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Mr Lee Kuan Yew’s belongings on view at National Museum exhibition

SINGAPORE — Personal belongings of the late Mr Lee Kuan Yew, such as a baron wig he used as a barrister and a Rolex watch — gifted to him by unionists he represented in the 1950s over a wage dispute — are on display at a new exhibition dedicated to him at the National Museum of Singapore. The rosewood rostrum that was used for his National Day Rally speeches in the 1970s, taken from the National Theatre, is also showcased.

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SINGAPORE — Personal belongings of the late Mr Lee Kuan Yew, such as a baron wig he used as a barrister and a Rolex watch — gifted to him by unionists he represented in the 1950s over a wage dispute — are on display at a new exhibition dedicated to him at the National Museum of Singapore. The rosewood rostrum that was used for his National Day Rally speeches in the 1970s, taken from the National Theatre, is also showcased.

The exhibit, “In Memoriam: Lee Kuan Yew”, opened today (March 25) at the museum’s Glass Atrium on level 2.

Starting with his days at the University of Cambridge as a law student, the exhibition is loosely chronological, covering his involvement during the anti-colonial struggle in the 1950s to his final years of service as Senior Minister and Minister Mentor.

Organiser National Museum of Singapore said that the exhibition is meant to be reflective, allowing visitors to reflect upon Mr Lee’s contributions to the nation. The watch was a gift from the Postal and Telecommunications Uniformed Staff Union as a sign of appreciation for helping them to fight for better pay and working conditions in 1953.

“The main aim of the memorial exhibition is for Singaporeans and other visitors to have the opportunity to reflect on Mr Lee Kuan Yew’s contributions to Singapore,” said its curator, Mr Daniel Tham. “What we really want people to get is a sense of the ideas and convictions that he had.” Mr Tham revealed that the seven panels used in the exhibition were completed in 48 hours, while the final selection of materials presented was based on what was “appropriate”.

A visitor at the exhibition, Mr Felix Tan, 73, said the exhibition would be especially informative to the younger generation that did not live through the nation’s early days. “People need to know what he has done for our country, the younger generation need to know what he did,” he said.

Another visitor, 19-year-old Crystal Tan, felt it is important to revisit Mr Lee’s history. “For his undying and relentless spirit in turning Singapore into what it is today, he should forever be in the hearts of Singaporeans,” she said.

Meanwhile, the National Library Building in Victoria Street has also set up an exhibition about Mr Lee — this one is dedicated to his speeches and writings. A selection of his quotes are showcased in the lobby while a special book gallery has been set up in the Lee Kong Chian Reference Library. Apart from displaying the books authored by Mr Lee and those written about him by others — such as the books penned by British journalist Alex Josey, who served as Mr Lee’s press secretary for 10 years — there are newspaper articles and digital recordings of his speeches.

The exhibition the National Museum runs until April 26, while the one at the National Library will run until April 22. Admission is free for both of them.

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