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 Cabinet Minister and Labour Chief Lim Swee Say about his experience working with Mr Lee.
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s relentless and continuous efforts to strengthen Singapore’s three pillars of nation building most impressed former Cabinet Minister and Labour Chief Lim Swee Say.
Mr Lim has worked alongside Mr Lee for over four decades. He served as a civil servant under Mr Lee for 20 years in the Ministry of Defence, National Computer Board and Economic Development Board. Mr Lim later entered politics in 1996 at Mr Lee’s recommendation. He then served in the Labour Movement and various government ministries, including Manpower, Environment, and Trade and Industry.
In an email interview with Petir, Lim said he has directly witnessed Mr Lee’s many contributions to Singapore through the years. Most striking was Lee’s relentless efforts to strengthen Singapore’s three pillars of nation building.
PM Lee is pro-growth, pro-cohesion, and pro-future: Lim Swee Say
First, economic competitiveness. Mr Lim said Mr Lee understands technology and the global economy well.
“He ensures Singapore keeps transforming itself, so we remain well positioned amid rapid change and growing uncertainty. A case in point is his personal involvement and direct leadership in our national efforts in national computerisation in the 1980’s, informatisation in the 1990’s, digitalisation in the 2000’s and now intelligentisation with AI into the future,” he added.
Next, social cohesion and resilience. According to Mr Lim, Mr Lee truly cares for workers and citizens. For Mr Lee, technological progress and economic growth are means to an end – that is, creating better jobs and improving the lives of Singaporeans.
During his time with the National Trades Union Congress, Mr Lim witnessed Mr Lee’s passion and commitment to helping lower-wage workers escape what he called the “3 lows”: low skills, low productivity, and low wages.
As Prime Minister, Mr Lee introduced the Workfare Income Supplement (WIS) and widened the adoption of the Progressive Wage Model (PWM), according to Mr Lim. He also extended the retirement and re-employment ages for older workers, allowing them to lead more productive and meaningful lives. The retirement age will increase from 63 to 65 by 2030, and the age for re-employment will rise from 68 to 70 during that same period.
“These are just some of the many bold and decisive moves yet to be seen elsewhere in the world. He did all these because of his conviction to keep our workforce more inclusive, society more progressive as we move up the ladder,” Mr Lim said.
Lastly, the pillar of sustainable development. Mr Lim highlighted that Mr Lee always anticipates and addresses emerging challenges to prevent them from becoming intractable problems in the future. For example, the ageing population and growing demand for healthcare. He introduced MediShield Life, and Pioneer Generation Package over 10 years ago.
“Today, many seniors enjoy peace of mind in healthcare because of his forward-looking policies and commitment,” Mr Lim said.
“Mr Lee is pro-growth, pro-cohesion, and pro-future. His ability to harmonise these three pillars in nation building is what makes him unique, better, and different from others in the world,” he stressed.
PM Lee is a shining example of the very best kind of servant leadership: Lim Swee Say
Mr Lim stressed that while leaders age, nation building has no end. Leadership succession is critical as new challenges and opportunities constantly emerge. Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong will take over as Singapore’s fourth Prime Minister on May 15.
“In this regard, PM Lee is truly selfless. Not only has he devoted his entire adult life to lead Singapore and serve Singaporeans, but he has nurtured younger generations of national leaders to ensure future generations of Singaporeans can continue to strive for higher living standards and a better quality of life,” he said.
Mr Lim pointed out that PM Lee is a shining example of the very best kind of servant leadership.
“He leads to serve and serves to lead. We are fortunate to have had him as one of our most outstanding political leaders for the past 50 years, and as our PM for the last 20 years,” he added.
Mr Lim said he looks forward to Mr Lee continuing to guide the fourth-generation team under Lawrence Wong’s leadership. “Together, may we move into a future filled with challenges and opportunities with confidence and most importantly, in unity.”
PM Lee was caring and asked about his wife: Lim Swee Say (Source: Lim Swee Say) Mr Lim told Petir that he was living in Boston, United States with his wife Elaine Cheong in 2020. He had accompanied his wife for a clinical trial of a new drug to treat her cancer. He met PM Lee for lunch during a visit to Singapore at the time. “He asked about my wife, and our life coping with Covid in Boston. Most caring of him,” he said. Mrs Lim passed away on July 6, 2021, aged 69. |
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