SINGAPORE AFTER LEE KUAN YEW: 'Yes we can (survive)'

April 21, 2009

SINGAPORE AFTER LEE KUAN YEW

'Yes we can (survive)'

Leading figures list reasons: Values of founders institutionalised; citizens' sense of belonging strong

By Zakir Hussain
		Prof Mahbubani (left) and Mr Ho speaking on Singapore Beyond Lee Kuan Yew: Institutionalising The Singapore Way, which was chaired by Mr Cherian George (centre). -- ST PHOTO: ALBERT SIM

SINGAPORE will survive beyond Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew, two establishment figures told a seminar yesterday.

Mr Ho Kwon Ping pins it down to citizens' sense of belonging to the Republic forged over the years, while Professor Kishore Mahbubani says the values of its founders are deeply institutionalised.

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'Lee Kuan Yew's greatest legacy, I believe, is that the Singapore which he so passionately shaped will outlive not only him, but even his own party should that ever come to pass,' said Mr Ho, executive chairman of resort operator Banyan Tree Holdings.

'No Singaporean nor foreigner questions today that we have a shared identity, common values and aspirations. This is no small achievement,' he added.

Mr Ho, who also chairs the Singapore Management University and MediaCorp, and Prof Mahbubani, dean of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, were speaking to 200 academics, diplomats and journalists on Singapore Beyond Lee Kuan Yew: Institutionalising The Singapore Way.

The event at the National Museum was organised by Asia Journalism Fellowship, which gives journalists from Asia three-month stints here.

The fellowship, an initiative by Temasek Foundation and Nanyang Technological University, aims to give them insights into the challenges Singapore faces, among other things.

In his remarks, Prof Mahbubani noted that Mr Lee himself said in 1996 that Singapore would survive him, provided it had leaders of quality and a people aware of its vulnerabilities and who are willing to pull together to face challenges.

A lot had been done to ensure this legacy of good governance will be protected, said Prof Mahbubani.

These included developing an exceptional educational system, strong public institutions, an unusually strong record of ethnic harmony and a culture of meritocracy and honesty.

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