Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong will hand over the reins of government to current Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on May 15. In the fourth part of a six-part tribute series honouring PM Lee, Petir spoke to former Member of Parliament Lee Bee Wah about her experience working with Mr Lee.
PRIME MINISTER Lee Hsien Loong’s most important achievement is enabling Singapore to stand equal with larger countries, according to former Member of Parliament Lee Bee Wah.
“Singapore is a little red dot, but we stand shoulder to shoulder with much larger countries. That speaks volumes,” she said. “He gained the respect of leaders from around the world and elevated Singapore’s international standing.”
63-year-old Lee Bee Wah served as MP for Ang Mo Kio GRC from 2006 to 2011 along with Mr Lee and Nee Soon GRC from 2011 to 2020.
In an email interview with Petir, Er Dr Lee recalled fondly how Mr Lee supported fellow colleagues. “He gave us a free hand to do our work in our own constituency. As and when we needed guidance, he was always there.”
“He is very fair. He will not force his thinking on us. He likes to hear our views, our reasoning. He serves the country sincerely and whole-heartedly,” she said.” I apply the same principles when carrying out my duty as an MP in my constituency.”
An incident she clearly remembered was when she emailed PM at 2am once. She had an issue that kept her up at night and she could not sleep. “To my surprise, he replied immediately!”
Another fond memory for Er Dr Lee was when PM Lee agreed to attend the Singapore Table Tennis Association’s fundraising dinner in 2008. She was then president of the STTA and needed to raise funds for the association’s daily operations.
She recalled: “Singapore’s economy had slowed at that time. We were quite worried. PM Lee readily agreed to be our Guest of Honour, which helped bring in many donors. Ultimately, we managed to raise $1 million!”
Mr and Mrs Lee work as a team and complement each other: Lee Bee Wah
Sharing an interesting aspect of PM Lee, Er Dr Lee highlighted his wife Madam Ho Ching’s kindness and her important role behind the successful leader.
“Mdm Ho is very kindhearted,” Er Dr Lee said. “Whenever PM does his constituency walkabouts, she quietly follows behind to check if anyone needs help or if any area needs improvement. She then asks us to follow up. They work as a team, complementing each other,” she added.
Mr Lee agrees that MPs should speak honestly: Lee Bee Wah
Er Dr Lee has been known for speaking passionately and memorably in Parliament. During her first term, she had an exchange with a Minister that resulted in the Prime Minister summoning her to his office in the Istana.
“I explained to PM that my comments reflected real feedback on the ground. He agreed that as an MP, I should speak honestly. Heng ah!”
When asked if the Prime Minister had to convince her on some policy ideas, she said that little convincing was needed because she understood government policies well and could appreciate the rationale.
“What I disagree with normally relates to execution details. PM always has a listening ear and grants my requests for my residents most of the time, “she added.
Mr Lee will remain Senior Minister in Mr Wong’s new cabinet after he steps down as Prime Minister.
Er Dr Lee said: “PM Lee is very well loved and well respected. Sad to see him go! But sometimes, seeing him so stressed and tired looking, I am also very 心疼 (feel bad) for him！I sincerely wish that he can get some well-deserved rest and recharge!”
| PM Lee helped to secure a covered walkway linking Khatib station to the housing estate Few people know that PM Lee played an instrumental role in getting authorities to build a covered walkway connecting Khatib MRT station and housing blocks 858 to 864. Er Dr Lee recalled that when she first became an MP, her constituents frequently complained of being stranded at Khatib MRT station during rainstorms. As an engineer, she believed installing a covered walkway connecting Khatib MRT station and housing blocks 858 to 864 would solve the problem. However, both the Land Transport Authority and Ministry of National Development rejected her proposal. She said: “The Ministry of National Development told me they did not have such a scheme unless the precinct was selected for the Neighbourhood Renewal Programme. However, my constituency had just completed NRP at a neighboring zone from Khatib MRT station.” She then approached PM Lee and asked if he could help her to secure the covered walkway. “I explained why I needed the long-covered walkway. I am forever grateful that he graciously agreed to help!” The covered walkway linking the cluster of flats starting from block 860 to Khatib MRT was completed around 2011 to 2012. |
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