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The government he'd helped orchestrate was intact, his universities coveted and his citizens world travellers. Lee Kuan Yew also famously declared he'd done his best for Singapore, some abstract moments before he died of severe pneumonia at the age of 91.
But recent evidence suggests Singapore's first Secretary-General and now largely considered its Founding Father, had much he still wanted to see before death called.
Ng Kok Song, 67-year-old former chief investment officer of the Government of Singapore Investment Corporation (GIC), ran an account in The Straits Times of some heart-wrenching moments he spent with Lee over the last 10 years.
He revealed how his late wife Patricia had written to Lee after she was diagnosed with stomach cancer in 2003.
Lee's subsequent responses, which you can read on The Straits Times' website, was what one would describe as uncharacteristically tender — Lee was never one to be sentimental.
Ng also recalled the times he'd spent with Lee when they were both taking care of their ailing wives — in 2010, Lee's own wife Kwa Geok Choo suffered a stroke and was bedridden — paying special attention to one meditation session.
"After (one of our sessions), I asked him about rumours swirling that he was very ill, when he was actually perfectly all right," Ng wrote.
He went on to say he'd suggested to Lee that the government rebut the rumours, but his mentor only said, "No, no, Kok Song, there's no point.... Because one day it is going to happen."
Then, according to Ng, Lee added: "I have lived such a long life. I hope that I can live on for maybe another five to seven years. By then, the Marina Bay developments would be completed, the water barrage would be operating, the whole Tanjong Rhu area and the reservoir will be finished. And our entire landscape will be changed... The city is going to be so beautiful."
Most of the things Lee mentioned in his conversation with Ng have already been realised — except for the Tanjong Rhu Promenade. According to the NParks website, that will only be finished in 2017.
So close.
Photo: People's Action Party Facebook
Got a tip? Send it to us at singapore@coconuts.co.
The government he'd helped orchestrate was intact, his universities coveted and his citizens world travellers. Lee Kuan Yew also famously declared he'd done his best for Singapore, some abstract moments before he died of severe pneumonia at the age of 91.
But recent evidence suggests Singapore's first Secretary-General and now largely considered its Founding Father, had much he still wanted to see before death called.
Ng Kok Song, 67-year-old former chief investment officer of the Government of Singapore Investment Corporation (GIC), ran an account in The Straits Times of some heart-wrenching moments he spent with Lee over the last 10 years.
He revealed how his late wife Patricia had written to Lee after she was diagnosed with stomach cancer in 2003.
Lee's subsequent responses, which you can read on The Straits Times' website, was what one would describe as uncharacteristically tender — Lee was never one to be sentimental.
Ng also recalled the times he'd spent with Lee when they were both taking care of their ailing wives — in 2010, Lee's own wife Kwa Geok Choo suffered a stroke and was bedridden — paying special attention to one meditation session.
"After (one of our sessions), I asked him about rumours swirling that he was very ill, when he was actually perfectly all right," Ng wrote.
He went on to say he'd suggested to Lee that the government rebut the rumours, but his mentor only said, "No, no, Kok Song, there's no point.... Because one day it is going to happen."
Then, according to Ng, Lee added: "I have lived such a long life. I hope that I can live on for maybe another five to seven years. By then, the Marina Bay developments would be completed, the water barrage would be operating, the whole Tanjong Rhu area and the reservoir will be finished. And our entire landscape will be changed... The city is going to be so beautiful."
Most of the things Lee mentioned in his conversation with Ng have already been realised — except for the Tanjong Rhu Promenade. According to the NParks website, that will only be finished in 2017.
So close.
Photo: People's Action Party Facebook