INTRODUCTION

In December 1980, a man stood atop a platform at Fullerton Square and delivered an important message at a rally amidst light rain. His determination resonated as he declared amidst the pitter-patter, “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’s going to knock it down“. Singapore’s growth has been systematic and intentional, owing to the iron will of Mr. Lee.

As we contemplate the future without Mr. Lee’s direct influence, we must grapple with the implications of his legacy, and our vision for a Singapore that continues to prosper. In this post, I hope to delve into my understanding of Mr. Lee’s enduring influence and my aspiration for a Singapore that builds upon his foundational ideals, while evolving to meet the complexities of our changing world. With my family’s journey as a testament to Mr. Lee’s dream of a meritocratic society, I offer a perspective that intertwines personal experiences with national evolution, underscoring our shared destiny in a post-Lee Kuan Yew era.

UNDERSTANDING LEE KUAN YEW’S LEGACY

Born in 1997 into a family that epitomises the fruit of meritocracy, an ideal that Mr. Lee Kuan Yew held dear, I am a part of the generation that has grown up marvelling at the success of the nation he built. My paternal grandparents, who were emigrants from Hainan, lived humble lives. My grandfather was a ship’s chef, often away on lengthy overseas postings, resulting in an absence of a father figure for my father and his siblings. My grandmother, in contrast, worked as a servant for a British family during Singapore’s colonial days.

Yet, despite the odds, they raised my father to value education, and he became the first university graduate in his family, a source of immense pride for my grandparents. Today, I am a medical student at Singapore’s oldest medical school, whilst my middle brother is on an overseas military scholarship training to be a pilot with the Singapore Air Force, and my youngest brother is studying Electronic Engineering at NUS. To understand the legacy of Mr. Lee Kuan Yew, we must navigate the maze of his influence that has shaped Singapore’s economic and socio-political landscapes.

Economically, Mr. Lee was our Odysseus, guiding Singapore from a resource-starved agrarian economy to become a bustling cosmopolis and a pivotal node in the global financial network. His visionary investment in education and skills development, coupled with fostering a hospitable climate for enterprise, provided the bedrock for our vibrant knowledge economy. His pragmatism bore witness to the inception of the Housing and Development Board (HDB) and the Central Provident Fund (CPF). These social programs revolutionised living standards for the average Singaporean, providing affordable housing and financial security respectively, while promoting a sense of national ownership and unity.

Politically, Mr. Lee’s conviction in a corruption-free, meritocratic system was instrumental in cultivating effective governance and public trust. His steadfast commitment to racial and religious harmony helped foster an environment where diverse ethnic and religious groups peacefully coexist.

However, it is crucial to acknowledge that these achievements involved certain trade-offs. Mr. Lee’s vision of swift development occasionally found itself at odds with individual liberties, resulting in an authoritarian governance model. Critics suggest that his firm hand on law and order suppressed political dissent and curbed freedom of expression, casting a shadow over his legacy. Nevertheless, my family’s journey remains a testament to Mr. Lee’s tireless efforts at nation-building. The opportunity for my father to become a university graduate and for my siblings and me to pursue our ambitions reflects the successful implementation of at least one aspect of Mr. Lee’s vision.

A GENERATIONAL PERSPECTIVE: LEE’S INFLUENCE ON THE POST-1990 GENERATION

Mr. Lee’s legacy etches its influence into the collective consciousness of Singaporeans born after 1990. Notably, the year marks the end of Mr. Lee’s 32-year-long term as Singapore’s founding prime minister. We are the silent inheritors of the principles that propelled Singapore from a fledgling nation to a cosmopolitan city-state. This inheritance is evident in our relentless pursuit of excellence, a testament to Mr. Lee’s commitment to meritocracy. The tale of my family’s social mobility mirrors this conviction, as we strive to achieve our fullest potential within the meritocratic framework that Mr. Lee championed.

Mr. Lee’s enduring influence also extends into our societal fabric. His dedication to racial harmony has imbued us with an appreciation for multiculturalism, and such harmony was on full display during the 2010 Youth Olympic Games, an event that showcased our unity in diversity to the world. It was a moment of shared pride for my generation, seeing the synergy of diverse cultures that makes Singapore unique.

Moreover, Mr. Lee’s uncompromising stance against corruption is not just a principle but a lived reality that continues to inspire us to uphold integrity in our personal and professional pursuits. One striking incident that underscores this involves a botched bribery attempt by the United States Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). As documented in declassified documents, a CIA agent, in 1960, was caught trying to bribe a Singapore intelligence officer.

In response, the CIA audaciously offered then Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew a sum of USD $3.3 million to cover up the matter. Displaying the steadfastness that defined his tenure, Mr. Lee categorically rejected the offer. Instead, he proposed that the U.S. provide formal economic aid to Singapore, redirecting the incident towards a constructive outcome that benefitted the nation.

Further demonstrating the integrity of his character, when the U.S. State Department and the ambassador to Malaysia attempted to deny the incident, Mr. Lee presented a formal letter of apology from then U.S. Secretary of State, as undeniable proof of the event. In a poignant television interview, Mr. Lee warned the Americans of the character of the people they were dealing with in Singapore. In his words, “You do not buy and sell this Government.”

This incident sent a powerful message to the world about Singapore’s incorruptibility and the nation’s refusal to compromise on integrity. Such occurrences have influenced our collective psyche, reinforcing our commitment to uphold these principles of integrity in our endeavours.

However, we are not merely the custodians of Mr. Lee’s legacy. We are also its innovators, faced with the responsibility of interpreting his principles in our rapidly evolving world. As we approach this crossroads, we envision a future that blends the resolute spirit of the past with an innovative ethos for the future, extending Mr. Lee’s legacy into the Singapore of tomorrow. Mr. Lee’s legacy, while revered, should not be seen as an immovable monolith, but rather as a foundation to be built upon.

SHAPING THE POST-LEE KUAN YEW SINGAPORE: EVALUATING THE LEGACY AND ENVISIONING THE FUTURE

Navigating the path forward necessitates upholding the legacy of integrity and meritocracy, fundamental pillars established by Mr. Lee. The 1960 CIA bribery incident serves as a stark reminder of the moral rectitude that Mr. Lee upheld. As an aspiring professional soon to join a field where the highest standards of integrity are expected, the significance of this is not lost on me.

Yet, preserving these principles does not entail rigidity; our approach must adapt to contemporary challenges. For instance, Mr. Lee’s advocacy for language stream schools was instrumental in fostering bilingualism and promoting social cohesion in its time. However, in today’s era of globalisation and digital interconnectivity, we need to foster an even more inclusive cross-cultural perspective.

The digital revolution, coupled with the emergence of ground-breaking technologies, calls for a re-evaluation of our economic model. Singapore, under the visionary leadership of Mr. Lee, has already positioned itself as a global hub for manufacturing and finance. However, the post-1990 generation now confronts a rapidly changing landscape shaped by technological disruptions. As we navigate this new era, it is imperative to foster innovation, nurture entrepreneurship, and leverage the potential of data and artificial intelligence.

Notably, the advent of cryptocurrencies, led by Bitcoin, revolutionized finance and blockchain technology, bringing attention, legitimacy, and paving the way for a vibrant cryptocurrency ecosystem. Similarly, the transformative advancements in artificial intelligence, including natural language processing and machine learning, are reshaping industries, and pushing the boundaries of what is possible. Language models such as ChatGPT have demonstrated the relative robustness of AI in human-computer interaction, transforming the way we communicate and access information.

In the face of these rapidly advancing technologies, one of Singapore’s fundamental principles of governance, ‘Anticipate change and stay relevant‘, becomes more important than ever. Singapore, as a resource-scarce nation, understands that its greatest resource is its people. By equipping its citizens with the skills and knowledge to thrive in the digital age, Singapore can continue to anticipate and embrace change, ensuring its relevance on the global stage. Embracing the principles of innovation, technological adaptation, and human capital development, Singapore can navigate the evolving landscape and maintain its position as a dynamic and resilient nation.

In a post-Lee Kuan Yew Singapore, I envisage a society that harmoniously synthesises our cherished heritage with the demands of a rapidly advancing world. We should harness economic prosperity with sustainability, let our cultural diversity reinforce social cohesion, and use our historical strengths as a springboard for future innovation.

As a future contributor to a profession steeped in trust, I am deeply committed to embodying Mr. Lee’s legacy within the healthcare sector. His principles of meritocracy and integrity are cornerstones on which I intend to build my practice. However, like Singapore itself, the healthcare industry must adapt and evolve. We face the demographic challenge of an ageing population, and the simultaneous excitement and uncertainty brought by medical technology breakthroughs, including predictive analytics and precision medicine.

Mr. Lee’s lifelong philosophy was one of learning from the past, being firmly grounded in the present, and constantly planning for the future. This philosophy encapsulates the balance we aim to achieve between preservation and evolution as we navigate the path of a post-Lee Kuan Yew Singapore.

CONCLUSION

As this voyage of a post reaches its final harbour, the towering figure of Mr. Lee Kuan Yew, a political Colossus, looms large in the panorama of my reflections. He has woven a tapestry of integrity, meritocracy, and pragmatism, whose threads have been central to Singapore’s nation-building narrative. His audacious defiance in the face of the CIA bribery incident remains a beacon of ethical conduct for us.

Yet, our role is not merely that of custodians of this legacy, but of shapers too, moulding it to our contemporary context. The advent of globalisation and technological innovation necessitates recalibrating our educational and economic models, from language stream schools to embracing the AI revolution.

I envisage a post-Lee Kuan Yew Singapore that cherishes its historical ethos but also strides fearlessly into a future built on sustainable prosperity, cultural unity, and technological innovation. As I stand on the cusp of my medical career, I will adhere to the time-honoured principles of my profession while also preparing for the inevitable challenges of an ageing society and the transformative potential of technologies like precision medicine.

Like Odysseus, we chart our course using the stars of our past as a guide, while the winds of our present challenges propel us towards the shores of our future destination.

Such is the essence of my vision for a post-Lee Kuan Yew Singapore.

Nic
8 October 2023, Sunday