People's Association offers condolences on the demise of its founding chairman

Deputy Chairman of People's Association (PA) Lim Swee Say sent a his condolences to Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on behalf of the PA and its Grassroots Organisations' Movement.

"We are deeply saddened by the passing of your father and the father of independent Singapore, Mr Lee Kuan Yew. On behalf of the People's Association (PA) and the grassroots movement, I would like to extend our deepest condolences to you and your family," Mr Lim wrote in the letter.

This is the full text of the letter:

Dear Prime Minister,

We are deeply saddened by the passing of your father and the father of independent Singapore, Mr Lee Kuan Yew. On behalf of the People's Association (PA) and the grassroots movement, I would like to extend our deepest condolences to you and your family.

Mr Lee founded the PA more than 50 years ago at a time when Singapore was divided. In his words, he was determined to "draw (the people) together into a close-knit community" and "break down the linguistic and cultural barriers that divide the people". So he established a network of Community Centres which has been upgraded and updated till today to serve and bring together Singaporeans of all ages, races and backgrounds. He also started the Residents' Committees which, together with the Neighbourhood Committees, are today the basic building blocks of a socially connected Singapore.

In setting up the PA, Mr Lee laid the foundation for the government to be closer to the people and the people closer to the government. He visited the ground frequently and heard personally from Singaporeans their anxieties and aspirations. To ensure that the grassroots movement would stay relevant and effective, he took special interest in nurturing community leadership, first by setting up the Goodwill Committees which later became the Citizens' Consultative Committees, followed by the CC Management Committees. Together, the two have become the core of the grassroots movement till today.

We are grateful to Mr Lee for the peace, harmony and unity Singaporeans enjoy today. Mr Lee's vision of a united and harmonious multi-racial nation is a work-in-progress that will never end. He will always be the inspiration to us all in the grassroots movement.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this time of sorrow.