Who is Lee Kuan Yew? What is the education of Yew?
Lee Kuan Yew was the founding father the first prime minister of the Republic of Singapore. He adopted the policies of neutrality and non-violence while fighting for his country’s independence.
Lee Kuan Yew was born to Lee Chin Koon and Chua Jim Neo on September 16, 1923. Kuan studied at the Raffles Institution, and gained the first position in the senior Cambridge exams in Singapore and Malaysia.
He was awarded a scholarship to Raffles College, where he studied between 1940 to 1942. After the end of the Second World War, Kuan went to England and graduate with ‘Double first degree from the Fitzwilliam College.
Political Experience, People Action Party, Singapore
Yew gained invaluable political experience while working in John Laycock’s law firm upon his return to Singapore. And in 1954, he founded the people’s Action Party (PAP) with educated middle-class men. He won the Tanjong Pagar seat and became the opposition leader in the elections held in 1955.
In 1959 national election the PAP won 43 out of 51 seats of the Legislative Assembly making Yew the first prime minister of Singapore.
HDB Establishment, ASEAN
Yew established the Housing and development Board (HDB) in 1960. The HDB took steps to provide affordable housing on war footing. He also supported the referendum to form a federation comprising of Singapore, Malaya Sarawak and Sabha.
The federation proposed by the Malaysian Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman was formed in 1963, and it ended the British colonial rule of Singapore. In 1965, however, due to a variety of reasons, including racial tension, Singapore was expelled from the federation.
The Republic of Singapore was formed on August 9, 1965. Yew first solved the problem of limited natural resources in the Republic of Singapore. Two years later, he declared the policies of non- alignment and neutrality. He also ensured that the United Nations (ASEAN) accepted Singapore.
Military Service, Education for all men and women
Yew introduced compulsory military service in 1967 by assigning the task of forming the Singapore Armed Forces to the Deputy Prime Minister, Goh Keng Swee. He encouraged the use of the English language in the country.
To form the National University of Singapore, he united the English-language –based University of Singapore and the Chinese-language –based Nanyang University. In 1983, Yew established the Social Development Unit to provide opportunities to and encourage social interaction between educated men and women.
Became a Cabinet Minister after resigned Prime Minister Post, Minister Mentor
He resigned from the designation of prime minister in 1990 in favor of Goh Chok Tong, and became a senior minister in the cabinet. Later Goh Chok Tong resigned and made way for Yew’s oldest son, Lee Hsien Loong, and took the position of the ‘minister mentor’ in 2004.
Under the leadership of its first president Singapore was industrialized with the help of foreign investment that provided cheap manpower, a modern transport system, highly skilled labor, and a communication network.
The Economic Development Board was established in 1961. Singapore’s per capita income and economy developed eightfold from 1965 to 1985. Homelessness, poverty –stricken families, and unemployment also reduced during these years.
Awards and Achievements, Excellent Public Service
Yew was honored with the Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George, Order of the companions of Honor, and the Freedom of the city of London award by Britain. The Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars awarded him the Woodrow Wilson award for his excellent public service.
Yew was fond of reading and loved Tom Clancy novels that were popular for military- science and espionage stories. During his lifetime, Yew penned many books. Some of these books are From Third to First, One Man’s View of the World, The Singapore Story, and The Wit and Wisdom of Lee Kuan Yew.
Love Life and Death
Lee Kuan Yew got married to Kwa Geok Choo in 1950. They were parents to three children who went on to become great personalities. Lee Kuan Yew Died on March 23, 2015 due to Pneumonia, at the age of 91.