mr Tarun Vijay, an MP of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party to various Indian leaders. South-east Asia and as a our real potential,” said Mr tape – issues that Mr Lee had in the world. pore gained its independence near- eldercare don’t protest from since the late 1970s. doing things right. They regarded Yet, even for Indians who did Congress vice-president counterweight to China. Tarun Vijay, an MP of the ruling highlighted over the years. There was no trade-off. ly 20 years after India and, yet, rooftops? When Deng Xiaoping saw the him as a ‘true friend’.” not agree with many of his Rahul Gandhi, Nehru’s Some even liked his plain Bharatiya Janata Party. [email protected] Not for us. the island nation now boasts a re- May Singapore never squander governance model of a dominant [email protected] The writer is a media entrepreneur and markably diverse economy, the the legacy of Lee Kuan Yew. one-party rule and free economy Additional reporting by Esther Teo former Nominated MP world’s top airline, clean rivers THE WASHINGTON POST A18 FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2015 FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2015 A19

PICTURE SPREAD: HIS TRIPS ABROAD 1923 - 2015

ITALY: Mr and Mrs Lee taking a close look at the tombs of the Dukes of Medici, who once ruled Florence, during a visit to Italy in April 1988. ST FILE PHOTO Lee Kuan Yew, INDONESIA: Mr Lee at a golf course with President Suharto during a three-day official visit to Jakarta in May 1973. ST FILE PHOTO world traveller

As Prime Minister, Senior Minister and Minister Mentor, Mr Lee travelled far, wide and frequently to increase Singapore’s space, and to establish ties with the rest of the world. Between 1959 and 2012, he made at least 304 official trips to 83 countries. He visited Malaysia most frequently, followed by Japan, Britain, China and the United States.

THE UNITED STATES: Mr Lee Kuan Yew had the rare honour of addressing a joint session of the United was president of the Senate, is seated behind him. Next to Mr Bush is Speaker of the House of KAZAKHSTAN: Mr Lee went fishing while on a visit in JAPAN: Mr Lee trying his hand at spinning a top during a visit to States Senate and House of Representatives on Oct 9, 1985. Then Vice-President George H. W. Bush, who Representatives Tip O’Neill. LIANHE ZAOBAO FILE PHOTO September 1991. PHOTO: COURTESY OF THE LEE FAMILY Tokyo in 1993. PHOTO: COURTESY OF THE LEE FAMILY

CHINA: Mr Lee taking a camel ride at Dunhuang in north-western Gansu on Oct 21, 1990. PHOTO: COURTESY OF THE LEE FAMILY

MALAYSIA: Then Minister Mentor Lee meeting former Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in Kuala Lumpur on June 8, 2009. Mr Lee visited Malaysia most frequently. ST FILE PHOTO

MYANMAR: Mr Lee sounding a giant bell on a visit to the Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon in January 1986. ST FILE PHOTO

TURKEY: Mr Lee trying out an ancient communal toilet at Kusadasi, near Ephesus, Turkey, in 1991. INDIA: Mr Lee donning traditional Indian headgear on a trip to Jaipur in November 1971 with Mrs Lee and PHOTO: COURTESY OF THE LEE FAMILY daughter Wei Ling, who is in a sari. PHOTO: COURTESY OF THE LEE FAMILY