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| Source: National University of SIngapore |
With all of the articles, status updates and opinion posts regarding this news out there on the Internet, what I have to say may not make any difference in the least. Yet after listening to the live broadcast of the PM's state address this morning, I somehow feel compelled to give my two cents' worth.
Growing up in a developed, thriving Singapore where all sorts of convenience was (and still is) at my fingertips, I only knew of Mr Lee's greatness and legacy through testimonies, textbooks and lessons. Unlike previous generations who have lived through Singapore's formative years, we, having reaped the fruits of our founding fathers' efforts, could not completely comprehend the greatness of this man as well as his efforts in making Singapore what it is today. Basically, I took things as they were for granted.
In fact, it was not until in recent years that I learned a great deal more about him. As a Political Science major, we've covered multiple issues regarding his governance of Singapore. Under his leadership, Singapore became a developmental authoritarian state, and amidst backlash from a number of Western scholars, firmly - and controversially - made the case for the Asian values debate (read this for a more detailed explanation) in justifying his approach to governing Singapore. Not to mention his crackdowns on corruption and communism, amongst many other things.
While I generally understood the rationale behind his policy implementations, I can honestly say that I didn't always agree with his views. His allusion to eugenics as well as his take on the death penalty, for example, were tough pills to swallow, especially for an idealist like myself. Be that as it may, I was much surprised to find that somewhere deep inside, I hold a very high regard for him, as well as a deep-rooted pride in being Singaporean, much more than I knew. Why? Because at the end of the day, it is indisputable that Mr Lee has indeed done so much for Singapore, turning it from a third-world backwater and "mudflat" (his own words) into a "metropolis" today. As a visionary, he implemented policies that not everyone was happy with initially, but have turned out to be for the best. In "doing his best" for the country, he has given up his life. And despite harsh criticisms from naysayers for fostering a "nanny state" such as Singapore, which has been famously described as "Disneyland with the Death Penalty" (Gibson, 1993), Mr Lee rebutted, saying that "If Singapore is a nanny state, then I am proud to have fostered one." It's no easy feat to maintain your resolve and stance, even when most of the international community is against you. That is in itself admirable.
As such, we often forget that Mr Lee, being larger than life, is mortal. When I heard PM Lee's broadcast over the radio this morning, I could tell that he was struggling to contain his emotions. Leaders are burdened with the weight of the nation on their shoulders. During their office, there is no such thing as taking leave or calling in sick for personal troubles. Those have to come second.
We often forget that politicians are humans too, that they have emotions and weaknesses just like everyone else. Even a great figure who is larger than life is mortal. Life is such a precious thing, and we're all preoccupied with pursuing our own happiness and success; to devote one's life to a single altruistic pursuit - for the greater good - is simply inconceivable. And unlike some of his contemporaries (such as Marcos and many others) he didn't allow power to corrupt him, choosing to step down as PM in 1990 to hand over the reins to Goh Chok Tong, with himself serving as Senior Minister. Now that is something really worthy of respect.
Whatever Singapore has become today is a result of Mr Lee's devotion to building our nation. When I go abroad, others I meet are constantly singing praises about the country. Thank you, Mr Lee, for your contributions to the country. You have left your legacy, which has been immortalised for posterity, and has no doubt provided a rich foundation on which to continue building on.
To quote this great man, "I have done what I had wanted to do, to the best of my ability. I am satisfied."
And you have every reason to be. Rest in peace, Mr Lee; you deserve it.
- Sunday, March 22, 2015
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