Lee Kuan Yew was not an autocrat and accepted valid criticism, say political rivals
Lee Kuan Yew was not as autocratic as he was made out to be, and was willing to accept criticism if it was valid, his political friends and rivals said at a special sitting of Singapore’s Parliament in tribute to the Southeast Asian country’s founding father.
“From my dealings with Mr Lee in Parliament, I don't think he was an autocrat who didn't listen. If you have strong reasons and a tight argument and can win him over through debate, he will consider your views. He hated empty talk,” said Low Thia Khiang, the secretary general of the Workers’ Party.
The Workers’ Party is the opposition party with the most seats in Parliament with nine seats, while the ruling People's Action Party (PAP), of which Lee was a co-founder, holds 79 of the 99 seats. The PAP has dominated Singapore's Parliament since 1959.
Low said: “I don’t think the PAP one-party rule is the key to Singapore having rapid economic growth while maintaining social cohesion, because many Singaporeans were sacrificed in the process and our society has paid a price. That is why Singapore’s founding prime minister Lee Kuan Yew was a controversial figure in the hearts of some people.”
Video of Mr Low’s speech in Parliament (from the 40th minute):
Policies should not be based on reason alone, but the human factor and feelings should also be taken into account, Low urged.
Nonetheless, Low hailed Lee as an “extraordinary leader born out of a turbulent and uncertain era” and praised his “outstanding wisdom and courage”.
“He reminded us that some policies were like bitter medicine, which were hard to swallow in the short term, but it was for the benefit of the country, we should persist,” said Wong.
Previously, Lee had said the late Singapore Deputy Prime Minister Goh Keng Swee had challenged Lee's decisions, and Lee had modified his policies accordingly, saying the Singapore government made better decisions as a result, recalled Nominated Member of Parliament Chia Yong Yong.
In Singapore, a Nominated Member of Parliament is not elected nor affiliated with any party, but appointed by the Singapore President.
“Lee Kuan Yew had his critics,” said Singapore Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen.
“Thousands of Singaporeans have lined up under the hot sun to pay their respects. They did so spontaneously. It is they who will pronounce the final judgement on (Lee's) work,” said Ng.
