Through the years, Lee Kuan Yew’s speeches often touched on what he considered essential to Singapore’s success. This included a belief in meritocracy, integrity, and multi-racialism as key pillars of society, and an emphasis on the need for a strong government and leadership renewal for the long-term development of the country. Listen to this selection of Mr Lee’s speeches which reflects his guiding values and principles.
The views expressed should be contextualised within the political, social and economic context of that time.
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Values and Principles
1959 Legislative Assembly General Election: Mass Rally at the Padang
Date: 03/06/1959
Source: Mediacorp Pte Ltd, courtesy of the National Archives of Singapore
In May 1959, Singapore achieved full internal self-government. A mass rally was held at the Padang a few days later, where Lee Kuan Yew addressed a public that was uncertain about the country’s fate. With cautious optimism, Mr Lee invited the audience to celebrate Singapore’s new-found self-determination, and to work together to build a shared future.
Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew at Tanjong Pagar Community Centre Dinner for National Servicemen
Date: 23/03/1968
Source: Mediacorp Pte Ltd, courtesy of the National Archives of Singapore
On 23 March 1968, Lee Kuan Yew spoke at a sending-off dinner for National Servicemen. His speech centred on multi-racialism within Singapore’s defence forces, and how racial harmony must be protected.
News 5 Specials: Picking Up the Gauntlet: Will Singapore Survive Lee Kuan Yew?
Broadcast Date: 16/06/1996
Source: Mediacorp Pte Ltd, courtesy of the National Archives of Singapore
In June 1996, Lee Kuan Yew spoke to the Singapore Press Club about equality, material success, and how the “Singapore Dream” will weather uncertain times.
Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew's Speech at the 25th Anniversary Celebration Dinner
Date: 29/08/1990
Source: Mediacorp Pte Ltd, courtesy of the National Archives of Singapore
Speaking at a dinner organised by Singapore’s 25th Anniversary Celebration Council in 1990, Lee Kuan Yew reflected on the role of integrity and meritocracy as core values of the Singapore government.
Speech at the Raffles Institution Gryphon Award Gala Dinner at the Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore
Date: 13/01/2011
Source: Mediacorp Pte Ltd, courtesy of the National Archives of Singapore
Lee Kuan Yew was presented with the Gryphon Award on 13 January 2011. In his thank you address, Mr Lee urged the audience to uphold the shared ideals of meritocracy and multiculturalism.
Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew's Speech at the Asian Strategy and Leadership Institute’s (ASLI) ‘World Ethics and Integrity Forum 2005’, Kuala Lumpur
Date: 28/04/2005
Source: Prime Minister's Office, courtesy of the National Archives of Singapore
In his speech at the Asian Strategy and Leadership Institute’s World Ethics and Integrity Forum 2005, Lee Kuan Yew emphasised the importance of a clean government, and recounted Singapore's approach to eradicating corruption within its public service.
Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew at the International Bar Association Conference
Date: 14/10/2007
Source: Mediacorp Pte Ltd, courtesy of the National Archives of Singapore
Speaking at the International Bar Association Conference in 2007, Mr Lee reflected on Singapore’s brand of legal efficiency, and the importance of the rule of law in creating first world standards of reliability and predictability.
Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew at Raffles Forum: Reflections on Good Governance
Date: 15/09/2006
Source: Mediacorp Pte Ltd, courtesy of the National Archives of Singapore
This 2006 speech at the Raffles Forum, organised by the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy on the topic of good governance and the wealth of nations, encompasses Mr Lee’s realisations about pragmatism and the rule of law as the foundations of good governance, accumulated during his career as a lawyer and politician.
Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew's Dialogue at the Silver Industry Conference and Exhibition
Date: 11/01/2008
Source: Prime Minister's Office, courtesy of the National Archives of Singapore
Lee Kuan Yew delivered this speech at the 2008 Silver Industry Conference and Exhibition, an event aimed at bridging the digital divide in Singapore’s aging population. The speech's crux was a call to Singaporeans – young and old – to find their sense of purpose in life.
Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew's Speech at the 'Establishment Dinner' in Celebration of 25 Years of Nation-Building
Date: 27/09/1984
Source: Mediacorp Pte Ltd, courtesy of the National Archives of Singapore
In a 1984 speech addressing government officials, Mr Lee underscored succession as the mark of a healthy government, and encouraged leaders to gracefully pass the torch at the right time.
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