Reflections on Mr Lee Kuan Yew's 100th Birth Anniversary

Today marks the 100th birth anniversary of Mr Lee Kuan Yew. Mr Lee is often remembered as a respected statesman and a leader with foresight and gumption. Above all, he is a founding father who dedicated his life to building a better Singapore for all Singaporeans, regardless of race, language, or religion.

The four years that I worked for Mr Lee were instrumental in shaping my values and outlook. It is difficult to summarise, so let me share three key takeaways which I believe can serve as timeless advice for all of us.

One: find your purpose and pursue it with passion and dedication.

Mr Lee’s singular mission was to ensure Singapore’s survival and success, so that Singaporeans can have a better life. He dedicated his whole life to this endeavour, from big efforts like diplomacy, to small acts like looking out for the cleanliness of the Singapore River. Mr Lee’s red box, which I had written about, encapsulates this dedication to Singapore, right to his last days.

Mr Lee and the founding fathers were united in their conviction to build a harmonious multiracial nation with opportunities for all. To this end, Mr Lee was unafraid about pursuing highly interventionist policies like our ethnic integration policy for housing. He believed that it was the right thing to do, to achieve the stated ideals of our nation. With the recent Presidential Election, I daresay we have made progress as a multiracial society.

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Two: always take a strategic, long-term view.

Mr Lee and the founding fathers were clear-eyed about Singapore’s vulnerability as a tiny island-state with no natural resources. A little red dot on the map can perish easily. Our water story and the diversification towards four taps, reflects this instinct of securing Singapore’s strategic interests, to ensure our long-term survival. Today, we must tackle climate change with this same resolve, to safeguard our future.

Our reserves is another example of taking a long-term view. Under Mr Lee’s watch, we built up our reserves through disciplined saving and excellent stewardship. Its returns contribute some 20% of our Budget today; it also tided us through national crises. Our reserves are strategic assets that carry the commitment of past generations to the next. This reflects the unique inter-generational social compact that we share in Singapore.

Three: be adaptable and unafraid to innovate.

Mr Lee’s favourite questions were “Does it work?” and “so what?”. I remember being grilled by Mr Lee as he drilled down to the core of issues. In the early days, Mr Lee defied prevailing wisdom and positioned Singapore as a first world oasis in underdeveloped Asia. This enabled us to leapfrog the region, create new opportunities and uplift our people. We must remain innovative and adaptable, as we press on with transforming our economy and workforce, to seize new opportunities ahead.

Mr Lee’s stance towards bilingualism was an example of his humility and willingness to adapt in the face of changing circumstances. Years before, Mr Lee was unconvinced that early exposure was essential for the learning of languages. Yet when the research evidence became clearer, Mr Lee decided that he would personally contribute to this cause, and also raised funds to set up the Lee Kuan Yew Fund For Bilingualism. This goes back to his own mantra – if it doesn’t work anymore, it must be changed. I hope this gives all of us the encouragement to be bold as we navigate a fast-changing world.

Through his life and work, Mr Lee embodied the pioneering new spirit – a Semangat Yang Baru – that is at the heart of our Singapore identity. As we commemorate this day, it is my hope that each of us will continue to carry this new spirit, and work together to build a better Singapore.