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.
