Thank Yew

Because of the nation Mr LKY built, my son can grow up in a sage, metocratic and stable society. 

When I pass on, if Singapore continues to stay in its prosperous state of growth as it is today, I know my son is in "good hands". I hope this will still be his home. That he will continue to play and grow in his role as a Singaporean to keep this tiny nation a mighty one. Most importantly, to keep your legacy alive. 

You have inspired me and will continue to do so everyday now. Despite some grievances and "relentless complaints", I love Singapore. We have been spoilt crazy by you. Everytime i come home, I learn to appreciate what we have all over again. when I travel, even most of the first world countries are overrated to me. Nothing beats home. 

I want to believe that our complaints are for the positive. That if we never settle for anything less, we can continue to complain but strive towards exceeding the standards we have now. 

Ler - I don't know what will be in store for your generation. But in 20 - 30 years, remember that Singapore has been a great home to Mummy and Daddy. Be proud to be a Singaporean and whatever your future is, work hard and you will be rewarded handsomely. 

Remembering LKY - Bilingualism

My mum once shared with me, with tears in her eyes, the reason why she had to drop out of university after just one year. She was born in 1955 and is a baby boomer. She received a Chinese education in whampoa all her life till JC (otherwise known as pre-U then) and did exceptionally well. A standard that was an incredible achievement in those years when those who made it to university belong to a minority group. Much less a female student in NTU. She was a sacrificial lamb for Singapore's transition into a billingual society to survive on a global stage. A decision that Mr LKY said he was wrong in the implementation process, though stands firm in the policy. Singapore needed it to survive.

I can understand and feel the pain of why mummy is full of regrets, for making one of the most difficult decisions in her life to drop out. Imagine learning complex terms like carbon dioxide, sulphur etc. From scratch again. Memorizing them in English is already no mean feat. To have to pick up from ground zero and translate, subsequently to be graded in exams is  much worse. Of course, only the fittest could survive. And unfortunately, mummy wasn't one of them.

It changed her life and she suffered for it. Her course would have been entirely different if she had graduated from university. And I might not even exist today.

However, this transition benefitted subsequent generations of Singaporeans. My sis and I grew up and benefitted from a billingual and meritocratic Singapore that Mr LKY built. He believed in a vision and never wavered. My sister and I were given equal opportunities in education and work, regardless of our social background or gender. We were rewarded as long as we worked hard to excel. For instance, going places where others can't, in our jobs with the fastest growing economy in the world. My sister was posted to Shanghai for a couple of years and I now cover China as part of my media portfolio. Today, my parents and I continue to speak in Mandarin and i have inherited from them the love for the language. I remain curious and intrigued by the deep culture and history. Esp of how 成语 and 谚语 can successfully capture an emotion or a moment that would take a few pages to articulate the essence in English, in simply a handful of characters.

I am a mother now. And I am proud to  speak to my son in Mandarin and hope he becomes effectively billigual when he grows up. I have reaped countless benefits because of my own experience and I wish he could enjoy the same. Of course, my heart pains for my mum when I think of her journey. But for my own selfish reasons, I am comforted by why things turned out the way it did. Because mummy would not have met daddy otherwise. And I would not be where I am today, privileged to have a loving family. Many are way less fortunate than me.

Sadly though, I am seeing more Singaporeans who are averse to the language in my job. Acquaintances, job interviewees or even friends are "proud" to be in the "jia kandang" group. Not only do they not speak, read or understand the language, they do not want to be associated in any way. This baffles and disturbs me everyday.

Watching Mr LKY's speeches and views on bilingualism has inspired and ignited my urgent wish to keep the flame of Chinese literature burning in Singapore. I am definitely not an expert. But I am relatively eloquent and competent enough in the language to play a part.

Thank you Mr Lee. This is home, truly. Am so proud to be Singaporean.

Beyond words

I didnt expect the depth of my sorrow and grief. Not in this way for someone I never met. This great man devoted his life to a nation. A life that was never tainted by other distractions. He lived for Singapore. There's so much to say and I am shocked at the outpouring of grief in Singapore. Yes we expected a nation in mourning to come to a stanstill. But this... This is a historical moment for us. One that is heavy and so gloom. It's hard coming to terms that we are now alone, without our founding father. What would he do? What would he say?

The western media and critics... They are not Singaporeans. And they do not live here. If we delve into their articles, not one quotes a Singaporean denying mr Lee's achievements for Singapore. Because as much as we disagree with some of his policies, which were cut throat, ruthless and controlling, we are free. As liberated as we need to be. And it works so well for us. Our rulinf system has outlive the efficiencies of democracy. Just look at the governments of us and UK today. 

Also, How many leaders in this world has been able to cut across race, language, religion and ideologies? Mr Lee's tributes have come from the world and people from all walks of life. His work was incredible. As much as I was too young to appreciate, I see now why he had to do what he had to do. For us, for Singapore. I am honoured to have lived in his lifetime. To have benefited from the sound outcomes of his vision. I regret not having witnessed this great man in action, his speeches, rallies and charisma . but I know, I am proud to Singaporean.

Thank you Mr Lee.

LKY was Singapore

It's so hard not to pay tribute and be ignorant of the passing of Singapore's founding prime minister. I was biased and anti-pap under the influence of my family and parents when I was younger. And before I joined the civil service. But today , with maturity comes understanding and appreciation of our great livelihood in Singapore. This little red dot that could  be easily wiped out of the global map had it not been for the efforts, sweat, blood and tears of Mr Lee Kuan Yew. He was a visionary. A leader that all other high level state figures in the world reapect. Though not always aligned with his ideology, many wanted to hear the lessons he could impart and the often controversial but outrageously fwd looking global view that nobody else could match up to. He was a legendary global icon that amplified the voice of tiny island Singapore.

Now that I am a mother. I no longer take things for granted. Because I hope my son will grow up in an even more prosperous Singapore. I often spoke of leaving... Finding the opportunity to move overseas. maybe I lacked the courage or maybe, deep down inside I'm just too in love with Singapore. Born and bred in singapore,  I often find other developed, much raved about first world countries, overrated. I come home to a great place where I feel safe and happy. A country that i know my loved ones will be well taken care of, esp my parents as they grow old. I benefited from a meritocratic Singapore. And this is the same environment I want my son to grow up in.

Like many great leaders before Lee kuan Yew, he has fair share of supporters and critics. Esp with the foreign media. But why do we care what others think? When putting his policies down, I wonder if they look back and see how their country has not achieved what Singapore has. "First world" America does not have a sound healthcare system. Neither do they have a good rail transport. The foundation for a connected city with no natural resources vital for its existence.

The depth of sorrow and grief have hit me harder than I expected. I've never dealt well with death. It's always hard. Even harder when Mr Lee is the end of an era. A stark reminder of my own ailing grandfather. He used to lament about the pap and I do think about what he would say if he's still clear minded today. Would he still judge mr Lee the same way he did before Alzheimer robbed him of his recent years?

What they went through is not what we the younger generation can ever imagine. The tumultuous experiences made them strong fighters who will relentlessly stand by their faith. They will not waver or succumb to challenges just because... These are values I want to impart my son. But I am both ashamed but proud to say that I've led a relatively comfortable life in Singapore. Economic progress is not the double edge sword. It's complacency that can destroy us.

What will Singapore be without our founding father and pioneer generation? As much as I have faith in pm Lee's refrshing leadership, esp with his effective use of social media, I also wish to see him build a competent gap between the elitist pap members and us. I would think... The biggest question that will continue to be our guiding light is "what will Lee kuan Yew do?" May u rest in peace Mr Lee.

Thank u for everything. In the span of the last few weeks, indulging in ur quotes, writings, interviews and speeches have taught me so much. Nobody. Nobody can deny the good u have done for us. The devotion and rapid transformation to who we are today. By putting us on the global stage, we can only hope that we will continue to have strong courageous leaders to lead us through difficult times. I have learnt the lessons of love, leadership, comms and vlaues from u. Maybe the legacy u have left behind is lost among younger Singaporeans, but I am so proud to have lived in ur times. And hope my son will have the opportunity to uphold the future of  Singapore as what u envisioned it to be.