Recollecting the week of 23rd March
It took time for my thoughts and emotions to
settle down. Emotions are curious and unpredictable, and fluctuations abound. Thoughts
are strange and varied, skipping from one to the next, some half-formulated,
some complete. Some I remember, some I do not, no matter how hard I tried.
---
I had just returned from a long and tiring trip
from Malaysia. That was on Sunday, 22nd March. The latest update
then was that Mr Lee’s condition has further deteriorated from the “critically
ill” update on 18th March. Before the trip, I casually mentioned to
my sister that I hoped the inevitable will only happen after we returned to
Singapore. She asked why. I shrugged.
Maybe it is because I hoped to share this
significant moment with the country I came to call home and who accepted me as
part of them. I want to share the anguish with my fellow citizens. I recognised
that it is a selfish desire, for who can control when one goes and why would
one want to do that? I will not try to justify myself, but it also stems from
the desire to have Mr Lee around for as long as possible.
I received the news on Monday morning, when I
awoke to inform my colleagues and my superior that I have to take urgent sick
leave. I was feeling under the weather due to the lack of rest and constant
rushing. There it is, as I peered at my mobile, the announcement from the Prime
Minister’s Office (PMO) on the passing of Mr Lee Kuan Yew. I quickly sent the email
for my leave and then went into the Channel NewsAsia website to confirm the
news. It was true.
Settling back in bed, I read the article on
Channel NewsAsia, which documented Mr Lee’s life: his education, how he started
in politics, his achievements – both personal and for Singapore, and his family
life. It was when I got to the part about his policy on bilingualism the tears
came forth. I sobbed quietly, afraid to wake my sleeping sister.
I cannot say that I know Mr Lee well. What I
know came from history and social studies textbooks. That was the extent of it.
However, on Monday itself, Channel NewsAsia was channel of the day. I sat there (weariness be damned) watching
documentary after documentary of the recently passed Mr Lee. THE. WHOLE. DAY. I
must say I learnt a lot, about Singapore’s history and the man himself, far
more than what I had gotten from my social studies and history classes.
---
Much has been said about the late Mr Lee in the
past week. I cannot and will not add on, it would be inadequate, and pointless.
How do you sum up the years, the achievements, the aspirations, all the blood,
sweat and tears in mere words? This is the limitations and inadequacy of
language. How do I expound on someone who I do not know personally yet felt
such profound anguish for? It would be unqualified.
The evidence speaks for itself. The country,
Singapore, is testament. The outpouring of gratitude and thanks from the still
grieving nation is confirmation.
---
Throughout the past week, the nation has come
together to pay their last respects and give tributes at various Community
Tribute Sites and at the Parliament House where Mr Lee’s body was lying in
state. Queues were long and the waiting time stretched from 2 hours to 10. What
have we seen?
An undeterred nation. Even when the queue was
suspended, some waited while others returned when it reopened, only to wait
some more.
A grateful nation. Tears of grieve. Tears of
anguish. Heartbreak. It was a painful yet somehow consoling sight.
A gracious nation. We have heard of the ugly
Singaporeans. But the past week has proven that the good Singaporean does exist
with kind sharing, untiring volunteering and generous giving.
---
The mourning ended with the state funeral on
Sunday, 29th March. Many lined the streets under torrential rains,
to accompany Mr Lee on his final journey through the nation he toiled for. It
was a truly heart-rending picture.
But is it over? I doubt so, not for many of us.
During this mourning period, I see that we can indeed become a better
Singapore, a united Singapore. I have the utmost confidence that we will make
it and bring Singapore through to another brilliant 50 years.
Here’s to SG100.
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