Lee Kuan Yew can rest in peace knowing GE2015 results: PAP politicians

PEOPLE'S Action Party (PAP) politicians paid tribute to Singapore's founding father Lee Kuan Yew on his 92nd birthday on Wednesday, saying he can rest in peace knowing Singaporeans voted hugely in favour of the ruling party in the latest election.

Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen wrote on Facebook on Tuesday night: "Tomorrow is Mr Lee Kuan Yew's birthday, who once said that he would even 'get up' while lowered into his grave, if he felt something is going wrong for Singapore. I think Mr Lee will be in great peace about our future, knowing the results of GE2015, where Singaporeans voted in wisdom for continuity in stable politics and national progress."

Education Minister Heng Swee Keat, in a Facebook post in the wee hours of Wednesday morning, recalled the day Mr Lee turned 90 and insisted on going to Parliament despite feeling unwell and being advised by doctors against going out.

In the chambers, he was presented with a birthday cake and given a 30-second standing ovation. When members of Parliament asked Mr Lee what his 90th birthday wish was, he said it was for the Singapore government to stay clean and honest, and for all in Parliament to uphold the highest moral standards, Mr Heng recalled.

"What he said touched me deeply," Mr Heng wrote. "No matter how old he was, no matter the occasion, Mr Lee never stopped thinking about Singapore. Even when he was asked to make an impromptu birthday speech, he had only one instinct, only one wish - that we keep politics clean. It is a wish that we keep Singapore an exceptional place where Singaporeans can thrive. I hope Mr Lee will rest in peace knowing that we will take good care of Singapore and fellow Singaporeans in his absence."

Mr Heng was also Mr Lee's Principal Private Secretary (PPS) from 1997 to 2000.

Another former PPS of Mr Lee, the newly elected MP for Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC Chee Hong Tat, also posted a photo he took with Mr Lee at the latter's 91st birthday. They had celebrated it in London while on an official trip at Compleat Angler next to the River Thames.

"He chose this place because he and his delegation had dined here more than 50 years ago when they were in London to fight for Singapore's independence," Mr Chee wrote.

"Without Mr Lee and our pioneer generation of leaders and Singaporeans, we will not have today's Singapore. Let's cherish what we have achieved, build on what our pioneers have done, and work together to make this country even better!"