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Mr Lee Kuan Yew ‘showed me how to make a difference’

SINGAPORE — Mr Lee Kuan Yew was admired for his brilliant mind and his ability to lead and rally people. But as a grandfather, or Yeye, he was an inspirational figure who once gave him a camera and told him simply to make good use of it, said Mr Li Hongyi. It was the first and only gift he received from the late leader.

About 300 people attended the private funeral service at Mandai Crematorium yesterday (March 29). Photo: The Straits Times

About 300 people attended the private funeral service at Mandai Crematorium yesterday (March 29). Photo: The Straits Times

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SINGAPORE — Mr Lee Kuan Yew was admired for his brilliant mind and his ability to lead and rally people. But as a grandfather, or Yeye, he was an inspirational figure who once gave him a camera and told him simply to make good use of it, said Mr Li Hongyi. It was the first and only gift he received from the late leader.

His grandfather’s charisma “came not from showmanship, but from pure substance”, Mr Li said. “Yeye showed me you could make a difference in this world. Not just that you could make a difference, but that you could do it with your head held high,” he said. “You didn’t have to lie, cheat or steal. You didn’t have to flatter, charm or cajole. You didn’t have to care about frivolous things or play silly games. You could do something good with your life and the best way to do so was to have good principles and conduct yourself honourably.”

Mr Li, who is Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s third child, was one of the two grandchildren of the late leader to speak at the private funeral service at Mandai Crematorium yesterday (March 29), before the cremation.

Pausing once during his eulogy to collect himself as his mother Ho Ching gave him some tissue, Mr Li recalled the discussions his parents would have with his grandfather, while the grandchildren listened.

“After listening, I would always feel a bit silly, because he made me realise how petty all the problems in my life were and how there were so many bigger problems in the world. He made me want to do something more with my life,” he said.

Mr Li Shengwu, who is Mr Lee Hsien Yang’s eldest son, recounted the talks he would have with his grandfather about politics and the state. “As you might guess, we didn’t always agree. But, at the dining table, he never argued opportunistically, he never took a position he didn’t believe for tactical advantage,” he said.

About 300 people attended the private funeral service, during which the Prime Minister, Mr Lee Hsien Yang and Dr Lee Wei Ling also delivered eulogies. After the casket was taken to Mandai Columbarium, the state flag that covered the casket was presented to Mr Lee Hsien Loong.

The Prime Minister, who spoke first, shared how his father had been there for him when he learnt how to ride a bicycle.

“Once, when I was just getting the hang of balancing on two wheels, he pushed me off from behind to get me started. I pedalled off across the field, thinking he was still supporting and pushing me. Then I looked back and found that, actually, he had let go and I was cycling on my own! He was so pleased and so was I.”

He also thanked the people who had played a role in caring for his father, such as the late Mr Lee’s niece Kim Li and other friends who would take turns to accompany his father on outings, his medical team and his security team.

He also thanked his sister Wei Ling, saying: “You were not only his daughter, but also his doctor ... You were his close companion throughout. You travelled with him, watched over him closely and made sure he got medical treatment in time when problems were brewing. You took on more than your fair share of our filial duties. Thank you, Ling.”

Mr Lee Hsien Yang, in his eulogy, shed light on his father’s preference for Chinese names. “He was given the name Harry at birth. But he soon felt it did not fit him and the fact that he was a son of Singapore. When Papa was 10, his youngest brother Suan Yew was born. Papa persuaded his parents that it was not a good thing to give Suan Yew a Western name. Decades later, when Papa entered politics, he also found his name Harry a political liability,” he said.

When the late leader’s three children were born, they were given only Chinese names.

Dr Lee, revealing that her father developed Parkinson’s disease three years ago, paid homage to his fighting spirit, saying that the “astonishing outpouring of emotion” in the past week was because people knew he would always fight for them. “They knew he was ready to fight for them till his last breath,” she said.

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