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Mourning for Mr Lee Kuan Yew begins on social media

SINGAPORE – Tributes began streaming in over social media soon after the Prime Minister’s Office (PM0) announced former Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew’s death early this morning (March 23).

Lee Kuan Yew speaks during a ceremony to sign the separation agreement, which discussed Singapore's post-separation relations with Malaysia, in this still image taken from video in this August 7, 1965 file photo. Photo: Reuters

Lee Kuan Yew speaks during a ceremony to sign the separation agreement, which discussed Singapore's post-separation relations with Malaysia, in this still image taken from video in this August 7, 1965 file photo. Photo: Reuters

SINGAPORE – Tributes began streaming in over social media soon after the Prime Minister’s Office (PM0) announced former Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew’s death early this morning (March 23).

Said Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong, who succeeded Mr Lee as Prime Minister in 1990, on Facebook: “My tears welled up as I received the sad news. Mr Lee Kuan Yew has completed his life’s journey. But it was a journey devoted to the making of Singapore.

“He has bequeathed a monumental legacy to Singaporeans - a safe, secure, harmonious and prosperous independent Singapore, our Homeland. He was a selfless leader. He shared his experience, knowledge, ideas and life with us. He was my leader, mentor, inspiration, the man I looked up to most. He made me a proud Singaporean. Now he is gone. I mourn but he lives on in my heart. On behalf of Marine Parade residents, I offer our profound condolences to PM Lee Hsien Loong and his family.”

President Tony Tan said: “Mary and I are deeply saddened by the passing of Mr Lee Kuan Yew. We extend our deepest condolences to his children Mr Lee Hsien Loong, Ms Lee Wei Ling and Mr Lee Hsien Yang, and their families.”

As Singapore’s founding Prime Minister, Mr Lee dedicated his life to Singapore, and served Singapore till his final days, said Dr Tan, whose office has also sent a condolence letter to Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.

“His vision to build a prosperous, meritocratic and multiracial Singapore defied expectations. When others doubted our chances of survival, he strove for excellence. Today, much that defines Singapore bears his influence: security and the rule of law, our cultural diversity and our economic progress, our public housing and our gardens. Without Mr Lee’s strong leadership and immense contributions, the Singapore that we know today would not have existed.

“Mr Lee’s passing is a great loss to all of us and to Singapore. It is up to us to honour the legacy of Mr Lee and the founding generation of Singapore by building upon their work to make Singapore an even better place for generations to come.”

Mr Lee Kuan Yew passed away at the Singapore General Hospital today at 3.18am. He was 91. The PMO said arrangements for the public to pay respects and for the funeral proceedings will be announced later.

Transport Minister Lui Tuck Yew posted a note on Facebook: “Mr Lee Kuan Yew - missed and remembered forever. You devoted your life to make Singapore exceptional and our lives better. You taught us all what it means to be Singaporean. I am truly grateful to you.”

Education Minister Heng Swee Keat changed his Facebook cover photo to a picture of Mr Lee Kuan Yew and his late wife in his younger days. He wrote: “Today we lost a founding father of Singapore. I hope Mr Lee is able to be with Mrs Lee once again, and that they may rest in peace together. In this moment of grief, please join me in expressing our deepest condolences to Mr Lee’s family.

“I do not have the words to express my gratitude for everything that Mr Lee has done for Singapore. Our lives have been transformed because Mr Lee had a vision of a better life for all Singaporeans, and dedicated his entire life to this mission. Mr Lee and his team built a deep rapport with our pioneer generation, and together, they achieved what many thought was impossible. Mr Lee has lived a full and meaningful life. Let us come together as one people to express our appreciation, reflect on what we have gone through together as a people, and resolve to build on the legacy that Mr Lee has left us.”

Minister for Communications and Information Yaacob Ibrahim spoke of Mr Lee Kuan Yew’s contributions that impacted the Malay-Muslim community, by paving the way for the establishment of the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS), Yayasan Mendaki and the Mosque Building Fund scheme in 1975. 

“But in all of this, I am personally struck by his constant desire to find ways to improve the lives of the Malay/Muslim community. At every turn of a major event, he would make the effort to understand the community and offer ideas and suggestions for my colleagues and I. These would lead me to ponder on our next move for our community. I did not always agree with him on some issues, but my respect for him increased with every passing day as I knew he had the interest of the Malay/Muslim community at heart,” wrote Dr Yaacob on his Facebook page. “He planted the seed for the Malay/Muslim community to continue to improve their quality of life and well- being. This is his enduring legacy and we thank him for being our leader and partner in the community’s journey.”

Mr Chan Chung Sing, Minister for Social and Family Development, Second Minister for Defence, and MP for Tanjong Pagar GRC thanked Mr Lee Kuan Yew "for enabling us to pursue our dream to build an independent, successful and cohesive nation regardless of race, language and religion".

He wrote: "We will endeavour to live up to the ideals and values that you have inspired us.As we take over the baton to live this Singapore dream of ours, we will always remember your words that we are responsible for the lives of millions of Singaporeans.That we will commit ourselves to your high standards and dedication to take this country to a higher plane. We will work hard to make sure that all Singaporeans will continue to have the opportunities to be successful individually and collectively."

The People’s Action Party (PAP) has set up a tribute page at http://www.tributetolky.org and changed its logo on its Facebook page to black and white as a sign of respect.

“While we mourn the passing of one of the greatest leaders of our Party, we celebrate his incalculable contributions to Singapore and its people,” it said on its Facebook page. “Thank you Mr Lee Kuan Yew, may you rest in peace.”

Obituaries also appeared on the websites of international media, including The New York Times, The Economist, the BBC and the South China Morning Post (SCMP). Kerry Group controlling shareholder Mr Robert Kuok, a life-long friend of Mr Lee Kuan Yew, called him a “giant of a man” in the SCMP report.

“All of us who have known him, feel greatly distressed and saddened by his passing,” said Mr Kuok, who was a schoolmate of Mr Lee Kuan Yew at Singapore’s Raffles College and the biggest shareholder in SCMP Group which publishes the SCMP.

He added: “His mind, sharp as a fine blade, was focused on pursuing his wish of establishing a just, fair and decent society. And no-one, whether friend or foe, can deny that he achieved this.”

More in our Special Edition this afternoon (March 23).

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