Marina Barrage & Marina Reservoir image courtesy of PUB, Singapore's National Water Agency
During his long career in politics, Lee Kuan Yew regularly expressed his hopes and vision for Singapore’s future. One example was his vision for the Marina Barrage. What started as a challenge to Government ministries in the 1970s to clean up the Singapore River, eventually led to the construction of a dam 30 years later, and the creation of a sustainable supply of water for the nation. Mr Lee also reflected on the reasons behind Government policies in economic and social areas such as education, healthcare and transportation – including the landmark move for the airport from Paya Lebar to Changi. To remain competitive on the world stage, Mr Lee stressed the need to seize opportunities to improve Singapore’s international standing in these sectors. This approach, he believed, would ensure the country’s survival and security in the years to come.
The views expressed should be contextualised within the political, social and economic context of that time.
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Vision and Reflections
Time Nor Tide: Remembering Lee Kuan Yew - Building A Nation
Broadcast Date: 23/03/2015 (Original speech made in 1965)
Source: Mediacorp Pte Ltd, courtesy of the National Archives of Singapore
This broadcast following Mr Lee’s passing in 2015 featured a speech that he delivered in 1965 at the Sree Narayana Mission in Sembawang shortly after Singapore’s separation from Malaysia. He shared that Singapore now had the opportunity to build a “model multiracial society”. He outlined three tenets that were to become the foundation of modern Singapore – hard work, equality, and racial harmony – and explained how these would guide Singapore towards its transformation from mud-flat to metropolis.
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Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew's National Day Message 1970
Date: 08/08/1970
Source: Mediacorp Pte Ltd, courtesy of the National Archives of Singapore
In his 1970 National Day Message, Mr Lee thanked Singaporeans for their keen contributions to security and prosperity, referencing the economic growth of 9 per cent achieved that year. With a more positive economic outlook, the Government would be equipped to make life better for Singaporeans. He also shared plans to improve the quality of life for all, which included cleaning up pollution, building better flats with more privacy and amenities, and giving students a better learning environment. He emphasised the need for Singapore to remain a just and meritocratic society, so that every Singaporean could have a stake in the growing economy.
Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew's Speech at SIA 30th Anniversary Celebrations
Date: 01/05/1977
Source: Mediacorp Pte Ltd, courtesy of the National Archives of Singapore
In his speech at the Singapore International Airlines' (SIA) 30th Anniversary Dinner, Mr Lee reflected on the movement of airport operations from Paya Lebar to Changi, and how this strategic decision has and will support continuous development and innovation that would make Singapore a successful air junction. He stressed that SIA must take full advantage of Singapore's attractiveness as a tourist destination and leave travellers with good impressions by providing immaculate service. This, he believed, would ensure SIA's success.
Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew’s National Day Message 1982
Date: 08/08/1982
Source: Mediacorp Pte Ltd, courtesy of the National Archives of Singapore
In his 1982 National Day Message, Mr Lee addressed the gloomy global economic situation, pointing to worldwide trends including high unemployment rates, protectionism, and trade wars. He cautioned that due to its dependence on foreign trade, Singapore could experience a recession. However, he assured his audience that Singapore would weather the storm if people came together to work harder, improve work attitudes, and increase productivity. He noted how global downturns like the impending recession were salient reminders of civilisation’s fragility, and urged younger generations to defend Singapore’s progress.
Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew's Speech at SAFTI’s Ground-Breaking Ceremony
Date: 09/06/1990
Source: Mediacorp Pte Ltd, courtesy of the National Archives of Singapore
Mr Lee paid tribute to the “pioneering spirit” of the first batch of officer cadets in the Singapore Armed Forces, in a speech at the SAFTI Military Institute Ground-Breaking Ceremony on 9 June 1990. He acknowledged that while succeeding generations of officers grew up in vastly different circumstances, these ideals remain relevant today. He expressed his desire for the new SAFTI complex to become a symbol that evokes pride and patriotism, to inspire officers to achieve excellence on behalf of Singapore.
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Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew's Speech at Marina Barrage Ceremony
Date: 22/03/2005
Source: Prime Minister's Office, courtesy of the National Archives of Singapore
In a speech marking the damming of the Marina Channel at the 2005 Marina Barrage Commencement Ceremony, Mr Lee reflected on the successful clean-up of the Singapore River and all other drains, canals, and rivers. He recounted his challenge to the Ministry of the Environment in 1977 to "make it possible to fish in these rivers in 10 years", and congratulated Ministries and Singaporeans alike for co-operating to maintain a clean environment. He also shared how Singaporeans could reap the benefits of their collective efforts through the recreational activities afforded by the Marina Barrage. He threw yet another challenge to the Ministry of the Environment to use membrane technology to treat water with industrial water.
Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew's Speech at Singapore General Hospital 185th Anniversary Dinner
Date: 16/04/2006
Source: Mediacorp Pte Ltd, courtesy of the National Archives of Singapore
At the 185th Anniversary Dinner for the Singapore General Hospital (SGH), Mr Lee stressed that Singapore needed to stay competitive in an increasingly globalised world by keeping abreast of healthcare advances and attracting local and international doctors to practise in Singapore. These investments would ensure Singaporeans continue to receive first-class healthcare at affordable rates.
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Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew's Speech at NTUC 50th Anniversary Dinner
Date: 13/05/2011
Source: Prime Minister's Office, courtesy of the National Archives of Singapore
Mr Lee reflected on the history of Singapore’s labour movement and its relationship with the Government in this speech. He thanked the current establishment for continuing to represent the interests of workers and trade unions, a position that he had deemed crucial since the beginning of his political career. He said that Singapore must continue to share the fruits of its labour with workers, not just through wage increases but also through better homes, schools, hospitals, and the natural environment.
Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew's Dialogue at Association of American Universities (AAU) and Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU) President's Roundtable
Date: 01/07/2005
Source: Prime Minister's Office, courtesy of the National Archives of Singapore
Mr Lee emphasised the importance of education in preparing people for a rapidly changing world in this 2005 speech. He noted that his own education did not prepare him for the struggle for independence in the post-war period, and the consequent shifts in geopolitical dynamics. He outlined challenges that Singapore would face in the coming decades due to globalisation, and suggested that future generations focus on understanding and communicating with the "dynamos" of the Pacific – the USA, China, Japan, Korea and India.
Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew's Speech at Rotary International Rotary Award
Date: 06/03/2009
Source: Mediacorp Pte Ltd, courtesy of the National Archives of Singapore
In 2009, Mr Lee was awarded the Rotary International Award of Honour in recognition of his long and visionary leadership in Singapore and the international community. In accepting this Award, Mr Lee thanked the President of the Rotary Club for his laudatory introduction by drawing on the Chinese proverb "盖棺定论" (gai guan ding lun), referring to how judgement is only made on a person’s life after they have passed on. As such, he would leave it to “the biographers, historians and editors [to] track [his] career and pronounce their verdicts”.
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