Therefore, it came as shocking news when I heard the news report on Saturday night that Mrs Lee had passed on. What happened? We never say anything, nothing happened. We only discussed about it, and we heard the dismayed news.
Tears well up unknowingly as I read and watch reports… My deepest condolences to the Lee family for bidding farewell to a woman of unsurpassable intelligence and virtue. They have not lost her, the state has not lost her, in fact, Mrs Lee will live in the memory of all. Her acts and words will remain as a model for all.
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More tributes to Mrs Lee 'She was someone who bothered to talk to everyone. I came in as a young politician but she made the effort to talk to those of us who were younger and newer, which we really appreciated. It says something about her as a person.' - Finance Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam
'I remember her as somebody who always kept a low profile although she'd been attending public functions. She always kept a quiet distance and spoke or intervened only when it was essential. And even so, her interventions were very short, soft and to the point.' - Minister in the Prime Minister's Office Lim Boon Heng
'Behind every great man, there's always a woman. One of the success stories of a leader is having a personal aide, a confidante at home. Mrs Lee was one of those unsung heroes we don't hear about. I believe she had a major role in the building of the nation. At the end of the day, when a husband goes back home, who does he go to? It must have been his spouse's comforting and encouraging words which gave Mr Lee the strength to go on to the next day.' - Mr Andrew Sabaratnam, director at Ngee Ann Polytechnic
'I saw her most often when SPH was involved in the publication of MM's memoirs and two other books - Lee Kuan Yew: The Man And His Ideas; and Men In White, The Story Of 50 Years Of The PAP. During the discussions, she would be the ever-patient listener. Occasionally, whenever MM tried to recall what had happened many years ago, she would step in to help him out. Clearly, she had a very good memory. She demanded clarity and precision in the use of the English language. She would write in pencil her comments and criticisms on the margins of MM's drafts, often with suggestions on what better words to use to make the point. She took particular interest in the choice of photographs of her husband for the memoirs. The photograph used for the dust jacket of his first volume, The Singapore Story, did not impress her. But she was so delighted with the cover of the second, From Third World To First, that she telephoned me to express her thanks. She would often sit quietly - listening to the discussions, and whenever her husband met the press off-the-record during his travels overseas. Only once did I hear her comment on one of his policies. There was a time when Mr Lee was targeting PhDs for political office. In her eyes, the policy did not work. And she said so, clearly but gently.' - Mr Cheong Yip Seng, former editor-in-chief of the English and Malay Newspapers Division, SPH
'Mr and Mrs Lee had a real, solid and loving relationship. They were loving partners, and they set an example for Singapore to emulate. In public, she always stayed close to him and would drive him to events. He would hold her hand and bring her around in a way which demonstrated their love, while giving her support as all loving husbands should do. It's a tragic loss and I hope MM will be able to move ahead and treasure the memories he has of her. I trust that he will have the strength to continue. He is a man of tremendous strength. Based on their loving relationship, I feel that Mrs Lee would have wanted him to continue for as long as he can. I'm sure her spirit will provide the drive and strength for him to do so.' - Dr S. Vasoo, former Tanjong Pagar GRC MP
'Although I had associated closely with Mrs Lee for only three years from 1994 to 1997 when I was principal private secretary to then SM Lee Kuan Yew, I recall with fondness her kindness, encouragement and support for SM's personal staff. Whenever we were going through a difficult spell, she would always be there to lend us support and help us in whatever way she could. Her care for MM Lee was always foremost, making sure that MM had all he needed to do his job. She also made sure he took his medicine. She watched over MM's health with an eagle eye.' - Mr Alan Chan, CEO of Singapore Press Holdings (SPH) and principal private secretary to SM Lee Kuan Yew from 1994 to 1997
'By the time I came over, our domestic politics was already quite stabilised, unlike in the early days. So MM did not come down to the constituency so often. But the old guard in the constituency told me that when MM did come down to engage with the activists, she would sit by the side quietly, or chit chat with the old guard and the helpers and ask them about their families. People found PM Lee quite fierce then, so they kept their distance. But she was very friendly and concerned. And often, she would pass the information back to PM, like feedback about what was going on in the constituency.' - Mr Chng Jit Koon, MP for Tiong Bahru from 1968 to 1991 and MP for Bukit Merah from 1991 to 1996. He was also second adviser to Tanjong Pagar grassroots from 1975 to 1996. |
