Paradox and Inspiration 150: Hard Truths Hit Home

Before facing The Hard Truths, I did not have the same measure of appreciation for the leader’s vision, and less did I know the man's commitment to this country.

Lee Kuan Yew epitomises the figure of austerity and paternalistic authority. His unvarnished opinions could easily come across to others as callousness at its worst. And his brutal candour in responding to the journalists questions was startling, to say the least. Even if he hadn't quipped that he was not at all interested in impressing people, I think even his biggest opposition would not dispute that.

It's probably hard to ascribe the attributes of a benevolent and gracious leader unto him. However, he shall not be forgotten for being the architect behind Singapore's remarkable transformation from third-world country to first and his dogmatic push of ideas including a clean and green island, a corruption-free government, and a society based on meritocracy. And perhaps what stands out the most for me is his unequivocal passion for Singapore that exudes through and through. In his words - “Singapore is my concern till the end of my life.”

His firm belief in Singapore’s vulnerability had led him to making decisions that earned him high praises on international level as well as invited the most bitter criticisms at the same time. Some of his views were not easy to accept – the power of hierarchy that influences the prejudices of each race, the misgiving that the Malays in Singapore would not compromise on their religious practice and beliefs for the sake of social integration, the implication that currently all oppositions are "duds" deemed as not capable enough to rule Singapore, the belief that females should produce more children and contribute substantially to the work force at the same time (and let foreign maids hired at low cost to take over the care-giver role?), and the argument that Singapore is not yet a nation when a not-so narrow definition of “a nation” could have been anchored on instead.

While reading the book, you feel like you're bending over under the overbearing weight of his extreme empahsis of economy prowess. But I must say at some point, it did set me thinking, how often in life are we given a middle path to perform the balancing act? Sometimes it's just not a matter of striking a balance but about making a hard choice of sacrifices, is it?