Lee Kuan Yew: The Man Who Shaped Singapore

 

Lee Kuan Yew: The Man Who Shaped Singapore

Singapore is a small island nation in Southeast Asia, known for its high standard of living, multicultural society, and dynamic economy. But how did Singapore achieve such remarkable success in just over half a century? The answer lies in the vision and leadership of one man: Lee Kuan Yew, the founding father of modern Singapore.

 

Lee Kuan Yew was born in 1923, when Singapore was a British colony. He grew up in a diverse and cosmopolitan environment, where he learned to speak English, Malay, Mandarin, and Hokkien. He was a gifted student who excelled in both academics and sports. He attended the prestigious Raffles Institution and Raffles College, where he developed an interest in politics and law.

During the Japanese occupation of Singapore in World War II, Lee witnessed the horrors of war and the atrocities committed by the invaders. He also worked as a translator for the Japanese propaganda department, while secretly running his own business and trading on the black market. He later said that the war taught him valuable lessons about survival and resilience.

After the war, Lee went to England to study law at the University of Cambridge, where he graduated with a double first-class honours degree. He also became a socialist, influenced by the writings of Harold Laski and John Maynard Keynes. He returned to Singapore in 1950 and became a prominent lawyer and activist. He joined the anti-colonial movement and campaigned for self-government and independence from Britain.

 

 

In 1954, he co-founded the People’s Action Party (PAP), a socialist and nationalist party that aimed to unite the diverse ethnic groups of Singapore. He won his first election in 1955 and became the leader of the opposition in the Legislative Assembly. He challenged the British authorities and the local pro-communist factions, and negotiated for more autonomy and rights for Singaporeans.

In 1959, Lee became the first Prime Minister of Singapore, after the PAP won a landslide victory in the general election. He embarked on a series of reforms and initiatives to improve the living standards, education, health, and security of the people. He also sought to integrate Singapore with the other former British territories in Malaya, Sabah, and Sarawak, to form a federation called Malaysia.

However, the merger proved to be short-lived and problematic, as Singapore faced racial tensions, economic disputes, and political conflicts with the central government in Kuala Lumpur. In 1965, Singapore was expelled from Malaysia and became an independent republic. Lee declared independence with tears in his eyes, saying that it was a moment of anguish for him and his people.

Despite the challenges and uncertainties, Lee did not give up on his vision of building a prosperous and modern nation. He led Singapore through a remarkable economic transformation, turning it from a poor and underdeveloped island into a global hub of trade, finance, and technology. He attracted foreign investment, promoted industrialisation, and fostered innovation and entrepreneurship. He also established a clean and efficient government, a meritocratic and multiracial society, and a strong and disciplined defence force.

Lee stepped down as Prime Minister in 1990, after 31 years in office. He remained in the Cabinet as Senior Minister and later as Minister Mentor, advising and mentoring his successors and younger leaders. He also continued to share his insights and opinions on regional and international affairs, and was widely respected and admired by many world leaders and thinkers.

Lee died in 2015, at the age of 91, after suffering from pneumonia. He was mourned by millions of Singaporeans and people around the world, who paid tribute to his legacy and achievements. He was hailed as the father of modern Singapore, and one of the greatest statesmen of the 20th century.

Lee Kuan Yew once said, “I have spent my life, so much of it, building up this country. There’s nothing more that I need to do. At the end of the day, what have I got? A successful Singapore. What have I given up? My life.”