Remembering Lee Kuan Yew

I remember many years back when I was still working as an IT professional, I get to attend many IT seminars. It was one of these seminars (probably organised by Oracle) that provide me a rare opportunity to see Mr. Lee Kuan Yew in flesh and blood. We were at Shangri-La hotel. I remember we were waiting for the seminar to start and just along the passageway leading to another seminar room, Mr. Lee Kuan Yew walking pass me. There were two bodyguards walking in front and two more behind him. He looked discipline and has a sense of seriousness on his face. That was the first time I saw Mr. Lee.

Even though, many people may disagree with some of his policies governing Singapore, the end result is to ensure the survival of Singapore. Discipline becomes an important factor for nation building. Discipline and determination started with the leader of the country. Campaigns to promote certain habits also help toward the growth of the economy.

Mr. Lee Kuan Yew became the number one salesman from Singapore. He talked to various world leaders and business communities persuading them to set up their businesses in Singapore. That helps to resolve the problem of unemployment in the country and grew the economy. The strong focus on education, training and productivity became part of our life in Singapore.

Singapore was his lifelong work. Even after he stepped down as the Prime Minister, he still works towards the good of Singapore. He became a world statesman, giving sound advice to world leaders. The reputation he created for Singapore helps to further advance Singapore into the first world country.

I went to pay respect to Mr. Lee at the Parliament House on Thursday, 26 Mar 2015. The total waiting time was around 4.5 hours but it was worth the wait. Singaporean came out in full force to queue and wait patiently. The longest waiting time I heard was about 13 hours. 

No words can describe Mr. Lee lifelong contributions and devotion to Singapore. His achievements were reflected all around us in Singapore. He passed away peacefully on the 23 March 2015. Even when I was writing this blog, I was still feeling sad.

Thank you Mr. Lee Kuan Yew.

A Good Friday visit to In Memoriam: Lee Kuan Yew Exhibition

On Good Friday, after our Tulipmania visit at the Gardens By The Bay, we tirelessly continue our journey with my Mother-In-law to the National Museum of Singapore. A special exhibition of Mr. Lee Kuan Yew was held in memory of him and his contributions which run until 26 April 2015.

The museum announced on Sunday (Apr 5) that the exhibition would now run until Sunday, May 24 2015. From April 10, the opening hours for the exhibition will extend till 10pm every Friday and Saturday. The last visitor will be admitted at 9pm.

On other days, the exhibition opening hours remain from 10am to 8pm. Visitors can refer to the Museum's Facebook page and Twitter feed for regular updates.

Here is what our Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong commented on the exhibition.

“By now, you have probably heard about my father’s red box. Minister Heng Swee Keat posted about it last week. The red box was a fixture of my father’s work routine. It is now on display at the National Museum of Singapore in his memorial exhibition.

Some of my father’s other personal items are there too. His barrister’s wig (of horsehair) from when he was admitted to the Bar. And a Rolex Oyster Perpetual watch given to him by the Singapore Union of Postal and Telecommunications Workers after he represented them in the famous postmen’s strike in 1952.

I enjoyed my visit to the exhibition a few days ago. Was happy to hear that many of you went yesterday. The exhibition will be on until 26 April.”

Admission is free. Do visit the exhibition. You will have a better understanding of Mr. Lee Kuan Yew contribution to Singapore. 

Farewell Our Founding Father, Mr. Lee Kuan Yew

I marked 29 March 2015 on my white board as an important date to note. It was a Sunday. It was not any ordinary day. It was the day where we, as Singaporeans give our last farewell to our first Prime Minister of Singapore. He was also our founding father of Singapore. Without his leadership, I believe we will still be living in swampy areas with poor facilities in a third world environment.

I have already agreed to meet John at our nearby Braddell MRT. The time was 10.30 am. I know that it may be a bit late to start off towards the City Hall Building where the cortege passes by. With 21 gun salute, a fly-pass of RSAF Black Knight over the City Hall building and Naval ships pass-by salute at the mouth of the Singapore River, it would be the most memorable sight to witness in this relatively short history of Singapore ( This year, we will be celebrating our 50 years of nation building, SG50). To our disappointment, large crowd were already waiting along the road sides just outside the City Hall building. It was impossible to squeeze ourselves in to have a good view of the passing cortege.

Policemen were everywhere to ensure safety and security of the event. The next thing best location to shoot the cortege coming out of the Parliament House was at High Street  Centre building. Most die-hard landscape photographers would have experience photographing the Parliament House with the Singapore River skyline at the carpark in this blue building. But today, it was not just any ordinary day which I have mentioned earlier. People from all walks of life came to pay their last respect to Mr. Lee Kuan Yew.

We finally manage to secure a good location in the building. It was directly facing the Parliament House. The rain came. We were glad that we were in a sheltered part of the building. There were many photographers in this location. We waited patiently for the cortege to come out of the Parliament. Those waiting along the road side, were all drenched. As what Mr. Lee Kuan Yew’s son, our current Prime Minister, Lee Hsien Loong said. The sky open and cry for Mr. Lee Kuan Yew.  It was a heavy downpour. When the cortege came out, somehow, I felt a moment of sadness. What Mr. Lee Kuan Yew had done for Singapore was just overwhelming. For the past 7 days, we have been getting a lot of videos about Mr. Lee Kuan Yew. We did not know he had done so many things to ensure the survival of Singapore. It was Mr. Lee Kuan Yew, Singapore had a very good reputation among the world community. Mr. Lee Kuan Yew was Singapore. The name and the country were interlinked with each other.

As the cortege passed the gate of the Parliament House, you can hear people shouting “Lee Kuan Yew” in full support of his contribution to Singapore. This was the time, when my tears started to roll down my cheeks. I could hear others crying. Some of the Singaporeans salute to the passing cortege. Mr. Lee’s family members were following behind the cortege. The guards of honours comprised of the Police Force, Navy, Army, marched in front of the cortege. It was a final farewell for Mr. Lee Kuan Yew, our founding father, Prime Minister, Senior Minister, Minister Mentor of Singapore. He was the longest serving member of the Singapore Parliament.

His passing marked the end of an era in the Singapore history. 

Rest in Peace, Mr. Lee Kuan Yew. 

We will already remember you.