Singaporeans urged to continue late Mr Lee Kuan Yew’s work

SINGAPORE — After a “dark week” that saw the nation come together in mourning the death of Mr Lee Kuan Yew, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong today (March 29) rallied Singaporeans to channel that grief into a unity and resolve to continue building “this exceptional country”.

Delivering the first of 10 eulogies at the State Funeral service held at University Cultural Centre, PM Lee, whose voice grew thick with emotions twice during his speech, likened his father’s death to the extinguishment of the guiding light for Singapore over the years.

“This has been a dark week for Singapore. The light that has guided us all these years has been extinguished. We have lost our founding father Mr Lee Kuan Yew, who lived and breathed Singapore all his life,” he said, in a speech watched not only by the 2,200 attending the service, but by many others across the island live on television and the Internet.

“Together, we have grieved as one people, one nation. We have all lost a father,” he added, noting the overwhelming show of support from Singaporeans who have thronged Parliament House for the late Mr Lee’s lying in state, as well as paid their respects at the numerous tribute centres set up since last Monday.

But PM Lee, recounting the founding Prime Minister’s pledge to have Singapore standing long after his time, called on Singaporeans to fulfil their duty to “continue his life’s work, to carry his torch forward and keep the flame burning bright”.

He added: “Let us shape this island nation into a one of the great cities in the world, reflecting the ideals he stood for, realising the dreams he inspired, and worthy of the people who have made Singapore our home and nation.”

Singapore’s success, however, was not down to the late Mr Lee alone, he noted. Forging the path alongside him were an “exceptional” team of pioneer Cabinet leaders, such as Dr Goh Keng Swee, S Rajaratnam, as well as Mr Ong Pang Boon, who also delivered a eulogy speech today.

The late Mr Lee also imbued Singapore with its personal traits, among which were incorruptibility and frugality, said PM Lee.

His unrelenting drive to improve the state of things was seen in his personal life, but also extended to national matters, such as his “lifelong obsession” of settling Singapore’s water security, said PM Lee.

“So perhaps it is appropriate that today for his state funeral the heavens opened and cried for him,” he added, choking back tears.

When he started writing his memoirs at age 70, for instance, he started learning how to use a computer, PM Lee recounted. Even on the day before he was taken ill to the Singapore General Hospital, where he stayed warded for six weeks until his death, the late Mr Lee’s last appointment on Feb 4 was with his Mandarin tutor, he added.

“He inspired us all to keep giving of our best.”

PM Lee also highlighted that preparing Singapore to continue beyond him was also one of the late Mr Lee’s greatest legacies — something which may not be as apparent to many.

Referring to how he made way for Mr Goh Chok Tong to take over as Prime Minister, PM Lee said: “He knew how to guide without being obtrusive, to be watchful while letting the new team develop its own style and authority. He described himself as a ‘mascot’, but everyone knew how special this mascot was and how lucky we were to have such a mascot.”

Mr Goh, when he delivered his eulogy, expanded on the same point. After two terms leading the Government, Mr Goh broached his intention of stepping down after the 2001 General Election so that PM Lee, who was Deputy Prime Minister then and approaching 50, would have a long runway.

He did this after seeing that the foremost worry on the late Mr Lee’s mind was whether Singapore would survive after he and the Old Guard were gone.

“He wanted to be judged on this, not by the city he had built and the lives he had improved,” he said, describing Mr Lee as a great teacher and a worrier.

The late Mr Lee’s concern for people was also not only in abstract matters, but personally and individually, said PM Lee, recounting an instance when his help was sought to help one of his mother’s woman security officer, who was having difficulty conceiving, to adopt a child.

On the global stage, the late Mr Lee raised Singapore’s standing in the world by assuming a statesman’s mantle, allowing him to articulate the Republic’s international interests, as well as influence thinking and decisions “in many capitals” with his views and counsel.

Said PM Lee: “And hence, despite being so small, Singapore’s voice is heard and we enjoy far more influence on the world stage than we have any reason to expect.”