Early in March i picked up LKY’s autobiography. Less than a month later his health is dipping, the nation steeling ourselves for the eventual. I am not devastated, that would be overdramatic of me – but definitely more saddened than i thought i’d be, given how inevitable death is for everyone. He might be brilliant, but he is mortal. It is perhaps this reminder of his human fallibility that shakes us.
The pebble of loss already sits heavily somewhere at the back of my mind. It exists not only for the man who founded my Singapore, but simply for a man who was slicingly sharp; harsh maybe, but undeniably intelligent. Cleverness is probably the trait i revel most in, all things aside, and Mr Lee was one of the cleverest.
The man deserves a peaceful, painless death; and dignity in departure. This is all i pray for everyday since PMO released the updates.
Unpopular opinion, perhaps, but i think it cruel to wish him a recovery. At his age, what would recovery be but temporary or torturous? To be frank, i think LKY himself knows he’s done all he wanted to, and he’d find peace in finally being with his wife. I get that most who wished him to get well soon are concerned and well-meaning, though.
Ultimately i’m quite heartened that everyone has been appreciative of LKY. Even the sector with reservations about PAP’s ways are magnanimous enough to recognize respect where it’s due. Well besides the idiots who released false statements of course. Shit, that boiled my blood. Even if it weren’t LKY, even if it were a completely unknown citizen, think of how hurtful it is for his family.
It wasn’t even funny, not that humor would have justified the act at all. It made me cringe, thinking about the poor guy who had invested decades building a safe home for us, and getting these meaningless boliao crap. The Asian child in me was stricken with shame, seriously, it was like witnessing a wild sibling waving his genitals about at the sickbed of our parent. I mean, alright, you want to blame him for being strict with you – but c’mon. Grow up.
Also a great pain to watch was the #prayforLKY selfies on Instagram. My god all the frolicking on green grass, phony mournful expressions while showing your best angles, spending half an hour on meituxiuxiu overlaying LKY images and finding the most flattering filters. Ok but all of you make me sick. You want to selfie then go do so indulgently all you want, stop trying to parade your compassion under the guise of concern.
Sorry this had to turn the corner into rant city. It is just quite sad to have LKY’s illness being taken so carelessly by frivolous people. Of course that’s just an exceptional few. I hope he doesn’t come to know of these nonsense, because i’m sure he’d be embarrassed by their triviality. Instead i pray that he knows of the surprisingly effusive outpouring of love and respect from the majority, and if he does go soon – may he go in peace.
Q 