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Remembering Lee Kuan Yew

Your work is done and your rest richly deserved


This is the full eulogy of Lee Hsien Yang
at the private service held at Mandai.

apa was born in 1923 when


Singapore was part of the British Empire, the Straits Settlements flag fluttered over Government
House, and the people of Singapore
sang God Save the King. He was given
the name Harry at birth.
But he soon grew to feel that it did
not fit him and the fact that he was a
son of Singapore. When Papa was 10,
his youngest brother Suan Yew was
born. Papa persuaded his parents that it
was not a good thing to give Suan Yew
a Western name. Decades later, when
Papa entered politics, he also found his
name Harry a political liability. In truth,
two decades before, he had already felt
it was not right for him.
When Loong, Ling and I were born,
Papa gave us only Chinese names, and
used the Wade Giles romanisation system to spell the names. As Papa was
from a Peranakan household, he sought
the help from the court interpreter
Mr Wong Chong Min in the choice of
names. Two years ago, Loong while
walking around Queenstown met the
son of Mr Wong the man who had
named the three of us.
The names parents choose for their
children embody the hopes, aspirations
and dreams they have for them. Chinese
names in particular, with their many
possible wonderful layers of meaning,
allegory and poetry, lend themselves
well to this.
For their eldest son, Papa and Mama
chose the name (Hsien Loong). It
meant illustrious dragon. It was an
appropriate and auspicious name for
a boy, especially one born in the Year
of the Dragon.
For my sister, they chose the name
(Wei Ling), which means the
beautiful sound of tinkling jade. I suppose Mama thought that that was an
appropriate and feminine name for a
daughter, although I dont think it in any
way circumscribes Lings development!
For me, they chose the name
(Hsien Yang). Some people think that
since Im named Yang, I was born in the
Year of the Goat, which is not the case.
Instead, my name had more literary
origins, and was derived from a quote
from the three letter classics ().
Mama used to tease me when I was
young that my name meant illustrious
show-off. In fact, the phrase it was derived from means to
do good deeds, in order to bring honour
to ones parents.
I am sure many Singaporeans travelling abroad have received compliments on Singapore and its transformation over the last 50 years. Usually the
conversation would quickly acknowledge the role of Lee Kuan Yew.
I would not acknowledge my relationship I would just nod and say,
yes, its been a remarkable journey.
Unsolicited compliments like this are
the most authentic and heartfelt.

Mr Lee Hsien Yang delivering a eulogy for his father, Mr Lee Kuan Yew, at Mandai Crematorium yesterday. Photo: The Straits Times

I have suggested to them (my children) should they be


asked whether they might be related to Lee Kuan Yew,
that a good answer was to say their name was spelt Li,
not Lee ... This response which I suggested was not meant
to mislead and obfuscate; it is born out of a desire to be
recognised for who we are as individuals and not for whom
we are related to. We are immensely proud of Papa and his achievements, and
yet perhaps it is part of our DNA to seek our own way in life. I am sure that Papa
would not have wanted it otherwise.
Keeping private my family connection only served to enhance the pleasure. Sadly, as I developed a more visible
public profile, it has become harder not
to be recognised as Lee Kuan Yews son.
I have taught my children never to
mention or flaunt their relationship
with their grandfather, that they needed to make their way in the world on
their own merits and industry. I have
suggested to them should they be asked
whether they might be related to Lee
Kuan Yew, that a good answer was to

say their name was spelt Li, not Lee.


Li is one of the most common Chinese
surnames in the world.
This response which I suggested
was not meant to mislead and obfuscate; it is born out of a desire to be recognised for who we are as individuals
and not for whom we are related to.
We are immensely proud of Papa and
his achievements, and yet perhaps it is
part of our DNA to seek our own way
in life. I am sure that Papa would not
have wanted it otherwise.

Papa, thank you for a lifetime of


service to the people of Singapore. You
made this little red dot the nation all of
us are proud to call home.
Papa, thank you for being a wonderful
husband and companion to Mama. For
loving her completely and caring for her
illness and during your livestogether.
Papa, thank you for being my own
special father. Always there to guide,
counsel and advise me, every step of
the way, but also prepared to step back
and to let me find my own wings and
make my own way.
Papa, thank you for loving my wife,
and my children, Shengwu, Huanwu
and Shaowu. You have been a loving
grandfather to each of them, sharing
small pleasures, enjoying their companionship.
Papa, it is hard to say goodbye. Your
work is done and your rest is richly deserved. In our own different and diverse
ways, my family and I will continue to
honour you and your memory in all
that we do.

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