Sunday, January 16, 2011

Young S'poreans keen to hear MM Lee's views

Jan 16, 2011

They are curious to find out what he has to say on issues that concern the young

When Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew stepped down as prime minister in 1990, Mr Cheo Ming Shen was just six, so his memory of Singapore's founding leader is hazy at best.

But that did not stop the 27-year-old co-founder of Internet start-up Netccentric from ordering an autographed copy of a new book on Mr Lee. He was among 60 donors who will get a limited edition signed copy of the book, having donated $10,000. Proceeds go to The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund.

'There is nobody bigger than MM in Singapore,' said Mr Cheo, who has read and owns both volumes of Mr Lee's memoirs. 'He is the equivalent of Nelson Mandela to Singaporeans.'

[Really? LKY was locked up for 27 years for sabotaging govt while fighting racial discrimination? Then on his release, won election to lead the country. And promoted reconciliation between the races? And won the Nobel Peace Prize?

I think comparing LKY to Mandela is an incredible (and wholly inappropriate) compliment to LKY. Not sure if Mandela would feel complimented though.

And most importantly, "he's Nelson Mandela to Singaporeans"? I think 70% of Singaporeans don't know who is Nelson Mandela. And 30% don't know who Lee Kuan Yew is.

This normally would be in the other blog, but my intended comments bumped it here.]

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