Patriotism, pragmatism and "iron-fistedness": theinvaluable treasure left to the world by Lee Kuan Yew (Part II)
In a televised statement after Mr. Lee Kuan Yew passing away yesterday, Prime Minister of Singapore Lee Hsien Loong called for the Singaporean people to carry on his patriotic passion and get united: “The best way to honour him would be to carry on his life's passion, and stay as one united people to keep Singapore prosperous and strong.”
If patriotism was the soul of Mr. Lee Kuan Yew's life, then “pragmatism” was for him the one and only way to strengthen his country. In Mr. Lee Kuan Yew's “dictionary” there was no shackle of any “-isms”, systems or ideas. Anything could be tried. Anything applicable would be applied. Anything that could be of help would do. That was the perfect practice of “a cat being a good one if it catches mice”. No wonder he had once said in a media interview that Deng Xiaoping was his most admired leader. As a result, Singapore has been growing up under the Western modernised management combined with the Eastern way of being disciplined.
With patriotism as the core value and pragmatism the core principle, during the time when Mr. Lee Kuan Yew led Singapore, particularly in the 30 years when he was the prime minister, he had imposed strict laws and harsh penalties to rule the country with an iron fist and never once become softened. He held Western democracy in high regard and encouraged innovation, but if his bottom line was crossed and his rule threatened, then sorry, opposition politicians advocating opposing the government would be arrested and rumour-spreaing media outlets be shut down. National security and overall interests had always been put above democracy and human rights. All this made those who admired Singapore's achievements yet had to make a living by advocating democracy gnash their teeth in hatred.
Mr. Lee Kuan Yew, a person who was patriotic, pragmatic and handled everything following the law throughout his life, had visited Hong Kong many times in his lifetime, both before and after the territory's return to Chinese rule. In his acceptance speech of honorary doctorate offered by the Chinese University of Hong Kong in 2000, Mr. Lee Kuan Yew commented on the “one country two systems” and Hong Kong's political development. His foresight and sagacity, as well as his outspokenness, are really spectacular and admirable.
Mr. Lee Kuan Yew pointed out that the British Hong Kong government under Chris Patten had misled Hong Kong people to believe in some things Beijing could never allow to do. Beijing would never allow Hong Kong to become the Trojan Horse in The Procession of the Trojan Horse in Troy, or a “model” to influence the Mainland and bring changes. The Central Government in fact was very lenient toward Hong Kong. Hong Kong could do anything as long as it did not affect the country. The Central Government in fact had already given Hong Kong many supports such as allowing State Owned Enterprises (SOEs) and Mainland companies to invest in Hong Kong and allowing Mainland residents to make individual trips to Hong Kong. At the same time, he also reminded that Hong Kong people should remember that the benefits given to Hong Kong by the Central Government were like tap water. The tap was turned on at the moment but could also be turned off. Hong Kong shouldn't require from the Central Government anything beyond “one country two systems”. What Hong Kong could do was to understand and accept certain restrictions under “one country two systems”. And within such a framework Hong Kong could continue to prosper and develop.
In the most excellent part in his speech that must be read, Mr. Lee Kuan Yew finally pointed out: “Hong Kong people have up till 2007 when their Constitution will be reviewed. If they can persuade the leaders in Beijing that they are willing to work within the framework of the PRC [People's Republic of China] and SAR constitutions, there could be advances that will enable the territory to have more representative and participatory government.”
We cherish the memory of Lee Kuan Yew because he had brought progress and wisdom to human society. Hong Kong society and the SAR Government, that are facing difficulties in political reform, economic development and improving people's livelihood, should seek enlightenment and draw inspiration from Singapore and this great man.
(End)
24 March 2015
