The speech given by PM Lee Hsien Loong reflects on the life and legacy of Lee Kuan Yew, Singapore's founding prime minister, detailing key events from his early life, political career, and personal relationships. It emphasizes valuable lessons learned from Lee, highlighting commitment to the nation, making tough decisions, the importance of powerful communication, kindness, and loyalty, particularly in his marriage. Lee Kuan Yew's deep dedication to his wife during her illness showcases his character and devotion.

2. PM Lee Hsien Loong's Speech After
the Passing of MM Lee Kuan Yew

3. 1923
• Born on Sept 16 to Shell
Oil Company depot
manager Lee Chin Koon
and Chua Jim Neo in his
family's two-storey
bungalow at 92
Kampong Java Road.

4. 1935
• Came in first in Telok Kurau English School in an island-wide exam
and won a place in Raffles Institution, where he met future wife
Kwa Geok Choo in 1939. He previously attended two Chinese-
medium schools.

5. 1946
• Began law school at the London School of Economics
but moved to Cambridge University the next year, when
Kwa joined him. They married secretly on Dec 23, 1947.

6. 1954
• Formed the People’s Action Party at Victoria
Memorial Hall on Nov 21.

7. 1955
• Elected legislative assemblyman for Tanjong Pagar
on April 2.

8. 1959
• Sworn in as Singapore’s
first Prime Minister at the
age of 35 after PAP won
43 out of 51 seats in the
general election.

9. 1963
• Malaysia formed, comprising Malaya, Singapore,
Sabah and Sarawak

10. 1963
• Launched a home ownership scheme which
enabled 91 per cent of Housing Board residents to
own their homes by 1996.

11. 1965
• Singapore separated
from Malaysia on Aug 9.
Mr Lee wept on national
TV, saying he had
believed his whole life in
the unity of the two
territories.

12. 1990
• Stepped down as PM after 31 years and succeeded by
Mr Goh Chok Tong. Appointed Senior Minister on Nov 28

13. 2004
• Assumed the post of Minister Mentor after his son Hsien
Loong became PM, and Mr Goh was made Senior
Minister.

14. 2015
• Mr Lee Kuan Yew dies aged 91 at 3.18am on March 23.

15. Lesson 1: Be committed to
your country
• “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.”
• — From the 1988 National Day Rally

17. Lesson 2: Sometimes you need to make
unpopular decisions to reach your goal
• “We would not have made the 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 where you spit.”
• “I stand by my record. I did some sharp things to get
things right – too harsh – but a lot was at stake. But
at the end of the day, what have I got? Just a
successful Singapore.”

18. Saying “No” and make
the right decision

19. Decision that is correct,
not “politically correct”

20. Lesson 3: Speak with power
If you’ve seen Lee Kuan Yew in action, or even
watched any of his speeches from his prime, you
would know that he exudes a presence that invokes
respect. He is known for giving powerful, passionate
speeches, and when he speaks, it’s difficult not to
listen.

21. Lesson 4: Be kind

24. Lesson 5: Be a loyal and
devoted husband
He (LKY) told her: ‘We have been together for most of
our lives. You cannot leave me alone now. I will make
your life worth living in spite of your physical
handicap.’
She said: ‘That is a big promise.’
He replied: ‘Have I ever let you down?’ (Source)

25. As her condition became worsen, she responded almost
exclusively to Mr Lee’s voice. His most difficult moments
came at the end of each day: She would stay awake
waiting for him to return from work and he would spend an
hour or more by her bedside, talking to her and reading
her the news and her favourite poems and books.

26. His brother recalled how at family dinners, “at 10pm …
he’ll say: ‘I’m sorry I have to leave you now’ and go
back home and read her favourite storybooks”. Even
when abroad, he would speak to her via webcam.

28. Reference
• TheStraitsTimes. 2015. Timeline of Mr Lee Kuan Yew.
Retrieved on March 23rd 2015 from
http://www.straitstimes.com/news/singapore/more-
singapore-stories/story/timeline-mr-lee-kuan-yews-life-
20150323
• Channelnewsasia. 2015. Mr Lee Kuan Yew’s love Affair.
Retrieved from March 23rd 2015 from
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/with
out-her-i-would-be-a/1736692.html
• YahooNews. 2015. 8 valuable lessons You can learn from
Singapore’s Founding Father. Retreived on March 23rd
2015 from
• https://sg.news.yahoo.com/8-valuable-lessons-learn-
pore-061250457.html