GMS: I don't write nasty letters of condolences, like some people

[jw5]

And he lacked self awareness.

Slight correction. LKY was a great politician – one of the greatest of the century – a titan of a leader, but he was never a great man.

How could he be, when he was petty, small-minded, vindictive and ruthless in the way he went about destroying his opponents? It speaks of a puny heart, one that is devoid of compassion and empathy, and an extremely narcissistic existence that was centred on remaking the world around him in his image and his vision.

Mandela was a great man; that's why the general outpouring of grief and sadness worldwide at his death was genuine and spontaneous. And the admiration and love for the man (if not his legacy) the humbling acknowledgement that a mortal can embody a superhuman magnanimity of spirit, will last into posterity.

 

[Satyr]

He might be an arsehole and that something people know but they view from the angle that was necessary evil to achieve progress. It a case of the end justifies the means.

Even people who voted for opposition are mourning. In this sense LKY is truly above politics.

The question is whether he was a much bigger arsehole than he needed to be. I can understand things being overdone during the rough and tumble of the 50's and 60's/ . But keeping a guy locked up without trial for 30 odd years needs some thinking about. Even Mandela had a trial before being locked up.

 

[tanwahtiu]

well written. He could have abolished NSF after his 2 sons become BGs.

Simi lancheow NSF when there was no threats in this region. It was more like punishing male Singaporeans and get them both ways, cannot get them in civilian life go for NSF punishment.

He might have built a country - the hardware. And did a good job.
But he did not build a nation all this time.
While his comments that it was not his job to strengthen the opposition were valid and true,
it WAS his job to strengthen the population with leadership, wisdom, example towards how
SG could be a great country, regardless of political ilk. This, he did not do, and his biggest
failure.

 

[xpo2015]

If you guys have understood the motivation behind LKY, you will realize he is a great man after all. Even heaven pours down heavy rains for him.

 

[virus]

when you understand the greed behind the con yew, you will realize he is no more then a con vict.

 

[jw5]

I hope GMS will stop keeping us in suspense and let us know his next political move. Or perhaps he doesn't know himself? :p