I find the criticism by ex-Singaporean (Malayasiakini 1/03/07 ) regarding the extravagance of Mrs Lee kuan Yew totally unfair and without merit.First and foremost, the writer fail to appreciate what this great man has done for this small nation state, the neighbours call the'red dot'.His transformation of this small nation bereft of any natural resources to what it is today is an economical miracle no modern day country can ever emulate.I say it with envy because as a Malaysian Ihave the fortune to witness four past Prime Ministers and five including the present one and sad to say none of them can ever measure to this great Singapore icon.
The writer begrudged the Singapore premier for converting a Boeing 747 to fly his ailing wife to London for medical treatment and called it extravagant.The round trip perhaps may cost $5 million but does he know how much it cost to buy one?The one bought by our P.M cost about $210 million and that does not include expenditure on maintenance and stand-by crew.From this comparison alone we can see the cost saving incurred despite his one off expenditure to charter the flight to London.
No Singaporean in his right mind would begrudge such a luxury to this great man who have brought Singapore from obscurity to a prosperous first world nation.As a Malaysian I have never cease to admire this great man and it would be a dream for me to shake his hand and seek his autograph in his book 'Memoirsof Lee Kuan Yew.'
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