On March 23th, 2015. The world lost one of the greatest and highly respected leader we have ever known. He is the founder of modern Singapore, Mr Lee Kuan Yew. It's the darkest & saddest of hours for many Singaporeans. But instead of grieving, let us honour him by celebrating his achievements. And achieve he did!
Born on June 3rd, 1923. It was the beginning of a man who was just about to embark on the most extraordinary of journey, a journey no one had or will ever travel. An odyssey made up of pure determination and beliefs which eventually transformed an entire country from third-world to first-world status in a single generation. The only leader in the world known to do so!
During World War 2, in the Japanese Occupation. Mr Lee and a few men were summoned onto a truck. As if by means of predestination, Mr Lee somehow managed to escape. The truck was meant to sent the men to a beach where they were to be executed. I believe this incident made Lee Kuan Yew realised that no other countries could help you during dire situation, only Singaporeans can help Singaporeans!
After the war, Mr Lee went to England to study in Cambridge University where he earned a rare double First Class Honours in the study of Laws. But even while he was still a student, he was already planning for the better of Singapore! He saw how civilised the British are, there is a newspaper stand, people just get a newspaper and paid it without being told, and he thinks, if British can do it, so can Singaporean! This sets a firm belief in him that Singapore can be changed, it just needs a man with great responsibility & capabilities to guide them and he was prepared to sacrifice his lifetime to be the man to do it!
After the completion of his education, he returns to Singapore in 1951 to work as a lawyer. In 1954, he and a few men set up the People's Action Party (PAP) and went on to win the Tanjong Pagar seat in the 1955 elections. In the national elections held on 30 May 1959, the PAP won 43 of the 51 seats in the legislative assembly. Singapore gained self-government, and Lee became the first Prime Minister of Singapore on 3 June 1959.
In 1965, Mr Lee Kuan Yew faced his most difficult predicament in his political career. Due to an unpleasant & undesired violent race riot in 1964 in Singapore, unable to resolve the crisis, "The Tunku" decided to expel Singapore from Malaysia. This is a major setback and a moment of anguish for Mr Lee. He always believe in the merger and unity of the two territories. With no other choice, Singapore was separated from Malaya 7 August 1965. 2 days later, Singapore became an independent state. At an age of only 42, the future of an entire nation lies solely on the shoulder of Mr Lee Kuan Yew.
Mr Lee didn't sleep well after Singapore forcefully gained independence. Though he still firmly believe Singapore will survive, but the lack of natural resources, water & military defense still posed as major threatening obstacles in the building of a young nation. Mr Lee spent the next 6 weeks away from the spotlight thinking of the best political method to push Singapore forward. And the best way, economically and for security, is to get international recognition of Singapore independence and gaining as much allies as possible. Hence, Singapore joined the United Nations on 21 September 1965, and founded the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on 8 August 1967 with four other South-East Asian countries.
Another setback came in 1971, that's when Britain pulled its military out of Singapore. His foretelling of "Only Singaporeans can help Singaporeans" came true. So the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) was build up whereby all abled-bodied male Singaporean citizens age 18 and above are required to serve National Service (NS). Besides being to defend ourselves, the NS can also foster closer ties between the different races of Singapore. Multi-racial harmony is always an important aspect in creating a peaceful and prosperity Singapore.
Another notable achievement from Mr Lee Kuan Yew are our iconic HDB flats. In the early 60s, many people were homeless and lived in slums. Therefore, Mr Lee sets up the Housing and Development Board (HDB) in an ambitious effort to give every Singaporean a home at a low cost. Mr Lee also believed that owning a house will give Singaporean a sense of belonging and equality, it will also give all Singapore citizens something worthy to protect our nation from!
Mr Lee Kuan Yew is the longest serving Prime Minister in Singapore history. In 28 November, 1990, after sacrificing 31 years fighting & toiling for the good of Singapore, Mr Lee stepped down as PM. But even so, like a caring father, his mind was still on Singapore. He became our Senior Minister in 1990 and Minister Mentor in 2004, where he served as an advisory to the members of cabinet. He also continued travelling to different countries in an effort to further build up the relationship with our allies.
Sadly, Mr Lee Kuan Yew passed away on March 23th, 2015. Though the fire on his candle may be gone, but it will continue burning strongly in the heart of many Singaporeans forever more. Mr Lee contributions to Singapore couldn't be measured by word and Singaporean will forever be in gratitude to him. The following quote from Mr Lee Kuan Yew will conclude this post beautifully. Rest In Peace, our great leader, Mr Lee Kuan Yew.
Born on June 3rd, 1923. It was the beginning of a man who was just about to embark on the most extraordinary of journey, a journey no one had or will ever travel. An odyssey made up of pure determination and beliefs which eventually transformed an entire country from third-world to first-world status in a single generation. The only leader in the world known to do so!
During World War 2, in the Japanese Occupation. Mr Lee and a few men were summoned onto a truck. As if by means of predestination, Mr Lee somehow managed to escape. The truck was meant to sent the men to a beach where they were to be executed. I believe this incident made Lee Kuan Yew realised that no other countries could help you during dire situation, only Singaporeans can help Singaporeans!
After the war, Mr Lee went to England to study in Cambridge University where he earned a rare double First Class Honours in the study of Laws. But even while he was still a student, he was already planning for the better of Singapore! He saw how civilised the British are, there is a newspaper stand, people just get a newspaper and paid it without being told, and he thinks, if British can do it, so can Singaporean! This sets a firm belief in him that Singapore can be changed, it just needs a man with great responsibility & capabilities to guide them and he was prepared to sacrifice his lifetime to be the man to do it!
After the completion of his education, he returns to Singapore in 1951 to work as a lawyer. In 1954, he and a few men set up the People's Action Party (PAP) and went on to win the Tanjong Pagar seat in the 1955 elections. In the national elections held on 30 May 1959, the PAP won 43 of the 51 seats in the legislative assembly. Singapore gained self-government, and Lee became the first Prime Minister of Singapore on 3 June 1959.
In 1965, Mr Lee Kuan Yew faced his most difficult predicament in his political career. Due to an unpleasant & undesired violent race riot in 1964 in Singapore, unable to resolve the crisis, "The Tunku" decided to expel Singapore from Malaysia. This is a major setback and a moment of anguish for Mr Lee. He always believe in the merger and unity of the two territories. With no other choice, Singapore was separated from Malaya 7 August 1965. 2 days later, Singapore became an independent state. At an age of only 42, the future of an entire nation lies solely on the shoulder of Mr Lee Kuan Yew.
Mr Lee didn't sleep well after Singapore forcefully gained independence. Though he still firmly believe Singapore will survive, but the lack of natural resources, water & military defense still posed as major threatening obstacles in the building of a young nation. Mr Lee spent the next 6 weeks away from the spotlight thinking of the best political method to push Singapore forward. And the best way, economically and for security, is to get international recognition of Singapore independence and gaining as much allies as possible. Hence, Singapore joined the United Nations on 21 September 1965, and founded the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on 8 August 1967 with four other South-East Asian countries.
Another setback came in 1971, that's when Britain pulled its military out of Singapore. His foretelling of "Only Singaporeans can help Singaporeans" came true. So the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) was build up whereby all abled-bodied male Singaporean citizens age 18 and above are required to serve National Service (NS). Besides being to defend ourselves, the NS can also foster closer ties between the different races of Singapore. Multi-racial harmony is always an important aspect in creating a peaceful and prosperity Singapore.
Another notable achievement from Mr Lee Kuan Yew are our iconic HDB flats. In the early 60s, many people were homeless and lived in slums. Therefore, Mr Lee sets up the Housing and Development Board (HDB) in an ambitious effort to give every Singaporean a home at a low cost. Mr Lee also believed that owning a house will give Singaporean a sense of belonging and equality, it will also give all Singapore citizens something worthy to protect our nation from!
Sadly, Mr Lee Kuan Yew passed away on March 23th, 2015. Though the fire on his candle may be gone, but it will continue burning strongly in the heart of many Singaporeans forever more. Mr Lee contributions to Singapore couldn't be measured by word and Singaporean will forever be in gratitude to him. The following quote from Mr Lee Kuan Yew will conclude this post beautifully. Rest In Peace, our great leader, Mr Lee Kuan Yew.
Source: Youtube, Google Images, Wikipedia, MyPaper.
Captain Singapore: The Legacy of Mr Lee Kuan Yew.
Reviewed by DevilRays9
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Reviewed by DevilRays9
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06:33:00
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