FORMER Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew wrote in One Man's View Of The World: "In the end, my greatest satisfaction in life comes from the fact that I have spent years gathering support, mustering the will to make this place meritocratic, corruption-free and equal for all races - and that it will endure beyond me."
Indeed, through Mr Lee, Singapore's meritocratic system has enabled a fair and just society for all, regardless of race, language or religion.
In the 1960s, corruption was rampant, and I remember how my eldest aunt, who ran a small tidbit stall in Bukit Merah, was often harassed for "protection money" to get things done. Today, Singapore ranks among the top 10 in the Corruption Perceptions Index.
I witnessed the riots in the 1960s, and went through water rationing, while my siblings were unemployed. Today, Singaporeans of all races mix together, and we have more than enough water.
Mr Lee attracted foreign investment by building communications and transportation infrastructure that helped my eldest sister and other Singaporeans gain employment at the former Rollei factory in Chai Chee; it was one of many companies who set up shop here.
I was brought up in my grandmother's rental apartment in Sago Lane, with shared facilities. Today, 90 per cent of households own their own homes, and there are no visible homeless people or slums.
Children and the elderly now enjoy good education and excellent healthcare - virtually impossible before Mr Lee became Prime Minister, and in the early years of hardship.
Our country's defence is solid due to the foresight of Mr Lee, who believed Singapore's defence had to be strong as we would never know where the threat might come from or what form it would take.
Amid all of Mr Lee's contributions, few people are aware of his magnanimity. In the 1970s, my mother worked for shoemaker Lee Hoi Wah, and Mr Lee was her boss' customer. When the boss offered to sell his products to Mr Lee at cost price, in honour of his immense contributions to Singapore, Mr Lee politely declined, and told him that he had to earn a living, too.
Mr Lee's death is a great loss to Singapore and Singaporeans. Let us remember his contributions and honour his legacy.
Francis Cheng
Indeed, through Mr Lee, Singapore's meritocratic system has enabled a fair and just society for all, regardless of race, language or religion.
In the 1960s, corruption was rampant, and I remember how my eldest aunt, who ran a small tidbit stall in Bukit Merah, was often harassed for "protection money" to get things done. Today, Singapore ranks among the top 10 in the Corruption Perceptions Index.
I witnessed the riots in the 1960s, and went through water rationing, while my siblings were unemployed. Today, Singaporeans of all races mix together, and we have more than enough water.
Mr Lee attracted foreign investment by building communications and transportation infrastructure that helped my eldest sister and other Singaporeans gain employment at the former Rollei factory in Chai Chee; it was one of many companies who set up shop here.
I was brought up in my grandmother's rental apartment in Sago Lane, with shared facilities. Today, 90 per cent of households own their own homes, and there are no visible homeless people or slums.
Children and the elderly now enjoy good education and excellent healthcare - virtually impossible before Mr Lee became Prime Minister, and in the early years of hardship.
Our country's defence is solid due to the foresight of Mr Lee, who believed Singapore's defence had to be strong as we would never know where the threat might come from or what form it would take.
Amid all of Mr Lee's contributions, few people are aware of his magnanimity. In the 1970s, my mother worked for shoemaker Lee Hoi Wah, and Mr Lee was her boss' customer. When the boss offered to sell his products to Mr Lee at cost price, in honour of his immense contributions to Singapore, Mr Lee politely declined, and told him that he had to earn a living, too.
Mr Lee's death is a great loss to Singapore and Singaporeans. Let us remember his contributions and honour his legacy.
Francis Cheng
