‘We have fought many a battle together’

In his memoir, Professor S Jayakumar shares a moving exchange of emails with Mr Lee Kuan Yew, who was then Minister Mentor (MM), after the last meeting of Cabinet that they both attended before retiring as ministers following the May 7, 2011 General Election. Below is the exchange of emails dated May 19.

Dear MM,

My friends tell me that I come across as a rather cold, unemotional chap. That may be the perception but like everyone else I have emotions and sentiments.

The closing part of today’s Cabinet meeting was an emotional one for me.

There was much I wanted to say to thank you not only as a Cabinet colleague but as a Singaporean for all that you have done for our country and people.

But I could not bring myself to say that as I was close to tears.

So I am using the rather impersonal medium of the email to say it. My life, and outlook to life and Singapore completely changed when I joined politics and had the opportunity to work closely with you first as a MOS (minister of state) and then as a minister. The way with which you approached difficult issues with the national interest uppermost in mind had a profound impact on me.

In later years when I headed various ministries I have tried hard to imbue younger Cabinet colleagues who worked with me, as well as senior civil servants, with the same approach that I had learnt from you.

When you stepped down but still attended Cabinet meetings as MM, I could see that the younger, newer office holders benefited from your analysis and reflections of current events in the “post-Cab” discussions. It is a pity that the new ministers in the next Cabinet will not have the same advantage. But, as you have said, Loong has to move on with a new team.

Thank you for what you have done for Singapore and, on a personal note, thank you for your patience with me when I worked as your Minister in MHA (Ministry of Home Affairs) and Min FA (Ministry of Foreign Affairs).

Jaya

Dear Jaya,

Your email moved me deeply. We have fought many a battle together and depended on each other’s trust and judgement for over 30 years. You have been a staunch and persevering comrade and contributed much to the stability and well-being of today’s Singapore.

You were fit enough to have gone on for another term but chose to make way for fresh blood.

My work is done. Now I must make sure that we will (serve) TPGRC (Tanjong Pagar GRC) with a younger and more vigorous team. We are in a more complex environment than before.

Yours ever,

Kuan Yew