Lee Kuan Yew is one of the longest-serving MPs in the world, having represented Tanjong Pagar since April 2, 1955.

He first represented Tanjong Pagar in the 1955 Legislative Assembly General Elections where twenty-five elective seats were contested in an eventual step towards Singapore's self-government.

Lee gave an inspiring speech on why he chose Tanjong Pagar:

"I had 25 Divisions to choose from when the P.A.P. nominated me to stand for

elections. I chose Tanjong Pagar. The people of Tanjong Pagar has a right to know

why.

Tanjong Pagar is a working class area. No other division has such a high

proportion of workers, wage-earners, small traders and such a low proportion of

wealthy merchants and landlords living in it.

I wanted to represent workers, wage earners and small traders, not wealthy

merchants or landlords. So I chose Tanjong Pagar not Tanglin.

Mr. Peter Lim Seck Tiong and Mr. Lam Thian have also chosen Tanjong

Pagar. But up till now they have done nothing for the people. Both of them say they

have lived in Tanjong Pagar for nearly 30 years. Why then have they done nothing

for the people all these years? It is only now before the elections that they say they

want to serve you.

I have not lived in Tanjong Pagar. But I do not have to live here to know the

hardships and problems of the people.

When the printing workers of the Straits Times who live in Anson Road in the

Tanjong Pagar Division were on strike two years ago, I fought for them. When the

postmen who live in Maxwell Road in the Tanjong Pagar Division were on strike

three years ago - I fought with them.

No one heard of Mr. Peter Lim Seck Tiong or Mr. Lam Thian coming out

from their homes nearby to help these people.

I can predict that no one will hear of Mr. Lim or Mr. Lam fighting for the

people after these elections, especially if Mr. Lim or Mr. Lam are not elected.

But win or lose I shall fight on for what is right, for a better life for the people

in an independent democratic Malaya"

"Why I Chose Tanjong Pagar", Election Speech, March 1955.

The rousing, fire-in-the-belly speech led Lee to his first landslide electoral victory of nearly 80% of the vote.

And his electoral wins became regular occurrences.

As he won the seat of Tanjong Pagar

And again (his worst electoral result as PAP split into two parties)

And again

And again

And again

And again (Best ever result at 92.74%)

And again (1st walkover!)

And again

Until general elections became more of Lee just showing up on nomination day.

Walkover 3

Walkover 4

Walkover 5

Walkover 6

16 wins - 0 defeat 

The undefeated heavyweight champion of Singapore.

These days, the adopted son of Tanjong Pagar is not spending his days in his 38 Oxley Road home (MP Indranee Rajah's constituency).

Since Feb 5, he is resting in a place where he has served his residents through these years.

For the Singapore General Hospital is just a ten-minute walk from his Meet-The-People session.

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