Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew turns 80 today. For many of Singapore's younger politicians, he is seen as a elder statesman from which they have much to learn.

Producer: May Wong
First broadcast: 16 September 2003
NewsRadio 93.8

After nearly 50 years in politics, Mr Lee is well placed to play the role of mentor.

One of those who has benefited from this reservoir of experience is the Environment Minister Lim Swee Say.

He recalls vividly what Mr Lee taught him, when he was working on the Suzhou Project.

"The Suzhou project is all about software transfer, sharing with the Chinese leaders our way of nation building. So I was the Director of the Software Project office. So I had to go through a lesson with Senior Minister on what the Singapore software is all about and he told me that one core feature of Singapore software is that we adopt an eclectic approach.

"At the end of the day, I understand that eclectic approach is all about picking up the best features from the rest of the world and adapting them to our local environment. So I think that's why in my personal dealing with Senior Minister, I find it to be of tremendous benefit to us because there's so much we can learn from him," said Mr Lim.

MP for Ang Mo Kio GRC, Seng Han Thong says the Senior Minister is willing to listen if you have good reasons for your views.

He'll listen to you and if you're right, he'll praise you but he'll tell you why it cannot be done at this point in time. But if you're wrong, he'll tell you why it cannot be so. So even if your ideas, your views, don't tally with his, you'll not fear that you'll be reprimanded. Rather you'll learn a lesson from him. MP for Ang Mo Kio GRC, Seng Han Thong

Zainudin Nordin is another young MP who admires Mr Lee. "We're really fortunate to have a leader like him who's honest, dedicated and commited to the country and the people. I think we're proud of all the achievements that he has done for the country."