| 4 PART SERIES MR LEE KUAN YEW, SINGAPORE'S FIRST PM, PASSED AWAY ON 23rd MARCH, 2015.  |
A) I FOLLOWED LKY @ PULAU TEKONG IN MAY 1963. 
I met him only once in my life time. But it was a special encounter and when he walked by, the respectability and awe the crowd had for him was remarkable.
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Mr Lee, at 40 years young, was visiting Pulau Tekong Besar in May 1963 when he toured the island, Pulau Ubin and Changi. Sounds of the kompang in the kampongs filled the afternoon air as he met the villagers who thanked him for newly opened community centres and for improvements in their lifestyle.
At 23 years, I witnessed the occasion and with my father's box camera, followed him with the delegation and crowd that accompanied him. I managed to take some photographs of Mr Lee because I kept a close distance. And amidst gangly coconut trees, coconut leaf buntings and festivities, I heard Mr Lee speak.
Many of us have been 'following' him since, in the newspapers, magazines, academic papers and recently on the internet. There were also the books he wrote.
Some books about LKY. Really good reads.
15 Titles On COMMENTS page.
Images for A: Private Collection.
ON 23RD MARCH, 2015, MR LEE PASSED AWAY; HE HAD BEEN
UNWELL AND WAS HOSPITALISED.
REMEMBERING MR LEE
Images for B: Thanks to Jimmy PresLee.
The choir of St. John's College Cambridge sang Home @ Parliament House on 25th March. Video: PM Office.
Parliament House, Singapore
C) PARLIAMENT HOUSE, LYING IN STATE: 26th MARCH.
OUR QUEUE FROM 8.30 pm - 12.30 am.
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| New Art Gallery where crowds gather The crowd was huge but it was orderly. When I checked my iPhone outside City Hall interchange I read it was to be an eight hour wait. I nodded to friend Tony and we decided to join the queue. |
The lines of people streamed in silence as we watched them move towards Parliament House. We followed the flow. The line was snaky but we both had a bottle of water each while others took canned drinks, biscuits, sweets and umbrellas, provided free by some generous donors.
We had spent nearly two hours after we came at 8.30 pm. It was another two hours before filing into the House which was just ahead of us. My back was in pain but by then I was holding the hand of a three year old boy who was with his parents and older sister. We had all met in the queue, bonded quickly and energised ourselves with bubbly chats...
I looked around me. We were standing on Padang grass. An area of history and great pageantry. In front of me was the new Art Gallery, majestic under the arch lights, but a place where judges and lawyers used to gather.
I looked at my young friend, who was still holding my hand and not letting go for some time. I sensed that he was comfortable with me so I couldn't resist singing, "Little One" to him during one of our short stops. The song was a Russ Hamilton hit written for his niece. I thought Emmanuel enjoyed the lullaby. He looked tired though. By this time my back was at its worst. Hardly any chance to sit.
By about 11.30 pm, we reached the security gates where we were checked by the guards. Within half an hour the silent crowd had been split into two rows as we filed into Parliament House. I was about to pocket the iPhone as no picture-taking was allowed within the corridors but managed a stolen snap. The guard looked at me, "No photo taking please!" I smiled.
Another 15 minutes passed, and finally, after a long evening we managed to witness our Mr Lee lying in state. It was a four hour wait but a four minute view. I looked at my Phone, 12.30 am.
Emmanuel finally let go of my hand as he sleepily ambled to his mother. I really like that kid. We said our good-byes. He was in dreamland as we left the gates. Lucky boy; and in so many ways. An appropriate name too, Emmanuel...
Images for C: Private Collection.
Time to let go.
D) MUSIC PLAYED @ STATE FUNERAL: UNIVERSITY CULTURAL CENTRE
29 MARCH.
THE FINAL JOURNEY
NUS Cultural Centre
PLAYED DURING SERVICE:
I looked around me. We were standing on Padang grass. An area of history and great pageantry. In front of me was the new Art Gallery, majestic under the arch lights, but a place where judges and lawyers used to gather.
By about 11.30 pm, we reached the security gates where we were checked by the guards. Within half an hour the silent crowd had been split into two rows as we filed into Parliament House. I was about to pocket the iPhone as no picture-taking was allowed within the corridors but managed a stolen snap. The guard looked at me, "No photo taking please!" I smiled.
Emmanuel finally let go of my hand as he sleepily ambled to his mother. I really like that kid. We said our good-byes. He was in dreamland as we left the gates. Lucky boy; and in so many ways. An appropriate name too, Emmanuel...
D) MUSIC PLAYED @ STATE FUNERAL: UNIVERSITY CULTURAL CENTRE
29 MARCH.
THE FINAL JOURNEY
1) Dead March from Saul performed by the Singapore Armed Forces Military Band.
Coffin Bearer Party carried the coffin into the University Cultural Centre (UCC).
2) Air performed by Singapore Symphony Orchestra.
J. S. Bach's Air from Orchestral Suite No. 3 in D Major, performed by the Singapore Symphony Orchestra.
3) Last Post by lone bugler from the Singapore Armed Forces Military Band.
At the end of the eulogies, a lone bugler from the Singapore Armed Forces Military Band sounded the Last Post, representing a final salute to LKY and also marked the start of a minute of silence for him.
4) The Rouse by lone bugler from the Singapore Armed Forces Military Band.
It is a symbolic call back to duty after respect was paid to memory of the deceased and the end of a minute of silence.
5) National Anthem
After the National Pledge, the National Anthem was played as a mark of respect to Mr Lee.
Images: PM Office; CNA Media Corps, Singapore.
SONGS @ PARLIAMENT HOUSE:
6) Auld Lang Syne
Played when the casket left Sri Temasek for Parliament House.
7) Amazing Grace
Heard during Mr Lee's Lying in State at Parliament House.
8) Home (Singapore Song) sung in Parliament House witnessed by PM Lee Hsien Loong.
Images: Google.
SONGS @ PARLIAMENT HOUSE:
6) Auld Lang Syne
Played when the casket left Sri Temasek for Parliament House.
7) Amazing Grace
Heard during Mr Lee's Lying in State at Parliament House.
8) Home (Singapore Song) sung in Parliament House witnessed by PM Lee Hsien Loong.
Images: Google.
Charlie Munger: Number 2 to Warren Buffet.
"Study about the life and work of Lee Kuan Yew, most successful, in the history of mankind -you're going to be flabbergasted."
Images from friends and Google.
60 comments:
Lee Kuan Yew was the Father of his Nation and his iron hand guided Singapore from post-Colonial uncertainty to an important and enviable position in the world. Who else would have had the courage to devise and implement the (sometimes unpopular) policies which were necessary to make Singapore the prosperous and secure nation it is today? He was a true statesman in an era when such qualities were rare in national leaders
Thank you Allan.
"At the end of the day, what I cherish most are the human relationships. With the unfailing support of my wife and partner I have lived my life to the fullest. It is the friendships I made and the close family ties I nurtured that have provided me with that sense of satisfaction at a life well lived, and have made me what I am."
We must be grateful for this man who made Singapore the red dot to world class. I respect LKY. No man can replace him.
To go to Parliament to pay a last respect to our Greatest leader, Mr Lee Kuan Yew.
Thanks for photos. So moving, so touching. If we could have a photo of him resting in peace...
ABOUT YOUTH SUB-CULTURES:
A member of a goth music band had problems registering his group as a society in Singapore:
LKY: Why is it goth?
Answer: It's a reference to gothic, like Victorian gothic.
LKY: Unless it offends public taste I would just leave it be. You want to dress in black and play gothic music, so be it. But if it is offensive to the general public, then I say we should hesitate. Why annoy the public? Don't misunderstand me, I'm not liberal and I'm not conservative, I"m a practical, pragmatic person, always have been and I take things as they are. That's that.
(Edited: Page 385-386.)
Q: Do you have a favourite film?
LKY: It takes a lot of time... the best comedy I watched... was in London when I watched Danny Kaye... He was funny. He could act, he could sing... And for a serious film PYGMALION...and later on a version put out by Warner Brothers...What's the title?
Q: My Fair Lady?
LKY: Yes, because the speech was perfect and the woman was very good... Longest one I ever saw was GONE WITH THE WIND... But I don't watch them anymore.
(Edited: Page 383.)
Book extracts from:
LEE KUAN YEW, HARD TRUTHS, TO KEEP SINGAPORE GOING.
THE STRAITS TIMES PRESS: 2011.
Lee Kuan Yew was the architect of Singapore. Without him we would not have HDB, CPF and NTUC. His patriotic spirit of striving for excellence for the country is exemplary.
The passing of our great leader is a big loss to our nation. His contribution and foresight to nation building is immense. Thank you Mr Lee.
A founding father of Singapore, he turned a little red dot into a world player. Indeed he left us with a heritage worthy of praise.
The world has lost a great man!
As a young Singaporean, the sense of loss is no less acute - a child to first generation Singaporeans, I grew up as a direct beneficiary to Mr Lee Kuan Yew's great policies, in housing and education. Not forgetting the clean, green and safe streets he had so painstakingly achieved for the people. We are indeed indebted to him, and while some may disagree with some of the things he did, there is no denying that the prosperity we enjoy today is built on his iron will and capable shoulders. Thank you Mr Lee, you have fought the good fight and earned a great rest. Rest in peace Mr Lee.
LKY THANK YOU FOR MAKING US PROUD OF SINGAPORE. BECAUSE OF YOU WE ARE PROUD TO BE SINGAPOREANS. YOU ARE OUR INSPIRATION. WE WILL PERSEVERE.
When I requested comments about LKY for this posting, the support from friends was great and response was immediate. Thank you all so much.
For what is a man, what has he got?
If not himself, then he has naught.
To say the things he truly feels;
And not the words of one who kneels.
The record shows I took the blows -
And did it my way!
Yes, it was my way.
We are the champions, my friends,
And we'll keep on fighting 'til the end.
We are the champions.
We are the champions.
No time for losers
'Cause we are the champions of the world.
But it's been no bed of roses,
No pleasure cruise.
I consider it a challenge before the whole human race
And I ain't gonna lose...
Writer(s): Freddie Mercury
Copyright: Queen Music Limited.
"I knew him well. When I became leader of the Labour Party I travelled to Singapore to seek his advice, which he gave with typical acumen and frankness..."
Former UK Prime Minister TONY BLAIR
“Lady Margaret Thatcher once said that there was no Prime Minister she admired more than Mr Lee for ‘the strength of his convictions, the clarity of his views, the directness of his speech and his vision of the way ahead’."
Thanks to the FaceBook gang for liking this post. DORIS LIM, RICHARD TOH, PRISCILLA GEORGE, JIMMY PRESLEE, AARON CHOO, LINDA TAN.
Several villages in the city of Tamil Nadu, India, have made banners to commemorate the passing of Singapore's founding father. The banners read, 'YOU ARE OUR GOD."
These villages were Paravakottai and Ullikottai in Thiruvarur District of Tamil Nadu.
Other banners, "PEAK OF THE HIMALAYAS THAT HAS FALLEN."
One read, "We used to live in huts and now we live in concrete houses."
Thanks to MALVIN CHUA, FLORA TOH, YEN CHOW for liking pics.
I reflected on the huge grief and outpouring of sorrow...
Well, the last few years have seen our country becoming more divided, more disenchanted... lost. And I'm sure Mr Lee knows that. So even in his death he helped to bring our people together, unite us, bring awareness to the yoUng on the vulnerability of our country. For Mr Lee building Singapore is always work-in-progress.
Our late 1st PM was a tough man, but he got the job of building our nation done. If we have a soft leader then, we could be now still living a standard of life of today's 3rd world's countries.
I saw the Senior Lee when was a young kid as my family was then living in the old Tanjong Pagar Constituency. As a young kid, I also remember the hustle and bustle of the 1959 GE where our 1st PM spoke at the PAP rally near my old house at Bernam Street, off Tg Pagar. May God bless his soul forever.
Thank you very much for sharing FL. It must have been an experience for you to have met Mr Lee when you were so young and a privilege to be in his constituency.
It's nearly 2 am now and I have just come home after visiting Parliament House. There was a huge crowd and the wait took more than four hours. My friend and I were glad to have paid our last respects to a great man.
Thanks for writing and visiting again FL. I know I can always depend on your to provide some information about the 1960s.
This posting is a tribute to LKY so comments have been published accordingly. Other ones have been left out.
27.03.15
We all paid our respects to LKY at the Tampines Community Centre last night and signed the condolence book. Met by Minister for Education at the exit.
I cannot walk so my wife went alone to the Padang last night. It was a long queue even at priority. She showed her Pioneer Card. She managed to get into Paliament House within 40 minutes.
I was allowed in after missing my wife in the crowd at the Botanic Gardens Tribute Site. A security officer helped me to find her and we queued together after a 10 minute wait. The others who were waiting allowed me in without hesitation.
This lady I met came from the Philippines. She was in the priority queue and explained that she was in Singapore for only 3 days; to pay her respects to Mr Lee and then to go home. When asked why, she said she was a student from Harvard University in her younger days, worked in Singapore for the finance industry and was so impressed by the tenacity of Singaporeans and its leaders in her workplace. Her years in Singapore were unforgettable. She owed it all to Mr Lee.
A "rare talent."
Bertha Henson:
It was not a teary affair, at least not until the end. That was when choir master Mr Low led the congregation in the final song, "Rest in Peace, Lionheart."
(sung to the hymn, "You are mine")
Great guiding light with vision grand
You gave your all for this our land
With verve and might, you shaped and forged
You led the way, you made your stand
Your journey’s o’er, Great Lionheart
You gave your all, you did your part
Carved in your heart forever more
May we remain “My Singapore’’
You gave your best, you did your part
In peace now rest, Great Lionheart
"The world is a better place because of Lee Kuan Yew," said Prof Henry Kissinger, former US Secretary of State and Mr Lee's friend for more than four decades.
"He never came and said you have to do this or that. He was never a lobbyist," said Dr Kissinger. "He would say: 'Here is a situation and you have to understand it if you want to succeed.'
A good friend suggests that we build a monument for Mr Lee and it should stand beside our First President. Mr Lee's son, Hsien Yang, in his eulogy reminds us that Singapore itself is one.
The Choir of St John's College, Cambridge, is a collegiate choir of the English cathedral tradition. Though early records are obscure, it is known that its origins can be traced to the original foundation of the College in 1511. As well as daily singing of the liturgy in the college Chapel, it broadcasts and records extensively. It is set apart from other English choirs by its distinctive 'Continental' sound.
From wikipedia
Home (家), sung by Kit Chan, was composed by Dick Lee in 1998 as the first in a series of yearly songs commissioned for Singapore's National Day Parade. It has English and Chinese versions, both sung by Kit.
'Home' was sung by The Choir of St John's College, Cambridge during LKYs lying in state at Parliament House, Singapore.
Li Shengwu, eldest son of Mr Lee Hsien Yang, used to described his grandfather Mr Lee Kuan Yew:
“Once, at the suggestion that a monument might be made for him, my grandfather replied: ‘Remember Ozymandias.’ He was, of course, referring to Shelley’s sonnet about Ramses II, the greatest Pharaoh of the Egyptian empire. In the poem, a lone traveller encounters a broken statue in the desert. On the statue, the inscription: “My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings; look on my works, ye mighty, and despair! Nothing beside remains."
“I think his meaning was that, if Singapore does not persist, then a monument will be no help. And if Singapore does persist, then a monument will be unnecessary. And that assessment is accurate: His legacy is not cold stone, but a living nation. And we could no more forget him than we could forget the sky.
LKY said that you do not judge a man until the coffin closes. It was an interview with Charlie Rose in 2011. LKY added, "So I have to be very careful..."
He gave his own assessment of B+ on Singapore's success and his committment to his own family.
This man is my hero. I'm so glad we have strong people like him around today in an age where our politicians seem more and more degenerate...
I am a 17 year old American and I can say that I will cry when LKY finally departs, but I'm glad he was at least slightly in my time. He's not perfect, I don't agree with all of his ideas, but he doesn't claim to be that which he isn't, which is his monopoly in the world of politics because no other politician can say the same.
(You Tube)
Another sadness is when we learnt of the demise of Mr Lee Kuan Yew. Couldn't hold back the tears for the great leader...
Last week the demise of LKY kept my wife and I glued to the small screen for most of the days as we listened to his speeches and viewed his images repeatedly. Yes we cried too because he changed our lives; and in so many ways. Singaporeans gave him a send off that tugged at our heart strings so ovewhelmingly.
My tribute to LKY
Thank you Sir!
Rest in peace.
You will forever inspire all true Sons and Daughters of Singapore.
I really admire this man's determination and willpower... for waiting over 4 hours to see LKY for only 4 minutes. Hats off, Andy.
Mr. Lee Kuan Yew is truly a remarkable leader whom we regard as the greatest leader in the region and who is irreplaceable. I attended the Tribute to the Greatest Leader on 28th March with the Singapore Business Federation at The Raffles City Convention Centre from 9.30am – 1.00pm. The outpouring of tributes from distinguished guests of far flung places just touched our hearts. When I was a boy of ten in 1957 I served him tea at the Silat Road PAP Branch, during the kampong days, that’s where he gained prominence as Silat Road was a terrible slum with no amenities but Mr. LKY built them, under Sepoy Lines at that time when Mr. Lee was very popular during the Singapore Harbour Board era. It is a long story to relate about the PAP Branch in Silat Road, which was then assigned to the charge of the defunct Wee Toon Boon who later on jailed for corruption that linked to the Lau & Sons Garden properties case. The PAP Branch and The Barisan Socialis Branch was just a stone throw away (almost side by side). A lot of people were jostling between the two parties’ branches. Coming from English School, we are for the PAP so a lot of Chinese Ed boys were taunting us. I still remember every Wednesday meet the people’s session, Mr. Lee Kuan Yew had never absent at all, he takes effort to listen to all the grievances and difficulties of people, that’s where he was so well loved by people of the kampong (more than 50 thousand people of diverse ethnicity). Almost everyone was for Mr. Lee Kuan Yew and my father played a significant contribution to Mr. Lee during election time.
Thanks to all my readers who sent these tribute letters about Mr Lee.
Your tribute to Mr. Lee is really great and particularly you even took the efforts & time to gather so much information and articles about your Tekong Island visit with him. Wow, I really admire and respect you for all you had done. Besides that you sent me very warm words that touched me a lot, thank you for all your SMS’es. You even take the time to send me on Bob Hawke’s (Ex PM of Australia) tribute to Mr. Lee.
Local actor Adrian Pang will play young Lee Kuan Yew in "The LKY Musical" about Singapore's former Prime Minister. Pang's is the second casting for the role of the founding father, following Lim Kay Tong's turn as Mr Lee in a Raintree Pictures film to be released later this year.
A pretty comprehensive list:
1. LKY: A Pictorial Memoir by Stephanie Yeow
2. One Man's View Of The World by Lee Kuan Yew
3. Hard Truths To Keep Singapore Going by Lee Kuan Yew
4. Lee Kuan Yew: A Life In Pictures by Lee Kuan Yew
5. The Big Ideas Of Lee Kuan Yew by Shashi Jayakumar and Rahul Sagar
6. The Singapore Story: Memoirs Of Lee Kuan Yew by Lee Kuan Yew
7. From Third World To First: The Singapore Story by Lee Kuan Yew
8. Lee Kuan Yew Slip-cased Set 2010 by Lee Kuan Yew
9. The Battle For Merger by Lee Kuan Yew
10. My Lifelong Challenge: Singapore's Bilingual Journey by Lee Kuan Yew
11. Lee Kuan Yew - In His Own Words: ed. SJ Rodringuez
12. Lee Kuan Yew: The Grand Master's Insights on China, the United States, and the World: Graham Allison and Robert D. Blackwill.
Children's:
1. Growing Up With Lee Kuan Yew by Lawrence Koh Choon Teck
2. Harry Grows Up: The Early Years Of Lee Kuan Yew by Patrick Yee
3. A Boy Named Harry: The Childhood Of Lee Kuan Yew by Patrick Yee
Thank you for posting the tribute to Mr. Lee Kuan Yew. We all felt the same & true respect of his great leadership for us and to the country, for without, there will not be Singapore is today!
Keep in touch.
With Best Regards
David Greenfield
We met PM Lee Hsien Loong in November. Even better, we cooked dinner for him. Very nice man. For my Singaporean spouse, I think it was the greatest day of her life. For weeks leading up to this day, she'd talk about LKY and all he accomplished.
In fact, he must have been fresh on the presenter's mind as well, as she introduced PM Lee by his dad's name. The crowd gasped and watched to see how he'd react. He just smiled and moved on, then he hugged her after the speech...
Andy Young
David Greenfield thanks for your surprising and interesting response. It must have made your day too... Congratulations! Yes, met LHL too. It's on the blog where he did us a selfie.
Comments
Stephen Han
You’re lucky,I shooked hand with him while he was on his way to a rally
Andy Young
Stephen Han hi, yes. Those were the days! Thanks for visiting again. 🙏
David Greenfield
Andy Young It was a proud moment for sure!
Andy Young
David Greenfield he's nice. I couldn't do a proper selfie and he took over.
David Greenfield
Andy Young Funny you should say that. My wife was star-struck when she first saw him, and approached him **without her family** and took a selfie with him.
After we straightened her out, she brought us over and asked him for a proper photo, which he laughed and took us in. He then shook my hand and thanked us for the food.
Ericbronson Wong
I met him twice once when l was a teeny bopper n once when l was in my early twenties,,, He was truly my most unforgettable Superstar IconUncle,,, So Astonishing Awesome N Absolutely A Born Leader Of The People,,,
Andy Young
Ericbronson Wong thanks, that's really nice to hear. Good to know that you still remember him, considering that you're living afar now. Cheers.
Poh Huat Tng
One and only
Andy Young
Poh Huat Tng yes indeed, he is.
Andy, thanks for bumping this blog. It kinda remind me of my long queue experience to pay my last respect to Late Mr Lee KY, never a chance close to him when he was alive. Enjoyed the refreshing clips of choir singing Home and the dialogue from Charlie Munger. I m extremely thankful for all he did for Singapore and the citizens.<3 <3
Freda Hanum
LKY was my mum's most favourite person, she would attend all his rallies and his talks...I was with her all along when since 12 years of age. I was so excited when I had a brief encounter in a taxi and LKY was in his car driven by chaufer stop by the traffic light next to our taxi.
He looked at me and gave me a wave with the most kind smile, I shouted to my mum saying it's LKY there next to us hehehe 😃 I never forget this brief encounter with the great man of Singapore 🙏
Andy Young
Freda Hanum hi! That's an exceptionally touching story. Thanks for sharing such an important moment in your life. At Pulau Tekong, I couldn't even get near him.
I shall put up your story on the right column of the blog with his picture... Thanks again Freda.
Hiroshi Deguchi
You watched Singapore great history, Andy.
Andy Young
Hiroshi Deguchi yes, he was a great man, wasn't he...
"Andy, thanks for bumping this blog."
Thanks ANON for writing in.
Yes, a friend and I attended his wake.
It was a pretty long queue but well worth the effort to see a great man like him RIP.
He was a good person.
You should reveal who you are but thanks again for the visit.
Freda Hanum
Andy Young Wow thanks so much Andy...it is really precious brief moment encounter can never forget that....thanks again Andy you are so kind 🥰
Patrick Teng
Freda Hanum what is the taxi number I want to buy 4 D
Freda Hanum
Patrick Teng At young age haven't slightest idea about numbers, so did not bother to see, just got down and walk away..Oh Patrick hahaha 😂
Andy Young
Freda Hanum yes, Patrick. She saved those lottery money and accumulated so much that it has become a prized amount now, better than what you would have wasted buying them. Cheers 🙂
Patrick Teng, lesson is, don't gamble la. Just save the money monthly. Now after 50 years, you could have saved a fortune...🥰
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