Heng Swee Keat invokes Lee Kuan Yew’s fighting spirit amid COVID-19 pandemic
SINGAPORE — On the fifth anniversary of the passing of Lee Kuan Yew, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat invoked the fighting spirit of Singapore’s first prime minister amid the huge challenges arising from the COVID-19 pandemic.
In a post on his Facebook page on Monday (23 March), Heng said he asked himself how a country that “came of age” under Lee’s leadership would deal with COVID-19. While Singapore has never faced a situation like COVID-19 in its history, it has been through many crises before, he added.
“In our early years of nationhood, Mr Lee told us, ‘Never fear!’. We did not, and we came together as a united nation. This spirit of staying strong and united, showing resilience and caring for one another, will see us through these difficult times,” said Heng.
Singapore’s frontline heroes, public officers, community groups, and people are demonstrating strength in unity but the outbreak has taken a “big toll” on its economy, with many jobs and livelihoods at stake, Heng said.
To meet the challenge head-on, Heng announced that he will present a supplementary Budget on 26 March, just five weeks after Budget 2020. This is the first time that the government is introducing a supplementary budget so soon after the main budget, reflecting how fast the situation has deteriorated over the past weeks, he added.
The government will respond to the rapidly evolving situation and keep Singaporeans safe, preserve jobs and livelihoods, as well as help viable enterprises stay strong, Heng assured.
“Singaporeans have stood united through past crises. We remember and honour the fighting spirit of Mr Lee Kuan Yew and our pioneer generation, even as we forge our way forward through new challenges.”
Other tributes
Lee’s People's Action Party also honoured the memory of its founding Secretary-General on Monday.
“Singapore, under the leadership of LKY and his team has faced challenges and emerged even stronger. In this current period of uncertainty, the PAP will continue to work with Singaporeans to ensure an even better future,” the ruling party said.
Speaker of Parliament Tan Chuan-Jin said that even during Lee’s passing, he left Singaporeans “a precious gift something that we perhaps need to live it out most in these difficult days”.
Lee Hsien Yang, the late Lee’s youngest child, posted a photograph of his father’s study on Monday. The photograph was taken by Hsien Yang’s son Shengwu on the day of Lee’s funeral.
“The carpet hung over my father’s desk for decades and was of sentimental value to him.”
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