Lee Kuan Yew's 90th birthday: From Third World to First - in one generation

SINGAPORE - Mr Lee Kuan Yew is a politician extraordinaire who dedicated his life to Singapore's cause. He is a respected world figure whose counsel is much sought after.

In 1959, he led his party to a landslide victory in a historic general election for a fully elected self-government.

With wisdom and foresight, he established good governance, the rule of law and meritocracy that enabled Singapore to grow and prosper, and become a global manufacturing, research and development, trade and financial hub.

He elevated Singapore from a Third World to a First World nation in one generation.

Singaporeans today enjoy a high standard of living, and a stable and peaceful environment to live, work and play in.

Mr Lee moulded Singapore, a non-homogeneous nation, into a cohesive, multiracial, multicultural and multi-religious society.

He rallied Singaporeans to excel. He shaped them to become literate, bilingual, intelligent, efficient, confident, law-abiding and worldly-wise.

This is just a glimpse of the colossal accomplishments of our founding prime minister, who celebrates his 90th birthday today.

Happy birthday, Mr Lee, and thank you for making this little red dot such a spectacular success.

- Anthony Oei

Get a copy of The Straits Times or go to straitstimes.com for more stories.

[[nid:42968]]

[[nid:40816]]

[[nid:34079]]

[[nid:33348]]

[[nid:40754]]