Video Notes: Remembering Lee Kuan Yew

Re-watched this documentary on Lee Kuan Yew. A great man. Singapore is very lucky to have had him. Given his credentials, he could have chosen to do other things and not return to do politics. He had many options. But he chose Singapore. And fortunately, he was him - witty, eloquent, tough, pragmatic, farsighted etc. If he were someone else, the outcome could have been very different. That's the way it is. A small adjustment in golf swing will land the ball in vastly different place. 

I admire him for:

Being practical

He wanted everyone to own their homes in Singapore so that:

• There is a reason for them to defend this land. 
• Our home becomes our most valuable asset that helps to buffer inflation. He is helping us to invest! 
• This policy also helped in getting people from different races to live together to achieve harmony. 

Learning attitude

Early Singaporeans spoke mainly Hokkien. And so he painstakingly picked up the language to give speeches and connect with them. At 70, he started learning how to use his computer to write his memoirs.  He still took Chinese lessons at age of 91!

Dare to be different

When we broke off with Malaya, we had nothing - illiterate people, no natural resources etc. But he said "In 10 years' time, we will become a metropolis...". I bet many people must have thought he was crazy. 

When travelling he would pick up plant samples to see if they can be grown in Singapore. They had to be the low maintenance type by the way. He was nicknamed "Chief Gardener". Why would someone of his statute be concerned with this? It turned out that his obsession turned Singapore into a country known for its clean and green environment, an important part of attracting business investments into Singapore.

Attitude towards health

He used to drink and smoke but given it all up. He swam and cycled daily. He also jogged. There was this story about how he made use of time to jog along the railway tracks while waiting for his train to arrive.