S’pore missions receive tributes for ‘a giant of his times’
Mr Lee Kuan Yew is being remembered not only in Singapore, but also at Singapore missions across the globe as Singaporean diplomats receive high-level guests from their host governments.
Australia’s Foreign Minister Julie Bishop signing the condolence book at the Singapore High Commission in Canberra yesterday. The country’s thoughts are with Singapore as it mourns its founding father, she wrote. Photo: Singapore High Commission in Canberra
SINGAPORE — Mr Lee Kuan Yew is being remembered not only in Singapore, but also at Singapore missions across the globe as Singaporean diplomats receive high-level guests from their host governments.
Former Thai Prime Minister and Thailand’s Privy Council President Prem Tinsulanonda visited the Singapore Embassy in Bangkok yesterday to offer his respects to Mr Lee, where he said that Singaporeans must never forget their country’s founding father.
Mr Lee had spoken warmly of Mr Prem in his books, calling him exceptionally honest and noting that they enjoyed a good working chemistry. Yesterday, Mr Prem called Mr Lee a close friend.
“He was one of my very good friends while we worked together. We were both Prime Minister at the same time. We were very close and helped each other often. If there was no Lee Kuan Yew, I believe there would be no Singapore,” said Mr Prem.
Australia’s Foreign Minister Julie Bishop visited the Singapore High Commission in Canberra yesterday at noon to sign the condolence book.
In her message, Ms Bishop wrote: “Our thoughts are with the people of Singapore as they mourn the loss of their founding father — a giant of his times.”
In a special gesture, Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott visited the Singapore High Commission on Tuesday to convey his condolences.
Thais, including the country’s former Prime Ministers and statesmen, have flocked to the embassy to sign the condolence book for Mr Lee.
Mr Prem, Thailand’s Prime Minister from 1980 to 1988, is one of the King’s closest advisers. Although Mr Prem has now stepped out of the limelight, the 94-year-old had worked closely with Mr Lee, particularly in fighting the spread of communism in South-east Asia.
Mr Prem hopes Singapore will move forward and complete Mr Lee’s work.
“The Singaporean people must never forget him. They must remember that he built Singapore. Also, the things he wanted to do for Singapore but was not able to complete, the Singaporean people must come together to finish them.”
Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, as well as former Prime Ministers Anand Panyarachun, Abhisit Vejjajiva, Yingluck Shinawatra and Somchai Wongsawat also expressed their condolences.
Dignitaries elsewhere, including the Philippines’ Vice-President Jejomar Binay, are scheduled to visit the Singapore Embassy in Manila today to offer their condolences.
With the sheer number of people wanting to pay their respects in Singapore and elsewhere, it is apparent that Mr Lee will not be easily forgotten in many countries or, indeed, by history. AGENCIES
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