Lee Kuan Yew

Born on the 16th September 1923, he was one of the founders and also the first secretary-general of People’s Action Party(PAP).He is also the world’s longest serving Prime Minister. Despite having stepped down as Prime Minister, he is still one of the most respected figures of Asia. He is looked up to in times of trouble, in which Lee Kuan Yew would gladly help people.

Educated at Telok Kurau Primary School, Raffles Institution and Raffles College(present NUS) , he was strongly influenced by politics. His university studies got disrupted due to World War II. In the Japanese Occupation, Lee sold glues in the black market. He was also the editor for the Japanese Propaganda Department in 1943 and 1944. After the World War II, Lee continued his studies at London School of Economics and Fitzwilliam College. In 1949, Lee returned to Singapore to study law in Laycock and Ong.

He was the only child of Lee Chin Koon and Chua Jim Neo. Born in the street of 92 Kampong Java Road, in a large bungalow.Lee married Kwa GeokChoo on 30th September 1950, who passed away on 2nd October 2010. They have 3 children, 2 sons and a daughter, who hold respectable positions in Singapore. His elder son, Lee Hsien Leong, is the current Prime Minister of Singapore, whereas his younger son, Lee Hsien Yang, is the current Chief Executive Officer of SingTel company.

This political party was formed in the 12th of November 1954. Lee had found this party together with a group of fellow English-educated middle-class men. One reason Lee formed this party was to put an end to the British colonial rule. Thus, Lee had no other choice but to work together with the pro-communist trade unionists. Lee became the first secretary-general of the PAP at Victoria Memoria Hall .

PAP won 43 out of 51 seats in the Legislative Assembly in the elections held on the 1st of June 1959. Thus, Singapore attained all responsibilities(except defence and foreign affairs), and Lee became Singapore’s first ever Prime Minister on the 5th of June 1959. There were 13 pro-communist members in the PAP, whom Lee got rid of the 21st of July 1961. These 13 pro-communists formed their own party, Barisan Sosialis.

In 1961, Lee planned to merge with Malaysia. To ensure that people agreed with him, he held a referendum, in which 70% of people supported him. On the 16th of September 1963, Singapore merged with Malaysia. At that time, the United Malays National Organisation ruled the Malaysian Central Government. They were worried by the fact that majority of people living in Singapore were Chinese and the PAP’s Political challenge in Malaysia.

Few problems rised after the merge with Malaysia. The most important problem was that riots took place, for the Malaysians in Malaysia believed that Lee had offended them by saying “Malaysian Malaysia”. The major riot that took place on Muhammad’s birthday,21 July 1964,killed 23 and injured many more. More riots took place after that, especially when a Chinese disagreed with a Malay, or vice versa. Finally, TunkuAbdul Rahman could not endure the problems anymore, and decided to expel Singapore. Even though Lee tried to compromise, his attempts were futile.

National Security Singapore had very little defence left after Independence. Communists was threatening to engulf Singapore in darkness. To prevent this, Lee asked Goh KengSwee to set up the Singapore Armed Forces in order to receive help from other countries.Government Policies Lee faced many problems with political corruption. Thus, he gave the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau more power, such as arresting on the spot, investigation and many more.

Social issues As criminal activities increased day by day, Lee introduced caning, which was previously used by the British before. Criminals found to be guilty of charge were caned. Caning was also introduced in schools(only boys) and the Singapore Armed Forces.

Lee had lead the PAP to victory in seven elections. On 28 November 1990, Lee stepped down, handing his honorable position to Goh Chok Tong. Lee decided to remain in the cabinet, but as Senior Mentor, for he still wanted to help Singapore achieve great heights. He also stepped down as secretary general of PAP, which Goh Chok Tong also took over.

In the 30 years Lee held the office, he was the main person responsible for the rapid development of Singapore, from a developing country, to a fully developed country. He is respected, mostly by the elder citizens, who knew of his inspiring leadership during the time he held office. Singapore now is a very famous country due to Lee Kuan Yew.

Shaheel(Leader)- Issued orders. Also told members the venue and time to meet at.Akif(Content expert)-Helped check that sources are all well acknowledged.

Asri(ICT expert)-Helped to research on Lee KuanYew along with Akif and Shaheel.

Main Source:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lee_Kuan_Yewhttp://infopedia.nl.sg