As I watched Mr Lee Kuan Yew’s cortege pass by, I was struck by a sense of unity and pride as a Singaporean. Who exactly is a Singaporean, though?
I looked around at the crowd and saw people of all races, ages and backgrounds celebrating his life. Then as the procession moved on, and people started filtering away, I saw a Caucasian woman sobbing, as if paralysed by grief.
I am unsure of her nationality, but her tears and adoration for Mr Lee — an incredible leader for everyone living here, whether they held a pink identity card (IC) or not — were a clear sign of her Singaporean heart.
He was a strong proponent of having expatriates live and work here, to make Singapore the best it can be. He had said: “We welcome talent and will continue to welcome talent.”
I hope we can honour his views and work together, being more welcoming to those who are as bound to Singapore in terms of spirit as anyone who was born and raised here.
I looked around at the crowd and saw people of all races, ages and backgrounds celebrating his life. Then as the procession moved on, and people started filtering away, I saw a Caucasian woman sobbing, as if paralysed by grief.
I am unsure of her nationality, but her tears and adoration for Mr Lee — an incredible leader for everyone living here, whether they held a pink identity card (IC) or not — were a clear sign of her Singaporean heart.
He was a strong proponent of having expatriates live and work here, to make Singapore the best it can be. He had said: “We welcome talent and will continue to welcome talent.”
I hope we can honour his views and work together, being more welcoming to those who are as bound to Singapore in terms of spirit as anyone who was born and raised here.
