As
extracted from the book, below article depicts summary of Lee Kuan Yew’s
philosophy expressed in his own words.
extracted from the book, below article depicts summary of Lee Kuan Yew’s
philosophy expressed in his own words.
To
be Correct
be Correct
“I
am not interested in being politically correct. I am interested in being
correct.”
am not interested in being politically correct. I am interested in being
correct.”
Stood
firmly for what you believed
firmly for what you believed
“..
If you want to be kind to your people, then you have got to be firm. And at
times, stern to those who have a duty to perform to see that the duty is
performed.”
If you want to be kind to your people, then you have got to be firm. And at
times, stern to those who have a duty to perform to see that the duty is
performed.”
Strength
and Determination
and Determination
“If
I decide that something is worth doing, then I’ll put my heart and soul to it.
I’ll give everything I’ve got to make it succeed. So I would put my strength,
determination and willingness to see my objective to its conclusion.”
I decide that something is worth doing, then I’ll put my heart and soul to it.
I’ll give everything I’ve got to make it succeed. So I would put my strength,
determination and willingness to see my objective to its conclusion.”
“I
do not classify myself as a statesman. I put myself down as a determined,
consistent and persistent. I set out to do something. I keep on chasing until
it succeeds. That is all… “
do not classify myself as a statesman. I put myself down as a determined,
consistent and persistent. I set out to do something. I keep on chasing until
it succeeds. That is all… “
Man
of Action – Get things done
of Action – Get things done
“I
am not great on philosophy and theories. I am interested in them, but life is
not guided by philosophy or theories. I get things done!”
am not great on philosophy and theories. I am interested in them, but life is
not guided by philosophy or theories. I get things done!”
Confront
the Problems
the Problems
“If
things go wrong, do not sweep aside. Confront the problems, get to the root of
difficulties and wrestle with them resolutely. Go for long term success and do
not be deterred by criticism.”
things go wrong, do not sweep aside. Confront the problems, get to the root of
difficulties and wrestle with them resolutely. Go for long term success and do
not be deterred by criticism.”
Discussions
with Knowledgeable People
with Knowledgeable People
“You
must not overlook the importance of discussions with knowledgeable people. I
would say that is much more productive than absorbing or running through masses
of documents. Because in a short exchange, you can abstract from someone who
has immense knowledge and experience, the essences of what he had gained.”
must not overlook the importance of discussions with knowledgeable people. I
would say that is much more productive than absorbing or running through masses
of documents. Because in a short exchange, you can abstract from someone who
has immense knowledge and experience, the essences of what he had gained.”
Personal
Relationship.
Relationship.
LKY
has his way with words and put things succinctly and with the right nuance.
has his way with words and put things succinctly and with the right nuance.
President
Clinton first meeting with LKY in 2000 during Michael Fay incident. Mr. Clinton
said “why have I not met this man before?”
Clinton first meeting with LKY in 2000 during Michael Fay incident. Mr. Clinton
said “why have I not met this man before?”
Courageous – 3 Examples
CIA
Bribe 1961- Display courage to fight opponents
Bribe 1961- Display courage to fight opponents
In
1961, CIA tried to bribe an officer at special branch. PAP laid trap and caught
CIA officer red handed. Then the CIA officer tried to bribe Lee to cover up,
offering US$1 million to PAP. LKY reveal the letter written by American
Secretary of State Dean Rusk apologizing to him and expose the USA government who
denied the incident.
1961, CIA tried to bribe an officer at special branch. PAP laid trap and caught
CIA officer red handed. Then the CIA officer tried to bribe Lee to cover up,
offering US$1 million to PAP. LKY reveal the letter written by American
Secretary of State Dean Rusk apologizing to him and expose the USA government who
denied the incident.
Lee
said “remember all the time that we are not dealing with an enemy but the
bloody stupidity of a friend”
said “remember all the time that we are not dealing with an enemy but the
bloody stupidity of a friend”
First
China Official Visit 1976 – We respect
people but we are not subordinate of them
China Official Visit 1976 – We respect
people but we are not subordinate of them
In
1976, on first official visit to China, China Prime Minister Hua Guofeng
presented him with a copy of Neville maxwell India’s China war, a pro-China
history of sino-Indian war in 1962. Lee handed book and said “‘Mr. Prime
minister, this is your version of the war. There is another version, the Indian
version. And in any case I am from Southeast Asia – it’s nothing to do with
us.”
1976, on first official visit to China, China Prime Minister Hua Guofeng
presented him with a copy of Neville maxwell India’s China war, a pro-China
history of sino-Indian war in 1962. Lee handed book and said “‘Mr. Prime
minister, this is your version of the war. There is another version, the Indian
version. And in any case I am from Southeast Asia – it’s nothing to do with
us.”
Michael
Fay 1995/6 – Stick to Principle especially Rule of Law
Fay 1995/6 – Stick to Principle especially Rule of Law
1995-6,
Michael Fay incident of vandalism. Singapore proceeded with the canning of Mr.
Fay despite USA government Bill Clinton pleaded not to. USA is very angry and
froze several aspects of bilateral ties. However the gains were much bigger as
Singapore firm stand against the strong American pressure. This incident also
helped to expand Singapore geopolitical space in the region.
Michael Fay incident of vandalism. Singapore proceeded with the canning of Mr.
Fay despite USA government Bill Clinton pleaded not to. USA is very angry and
froze several aspects of bilateral ties. However the gains were much bigger as
Singapore firm stand against the strong American pressure. This incident also
helped to expand Singapore geopolitical space in the region.
Vladimir Lenin’d famous maxim “probe
with a bayonet: if you meet steel, stop. If you meet mush, then push.”
with a bayonet: if you meet steel, stop. If you meet mush, then push.”
Rolf’s View
Again, I emphasize that this article is byno means trying to take sides politically. The main purpose is to reflect the
important factors contributing to what we are today, as a nation. Most
importantly is to learn from one of our country’s most prominent figures.
Leaving
a deep impression to me are the following points, which I felt are also applicable in our life, career/business or investment journey.
a deep impression to me are the following points, which I felt are also applicable in our life, career/business or investment journey.
- Before you start anything, be honest, have
integrity and non-corruptible
- If something is worth doing and what you firmly
believe, chase till the end.
- Size does not determine our destiny.
- Stay relevant always. Adapt and Change if
necessary.
- Be courageous. Respect is always mutual, despite
your size disadvantage.
- Taking calculated risk is necessary at times, as long as you plan thoroughly.
- Learn from the best including their errors.
- Be attentive to detail but keeping big picture
in mind.
- Theories and Philosophy are important, but
please also “Take Action.”
- Confront problems, not escape from it.
- Develop and maintain external relationship
- Think ahead and think long term
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