Blessed to have had Mr Lee as leader

It has been a week of realisation. As a nation and as individuals, many of us realised — to our surprise — how much our nation’s founding father meant to us.

We may care little about day-to-day politics and some of us may disagree with our political system. But despite the apathy and occasional tinge of cynicism, our tears were real and heavy hearts are not something that can be orchestrated.

As a former journalist, I am privileged to have interacted with Mr Lee Kuan Yew several times. He once spent two long Saturday afternoons in an Istana meeting room, engaging and debating with a bunch of brash young people. He wanted to understand their thoughts, no holds barred, as young first-time voters and to put across his. I was lucky to be among them. I remember what he said in response to a question: “Politics is life.”

It is not about rhetoric, ideology or elections. To a young reporter with lofty ideals who had neither experienced adversity nor much of life, for that matter, his statement did not quite resonate. That was 2006.

Much has changed since then. I grew up and my primary identity now is a working mother of two. I am also no longer a journalist. Looking back on what he said, oh how true it is for me today. That we have a safe, peaceful home where my children can grow up comfortably is something I hold precious, as do many others. This is why strangers across the country have been united in our grief and sense of loss.

No matter our political views, and regardless of whether we want more Opposition in Parliament, we are grateful for the Singapore and the life we have, which Mr Lee’s foresight, unwavering conviction and obsessive commitment to the country have produced.

It is only sad that he probably did not know just how many Singaporeans feel this way. We must learn to not take our leaders for granted, and not only after they are gone. No government and political system are perfect.

Being in the corporate world, I cannot fully comprehend why high-flying professionals would want to enter politics, to serve, in Mr Lee’s words, a nation of “champion grumblers”. That counts for something in itself.

On Saturday, with my children in tow, I joined other Singaporeans for the Parliament House queue to be in the fleeting presence of a great man and to teach my children what I did not quite understand years ago.

Thank you, Mr Lee. We are blessed to have had you as our leader.