Tuesday 24 March 2015

TRIBUTES from readers

A proud legacy to remember, live up to

Mr Lee Kuan Yew made a difference in many ways to Singaporeans, from the example he set
for others to his role in transforming the Republic. Here are some reflections from our readers.
From Eve Eng

t was a day of great loss and sadness as I reflected on what our

dearest, respected and honourable Lee Kuan Yew had left us. He had
finished what he had set out to do and
left a successful legacy.
His pains and struggles the price
he had to pay for taking on the leadership of this nation and his victories
have left a deep impression on me. Although I was a young child in the 1950s
and 60s, I grew a great admiration for
From Subana Hall

t was about 9.20pm in England

when the BBC newsflash came on
my mobile phone. Mr Lee Kuan
Yew, Singapores first prime minister,
the architect of an economic powerhouse, had died.
Even miles away, in a different time
zone, a sense of loss engulfed me. His
passing was in the headlines of the
BBC1 10pm news. Not many world
leaders make it to the headlines in
such urgent manner, forcing news editors to change their line-up. His death
warranted it.
Condolences have been pouring in
from leaders and think-tanks, but a
true measure of a persons greatness
is the way he touched the hearts of
ordinary people. Thousands of Facebookers have changed their profile
images to either a picture of Mr Lee
or of Singapores landscape to show
their sadness.
It is pretty much the same in other
social media, with people sharing their

From Alan Chin Jia Lun

am saddened by the passing of our

founding prime minister, Mr Lee
Kuan Yew. I join all Singaporeans
in mourning his death. It is a pity he will
not be with us to celebrate our SG50
National Day Parade.
He was a remarkable, well-respected statesman who transformed Singapore from a Third World country to
a First World country today. He contributed significantly to Singapores
development: Housing, infrastructure,
educational system, public transport

From Zee Kok Eng

heard the news of Mr Lee Kuan

Yews passing with sorrow. He was
a good man who embodied courage, diligence and integrity. His sacrificial dedication to the betterment of
Singapore was his lifes work and goal.

him from hearing my parents speak

about what happened in Singapore then.
I remember seeing him on blackand-white television, shouting merdeka, merdeka while being carried by his
supporters. I remember his grief on the
day of separation from Malaysia: He
wept. There were so many insecurities and a sense of hopelessness then.
But he was a great, visionary leader
who was passionate about Singapore.
He gave his life to turning it into a firstclass nation. It came with sacrifice, loss
of popularity and, perhaps, hatred, but
grief and admiration for this political
giant. How did he touch so many hearts
and generations?
He was a leader, father, husband,
son and the architect of Singapore.
He could not have done it without his
peoples support, but it was he, the
trailblazer, who held the torch.
What next? Sceptics and critics
may try to hint at uncertainty. What
they need to know is that with vision
and determination, Mr Lee built Singapore on a strong foundation of values,
discipline and merit.
This Lion City will grow from
strength to strength. I have faith in
its present and future generations to
continue leading and living by adapting to the political, economic and social climate.
Some will take longer than a week
to mourn. When Singapore celebrates
its 50th National Day, people will remember and pay tribute to this man
who made a difference, nationally and
globally, and be proud to be Singaporean. Majulah Singapura!
and the rest.
The lives of Singaporeans have improved tremendously under his leadership. We should pay our respects to
MrLee by imparting the values he left
us to the younger generation.
This could be done in the form of a
National Education documentary to
be used as material in the school syllabus. The documentary could also
be displayed at museums and key attractions, such as Changi Airport and
Sentosa, for visitors.
Singapore has lost a great leader
and true legend in ruling the country.
He was a true champion of Singapore. Although he is no longer with us,
his legacy lives on. In a way, who we are
as Singaporeans have been shaped by
his policies, writings and the way he
conducted himself in public affairs.
His story reflects his fighting spirit,
his boldness in the face of challenges

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he pressed on selflessly,
He was focused and did not allow
circumstances to affect him. What he
has done will not last, however, if Singapore falls into the hands of the wrong
leadership in future. We must not take
his legacy for granted.
What would please him beyond the
grave would be to know that Singapore
continues to be built on some of his
principles: Unity, justice, peace, integrity and stability.
I thank the valiant men who fought
and stood by him for the nations sake. I

He was a leader, father, husband, son

and the architect of Singapore. He could
not have done it without his peoples support,
but it was he, the trailblazer, who held the torch.

thank the Lee family for selflessly sharing a big part of their father, grandfather and brother with Singaporeans.
During this recent period of anxiety about his illness and hope for his
recovery, I saw the compassion, unity,
love and gratitude of Singaporeans and
foreigners towards our founding father.
I am proud to be a Singaporean and
thankful I was born here, under MrLees
leadership and the leadership to whom
he passed the baton. May his legacy for
Singapore be remembered and built
upon in the generations thereafter.
From Kelvin Zhu Weijie

adly, we have lost our founding father, Mr Lee Kuan Yew, who was
instrumental in leading Singapore out of its Third World beginnings.
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong
stated aptly in his televised address:
We wont see another man like him.
With respect and humility, I suggest
that the Government consider setting aside March 23 every year as our
Founding Fathers Day.
This would help remind our people
and future generations of the difficult
journey our forefathers took to bring
us to the modern city we live in today.
It would be a day to commemorate
the pioneers who contributed to the
building of this nation. May we not only
remember our humble beginnings in
this SG50 year, but in the years to come.

No one is perfect, but

this island is no doubt
indebted to him, no matter
the negative views of a few.
From Mary Maloney

W
A man paying his respects to Mr Lee Kuan Yew at
Tanjong Pagar Community Club yesterday. Photo: AP

and adversity, and his never-give-up

attitude.
As a boy and as a young man, I was
inspired by his constant reminder to be
the best I can be. As an older person,
I have been inspired by him to keep fit
and mentally active, continue to learn
new things and be useful to others.

ithout Mr Lee Kuan Yews

whole lifes sacrifice for this
country, there would not
have been a strong, steady and successful Singapore today.
No one is perfect, but this island is
no doubt indebted to him, no matter
the negative views of a few.
I have lived abroad for many years,
travelled to many countries and will
never find such a home as Singapore:
Safe and with a sense of satisfaction.
Thank you very much, Mr Lee. May
he rest in eternal peace.

He is an example of how one man

can make a difference to both his society and the world. His death is a loss
to Singapore and, I believe, also to the
world at large.
I am grateful for the privilege of having him as our first Prime Minister. His
was a life well lived.