Singaporeans in Sydney - Remembering Lee Kuan Yew

The death of Lee Kuan Yew has had a profound impact on many Singaporeans. Over the last week, we have seen the tens of thousand queuing to attend the laying in state and the events held in neighbourhoods. We've seen the normally reserved Singaporeans cry, posted on Facebook and even publically shout out their emotions.

Mr Lee's death has also impacted on Singaporeans and ex-Singaporeans living abroad. In Sydney, Australia, many Singaporeans have followed Facebook and live streaming through Channel News Asia on news and historical videos of Mr Lee's life. 

Living abroad, we don't often talk to each other about our origins particularly at work. It's often seen as a making someone stand out in the very multicultural Sydney. Sydney's multicultralism is far greater than in Singapore with 50% of her population born abroad. However, with most of Singapore's youth brought up in an environment of tolerating each other's culture, Singaporeans fit right into Sydney's multicultural landscape. 

Mr Lee's passing has brought interesting comments at work, including Singaporeans asking me, "Are you Singaporean too?" Something which seldom gets brought up. And the next question have normally been, "Have you heard about Lee Kuan Yew's death?" Apparently, his death has united Singaporeans in a unique way even overseas.

In Sydney, members of the public were able to access a public condolence book at the Singapore Tourism Board in Sydney CBD between 26-27 March 2015.

It all culminated on Sunday, with the Temasek Club (NSW), hosting an event with the live streaming of Channel News Asia's coverage of Lee Kuan Yew's state memorial service. This was held at Baa Theatre in Darling Harbour. Singaporeans living up to 2 hours by public transport away gathered.

In typical Singaporean fashion, orderly queues started hours before the event under the hot Sydney sun. There were workers, students, families and the elderly. Many brought white roses and orchids. Organisers handed out black ribbon pins. People signed the condolence books before filling the theatre to capacity.


There wasn't a dry eye in the theatre as people watched the funeral possession. They were one in spirit with the thousands who bravely lined the streets in torrential rainfall back home. They stood when Mr Lee was brought into in University Cultural Hall. They stood to recite the pledge. They stood to sing the National Anthem, Majulah Singapura.

Singaporeans in Sydney stand united with those back home in remembering Mr Lee Kuan Yew. We appreciate the things his government has given us. They are the very same things we lose when we live abroad - being treated fairly despite being of a different race at school or work, being safe from most violent crime, having a fair chance of owning our own home, having access to affordable child care and being under a government which plans further than the next election.

Thank you Mr Lee for your dedication and hard work all your years in government.

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