Ownself praise ownself

[LITTLEREDDOT]

Tributes pour in for outgoing PAP secretary-general Lee Hsien Loong at party’s awards dinner​

(From left) Education Minister Chan Chun Sing, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat, Minister for Social and Family Development Masagos Zulkifli and National Development Minister Desmond Lee at the PAP awards on Nov 23. ST PHOTO: SHINTARO TAY

Goh Yan Han
Political Correspondent

Nov 23, 2024

SINGAPORE - About 3,000 PAP cadres, activists and guests – including several who featured in a video sharing personal stories and interactions with him – paid tribute to Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Nov 23.

People’s Action Party chairman Heng Swee Keat lauded the outgoing party chief for his contributions in a speech on the first day of the biennial PAP Awards and Conference.

SM Lee has been secretary-general of the PAP since 2004, and has served the party and its Teck Ghee branch since 1984.

Mr Heng, who is Deputy Prime Minister, noted that the party had successfully completed the third handover of the premiership since Singapore’s independence, with Prime Minister Lawrence Wong taking office in May. PM Wong is currently the PAP’s deputy secretary-general.

“Thank you, secretary-general, for four decades of guidance, wisdom and foresight,” he said.

As prime minister, SM Lee led the country through the global financial crisis of the late 2000s, and through the more recent Covid-19 pandemic.

“He led our development into a smart nation and a global city that connects Asia with the rest of the world,” said DPM Heng. This is particularly challenging in more recent years, as big power contestations have intensified.

“Our transformation efforts have positioned our companies and workers to seize new opportunities in the global economy, and our relationship with the NTUC remains strong, in fact stronger than ever,” he added.

SM Lee has also shaped a caring and cohesive society to share the benefits of growth with all, said DPM Heng.

He pointed to policies such as SkillsFuture, the Pioneer Generation Package and ComCare that “reassure Singaporeans that we walk with them as they chase their dreams”.


Addressing the attendees in a 1½-minute-long speech, SM Lee expressed his gratitude.

“Whatever I have done as secretary-general and as PM, I’ve done with your help and support, and could not have been done without them,” he said. “It’s been a tremendous honour and privilege for me to serve. I’m very happy that we have reached this point.”

“I wish you all the best, I wish the party all the best, and I think we all have to work hard. There’s a general election coming next year,” said SM Lee, who is slated to deliver a speech at the party conference on Nov 24.

A video paying tribute to SM Lee was also unveiled at the dinner banquet, stitching together short interviews with past and present MPs, ministers and other party members.

Some, like former Cabinet minister Khaw Boon Wan, commented on SM Lee’s involvement in transforming Singapore and flying the Singapore flag high.

Former MP Lau Ping Sum shared about SM Lee’s carefulness and meticulousness when preparing for the National Day Rally speech, going through it more than 25 times.

Amid the serious anecdotes, the video also unveiled SM Lee’s softer side, such as when he gave former Cabinet minister Lim Boon Heng a device to help him breathe easier after he was often down with flu.

Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong (centre) and other ministers watching a video paying tribute to him at the PAP awards on Nov 23. ST PHOTO: SHINTARO TAY
Former MP S. Vasoo said that when his parents passed away, SM Lee gave him the encouragement to look forward and see things from a different perspective to manage the loss and grief – “Never give up, Vasoo,” he said.

Law and Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam noted that SM Lee always has a “humorous take” and is “very witty” while Ang Mo Kio GRC MP Nadia Ahmad Samdin said that SM Lee allows himself up to 20 minutes of TikTok videos in one sitting.

A media release from the party stated that SM Lee led 10 successive central executive committees (CEC) over a 20-year tenure.

He is expected to step down from the role of party chief this weekend, paving the way for PM Wong to lead the party into the next general election, which is due by November 2025.
More On This Topic
PAP must continue to represent all Singaporeans, earn strong mandate in next GE: DPM Heng
PAP to renew leadership at party conference; SM Lee expected to step down as party chief: Observers
Party cadres will gather on Nov 24 to vote for the 38th CEC and renew the party’s leadership.

On the evening of Nov 23, party cadres and activists gathered at the Expo in Changi for a night of tribute and celebration.

As part of the party’s 70th anniversary celebrations, a postcard set has been commissioned with 70 iconic moments in Singapore’s journey, said DPM Heng.

On behalf of the party, DPM Heng presented SM Lee with a gift of a watercolour painting, depicting a scene where SM Lee was engaging with Singaporeans during a walkabout at a hawker centre.

Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong speaking after receiving an appreciation gift of a watercolour painting at the PAP awards on Nov 23. ST PHOTO: SHINTARO TAY
He is pictured carrying a baby while taking a wefie with a young family, surrounded by individuals from different ages and backgrounds.

“The party is grateful to secretary-general Lee for his exemplary leadership, service and contributions to the party,” said the PAP.

All attendees also received a porcelain cup as a door gift, an acknowledgement of SM Lee’s well-known “magic cup” that he would sip from while delivering speeches to the country in different languages.

The cup bears an illustration of the four PAP prime ministers – Lee Kuan Yew, Goh Chok Tong, SM Lee and PM Wong.

The porcelain cup bears an illustration of the four PAP prime ministers – Lee Kuan Yew, Goh Chok Tong, SM Lee and PM Wong. ST PHOTO: SHINTARO TAY
The PAP also recognised 448 activists for their dedication and service to Singapore.

Besides serving their residents in the constituencies across Singapore, they were also recognised for championing causes important to Singaporeans, such as women’s development, caring for seniors and sustainability, said the PAP in its statement.

The highest honour of the evening was the Meritorious Service Star Medal, awarded to former Tanjong Pagar MP S. Vasoo, who was elected in 1984 and retired in 2001.

Former Tanjong Pagar MP S. Vasoo receiving the Meritorious Service Star Medal from PAP chairman Heng Swee Keat at the PAP awards on Nov 23. ST PHOTO: SHINTARO TAY
He has served the community for 40 years and remains a stalwart in Teck Ghee, helping to strengthen the community and improve the lives of residents, noted DPM Heng.

“Dr Vasoo was dedicated to uplifting low-income families and is affectionately known as the ‘poor man’s MP’,” he said.

 

[Aaron carter]

ChatGPT describes in detail what is a dishonourable son

https://url1.io/LfBnN

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

May Day Awards: SM Lee among 180 awardees feted for championing workers​

NTUC president K. Thanaletchimi presenting the Distinguished Comrade of Labour Award to SM Lee Hsien Loong at the NTUC May Day Awards 2025 Ceremony on April 25.

Apr 25, 2025

SINGAPORE - Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong was accorded the labour movement’s top May Day award on April 25 for four decades of dedication towards improving the lives and livelihoods of workers.

National Trades Union Congress president K. Thanaletchimi presented the Distinguished Comrade of Labour award to SM Lee at the yearly May Day awards ceremony held at Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre.

NTUC said in a statement that the highest accolade is conferred on those who have made unique and supreme contributions to the labour movement.


“In his many years of public service, he has been unwavering in his dedication to improving the lives and livelihoods of our workers and Singaporeans. Under his leadership, we were able to emerge stronger together from economic crises,” Ms Thanaletchimi said in her speech at the ceremony.

Addressing a roomful of about 1,200 guests, including awardees, their families, colleagues, union leaders and tripartite partners, she said: “Brother Hsien Loong has embodied NTUC’s principle, that every worker matters.”

She noted that it is tripartism – the three-way relationship between employers, unions and the Government – that sets Singapore apart, enabling workers to remain resilient and unified in the face of adversity.

SM Lee joins six other past recipients of the award since its inception in 1963, including his late father, founding prime minister Lee Kuan Yew, former president of the Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF) Stephen Lee and former prime minister Goh Chok Tong. The 2025 list honoured a record 180 awardees.

NTUC deputy secretary-general Heng Chee How, who read out the top award’s citation, said NTUC benefitted from SM Lee’s strong support for a wide range of initiatives, including its Job Security Council and Company Training Committee grant to help companies transform their business and workforce.

SM Lee “led the nation to take difficult but necessary measures, such as cutting Central Provident Fund (CPF) contributions to cut costs and preserve jobs”, said NTUC.


In a March 20 interview with NTUC, SM Lee recounted the Government’s decision to cut CPF contribution rates in 1985.

“It was our first recession since independence, and a very severe one. In the end, we had no choice. We had to persuade the workers. It is very drastic, but if we do not do this, we may be in for serious trouble,” he said. He was then Minister of State for Defence and Trade and Industry.

But it is through crises that personal relationships, confidence and trust are built, noted SM Lee, and this was something his team built on for subsequent occasions during crisis and non-crisis times.

He said: “In crisis, you are dealing with serious problems. In non-crisis, the temptation is to say: ‘Nothing needs to be done. We are fine, and business is good. Why do we need to go for retraining?’

“But it is when the business is good that you have a chance to do these things.”

He added that other crises like 1997’s Asian financial crisis, the global financial crisis in 2008 and the Covid-19 pandemic did come along. “The world is in turmoil, and we do not know what storms are coming. After Covid-19, we are strengthened, and we have to be prepared for something new.”

During the NTUC interview, he fondly recalled early memories of the unions as a young boy, when trade unionists would go to his family home then in Oxley Road during election campaigns and for meetings.

“There was one holiday we went to Fraser’s Hill. Must have been 1959, and I remember Dominic Puthucheary was there − he was Janil’s father,” he said. The elder Puthucheary was a trade unionist and founding member of the PAP who later went on to join Barisan Sosialis, a party formed by left-wing PAP members. The younger Puthucheary is now Senior Minister of State for Digital Development and Information and Health.

SM Lee also mentioned seeing other founding PAP members Fong Swee Suan, Samad Ismail and Lim Chin Siong in his childhood years.

“I did not know what all this was about, but this is a trade union movement, and I believed that they were fighting for a good cause, for the welfare of the people.”

When NTUC asked about the significance of the NTUC-PAP symbiotic relationship and how it helps workers, SM Lee said it is “basically getting two for the price of one”.

“Because you join a union, you get a government. You elect the government, the government works closely with the union leadership in order to make good things happen for workers in companies, in industries and in the economy,” he said, noting that unions in other places have a political party that represents them. Australia’s Labor Party and Britain’s Labour Party are such examples.

“At the same time, we are able to do it in a way that keeps the economy growing and the employers accept that this is a good way to do things in Singapore.”

Among others who were honoured was Mr Robert Yap, former president of SNEF, who received the Distinguished Service (Star) award.

NTUC said that during Mr Yap’s decade-long tenure, he was instrumental in supporting the formation of the Tripartite Workgroup on Lower-Wage Workers and advocating for structured wage progression. He was also a strong advocate for professionals, managers, and executives (PMEs), shaping career mobility and fair employment policies through the joint NTUC-SNEF PME Taskforce.

Mr Yap said the most challenging period was during the Covid-19 pandemic when businesses across sectors experienced sharp declines and many lost their jobs. Another challenge was advocating for the progressive increase in the retirement and re-employment ages.

“What stood out to me was how essential open dialogue and collaboration were during these challenging times,” he said.

Migrant domestic worker Tusirah Suradi received a Partner of Labour Movement award, in recognition of her dedication and passion as a volunteer at the Centre for Domestic Employees (CDE).

In its award citation, NTUC said that as a caregiver to an elderly employer, she provided support and generously shared advice and knowledge with other domestic workers on caring for older people, among other contributions.

Speaking to The Straits Times ahead of the ceremony, Ms Tusirah said the most memorable moments came during regular outreach activities with other domestic migrant workers on her days off.

She said: “Many opened up about the challenges they face such as homesickness and communication issues. I do my best to listen, offer advice and support them in finding ways to manage their situations.

“I hope more migrant domestic workers will step forward and join CDE as volunteers.”