I've never pretended to know (or let's be honest, to care very much) about Singapore or it's history; my thoughts and relationship with this country have always been complicated. But it's hard to deny the opportunities this place has offered me and how very different my life would be if this country wasn't the country of influence and prospect that it is. I have been so fortunate that a life of opportunity and experience is all that I have known, all of which Singapore owes to the late Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew and his leadership.
I've learned more about Lee Kuan Yew this week than I have in my entire life and though Singapore's founding father and first Prime Minister might have been seen as many things, some good, some bad, there is no denying or ignoring all of his work and influence in making Singapore the first world political, economic and cultural powerhouse it is today. It's amazing how much power and influence one tiny little nation can hold. My experiences in Singapore and my relationship with it sometimes leaves a bad taste in my mouth, but if I'm being honest, the influence this country has had on my family and upbringing can never be replaced. Because of the economic and educational changes Mr Lee first envisioned and implemented, my parents were given the chance of a full education and the ability to freely move to wherever they desired. Because of those opportunities, my parents were able to give me the chance to live pretty much comfortably in three different countries and complete tertiary education overseas debt free (among many other things). I can't even begin to imagine what my life would be like if Singapore hadn't been transformed into the first world country it is. Singapore as it is now is all I've known it to be and I forget that this country is a mere 50 years old - my parents were young children when Singapore's independence was announced and they remember a very different Singapore to the one that I was born into.
With birth inevitably comes death and even the best of us succumb to the great unknown eventually. Saying goodbye when you leave something is never easy, and saying goodbye to someone you know you won't see again is even harder. I can't even imagine having to say goodbye to a parent in front of a whole country, but also having to say goodbye and honour him as a country's Prime Minister, as opposed to a son. My heart tightened each time Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong called his father "Mr Lee" instead of "papa". I joined my family in watching Mr Lee's body being moved from the Istana to Parliament House on Wednesday, as well as his funeral procession today as it passed by Tanjong Pagar GRC (where my family lives is a part of that GRC, and it was formerly led by Mr Lee) and even a cold heartless person like me was moved to tears on both occasions. As his body went by me on Wednesday, I said a prayer to guide him to paradise, and I haven't said a prayer in years that isn't the automatic and ingrained grace before each meal. I've lived away from this country for over 10 years, only coming back for short visits, and more often than not, I feel like a foreigner in my own passport country, but this tragic and sombre occasion and its significance was not lost on me.
I have never seen a country come together this significantly as Singapore has this week. Mourners lining up for hours on end for a chance to pay their last respects to Mr Lee; businesses and volunteers handing out free food and water for people waiting in line; people sheltering strangers from rain and heat; taxi drivers offering free rides in honour of Mr Lee; Singapore's transport system assembling 24/7 transport services in minutes; local and overseas companies with offices in Singapore allowing their employees time off from work to pay their respects; stores closing, choosing to honour and respect Mr Lee over economic opportunity, and much more... What a 180 from people verbally and physically assaulting each other over Hello Kitty toys. On one hand, it's disappointing that it takes such a tragedy to bring this nation together. But on the other hand, this unity is just more evidence of the incredible impact that Mr Lee has had.
In Lee Hsien Loong's eulogy at his father's funeral today, he recounted a story about Mr Lee's experience with meditation, how when he was told to relax and let go of his mind, Mr Lee asked, "but what will happen to Singapore if I let go?" Well, Mr Lee, keep that unwavering faith and belief in the country and community you have created, but most of all have faith in the children that you raised. You have much to be proud of. Rest in paradise and peace, dance into the heaviside layer.
Majulah Singapura, and thank you Mr Lee Kuan Yew.
