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Parliamentarians commemorate Singapore's founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew

Xinhua, March 23, 2016 Adjust font size:

Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Members of the Parliament, both past and present, commemorated the country's founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew Wednesday at the Arts House, the Old Parliament House.

Lee Kuan Yew, who passed away on March 23, 2015, began his parliamentary career in 1955 and served as MP for Tanjong Pagar for the next 60 years, the longest period for any MP in Singapore.

That's why MPs gathered at the Old Parliament House to remember him, and the values that Lee Kuan Yew and his generation stood for, and the principles they steadfastly upheld in the this House.

Speaking at the remembrance ceremony, Singapore's minister for Culture, Community and Youth, leader of the House Grace Fu said that no history of Singapore's Parliament would be complete without Lee Kuan Yew.

"Lee Kuan Yew and his team left subsequent generations of leaders a rich legacy -- that of strong institutions and systems based on multi-racialism, self-reliance, meritocracy, integrity and rule of law -- values and principles that remain precious and important to us in this present day." said Grace Fu.

The minister added "We will emulate his spirit, and build on his inheritance to bring Singapore to greater heights".

Past Parliamentarians Abdullah Tarmugi, former Deputy Prime Minister and Member of Parliament Wong Kan Seng also delivered speeches to remember Lee Kuan Yew, recounting their experiences in the Parliament and sharing their memories of Lee Kuan Yew.

"My own description of Mr. Lee was that he was always proper," said Abdullah Tarmugi. "This single description encapsulates everything the man was. His sense of integrity and of right and wrong, his discipline and standards, his vision. Everything must be done right: nothing was too small to too unimportant."

Wong Kan Seng quoted many words Lee Kuan Yew made in the Parliament in his speech. He said these words still ring loud in his ears. "Every speech by him was an enriching experience."

"His legacy lives on in Singapore, in the values, principles and high standards that moved Singapore from third world to first," said Wong. "I fervently hope that Singaporeans are committed to same purpose as Mr. Lee had dedicated his life towards -- and that fighting for a better future for us all."

The ceremony also featured a video installation by Singapore filmmaker Royston Tan named "A Moment of Unity", which will also be shown at the National Museum of Singapore from Wednesday.

Besides, a permanent exhibition named "The Parliament in Singapore History" was launched at the Arts House on Wednesday to commemorate the first anniversary of Lee Kuan Yew's passing.

The exhibition features critical historical milestones in Singapore's history and highlights the development of a legislature that contribute to Singapore's growth and progress.

The Arts House functioned as Singapore's first Parliament House from 1965 to 1999, which is regarded as the country's oldest government and public building. Within the Chamber was where Singapore's first Parliament sat, debated and passed the laws that helped build and define the city state. Enditem