23 Mar 2015 – Singapore’s First Prime Minister

Mon: saddened by the news that Mr LEE Kuan Yew (1923-2015) passed away 03:18hrs 23Mar 2015. He was the first PM of SIN, governing for three decades. He is recognised as the founding father of modern SIN, and the only leader known to bring an entire country from third-world to first-world status in a single generation. Without him, SIN would not have been what it is today.

Condolences and prayers to his family and may he now RIP.

Having lived and experienced SIN before and after LKY days, I humbly lift my hat off to him with admiration and respect for making SIN a place which I enjoy returning for my visits and stay.

The only politician I admire and respect. Thank you for what he has done to make me proud to be a Singaporean. Even when he is physically no longer with us, he will always be in many of our hearts.

Said my farewells at my first and only and probably my last NDP/2014. Wanted to attend to salute and pay my respects to LKY then, and am glad that I did. Usually not in SIN during NDP. Last pix I took of him alive and the last time I saw him alive.

What is there to write about LKY that is not already written? Just check the media, websites, etc. Also the books, especially his own memoirs.

What touched me most is his devotion to his wife KWA Geok Choo, in life and now for eternity. Not only a good leader but a real MAN and those are rare to find, one in a billion!

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 – LKY

http://www.allsingaporestuff.com/article/lkys-daughter-love-does-indeed-spring-eternal

They say the man who dies in the wee hours of the morning leaves all three meals for his family. It is the mark of the true Chinese gentleman – overheard

Thank you Mr Lee for everything you have done for SIN and for being a true gentleman in every way. May he now rest in peace together with his beloved wife. He will be greatly missed.

Edited Tue 24 Mar: paid respect early this morning outside the Istana Gate by signing a note of condolence to the family. Quite overwhelming with all those cameras and media people just sitting, waiting for VIPs. Was there early to avoid crowds. Took me longer to write the note than standing in line! Fighting the emotions and feeling so lost for words…

NParks has named a new orchid in honour of Mr Lee Kuan Yew. Transforming SIN into a Garden City was an enduring passion of Mr Lee.

The Aranda Lee Kuan Yew orchid hybrid (left) was chosen by NParks officers who staffed my father when he visited the Singapore Botanic Gardens, and knew what he liked. This hybrid is vigorous and robust. It also matches an earlier hybrid – in colour, form, stature and lineage – that was named after my mother, Vanda Kwa Geok Choo (right) – LHL

All pix on this posting are downloaded except the bigger size NDP of LKY and the ones outside the Istana Gate which are by me.