Islandwide events mark Mr Lee’s death anniversary

SINGAPORE — From remembrances of his efforts in building up Singapore’s multicultural, multireligious diversity, to his legacy in turning the Republic’s water scarcity into a strength, events commemorating the one-year death anniversary of founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew on Wednesday were held across the island yesterday.

At a remembrance service organised by nine ethnic community organisations, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office Chan Chun Sing noted that Singapore’s multicultural, multi-ethnic, multireligious society is “most unnatural”.

“For many of us who are here today, this might be something we take for granted, but if we take a step back and reflect on the current state of affairs in Singapore, I would argue that it is most unnatural ... We are not gathered here to grow a new, uniform society where everything is monolithic. We respect and rejoice in our diversity,” he added, at the service attended by about 1,500 people, including Cabinet ministers, Members of Parliament, and leaders from Singapore’s public and private sectors. Youth representatives from each ethnic community also shared their personal reflections on Mr Lee’s legacy.

Speaking to reporters after the service, Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Yaacob Ibrahim said Mr Lee’s legacy was important to ethnic minorities as “opportunities have been created for all of us to excel”. He added: “That’s something we have to remember as Singapore grows more diverse. We must continue to preserve that legacy. That’s the only success factor that I think is critical as we go forth in the next 50 years.”

Meanwhile, more than 1,000 residents attended Punggol’s inaugural Waterway Day, where they also marked the death anniversary of Mr Lee.

Speaking at the event held to highlight the importance of water sustainability, Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean noted that the late Mr Lee was well-known to be the architect of the Singapore Water Story.

Urging Singaporeans to do their part to conserve and value water and “make every drop count”, Mr Teo, who is also Coordinating Minister for National Security, said: “Mr Lee championed Singapore’s journey towards water sustainability by making water a top priority in government policies ... Thanks to Mr Lee’s vision and foresight, and the hard work of many public officers and engineers, we have four National Taps today.”

A fifth NEWater plant will start operations at the end of this year, while the construction of a third desalination plant in Tuas is expected to be completed next year, said Mr Teo.

Over at The Red Box in Somerset, an art installation bearing the portrait of the late Mr Lee was created with 4,877 Singapore flag erasers. The public can view the art installation from today until Sunday.

Yesterday, the late Mr Lee’s younger brother, Dr Lee Suan Yew, added finishing touches to the art installation with his family and with the chief executive officer of National Youth Council David Chua as well as the executive director of Youth Corps Singapore Ong Kah Kuang.

In his address, Dr Lee, 82, urged youths to carry on the good work that has been put in place by previous generations. Citing how his brother had fought for Singapore’s independence, and, subsequently, progress from the days when residents lived in attap shacks, Dr Lee said: “His determination was to change Singapore, not just physically but in our lifestyle and our ambition. That’s why he said you must chase the rainbow and he meant it. It’s not just a flippant word.”

Speaking to reporters after the event, Dr Lee said it was very tough for the family the first month after Mr Lee died. “But as time went on, I think he wants us to move on,” he said. “The country has moved on, the Government has set the pace, we don’t look back. We move on and (as) he said, you must build up Singapore and the youth must also be the next generation to take over the race of Singapore.”