PM Lee pays tribute to Dr Lee Boon Yang
By Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 27 March 2009 1737 hrs
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 Dr Lee Boon Yang (file pic) | ||||||
SINGAPORE: Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Friday paid tribute to Dr Lee Boon Yang, who will relinquish his position as Minister for Information, Communications and the Arts and retire from the government with effect from April 1.
In a three-page letter addressed to Dr Lee, the Prime Minister thanked him for his 24 years of service and contributions to the government and the nation.
PM Lee said Dr Lee has had a "challenging and distinguished career", having taken on various positions in the government. "In all these appointments, you applied yourself, mastered your responsibilities, and brought your experience, judgement and practical sense to bear.
"Your ministries were not only competently run, but broke new ground dealing with fresh problems and emerging opportunities. More broadly, the Cabinet has benefited from your steady and sound counsel.
"I would like to record my gratitude for all that you have done in your varied responsibilities in government. Singapore depends on men like you with integrity and ability, who commit themselves to serve the country and their fellow citizens.
"You can be justly proud that your efforts have helped create the Singapore that we all live in and enjoy today."
Dr Lee began his career as a veterinary surgeon and took his first step into politics when he was elected Member of Parliament (MP) for Jalan Besar constituency.
Subsequently, Dr Lee served in various ministries, including the Ministries of Environment, Communications and Information, Finance and Home Affairs. He also served as Minister in the Prime Minister's Office in 1991, before taking on the post of Minister for Labour in 1992 (redesignated Minister for Manpower in 1998).
In Dr Lee’s 11 years as Manpower Minister, the Prime Minister said Dr Lee ably led the ministry to respond to the Asian Financial Crisis in 1997, as well as the post 9-11 recession in 2001.
In particular, the CPF contribution rates cut he implemented in 1999 was critical to Singapore's recovery from the Asian economic crisis.
PM Lee said Dr Lee worked closely with employers and unions to maintain and strengthen the tripartite relationship through those difficult times, and this close partnership has remained a unique pillar of Singapore's socio-economic stability and an enduring source of the country's competitiveness.
Dr Lee became the Defence Minister in 1994, while concurrently holding the post of the Labour Minister. While helming the Defence Ministry, Dr Lee helped build up Singapore's defence science capabilities by encouraging the Singapore Armed Forces to exploit technology. He also initiated research and development tie-ups with foreign defence science institutes.
Dr Lee was appointed the Minister for Information, Communications and the Arts in 2003, where he significantly promoted the growth of the country's telecommunications industry and supported the provision of a nation-wide Wireless Network.
He also oversaw the liberalisation of Singapore's media industry, as well as the relaxation of rules on Party Political Films to allow wider political participation and expression.
PM Lee also thanked Dr Lee for having "significantly enhanced the vibrancy of (Singapore's) arts and cultural scene".
Under Dr Lee's six-year watch, the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts (MICA) launched many initiatives, including the Peranakan Museum, the 8Q SAM contemporary art gallery, the Singapore Biennale, the School of the Arts, and the Heritage Industry Incentive Programme.
Commenting on his retirement, Dr Lee thanked PM Lee for allowing him to retire at this juncture and said it is necessary and timely to make way for a younger leader to take the helm at the Ministry.
He said the new Cabinet appointments will forge a stronger team to lead Singapore.
He also said he is gratified by the growing vibrancy in the arts and heritage sectors, and the implementation of the next generation national broadband network for ultra high speed broadband services, which is a major investment with powerful catalytic impact on the economy and society.
Recalling difficult moments of his time in the government, Dr Lee said raising the retirement age from 55 to 62 when he was Manpower Minister was tough as it involved tweaking contribution to the Central Provident Fund (CPF).
Dr Lee, who has just become a grandfather, said he looks forward to spending more time with his family after his retirement, but will continue to serve as MP for Jalan Besar GRC.
Dr Lee will be succeeded by Rear-Admiral (NS) Lui Tuck Yew, who is currently the Senior Minister of State for MICA.
- CNA/yb
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