WHEN Singapore gained independence, it already knew the stark reality of conflict over race, over language, over religion.
But when he stood before Parliament on Dec 14, 1965, then Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew did not despair, but saw this as a lesson for Singapore.
In his speech, he presented a vision of a "tolerant society not based on the concepts of exclusiveness of race, language, religion", but united as one people.
As I joined the queue to pay my respects to Mr Lee at 4am on Thursday, I saw how the Government worked round the clock in anticipation of the large crowds.
Portable toilets and barricades were being set up, army boys clad in white and black gave us precise instructions, and truckloads of water were brought in.
This shows how we function. Everyone here in Singapore fits like a jigsaw piece, with our nation, our landscape being the puzzle.
Something must have been done right in our upbringing and in our education system, because I did not come across any inappropriately behaved Singaporeans during this period of mourning.
The overwhelming number of people queueing to pay respects to Mr Lee is testament to how far Singapore has come as one united people.
I am proud to be Singaporean.
Melody Lim Li-Shi (Miss)
But when he stood before Parliament on Dec 14, 1965, then Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew did not despair, but saw this as a lesson for Singapore.
In his speech, he presented a vision of a "tolerant society not based on the concepts of exclusiveness of race, language, religion", but united as one people.
As I joined the queue to pay my respects to Mr Lee at 4am on Thursday, I saw how the Government worked round the clock in anticipation of the large crowds.
Portable toilets and barricades were being set up, army boys clad in white and black gave us precise instructions, and truckloads of water were brought in.
This shows how we function. Everyone here in Singapore fits like a jigsaw piece, with our nation, our landscape being the puzzle.
Something must have been done right in our upbringing and in our education system, because I did not come across any inappropriately behaved Singaporeans during this period of mourning.
The overwhelming number of people queueing to pay respects to Mr Lee is testament to how far Singapore has come as one united people.
I am proud to be Singaporean.
Melody Lim Li-Shi (Miss)
