In tribute to Lee Kuan Yew

It is with a heavy heart as I pen this post about our founding father, Lee Kuan Yew, who left us earlier this morning. 

I’ve been reading all the tributes and thought this would be a good chance to consolidate what Singapore owes to this man as we look back on how far we’ve come.

While the nation grieves, I try to find comfort in the fact that people are taking the time to remember his legacy and recount how he brought Singapore from a Third World to a First World nation in a lifespan of a single generation. I’m not sure, and I doubt, that there has been any other country quite like us.

My generation does not really know Lee Kuan Yew, for we were born after the most trying of times. We didn’t grow up in times of war and fighting, and all we know are the stories our parents share about being poor, not always having enough to eat, living in crowded quarters, and wearing tattered, hand-me-downs clothing.

Today, many of us have our own bedrooms (or share with our siblings, but usually no more than 2 – 3 in a single room); we apply for jobs with a starting pay of $2000 and above; live in peaceful times where crime rates are low and even females like me feel safe enough to go out jogging at midnight. We dine at cafes and new meals like “teatime” and “supper” have emerged. We buy clothes as fashion trends change and complain about not having enough wardrobe space to keep all of them. 

We are exceedingly blessed, but we want for more. We complain and argue incessantly for greater freedoms and privileges, but there is one thing few of us will deny – Singapore owes her success to Lee Kuan Yew.

A man who believed in Singapore when others didn’t

We have defied economic logic and sense to succeed, thanks to this one man who believed so strongly in Singapore and in us. At a time where people scorned Singapore for our small size and lack of natural resources, he believed that we could be so much more.

Lee Kuan Yew planted the vision of a successful Singapore and together with his Cabinet Ministers, took on the arduous task of nation-building. He believed, and rallied the people together towards a brighter future with the promise that they would get there.


A man who did not give up easily on his country

The late Mr. Lee was also not one to be daunted by obstacles. Can you imagine believing all your life in something, only to have your lifelong dream shattered?

Most normal people may never recover from such a trauma, or at least, take a long while to recover and climb back up on their feet again. But Mr. Lee was different. He wasted no time in rebuilding Singapore. His lifelong plan and belief may have failed, but that only meant he had to work out a new and better solution right away.


World-class transport and infrastructure

Our parents mostly either walked or rode their bicycles. Few had the privilege of owning a car. 

Today, we have Changi Airport which continues to win international awards, and a world-class public transport system of interconnected trains and buses.

But the MRT keeps breaking down! 

Sure it does, but remember that no system is perfect. In our system where most of us never have to wait any longer than 10 minutes for a train, we already have much to be thankful for.


Meritocracy: Equal opportunities for all

This is one of the biggest reasons why I feel proud to be Singaporean. In our system of governance, a key principle is that of meritocracy, which ensures that everyone (regardless of background, race or money) has an equal chance to succeed.

In some other countries, if you’re a girl, you don’t get to go to school. If you’re white, you get promoted easier than if you’re black, Asian, or any other minority race.

As a female, I’m thankful to have been born in Singapore where my gender and skin colour doesn’t limit me from getting the same opportunities as everyone else. And I am heartened by the fact that as long as I am willing to work hard, I will surely succeed.

Our education system is so heavily subsidized that no matter how poor you are, the government goes to huge lengths to ensure everyone at least gets educated up to secondary school. Even a JC tertiary education is pretty cheap – I vaguely recall paying only $12 a month on average (that was years ago, correct me if I’m wrong today).

Even our local university degrees are much cheaper compared to overseas studies.

Strong diplomatic ties

Mr. Lee took efforts to build and maintain close friendships and relations with international leaders abroad. He earned the praise and respect of many. I love this writeup from Today newspaper:

From being a small and isolated city state, Mr. Lee made sure we were surrounded by allies. I like to think that one reason why we’ve not been subject to all the cross-border conflicts unlike other countries is due partly to the friendships Mr. Lee built.

After all, you would think twice before attacking a friend.


Singapore’s timeline:

Just imagine, we were so close to being that yellow line. Instead, we’ve become an economic wonder and one of the world’s richest countries.

Much has changed since then. While our parents hoped for a peaceful country and a stable rice bowl, our generation today wants more. 

And that is the crux of our discontent.

Times have changed. We aspire to be rich and successful. We want to chart our own paths. We don’t like being controlled. Now that most of us generally have a good life (in the eyes of many, especially those who have experienced poverty), we want much more.

And that’s not a crime. In fact, it is always good to strive for higher goals, which can only lead to greater progress.

But as we continue to debate over rising living costs and income inequality in hopes for the better tomorrow that we want, let us not forget how incredibly blessed we are to have already come this far.

I quote Stefanie Sun: [Let us] be secure in the knowledge that hard work, good ethics will get [us] somewhere.

Thank you for the privilege, Mr. Lee Kuan Yew.

We owe you. And Singapore owes its success to you. We will strive to become an even better and prosperous Singapore – the Singapore you dreamed of and worked so hard to build.

Rest in peace.