As a minority Malay/Muslim (population 13.3%) I was fortunate to be born in Singapore. Mr Lee made this island nation prosperous, peaceful and safe. I feel contented and at peace because bread and butter issues were long gone. Only the lingering issue of Malay loyalty still remain and it is improving with time.
Mr Lee had flaws because he was human. But what a remarkable human being he became at home among us and in the world stage. He shaped Singapore into what it is today. His policies and moral standing adhere to my Islamic teachings.
These are what I gathered:-
1.Our city is safe. First thing he did when becoming PM was to get gangsters off the streets.
2.Corruption is a great sin and he cleaned it up.
3.Trustworthy – he fulfilled his promises and our standard of living climbed ceaselessly.
4.Meritocracy – every citizen is able to reach his/her full potential.
5.Peace and Harmony – The world looked up upon us as a model for race and religious harmony.
6.Holding on tight to our Asian values.
7.Keeping the environment clean and healthy with endless planting of trees. Polluted rivers had become reservoirs.
8.Charity – he instill in us to be charitable and led by example.
9.He was against gambling which is sinful in Islam. But now the younger leaders had their way.
10.He was a good husband and father. He made sure his ministers follow suit. No scandals.
Alas, I am ashamed to admit here that many Muslim head of states the world over did not have the above qualities. They throw our Islamic principals to the wind. How sinful.
Mr Lee loved Singapore so much and would not let any opposition party defeat the PAP and upset his vision to build up this nation. In the early years the Barisan Socialist gave him a hard time and he retaliated even harder. He jailed them for many years. He could have pardoned them when the security of Singapore was fully established. If only he had taken another leaf from my Islamic values. That is to be magnanimous in victory.
I was a cameraman with Mediacorp and had the privilege of seeing him up close on numerous occasions. I accompanied him on many of his state visits overseas. I had seen his softer side.
For me there is so much goodness in him. I shed tears watching his state funeral on TV.
Photo 1 – A closeup I took at his office at the istana during an interview - 1987
Photo 2 – I accompanied and facilitated an Austrain TV team for this interview at his office.
Photo 3 - In Fiji during the Commonwealth Head of Government meeting.
Photo 4 - Honoured as a Batak chief at Lake Toba, Sumatra, Indonesia - 1974
Photo 5 - At Borobudur, Indonesia. The visit was for an official meeting with President Suharto.
