Writing with Conviction_A01 Sem 2_2014_15
Question: What is the most significant contribution that Lee Kuan Yew made to transform Singapore from a developing to a developed world?
1. Find a quote that can capture your reflect your thought on this issue.
91 quotes of Lee Kuan Yew show why you either hate him or love him
Link: http://mothership.sg/2014/09/91-quotes-of-lee-kuan-yew-that-show-why-you-either-love-or-hate-him/
2. Discuss:
Lee Kuan Yew's most significant contribution in transforming Singapore from a developing to a developed world
(just 100-150 words excluding the quote)
-Think about the way you should structure the paragraph.
-Write with conviction and heart.
Other links to writing with conviction:
Does your writing lack the conviction it deserves?
Link: http://goinswriter.com/writing-conviction/
Write and Speak with Conviction: Link: http://www.zenlawyerseattle.com/thoughts-on-personal-injury-law/speak-and-write-with-conviction/
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“Freedom of the press, freedom of the news media, must be subordinated to the overriding needs of the integrity of Singapore, and to the primacy of purpose of an elected government”, Address To The General Assembly Of The International Press Institute At Helsinki, 9th June, 1971
National security has always been the primary justification for media censorship in Singapore. However, media censorship is no longer legitimate in Singapore due to globalization. There exists an increasing number of middle class who studies or travels abroad. These has given them an insight on the benefits of media freedom. Singapore could no longer function under such oppressive rule of law. The Singapore government is relunctant to repeal such laws as they are afraid of the uncertainty that comes with freedom of media and speech as it would definitely challenge the position of the current governing coalition. The focus of Singapore is no longer to attain economic growth, instead it should encourage freedom of speech to respect the rights inherent to human beings.
Tan Jun En, Jonathan
29. On interfering in S’poreans’ private lives: “I am often accused of interfering in the private lives of citizens. Yes, if I did not, had I not done that, we wouldn’t be here today. And I say without the slightest remorse, that we wouldn’t be here, we would not have made economic progress, if we had not intervened on very personal matters – who your neighbour is, how you live, the noise you make, how you spit, or what language you use. We decide what is right. Never mind what the people think.” The Straits Times, 20 April 1987
46. On the media: “Freedom of the press, freedom of the news media, must be subordinated to the overriding needs of the integrity of Singapore, and to the primacy of purpose of an elected government”, Address To The General Assembly Of The International Press Institute At Helsinki, 9th June, 1971
Lee Kuan Yew’s most significant contribution in transforming Singapore into a developed country is choosing policies that are relevant and beneficial to the country. In order to develop effective policies to develop the country, doing case studies on successful nations and copying their strategies is insufficient. A competent policy maker needs to understand that every nation’s circumstances are different and every policy has to be tailored made in order to be effective. Lee Kuan Yew is one such policy maker who exhibits this competency. Instead of copying the success formula of nation’s development from western countries, Lee Kuan Yew investigated into the social, political and economic landscape of Singapore and came up with a conclusion that there is a need to intervene on citizen’s lives and media to prevent instability. This conclusion came up from the racial riots that occurred during the 1960s which causes can be traced back to political tension between political parties and hostility between different races (Han, 2005). This ability to come up with effective policies for Singapore is, therefore, Lee Kuan Yew’s most significant contribution in transforming Singapore into a developed country.
Reference:
Han, J. (2005). Communal riots in 1964. Retrieved from http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/infopedia/articles/SIP_45_2005-01-06.html
Michelle Ang
21. On late DPM Goh Keng Swee: “Of all my Cabinet colleagues, it was Goh Keng Swee who made the greatest difference to the outcome for Singapore…When he held a contrary view, he would challenge my decisions and make me reexamine the premises on which they were made. As a result, we reached better decisions for Singapore.” Eulogy at the State Funeral service for Goh Keng Swee, May 23, 2010.
Mr Lee Kuan Yew allowed his decisions to be openly challenged by anyone who can prove that they have a legit point like what the late Mr Goh Keng Swee did, where it helped to improve on the policies implemented in Singapore and the citizens benefited greatly from them. An example will be in the period of 1963 to 1965, when Malaysia decided to expel Singapore. Mr Lee was adamant and tried to work out a compromise, but without success. He was later convinced by Mr Goh that the secession was inevitable.
With Singapore finally standing on its own two feet, Singapore was pushed to strive and find alternate ways to sustain itself. Therefore, the most significant contribution that Mr Lee made to transform Singapore from a developing to a developed world would be him allowing himself to be corrected and thus wasting neither time nor talents for the development of Singapore.
On leadership: “I do not yet know of a man who became a leader as a result of having undergone a leadership course.” 1957, The Wit & Wisdom of Lee Kuan Yew
Leadership is a quality that is acquired through experience. Leadership skills cannot be achieved by taking up leadership courses(Mr.Lee,1957). Leading a group or organisation requires several skills such as inspiring others to act, challenging the processes, offering encouragement and using innovative ways to address the problems(The Student Leadership Challenge, 2013). These skills are practised and mastered with experience. Realising this ,late Mr.Lee Kuan Yew invested his time in offering the members of his political party, People Action Party(PAP) to seize opportunities and gain experience to lead the future generation(Leadership with you, 2014). This was the greatest contribution by Mr.Lee Kuan Yew.He gave way to Mr.Goh Chok Tong in 1990s to take up the Prime Minister position allowing Mr.Goh Chok Tong to formulate policies to transform Singapore from a developing to a developed country(Channel News Asia,2015). Under Mr.Lee Kuan Yew’s mentorship,Mr Goh Chok Tong acted as Singapore’s diplomat and forged several ties with South East Asian(SEA) countries. For instance, Mr.Goh Chok Tong’s proposal for SEA countries to become a single economic market was accepted during 2003 Summit and included in Bali Concord II(Tommy Koh , 2014).This economic ties transformed Singapore from a developing to a developed state.As such,Mr.Lee Kuan Yew’ s greatest contribution would be providing the space for younger leaders to acquire experience in leading the future generation.
“I am often accused of interfering in the private lives of citizens. Yes, if I did not, had I not done that, we wouldn’t be here today. And I say without the slightest remorse, that we wouldn’t be here, we would not have made economic progress, if we had not intervened on very personal matters – who your neighbour is, how you live, the noise you make, how you spit, or what language you use. We decide what is right. Never mind what the people think.” The Straits Times, 20 April 1987
Lee Kuan Yew’s high acuity of vision was what transformed Singapore from a fishing Kampong to first world country. Clearly, he understood what should be done that will be beneficial to the country. His determination in implementing stringent regulations (who our neighbour is, the language we use) was definitely a smart choice. Owing to his foresight, people from all walks of life congregate together and live in harmony. Singapore has, therefore, become a Multi-Racial Nation that has the least amount of domestic conflict. This has greatly attracts numerous Multinational Corporations to have their Headquarters set up in Singapore, which in turn flourishes its economy.
Choo Siew Wai
On losing his temper: “I have never, I never try to lose my temper. Maybe I have occasionally, but I try to control it…If I am really angry, my body language will show that I am most dissatisfied” Tom Plate’s Conversations with Lee Kuan Yew
Lee Kuan Yew had made significant contributions such as water recycling to transform Singapore from a developing to a developed country. From his quote above, it was shown that even if he was dissatisfied with something or someone, he would never lose his temper such as in the case of the dissolution of the merger with Malaysia in 1965. He was concerned by Singapore’s dependence on Malaysia for clean water after the independence of Singapore as the reliance could trap Singapore in the vicious economic cycles of inflation occurring in Malaysia and threaten Singapore politically if Malaysia’s political leaders use water supply to Singapore as a political leverage. Thus, he bravely tried to experiment with water recycling in 1974. Although the plan was not successful, he was not deterred by the failure but continued to find new solutions for sourcing clean water for Singapore. In 1998, there was another initiative to study if NEWater was a potential source of water. In 2002, Singapore has opened the ‘Third Tap’ of water sources by opening the first water reclaimed water plant. In 2005, Singapore has its own desalination plant which opened the ‘Fourth Tap’ of water sources in Singapore. With PM Lee’s determined efforts in sourcing water independently, by 2011, Singapore has reservoirs such as Marina Bay reservoir, desalination plants and water reclaimed plants sufficient to satisfy part of Singaporean’s water needs and allowed the water agreement with Malaysian to expire in 2011. By staying calm without losing his temper, PM Lee has transformed Singapore’s water sourcing from reliance on Malaysia to partial self-sourcing through the various types of reservoirs and desalination plants.
On the art of governance: “Whoever governs Singapore must have that iron in him. Or give it up. This is not a game of cards. This is your life and mine. I’ve spent a whole lifetime building this and as long as I’m in charge, nobody is going to knock it down.” Rally speech at Raffles Place, 1980
Mr Lee Kuan Yew had shown strong will and sense of responsibility in governing Singapore in this quote on the art of governance. His most significant contribution is building confidence in Singaporeans so that people would have determination and power to work hard for a better future. Mr Lee Kuan Yew governed Singapore for three decades and proved his words by actions. As the founding father of modern Singapore, he knew Singapore so well that he regarded meritocracy and multiracialism as Singapore’s development foundations. Without blindly following other developed countries’ policies, Mr Lee Kuan Yew established policies that are appropriate for Singapore. For example, Mr Lee had focused in state investments in strategic industries like ports, shipping, construction and airlines. Many, such as Singapore Airlines and Singapore Telecommunications, has developed well enough to compete globally (Wong& Venkat, 2015). He chose to enhance Singapore’s advantage in geographical location to make up for its lack of natural resources. Therefore, Mr Lee’s trustworthy policies and actions empowered Singaporeans to unit together to develop its country to a developed world.
Resources:
Chun Han Wong & P.R. Venkat (n.d.). Lee Kuan Yew, Singapore’s Founding Father, Dies at 91. The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved from http://www.wsj.com/articles/lee-kuan-yew-singapores-founding-father-dies-at-91-1427056223
Seah Sze Ya Estee
“I have been accused of many things in my life, but not even my worst enemy has ever accused me of being afraid to speak my mind.” 1955, The Wit & Wisdom of Lee Kuan Yew
Mr Lee Kuan Yew was a man that was passionate and did what he believed was right. Mr Lee never believed in mincing his words especially if it meant dampening his ideals and beliefs. Welfare of Singaporeans was of the utmost priority. The tenacity imbued in him laid the foundation of Singapore in the aspect of Singapore’s multiracial and cultural society today. The ideal of a Malaysian Malaysia and equality over preferential treatments took Singapore on a road to separation. Ideals were held steady despite the risk and unknown future of Singapore in the fight for what was deemed right. Singaporeans now experience the fruit of his steadfast nature with the diverse and harmonious society in which we call home.
On the art of governance: “Whoever governs Singapore must have that iron in him. Or give it up. This is not a game of cards. This is your life and mine. I’ve spent a whole lifetime building this and as long as I’m in charge, nobody is going to knock it down.” Rally speech at Raffles Place, 1980
There is something to be said of Mr. Lee Kuan Yew and his unwavering determination and resilience that contributed to the build up of Singapore. From a third world country to a glowing global metropolis, there is not a part of Singapore that is not intimately intertwined with Lee Kuan Yew. His dedication to building Singapore as a nation will never be forgotten, and even as his physical presence in this world fade, his legacy lives on, stronger than ever before. As citizens, we continue protecting Singapore not because it was Lee Kuan Yew's lifetime work, but because we have internalised the fact that this is your country, my country...our country.
85. Even from my sick bed, even if you are going to lower me into the grave and I feel something is going wrong, I will get up. (1988 National Day Rally)
Mr. Lee Kuan Yew’s most significant contribution is his life. He is Singapore’s founding father; nobody can deny that. To quote him, “At the end of the day, what have I got? A successful Singapore. What have I given up? My life.” (Lee, 2011; cited in Navaratnarajah, 2015). He is always ready to contribute, even up till his death. He raised Singapore as his own child, bringing her up from a third world country in the 1960s to where she is today – a thriving, metropolitan city. Despite the failed merger with Malaysia and the insecurity of the city-state without it’s own security forces when the British troops pulled out, Mr. Lee never veered from his vision of building a country of the future (CNA, 2015). The Singapore today is so vastly different from the past that it is hard for current generations to even grasp the fact that Singapore was a fishing village in the past. Without him, there would be no harmony amongst the different races; without him, there would be no equality of opportunity, regardless of race, language, religion and sex; without him, there would be no safe streets for us to walk in at night.
References
Navaratnarajah, R. (2015) From slums to riches: how Lee Kuan Yew built Singapore. Retrieved from http://www.propertyguru.com.sg/property-management-news/2015/3/88871/from-slums-to-riches-how-lee-kuan-yew-built-singap
Channel News Asia. (2015). Singapore’s first Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew dies aged 91. Retrieved from http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/singapore-s-first-prime/1720740.html
Hafiiz K
“No it’s not a lifestyle. You can read the books you want, all the articles. You know that there’s a genetic difference. They are born that way and that’s that. So if two men or two women are that way, just leave them alone.” -- Lee Kuan Yew
Much has been said about Singapore being a modern city with a narrow, conservative mind; trapped in the cultural sphere of taboos such as homosexuality. However, Lee Kuan Yew's views on this social issue has paved the way for a more open-minded society; to breathe and speak the vow of equality and not shy away from doing so. His modern way of thinking is definitely reflective of the future of Singapore where each one is free to love whoever he or she chooses. Thus, Lee Kuan Yew's support and recognition for the LGBT community is what one should truly desire and aspire to follow so that we can live our lives with love and acceptance.
“I have read several books written by generals about wars fought by other generals. The thing I am constantly reminded of is that from the moment the commander has pressed the button, control of the events goes over to the local commanders until the battle was over. During the heat of battle it is the captain, the lieutenant, the sergeant, the corporal, who makes the decisions.”
Above illustrating the importance of national service and defence to Singapore, the quote highlighted the understanding Mr Lee Kuan Yew had on the importance of the men on the ground. It was this understanding that helped him connect with the people of Singapore. Mr Lee’s presence could be expected by the residents of his GRC at least 3 times a year, and he made every effort even in his old age to meet the people of his constituency. This had allowed him to understand their grievances and he could better appreciate their woes first hand and investigate the matter himself. As Mr Lee understood the perspectives and challenges the ordinary people faced, he was thus able to come up with better policies to target the issues more succinctly. This inevitably led to the growth of Singapore as his strategies have met the specific needs of the people and helped them improve their standards of living.
JIA YI
“We could not have held the society together if we had not made adjustments to the system that gives the Malays, although they are not as hardworking and capable as the other races, a fair share of the cake.” Mr Lee Kuan Yew once said during Tom Plate’s Conversations. Mr Lee has recognized the importance of having equal opportunity for different races as a basis to build a better and harmonized society. Several policies and measure were implemented to areas such as education to manage the multi-ethic society in Singapore. For example, since independence of Singapore, English has been set as official language due to importance of a common languages among races (Dixon, 2005). This policy provided a fair ground for education as English is a non-native language, which give equal opportunity to all students from races. In 1966, the Bilingual Education Policy (BEP) has also gives students the choice to learn their mother tongue to impart cultural value and traditions, while English act as a language that linking all races (Amirthan, 2011). Mr Lee (2009) pointed out that BEP was also to promote racial harmony besides adding aids to economic succession. This policy brings together all races with a common languages to communicate with while preserving their roots and identity. Besides that, there is also Ethic Self-Help Groups (SHGs) to provide help to their individual communities. For examples, the Council for the Education of Muslim Children (CEMC) as well as the Singapore Indian Development Association (SINDA), which look into areas such as to enhance educational achievements of each races. All these measures are deem to be successful which evident from the peaceful society today as compared to the days when several racial riots were still happening. To salute and respect Mr Lee’ bold vision of having every race treated equally, every Singaporean regardless of races should continue stand shoulder to shoulder to build an even united nation together.
On Deng Xiaoping (again):Deng Xiao Ping is a great man because he changed China from a broken-backed state, which would have imploded like the Soviet Union, into what it is today, on the way to becoming the world’s largest economy. Hard Truths to Keep Singapore Going
In 1978 Deng introduced a series of economic reforms across China. These reforms unshackled China from the economic repression which has suppressed its growth over the past 3 decades. Within a short decade of the reforms, China underwent an extraordinary transformation from a command- to a market economy, opening up its borders to overseas trade and capital, and hence generating China’s miraculousgrowth into the world’s second largest economy. Most importantly, the growth lifted a large proportion of the Chinese population out of poverty. To be sure, while this may be a growth of China, Lee Kuan Yew has played a key role in creating this wonder that has been the envy of the world. In 1978, just before the 3rd Plenary Session of the 11th Party Central Committee in China, Deng paid a visit to Singapore. Lee Kuan Yew advised Deng to adopt a similar growth project as that of Singapore, by introducing the opening policy and strategies to draw foreign investments into the country. These impressive growth strategies inspired Deng to emulate Singapore’s development. This was evident in the 3rd Plenary Session of the 11th Party Central Committee in China which introduced a series of economic reforms and the initiatives to open up China. Therefore, Lee Kuan Yew has not only made a miracle out of Singapore, but also China.
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