Lee Kuan Yew
![Lee Kuan Yew](/assets/img/authors/lee-kuan-yew.jpg)
Lee Kuan Yew
Lee Kuan Yew, GCMG, CH, SPMJ, informally known by his initials LKY, was the first Prime Minister of Singapore, governing for three decades. Lee is recognised as the nation's founding father, with the country described as transitioning from the "third world to first world in a single generation" under his leadership...
ProfessionStatesman
Date of Birth16 September 1923
elected freedom government media needs news
Freedom of the news media must be subordinated to the overriding needs of Singapore, and to the primacy of purpose of an elected government.
lower
If you are going to lower me into the grave, and I feel something is wrong, I will get up.
agents change china chinese host playing powerful scholars students thousands
America's greatest long-term influence on China comes from playing host to the thousands of students who come from China each year, some of the ablest Chinese scholars and scientists. They will be the most powerful agents for change in China.
carry presenting reaching trying vigorous worth
I'm reaching 87, trying to keep fit, presenting a vigorous figure, and it's an effort, and is it worth the effort? I laugh at myself trying to keep a bold front. It's become my habit. I just carry on.
mama sides ashes
For reasons of sentiment, I would like part of my ashes to be mixed up with Mama's, and both her ashes and mine put side by side in the columbarium. We were joined in life and I would like our ashes to be joined after this life.
dream goal discipline
If you want to reach your goals and dreams, you cannot do it without discipline
dream journey earthquakes
You begin your journey not knowing where it will take you. You have plans, you have dreams, but every now and again you have to take uncharted roads, face impassable mountains, cross treacherous rivers, be blocked by landslides and earthquakes. That's the way my life has been.
educated one-thing
Having an education is one thing, being educated is another.
leadership vision progress
A leader without the vision, to strive to improve things, is no good. Then you will just stay put, you won't progress.
politically-correct
I always tried to be correct, not politically correct.
army years two
Without the elected president and if there is a freak result, within two or three years, the army would have to come in and stop it
successful the-end-of-the-day given
At the end of the day, what have I got? A successful Singapore. What have I given up? My life.
singapore always-believe ifs
Between being loved and being feared, I have always believed Machiavelli was right. If nobody is afraid of me, I’m meaningless.
consequence
What is of consequence is I did my best.