AS the founding father of Singapore, Lee Kuan Yew left abundant political legacies behind, from which this Southeastern Asian country is still benefiting.

    Legislation

    Lee believed that legislation provides the basic framework for social stability and development. He thought that law needs to demonstrate humanity and respect people’s rights; however, law also should limit abuse of power, which will lead to the falling apart of the social order. One of Lee’s abiding beliefs has been in the efficacy of corporal punishment in the form of caning.

    Democracy

    Lee’s policies and way of governance came under much criticism from the West due to his way of limited democracy, but he had original opinions in terms of democracy.

    “I have never been over-concerned or obsessed with opinion polls or popularity polls.” Lee once said. “Between being loved and being feared, I have always believed Niccolo Machiavelli was right. If nobody is afraid of me, I am meaningless.”

    He believed that once people chose their leaders, they have to accept the legislation that the leaders enact and make an effort together to achieve the goal of development. Political leaders have to present all of the significant issues to people and also stay loyal to people. He thought that was the true meaning of the democracy.

    Economic development

    Lee encouraged innovation and opening to the outside world. He said that the quality of a nation’s manpower resources is the single most important factor determining national competitiveness. It is the people’s innovativeness, entrepreneurship, team work, and their work ethic that gives them that sharp keen edge in competitiveness.

    Knowledge

    Lee set English as Singapore’s first official language and Chinese as the second to let people form an English thought pattern. He emphasizes the importance of knowledge in economic transformation but also rejected the classical separation between scholarship and entrepreneurship.

    Accepting immigrants

    Lee welcomed immigration. He said in 2011 that Singapore could try to introduce 20,000 to 25,000 immigrants and adjust the number with the aging population.

    (SD-Agencies)