MM Lee off to another official visit to India
Written by Our Correspondent
Singapore’s octogenarian leader MM Lee Kuan Yew had flown overseas again for an official visit to India.
According to records from the website of the Prime Minister’s Office, this is probably MM Lee’s fifth overseas trip this year.
MM Lee had just returned from the United States in October where he met up with U.S. President Barack Obama at the White House.
It is not known if he is paying for these trips or are they paid for by taxpayers’ monies.
At 86 years of age, MM Lee still toiled tirelessly in the service of the nation. Already the oldest MP in the world, MM Lee looks to set another world record should he decide to participate in the next general election due by 2011.
MM Lee had been appearing in the news lately once every two to three days, more so than his son, the Prime Minister.
As Minister Mentor, Mr Lee was paid more than SGD$2 million annually or about SGD$166,600 monthly. The median monthly salary of an average Singapore is only $2,600.
Before his departure, MM Lee found time to make a visit to his Tanjong Pagar constituency where he presented the house key to a buyer of Pinnacle@Duxton, the tallest HDB flats built in Singapore.
In a brief speech, MM Lee recalled that he had unveiled the first rental flats at the same plot of land 45 years ago in 1964.
He reassured Singaporeans that HDB flats will remain “affordable” even as its prices continue to rise.
A few days earlier, MM Lee had lectured the Japanese on the need to rejuvenate their aging leadership and to bring in young leaders like he did.
“We also have a rule, I’m the exception to the rule, I’m 86….But I’m not doing the work; I’m just forecasting… The work is being done by younger people in their late 40s and 50s. So there’s an energy and a drive, and an understanding of the contemporary world. And they are also linked up with the younger generation of voters,” he quipped.
MM Lee had been doing a lot of “forecasting” for Singapore since he assumed his position in 2003.
He once remarked famously that Singapore is entering a “golden period”. A year later, Singapore became the first Asian country to enter a recession.
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blackfeline on Tue, 15th Dec 2009 11:45 am
as usual…he will be bragging about our success story and welcoming them with open arms to our friendly shore! Is he racing against time or what? Can’t even do a decent job on home turf…travelling around (at our expenses) selling “kow yao”!
Richie on Tue, 15th Dec 2009 11:54 am
MM lee likes indian curry chicken and rice !!
real orthodox indian curry
hot, spicy and delicious smell
that is why he must be in india personally !
and roti prata too
Food tasting is very important
rico on Tue, 15th Dec 2009 11:59 am
What is wrong with LHL? Need so many people to babysit him. Ordered by his doctors not to work too hard, in case his cancer comes back?
Robox on Tue, 15th Dec 2009 12:16 pm
I was still in the now (thankfully) defunct Old SBF when Lee Kuan Yew – The Knower Of All Things Under The Sun – made his last trip to India.
There was a Chinese Singaporean and somewhat regular poster in the Old SBF who went by the handle of [serenditpity]. He was a rare Chinese Singaporean who is not only NOT antagonistic towards India (or Indians no matter where their country of origin is) for its own sake, but actually has the highest regard for India, its people, as well as its children abroad.
[serenditpity] happened to be in India when Lee Kuan Yew made his last trip to India; it was yet another of his work-related trips there.
While there, [serenditpity] kept posting on SBF that there was ABSOLUTELY NO COVERAGE of Lee Kuan Yew’s trip in the entire Indian press even though the PAP media was reporting his trip as if it were it were a huge reception that he got there.
Lee Kuan Yew, and by extension, the rest of Singapore can never even hope to be a mosquito buzzing in India’s ear despite the constant throwing of brickbats against that country, its citizens, and its children abroad.
Lee Kuan Yew, and the arrogance that he has infected ALL Singaporeans with including the opposition parties’ support base that claims to oppose – rightfully all leekuanyew-isms really need to learn a lesson or two about cutting themselves down to size.
Robox on Tue, 15th Dec 2009 12:44 pm
Thank you, TR for once again allowing through racist posts, this time by Richie on Tue, 15th Dec 2009 11:54 am.
It’s your own incompetence, that of not being able to differentiate between free speech and abusive speech (including racially abusive speech such as that Cheenak Babi, Richie’s), that will continue to make this site UNATTRACTIVE to Indians, as well as to those Malays who interpret this as the Chinese racism that will continue to threaten their well being.
TR SHOULD rightly take a MAJOR part of the blame when the next elections result not only in a PAP win but only three full MPs from the opposition parties and six half MP seats.
papa on Tue, 15th Dec 2009 12:45 pm
old man likes to waste taxpayer’s money and travel around the world. waste of time too
Sinkee on Tue, 15th Dec 2009 12:50 pm
Maybe he got important announcement to make to his lesser mortals…..from abroad
Tom on Tue, 15th Dec 2009 12:51 pm
He is now either trying to justify his $$$$$$$ pay so as to shut our mouth or something has already happening within . Else how can ALL the world class ppl asking someone so old to still do so much talking .
Sinkee on Tue, 15th Dec 2009 12:52 pm
By the way, is Fredric Fanthome following?
Sinkee on Tue, 15th Dec 2009 12:56 pm
Hard luck in contrast our older lesser mortal don’t get to travel “unnecessary” due to non-subsidy in public transport
FPC on Tue, 15th Dec 2009 1:18 pm
The old pig didn’t want to look after his sick wife in Singapore.
He is scared of sick old people.
He is clinging to life… sad
Bigi Boy on Tue, 15th Dec 2009 1:26 pm
Robox on Tue, 15th Dec 2009 12:16 pm -
You are again wrong, Robox. The Indian caste system has been in existence in India since time immemorial. MM didn’t start it. Ask the entire world.
Sadly, but (use our common sense) this scourge has contaminated and infected the entire world. No thanks to India, for sure.
Readers might wish to read up the subject on the web. Very interesting origin “varna” stuff and the politics involved with it.
Singapore is today teaching the world how to live harmoniously. It’s a known fact that India Indians are making a beeline to come here and work and take up citizenship in a country where “Lee Kuan Yew, and the arrogance that he has infected ALL Singaporeans” are the majority. The number of citizenships taken up is already in excess of Singapore’s demographic proportion.
Thanks or no thanks (grateful?) to MM and his team?
qussl3 on Tue, 15th Dec 2009 1:34 pm
@Robox on Tue, 15th Dec 2009 12:16 pm
“Lee Kuan Yew, and the arrogance that he has infected ALL Singaporeans with including the opposition parties’ support base that claims to oppose – rightfully all leekuanyew-isms really need to learn a lesson or two about cutting themselves down to size.”
Very true, we singaporeans have a very outsized opinion of our achievements.
This is probably partway caused by our MSM’s propensity for daily chest beating.
True Singaporean on Tue, 15th Dec 2009 2:02 pm
Not so long ago, an important member of India’s federal cabinet said about SG,………”They think that they know it all,” he said, noting the absurdity of a nation of four million people taking on a country of 1.2 billion people. “Even a minor Singaporean official will talk down to someone as senior as me.”
I would reckon India is giving MM enough rope to hang himself.You can also kill by kindness you know.
smallyfly on Tue, 15th Dec 2009 2:41 pm
Aiyoh! So simple, the dirtiest-oldest-man now, wants to make-use of the Indians to counter-balance the “YYYY”, mah!!! So, sure win no lose!!!
“Sure eat” 24K durian as proclaimed by his most loyal puppet gct! What is the easiest and quickest way to win the battle of containment? Make others except him to fight within each other, my dear!!! Remembered, just not long ago, he traveled all the way to the US to talk bad about China then, back to Singapore to butter-up the Chinese in APEC 2009 and now, travels to India to stir-up the Indian’s emotion against ???? (for you to guess) That’s why he is being called the DOM now, you understand, my dear!!!
True Singaporean on Tue, 15th Dec 2009 2:55 pm
@Bigi Boy, Get your facts right.
You ought to differentiate between politics and religion in India..Caste system is religious based but politics in India is democratic.Even in ancient times in India it’s politics or rule by kings were indeed quite democratic..The Kshatrias were kings NOT Brahmins..Any ordinary man can appear before the emperor to question him.Unlike imperial China,where a mere look at the emperor gets his head off.
Dr.B.R.Amadekar,a low caste,wrote the constitution of Free India.As of now the vote banks is in the hands masses.No politician in India can afford to ignore this reality.Brahmins,the high caste is no more than 3% of India’s population.
Indian psyche abhors arrogance..Mahthma Gandhi ,a barrister ,discarded his formal attire for loin cloth to be among ordinary Indians.
george on Tue, 15th Dec 2009 2:57 pm
he forecasted asian economies decoupling from the US, but look what happened to singapore … got negative GDP hahaha
why are we paying millions of dollars for this kind of forecasting service that is worse than the state’s times weather forecast
TIME TO GIVE OLD MAN A BREAK, VOTE PAP OUT, VOTE OPPOSITION
Bigi Boy on Tue, 15th Dec 2009 4:11 pm
True Singaporean on Tue, 15th Dec 2009 2:55 pm -
You have no choice “true Singaporean”. You, we, better make Singapore works ok otherwise it’ll end up another you know where. . .
And please stop bluffing. Just type “India’s Caste System” in Google Search and the pages are simply endless. It’s contemporary history that shd be taught in schools today as a lesson in toleraance & harmony otherwise . .
Go enjoy and broaden your knowledge on the caste system. It’s still very much alive as my Indian friend, a convert to Catholism, tells me. And he even tells me the crossover to Islam is much greater today to escape from this scourge.
There’s one here for posterity.
http://www.raceandhistory.com/historicalviews/casteindia.htm
Just look at Dr Maharthia. Did you know he’s a Malaysian Indian Muslim? Did you also know what his ex-cabinet colleague Nazri just branded him across the national media “Father of Racism” for asking the government to continue with the pro-Malay racial course for public servants and undergrads. Check it out!
Ahmad Ismail (another Malaysian Indian Muslim) who identifies himself as Malay (bumiputra) for the priviliges & handouts calls the non-Muslims in Malaysia “pendatang & penumpang” (immigrants & squatters) publicly recently? It’s the pot calling the kettle black, isn’t it?
So my friend has the caste system indeed spread from India with migration to the rest of the world? I don’t know.
stev on Tue, 15th Dec 2009 4:51 pm
To bigi boy…its true india still has the caste system alive in some parts of the country like in the villages with the older generations where not much of them are educated but not with the newer and educated generations now.caste is no longer a hurdle for a good education or a good job in india.people still do see caste on the social level such as marriage.
But everything is slowly changing with development and modernity. Dont blind yourself with what people say and what you read and stick to the old propaganda..live for yourself and know the facts.
Its true tat some parts of the country are still very serious about caste and religion…no changes there because there is not yet development happening there and people are not exposed to even outside of their villages or towns. its just a lack of education and exposure and….poverty that let to caste system differentiation between people according to their wealth and job…not because of religion.
Now people like you use this to bash india and its religion without any second thinking about it in knoweledgable manner..my view is that you either help others to have better life or just shut up!
True Singaporean on Tue, 15th Dec 2009 5:02 pm
@ Bigi Boy ,again get your facts right.
Dr.Mahathir’s grandfather is an Indian.But Anwar Ibrahim’s father is an Indian.How does that one makes one wrong and another right?
In fact in a recent scientific news released just a few days ago.Scientists from all over the world which includes Singapore & China acknowledged that all human migrated from India to SEA and than to China & Japan..Which makes India the mother of all Asians.And that the human race flow was from SEA to East Asia..
Educate yourself first.
jedimaster on Tue, 15th Dec 2009 5:13 pm
Give him a break for what he has done for us….even if he wants to fly to anywhere anytime…don’t bloody pick on old people…there are others more deserving of your attention…
sturmtruppen on Tue, 15th Dec 2009 5:15 pm
at this rate of jetting here and there…talking here and there….
whichever idiot who thought of this propangande exercise in trying to gain attention from local singaporeans did not think deep enough…
i don’t think local singaporeans who are trying their very best in making a living will be impressed…
furthermore….all this travelling and talking will make the old man body system stress more and come more close to failure…are they trying to use up the old man faster so he will die earlier…
MM Lee better try to slow down, not healthy travelling overseas so much…not good to extending one’s life longer or keeping oneself healthy.
Really nutty way to get attention…only the back stabbers and boot lickers will care…for the rest of us..we have to go back to real life and our loved ones.
Haiz.
Bigi Boy on Tue, 15th Dec 2009 6:18 pm
True Singaporean on Tue, 15th Dec 2009 5:02 pm -
“But Anwar Ibrahim’s father is an Indian.How does that one makes one wrong and another right?”
The answer lies below:
http://www.temasekreview.com/2009/12/15/anwar-defends-his-racist-remarks/
Tom on Tue, 15th Dec 2009 6:36 pm
Think if he can get another country to have the same FT policy , SG ppl will be quiet . None will follow as its as simple as ABC that this will affect the job available for the locals . Who cares what the GDP figure is a long as we are getting quality job and can take care of our families . Now the GDP looks good but we are all suffering .
fair and square on Tue, 15th Dec 2009 6:40 pm
Well,may be he thinks he’s HILARY CLINTON?
are we now americans?..no wonder we are all out of jobs
just like the “hardcore” americanos.
True Singaporean on Tue, 15th Dec 2009 7:11 pm
@ Bigi Boy,catch no ball lah,
If you claim Mahathir is anti chinese, be known that he led BN for more than 20 yrs.BN consist of UMNO & MIC & MCA–all race based parties.Besides during the last GE where Dr.M became the PM,Malay votes were split by Anwar.Hence it was the Chinese and Indian voters who saved his neck.Why?
Now Anwar is both anti Mahathir and now heads a coalition called PR which included PAS-religious based & DAP which is Chinese centric.
Now,leaders from both opposing coalitions in Malaysia has Indian roots.Anwar more than Mahathir…So does ethnic roots matter?
Even if it does than tell me why a Chinese centric party such as DAP would want Anwar to lead them?…if he is so racist !…… & why the need for Chinese voters to vote Mahathir to victory?
Again & again get your facts right..
All you on racism i wish to ask... on Tue, 15th Dec 2009 7:29 pm
LHL recently spoke to his Hakka Clan to encourage them to rise high and be mighty proud. Is that racism or “dialect-cism” in speak within the Chinese race. Or dialect group “caste-ing” since he and father are Hakka. Son Lim Hern kiang in PMo too and etc I shall let other lname for our wider knowledge.
Or perhaps TR can help here by request? Thank you.
Cpt on Tue, 15th Dec 2009 7:37 pm
Sometimes I pity Lky. At the age 86 he still try to go around telling people what to do. He try to maintain the family legacy.
Mamasan on Tue, 15th Dec 2009 8:14 pm
Have you guys played Black Jack before?
21!
In ASEAN there’re 11 countries.
Pick your BEST choice and go live thare instead of groaning & whining.
Sick of all the hypocrisy!
Tom on Tue, 15th Dec 2009 8:39 pm
FT policies should never have happened . Would rather have 20% un-employement and GDP – growth but create quality jobs for the locals.
Bodee on Tue, 15th Dec 2009 8:50 pm
Interesting article . . .
http://www.malaysia-today.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=28976:of-noisy-indians-and-keling-blood&catid=20:no-holds-barred&Itemid=100087
That’s the beauty of the internet today. Read all you want but stop and think as well.
Wizard of Id on Tue, 15th Dec 2009 9:53 pm
LKY’s ego is so big and inflated that he thinks the world deserves him. This time he will tell the Indians that they need to get their act together to compete with China. He will tell them to abandon their democratic principles and impose harsh laws to maintain social order. What else does he know?
The Indians will only humor him. In return he will extend aid in the form of free training for their civil servants and assistance in setting up business parks and port facilities. Business ventures will be offered where we assume the risk and they get the profits. Also accompanying him will be an entourage of up to 100 security personnel, medical staff, research assistants, businessmen, translators and God knows what and who else. I wouldn’t be surprised if he will also have food tasters and court jesters to come along too. The Singapore High Commissioner in India will earn his salary for this month to ensure everything tip top, ship shape and up to LKY’s high exacting standards. The trip will easily cost millions. And to what effect? To salve the ego of a demented megalomaniac. The Shitty Times will carry pages and pages of the Almighty. How he wagged his finger and gave advice to a civilization that existed eons before the red dot came into being. Of course, if he gets the Nobel Peace prize, it will be a fitting closure to his contributions to mankind.
The MM, SMs, DY PMs, Ministers, Parliamentary Secretaries etc and the partridge in a pear tree all take turns to go on these fully expense paid jaunts. The PM is a wimp so he doesn’t get to go. What have they got to show for all these excursions besides huge expense bills? Why isn’t this raised in Parliament? They want to run Singapore as a corporation. Heck, in a corporation such jaunts must always have a return on investment.
In short they run Singapore as though it was their own little kingdom without having to answer to anybody on anything.
First world, my foot! We are in the same class as North Korea, Monaco and Cuba in terms of democratic principles. I was going to include the Vatican but I heard that at least the Pope is elected.
We try to puff ourselves as movers and shakers in the international arena. Lets try to resolve our problems at home first before we go crusading overseas. Charity begins at home…..
MeeSiam ai Hum on Wed, 16th Dec 2009 11:10 am
Saw LKY on the news last night, he was moving very slowing as he approached to shake the hands of his Indian host.
He surely looked very old, pity the old man to have to continue to do all this work, wonder what on earth is his PM son needing his father to work so hard.
Fed-up citizen on Wed, 16th Dec 2009 11:18 am
I can also ‘forcast’ what he’s going to say,”India is another power house in the next 5 to 10 years, so inorder to ride the Indian economic train,we have to start learning the Indian language and the Indian culture,else we will be left way behind”
So, folks better go learn to speak NAY NAY fast fast and don’t forget to learn to twist your head a little whilst saying it!
Sinkapore on Wed, 16th Dec 2009 1:38 pm
@MeeSiam ai Hum, can’t blame the old man. If PM Lee were to go India, no one would give him ‘face’ at all. MM Lee’s face bigger.
nick on Wed, 16th Dec 2009 2:45 pm
funny.
nncore on Wed, 16th Dec 2009 4:54 pm
Hmmm is he there to woo talents…
Accurate on Sun, 20th Dec 2009 9:24 pm
Here, this old man know his game is over and is trying his luck elsewhere to boost his self esteeem with his so called “world view”. indian also not stupid … they will tell him to go back Singapore & stuff his mouth with Roti Long John