S'pore leaders pay tribute to Lee Kuan Yew on the 10th anniversary of his passing

10 years ago today, Singapore's founding father Lee Kuan Yew passed away at the age of 91.

Marking the anniversary of his passing, Prime Minister (PM) Lawrence Wong, Senior Minister (SM) Lee Hsien Loong, and President Tharman Shanmugaratnam paid tribute to Lee and reflected on his legacy.

"Mr Lee challenged the odds": PM Wong

PM Wong noted how the rainy weather on Mar. 23, due to the recent monsoon surge, recalled the "heavy skies" ten years prior when Singapore "stood united" to bid farewell to Lee.

PM Wong then outlined the legacy of Lee and his pioneering team:

"Together with his pioneering team, Mr Lee challenged the odds to build a nation anchored in meritocracy, strengthened by economic resilience, and held together by a deep commitment to harmony."

PM Wong added that Singapore today stands as a "living testament to its vision", being a "clean, green, and dynamic city-state, admired and respected around the world."

He concluded:

"As we mark SG60 and chart our next chapter, let us honour his legacy not just in remembrance, but in action.

The Singapore story is still being written. Together, let's forge a brighter future worthy of the foundation he lay."

"Meant the world to us": SM Lee

SM Lee also paid an emotional tribute to his father, Lee Kuan Yew's passing.

"Singaporeans remember him for all he did for the nation," he wrote, and added:

"To me and my family, he was our father or grandfather, and meant the world to us.

May we live up to his hopes and expectations, and always do him proud."

"Once again with spirit!": President Tharman

President Tharman, in his tribute to Lee, noted that Singapore would be a "very different place" if not for Lee.

President Tharman wrote:

"We survived as a small nation, became a multiracial society, and kept climbing up in the world because of him, the team he led, and his insistence that every generation should have its own leaders - and its own ideals and aspirations for the future."

President Tharman concluded his post by quoting Lee's iconic call for Singaporean independence:

"Lagi sekali yang bersemangat! (Once again with spirit!)"

Top photo from MCI.