Ang sitting next to Lee at an offical dinner some years back.
As Singaporeans bid their final farewell to their nation’s founding father today, the world joins them in mourning the passing of one of the greatest leaders of our time.
Lee Kuan Yew not only touched the lives of citizens of the island republic through his achievements and leadership, he also inspired and influenced many people beyond the shores of Singapore.
Among them is Datuk Seri Ang Lai Soon, who maintained a personal relationship with Lee through social and official gatherings and correspondence.
Today he looks back at the legacy Lee Kuan Yew leaves behind as the Singaporean leader makes his final journey:
The world is much poorer with the passing of an enlightened and unique statesman of few equals.
I first met Mr Lee Kuan Yew when I was a youngster at my father’s house in Kuching. Singapore was then a much troubled city moving from colonial rule to a rather uncertain future.
Today I find Singapore an exceedingly green, clean, vibrant, well governed, organised and law abiding nation state, a unique oasis of peace, fairness, equality, stability and prosperity free of the tensions so prevalent in the turbulent world today.
This oasis is the creation of the Founder of Modern Singapore Lee Kuan Yew.
This is his legacy , a fitting legacy to a great man and will go down in history as a highly significant achievement.
A man of humility, I had mentioned to him a few times that he would make a great president of the republic.
He must have declined the honour many times. Throughout his life his love was for his people and his country Singapore.
Mr Lee Hsien Loong, present prime minister, has followed in his father’s footsteps. Singapore is in good hands.
My thoughts and prayers are with Mr Lee Hsien Loong, Madam Ho Ching and their family.
Farewell Lee Kuan Yew!