LIKE many of my fellow Singaporeans, I am saddened by the death of former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew. I share the same gratitude that many have most eloquently expressed.
However, we should remember that Mr Lee clearly expressed that he disliked personality cults and when asked if he wanted his residence to be preserved, he said "no".
For this same reason, I am not sure if Mr Lee would be approving of ideas/projects like a statue of himself, and holidays commemorating his birthday and death ("Erect statue to honour man of steel and heart" by Mr A. Thiyaga Raju and "Key dates as public holidays" by Mr Siow Tian Rui; both published yesterday).
Much as we Singaporeans wish to show our love and respect for Mr Lee, we should also honour and respect his wishes. We should focus our energies as one united people on doing the things that Mr Lee would most approve of; from diligently keeping up with the fast-changing world and remaining relevant and valuable, to just simply keeping Singapore clean.
I am sure Mr Lee would be greatly saddened to know how far we have lapsed since the old Keep Singapore Clean campaign decades ago.
Chung Pui Lan Pauline Margaret (Ms)
However, we should remember that Mr Lee clearly expressed that he disliked personality cults and when asked if he wanted his residence to be preserved, he said "no".
For this same reason, I am not sure if Mr Lee would be approving of ideas/projects like a statue of himself, and holidays commemorating his birthday and death ("Erect statue to honour man of steel and heart" by Mr A. Thiyaga Raju and "Key dates as public holidays" by Mr Siow Tian Rui; both published yesterday).
Much as we Singaporeans wish to show our love and respect for Mr Lee, we should also honour and respect his wishes. We should focus our energies as one united people on doing the things that Mr Lee would most approve of; from diligently keeping up with the fast-changing world and remaining relevant and valuable, to just simply keeping Singapore clean.
I am sure Mr Lee would be greatly saddened to know how far we have lapsed since the old Keep Singapore Clean campaign decades ago.
Chung Pui Lan Pauline Margaret (Ms)
