Historical Figure
Lee Kuan Yew
1923–2015
First Prime Minister of Singapore (1959-1990)
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Biography
Lee Kuan Yew, often referred to by his initials LKY, was a Singaporean statesman and barrister who was the first prime minister of Singapore from 1959 to 1990. A founding father of the modern Singaporean state, his authoritarian political leadership transformed post-independence Singapore into a highly developed country and one of the four Asian Tigers.
In Their Own Words (5)
India is a nation of unfulfilled greatness. Its potential has lain fallow, under used.
Lee Kuan Yew in the second volume of his memoirs, published in 2000, quoted at , 2000
If I were in authority in Singapore indefinitely without having to ask those who are governed whether they like what is being done, then I have not the slightest doubt that I could govern much more effectively in their interests.
Radio Interview, 1960. Quoted in South-East Asia: A Political Profile, Damien Kingsbury (2001, p. 337) , 1960
What people mean by consultation is an imitation of what they see in America; pressure groups and lobby groups..It's an unthinking adoption of Western practices of development without any pruning and modification to suit our circumstances.
Lee Kuan Yew The Man & His Ideas (1997) , 1997
If all the 300 (top civil servants and political elite) were to crash in one jumbo jet, then Singapore will disintegrate.
On how Singapore does not need multiparty politics (1975) , 1975
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 Wednesday (9 June 1971) , 1971
Timeline
The story of Lee Kuan Yew, told in moments.
Becomes the first Prime Minister of self-governing Singapore at 35. The city-state has no natural resources, no army, and two million people on a swampy island. Unemployment is above 10%. He starts building.
Singapore is expelled from Malaysia after two years of racial tension and political friction. Lee weeps on television. 'For me, it is a moment of anguish.' The tiny island is suddenly an independent country whether it wants to be or not.
Bans chewing gum, canes vandals, and executes drug traffickers. Forces everyone to learn English. Builds public housing for 80% of the population. GDP per capita will go from $500 to $55,000 in his lifetime. Critics call it authoritarian. He calls it survival.
Steps down as Prime Minister after 31 years. Stays on as Senior Minister, then Minister Mentor. He doesn't actually stop running things. Every successor consults him on major decisions.
Dies in Singapore at 91. A million people line the streets for his funeral procession in the rain. He turned a fishing village into a first-world city in one generation. His son is the Prime Minister.
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