Zeratu (Myanmar translation) - Lee Kuan Yew's thoughts, Lee Kuan Yew's views

Original publisher's order

Lee Kuan Yew played a crucial role in Singapore's transition from a British colony to an independent developing nation, and then to the city-state of today, with great economic and diplomatic influence. Such a surprising, difficult, and

Throughout his long career, Lee Kuan Yew has proven to be an influential, and sometimes controversial, leader. Lee Kuan Yew is a politician of strong convictions. His speeches and sayings are clear. They are interesting. They are also very memorable. The short quotes collected in this book provide an interesting insight into his views and thoughts on a wide range of issues from Singapore's past, present and future.

Lee Kuan Yew entered politics at a time when Singapore was suffering under Japanese occupation during World War II, struggling to escape British rule before becoming a separate nation from Malaysia. It was also a time of intense ethnic tensions, the rise of communism in Southeast Asia, and the economic challenges facing the underdeveloped island nation. Lee Kuan Yew's perspective on events during these times remains fresh and relevant today.

The bond between Britain and Singapore remained strong. At that time, Lee Kuan Yew was certain that many European countries were developing into welfare states.

He immediately rejected this business model and emphasized entrepreneurship, labor rights, and economic development.

As Singapore became more prosperous and more connected to people from around the world, Lee Kuan Yew often spoke of the Asian values ​​he believed would have a significant impact on Singapore, both socially and economically. He was always mindful of the country's multi-racial and multi-religious population, and often pointed out the pros and cons of speaking different languages.

Lee Kuan Yew's pragmatism and his unwillingness to be influenced by external influences characterize his leadership style. "I have never been a prisoner of any theory. I have been guided by reason and pragmatism. If every theory, every plan, were subjected to the same kind of experiment, would it be successful?"

Although Lee Kuan Yew retired as Prime Minister in 1990, his views are still highly regarded not only in Singapore and the ASEAN region, but also around the world. Whether it's on the environment, corruption, democracy, or the future of the world, he can't be ignored.

The quotations found in this book are excerpts from Lee Kuan Yew's public speeches and statements.

They are listed and selected from the National Archives of Singapore and the Parliamentary Records Office of Singapore.

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We, the people who are talking about cooperation, do not understand that Singapore is the shop window of the Malay Peninsula. It is a place where people come and trade. It is also a testing ground where the British, the nationalists, the communists first try their tactics. This is because if something goes wrong, it will go wrong on a small scale.

(1956)

For a country to exist, there must be two main reasons. First, the people who will live in that country must have the same social experience and the same goals. Second, there must be full access to the will of the people. Each person must be treated with priority.

(1960)

I'm not saying that I can solve Singapore's agricultural land problem. It's

It is one of those problems that is fundamentally unsolvable. If we are to succeed in the next decade of industrialization like Malaysia, there will be no place where the terms grazing land and agricultural land are widely understood. Singapore is an industrial city. The value of land is determined based on the development of an industrial zone.

(1964)

Sitting in a chair is more comfortable than sitting on a rickety stool. Now we're on a rickety stool. 214 square miles is all we have. We'll happily turn this into a sturdy stool. Have you seen Singapore and the people of Singapore? This is a steel stool.

(1965)

In other parts of the world, people cover up when their pigs get sick. They pretend they don't have the disease. So what happens? All the pigs get sick and the condition becomes chronic. We can do the same. But we become a chronically ill society. So when we have a disease, we announce that we have something to announce to control the spread and get back to normal. We warn everyone. That's what this society needs. We have to push through the frailty that nature has built into our physical structure. We have to be aware of reality. It has to be like that all the time.

(1967)

We have built Singapore from a small fishing village of just 150 people to the largest city two degrees north of the equator. Only one other urban civilization has ever risen so close to the equator. That was the Maya civilization of the Yucatan Peninsula. There is no place where humans have been able to overcome the problems of the equatorial climate, which makes it so hot. If you go along the equator, or two degrees north of the equator, you will find that people who live there are already sleeping after eating at 2:30 in the afternoon. This is not the case in Singapore. The reason for this is

There is good. The first is strong internal motivation and the second is good intentions. (1967)

No one dies of hunger in this country. No one is allowed to beg on the streets. If you see a beggar, you give him a place to stay and food. In the next two or three years, with our cleaning campaign, we will plant trees and flowers in the public spaces of this great city and make it one of the cleanest and most beautiful cities in Asia. (1967)

Few countries in Asia (or Africa) have succeeded in taking over from European colonial rule and developing their own capabilities. We have been able to do the same. Because we have never hesitated to face problems and solve them with determination. (1968)

We must make Singapore the best place to repair ships, whether on land or at sea, between Japan and Europe. If we can continue to be a major ship repair center, we can remain that way for a long time. Whether it is an airport, a port, or a shipyard, once we are at the top, it will be very difficult for other places to displace us. The best brands, the best skills, the best long-term customers, and the best place to build a strong base. (1971)

Self-serving bankers and industrialists in developed countries never take unnecessary risks. They look around the world for places with political stability and industrial reliability before investing. They found such places in Singapore. So investment, machinery, technology and banking expertise poured in. (1972)

We do not intend to gradually reduce the population from the city centre because of the high cost of land. If we did, this city would be a waste. We must maintain the unique character of Singapore, which we have long known as a city of activity, bustling with people from dawn to dusk. (1976)

We are not Britain. We cannot be Britain. Always remember this. (1976)

Why do pregnant women come to Singapore to give birth? Do you think the baby they give birth to will become a Singaporean citizen? Isn't that right? Then, for work,

We don't have to worry about anything to get medical care for the school. This is certainly a testament to the community we have built. (1976)

In order to achieve the highest level of success, we must cultivate a sense of team spirit and comradeship, giving our best to the team and the country. The team and the country must treat each individual equally. The art of governance is the art of building team spirit. (1980)

How Singapore stands out in a highly competitive world can be best summed up in the word "excellence."

(1987)

To be a successful society, we need to find a balance between promoting the talented and encouraging the average.

We must win. There must be both cooperation and competition between people within a society. Singapore's cooperation and competition have raised the standard of living for all.

The past was filled with hardships and many challenges to survival. While danger cannot be avoided, it is possible to stand firm and secure.

We have been able to do this. We have also provided our basic needs such as housing, schools, hospitals, health, services. But none of these are standard forms. We need to build on each of our achievements and the next generation needs to improve on them.

(1989)

In America, New York is the center for banking, securities and over-the-counter investment contracts, while Chicago is the main trading hub for stocks. In Europe, London is the financial powerhouse, but Zurich is one of Europe’s top safe havens for money. Singapore has the potential to be the Chicago and Zurich of East Asia. We have a proven track record as a safe haven.

(1994)

People are not aware of Singapore's weaknesses. All they see, all they read is that it is the number (1) or number (2) most competitive country, the number (1) seaport, the number (1) airport, the number (1) airline, etc. Sometimes they complain that we push people too much, that we put too much pressure on them. They ask if we can't be satisfied with number (2), number (3), number (4). But that is important. If we are not at the top of the competition, there is no reason for a big seaport, a big airport, an airline. There is no reason for a separate country like Singapore. It is simple.

(1996)

We are one of the countries with the fewest natural resources in the region. So if we want to stay away from difficulties and problems, we have no choice but to work honestly and become competent.

(1998)

Trying to keep up with the world, Singapore has grown. In the last century, we traded in spices. In this century, we trade in rubber and tin. After independence in 1965, we shifted to simple manufacturing. Now, we are a major player in pharmaceutical manufacturing and the Asian financial system. As the world economy has changed, we have changed too.

(1999)

One of our strategies is to make Singapore an oasis in Southeast Asia. If we have world-class accommodations, business people and tourists will definitely come to us for their business and travel in the region.

(2000)

I believe the Prime Minister and the majority of the cabinet will make the right decision (to allow casinos in Singapore). If we make it public for a year and then say “no”, Singapore is sending the wrong signal. Many people may misunderstand that we want to keep Singapore as the old Singapore, with restrictions such as no smoking in air-conditioned places, no smoking in pubs, no smoking in pubs.

(2005)

Singapore is now a well-known brand. Singaporeans are well-organized, efficient, and skilled. They have a reputation for being honest and hardworking, which is why Singaporeans are so sought after in the oil-producing countries of the Gulf. They like the Singapore system and want to be a part of it.

(2006)