Mr Lee Kuan Yew will be among history’s greats, says Najib in tribute

SINGAPORE — Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, his wife Rosmah Mansor and several other Malaysian officials paid tribute to Singapore’s founding father Lee Kuan Yew yesterday (March 26) when they arrived at Parliament House to personally convey Malaysia’s condolences, saying “all Singaporeans owe him a huge debt of gratitude”.

Mr Najib was met by Mr Lee’s eldest son, Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, and said “the Malaysian government and the Malaysian people would like to express their heartfelt condolences on the passing of Mr Lee Kuan Yew”.

“Mr Lee Kuan Yew is a great man whose leadership, vision, fortitude, perseverance helped shaped modern Singapore into what it is today, an advanced economy ... finding its own place in the world,” said Mr Najib.

“All Singaporeans owe him a huge debt of gratitude. Mr Lee Kuan Yew is also a man who helped shaped South-east Asia as a region of peace and prosperity.

“He will go down as one of the great men in history, whose vision and leadership helped make this world a better place. I would like to thank him for strengthening the bilateral ties between Malaysia and Singapore.”

Mr Najib was accompanied by Foreign Affairs Minister Anifah Aman, Transport Minister Liow Tiong Lai, Natural Resources and Environment Minister G Palanivel and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Mah Siew Keong.

In the past, Malaysia’s relations with Singapore have been difficult, both when it was part of Malaysia and after the 1965 separation.

Mr Lee’s death is not expected to have much impact on bilateral relations between Malaysia and Singapore now that present leaders have decided to move on from their strained past, say experts.

Political scientist Dr KS Nathan, formerly with Singapore’s Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, said bilateral relations had already improved from the time of Mr Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who was Prime Minister from 2003 to 2009. Dr Nathan said both current Prime Ministers are more pragmatic and “don’t have the ideological baggage of the past”.

“Malaysia is committed to the future of our relationship with Singapore, to peace, stability and shared prosperity between our nations,” Mr Najib said just after the death of Mr Lee was announced earlier this week.

Other Malaysian leaders also paid tribute to Mr Lee. Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said: “Lee’s unique leadership developed Singapore as a republic. He uplifted Singapore to become a respected city state.”

Mr Muhyiddin said he got to know Mr Lee personally when he was serving as Johor Chief Minister and found him to be a leader who was firm, visionary and influential in Asia and throughout the world.

“Lee Kuan Yew is a name closely linked to Malaysia. His demise is felt by people in both countries,” he added.