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Behind every great man there's an army of loyal workers — and they deserve mention.
In her eulogy for her father last night at the private cremation service, Dr Lee Wei Ling thanked the late Lee Kuan Yew's security officers, nurses doctors and specialists, "especially those involved in the last five years of his life, when his medical problems multiplied and became more complicated," reports The Straits Times.
The former Prime Minister was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease three years ago and "he was also plagued by bouts of hiccups, and his ability to swallow both solids and liquids was impaired," according to the report. He had difficulty walking and a lift was installed at his home, but on good days he would still try and navigate the steps to reach the porch where the car was parked, even if that was still a struggle.
Dr Lee shared a lot of anecdotes, including one time when her father choked on a piece of meat. Three SOs gave him the Heimlich manouevre. "They coordinated their pull, and after several attempts, the piece of meat was finally ejected. By this time, Papa had already turned purple. But within seconds of the meat being dislodged, he was mentally alert," she is quoted as saying.
It was an SO who had informed Dr Lee of her father's death. "After being in my room alone and unable to go back to sleep, I went downstairs to the SOs room, and sat with the two SOs on duty, watching black and white footage of Papa in his younger days. I needed the company of friends. Jun zi zhi jiao dan ru shui. There is a Chinese saying that the relationship between two honourable gentlemen is as understated as plain water. That was the relationship between the SOs and me," she said in her speech."The SOs look after your father as though he is their own," a doctor friend of Dr Lee once told her. And Singapore's founding father was as loyal to his staff. "During an official trip to Saudi Arabia, an SO came down with chicken pox. Rather than leave him behind in a hospital there as doctors suggested, he insisted the SO return to Singapore with the rest of the delegation," according to the report.
On the morning of the state funeral, Dr Lee shares, the maid had moved Lee Kuan Yew's chair from the dining table and placed it against the wall. "It was a poignant reminder that this farewell is for ever. I have been controlling my feelings for this past week, but looking at this unexpected scene, I nearly broke down. But I can't break down, I am a Hakka woman. Farewell Papa. I will miss you. Rest in peace," she ended.
Photo: Lee Kuan Yew Facebook page
Got a tip? Send it to us at singapore@coconuts.co.
Behind every great man there's an army of loyal workers — and they deserve mention.
In her eulogy for her father last night at the private cremation service, Dr Lee Wei Ling thanked the late Lee Kuan Yew's security officers, nurses doctors and specialists, "especially those involved in the last five years of his life, when his medical problems multiplied and became more complicated," reports The Straits Times.
The former Prime Minister was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease three years ago and "he was also plagued by bouts of hiccups, and his ability to swallow both solids and liquids was impaired," according to the report. He had difficulty walking and a lift was installed at his home, but on good days he would still try and navigate the steps to reach the porch where the car was parked, even if that was still a struggle.
Dr Lee shared a lot of anecdotes, including one time when her father choked on a piece of meat. Three SOs gave him the Heimlich manouevre. "They coordinated their pull, and after several attempts, the piece of meat was finally ejected. By this time, Papa had already turned purple. But within seconds of the meat being dislodged, he was mentally alert," she is quoted as saying.
It was an SO who had informed Dr Lee of her father's death. "After being in my room alone and unable to go back to sleep, I went downstairs to the SOs room, and sat with the two SOs on duty, watching black and white footage of Papa in his younger days. I needed the company of friends. Jun zi zhi jiao dan ru shui. There is a Chinese saying that the relationship between two honourable gentlemen is as understated as plain water. That was the relationship between the SOs and me," she said in her speech."The SOs look after your father as though he is their own," a doctor friend of Dr Lee once told her. And Singapore's founding father was as loyal to his staff. "During an official trip to Saudi Arabia, an SO came down with chicken pox. Rather than leave him behind in a hospital there as doctors suggested, he insisted the SO return to Singapore with the rest of the delegation," according to the report.
On the morning of the state funeral, Dr Lee shares, the maid had moved Lee Kuan Yew's chair from the dining table and placed it against the wall. "It was a poignant reminder that this farewell is for ever. I have been controlling my feelings for this past week, but looking at this unexpected scene, I nearly broke down. But I can't break down, I am a Hakka woman. Farewell Papa. I will miss you. Rest in peace," she ended.
Photo: Lee Kuan Yew Facebook page