Skip to main content

Advertisement

Advertisement

Unprecedented tribute in House on LKY’s birthday

SINGAPORE — Led by Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen, Members of Parliament (MPs) paid tribute and gave a standing ovation during yesterday’s Parliament session to former Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew on his 90th birthday. Assisted by some MPs, Mr Lee stood up to acknowledge the unprecedented gesture.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and MPs celebrating Mr Lee Kuan Yew’s (centre) birthday at Parliament House yesterday. Mr Lee turned 90. Photo: MCI

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and MPs celebrating Mr Lee Kuan Yew’s (centre) birthday at Parliament House yesterday. Mr Lee turned 90. Photo: MCI

Follow TODAY on WhatsApp

SINGAPORE — Led by Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen, Members of Parliament (MPs) paid tribute and gave a standing ovation during yesterday’s Parliament session to former Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew on his 90th birthday. Assisted by some MPs, Mr Lee stood up to acknowledge the unprecedented gesture.

In a short speech towards the end of the sitting to mark the “special occasion”, Dr Ng, who is the Leader of the House, said that being a member of the Republic’s legislature for 58 years was, in itself, a “remarkable record” for Mr Lee. “But it is what Mr Lee has accomplished for Singapore over that lifetime of service and struggle that is astonishing and without peer.”

Dr Ng said it was Mr Lee’s “singular mission and dedication” that steered the Republic to independence and transformed Singapore into a “modern and thriving metropolis”. “In lifting an entire nation, and improving countless lives of Singaporeans of several generations, Mr Lee Kuan Yew has left a lasting legacy for all of us, and achieved greatness,” Dr Ng said.

After the sitting, MPs celebrated Mr Lee’s birthday in the Members’ Room where a video from the labour movement was shown, featuring well wishes from workers. The MPs also presented Mr Lee with a birthday card and a nine-volume Chinese collection on his illustrious political career published by the National Archives and Cengage Learning Asia.

Writing on Facebook, President Tony Tan and his wife, Mrs Mary Tan, wished Mr Lee “joy and continued good health”.

Mr Tan said: “Generations of Singaporeans have benefitted from Mr Lee Kuan Yew’s lifelong contributions towards creating the peaceful and prosperous Singapore that we know today. Mr Lee reminds us that Singapore is a constant work in progress as he continues to work tirelessly to secure our future even after more than five decades of public service.”

Related topics

LKY

Read more of the latest in

Advertisement

Advertisement

Stay in the know. Anytime. Anywhere.

Subscribe to get daily news updates, insights and must reads delivered straight to your inbox.

By clicking subscribe, I agree for my personal data to be used to send me TODAY newsletters, promotional offers and for research and analysis.