Mr Lee Kuan Yew ‘embodied frugality in personal life, government’

SINGAPORE — The late Mr Lee Kuan Yew embodied frugality, in his personal life and government, said Law and Foreign Affairs Minister K Shanmugam.

Speaking at a memorial event in Yishun last night (March 27), he said Mr Lee’s principles shone through in small and big ways.

Recounting a trip to the United States with him, Mr Shanmugam said he had only finished one of the three scoops of ice-cream served at dinner.

“Mr Lee saw that and he told me off ... He said I should have found out how much they will serve and should have ordered only what I could have eaten,” he said.

Similarly, Mr Lee was careful with public funds because they are “(people’s) money”.

Each week, the ministers would meet over lunch to discuss government matters before their Cabinet meeting. While Mr Lee never attended, he made sure that everyone paid out of their own pockets.

More than 15,000 residents made their way to the community tribute site in Yishun yesterday.

They listened, riveted as Mr Shanmugam recalled his first meeting with Mr Lee in 1987. It was a 45-minute interview, for the then-Prime Minister to decide if he was a suitable election candidate.

“I was young, and as the young are likely to be — I was not very scared of him. I told him I disagreed with his policies,” said Mr Shanmugam, who was 28 years old then.

Mr Lee, in turn, was fatherly, but disagreed. He also told the budding politician that one day he would grow up, gain experience and understand. “He will listen to you even if you disagree with him, as long as you can explain why,” said Mr Shanmugam.

Later, when Mr Shanmugam entered his 30s and 40s, Mr Lee took it upon himself to advise him on his political career.

He persuaded Mr Shanmugam to “serve the people in a broader way”. Sensing that it was not an easy decision, he also told Mr Shanmugam: “You are still young, you should stay in the law practice a bit longer. You can come later into the Government.”

“That was how he was: Practical, direct, honest,” said Mr Shanmugam.

Mr Lee also had a habit of calling in the wee hours of the night. “The first question he’ll ask is, ‘What are you doing?’ You want to say to him, ‘What do people do at 3am?’ But anyway, you don’t speak like that to Mr Lee,” said Mr Shanmugam.

While delivering his tribute, Mr Shanmugam was joined on stage by his team of Nee Soon GRC Members of Parliament.

After speaking, the MPs lit candles in memory of Mr Lee, and placed them in front of a painting of him. A total of 3,500 candles were distributed.

Madam Tok Hoh, 65, cried as she left the memorial.

“The candles are a meaningful way to help us remember him. He’s done a lot of good for Singapore — stopping the racial riots in the 1960s and giving us public housing and transport,” she said in Mandarin.