Hard Truths

to Keep Singapore Going is my current read.

Singaporeans usually don't seem to appreciate what they have, until they lose something. Politicians elsewhere like to fashion themselves as the Lee Kuan Yews of so-and-so-land, as if it's a catchphrase for the citizenry and their votes. This one below from the Philippines.

In the signboard placed on top of the regular MMDA U-turn slot signage, “LIKUAN U” is printed in red and printed in black underneath it is “LEE KUAN YEW”--- the famous leader who transformed Singapore into an economic superpower and with whom the MMDA’s top official, Bayani Fernando, loves to liken himself. Fernando, who has been very vocal about his desire to run for President in next year’s elections, has been saying that he is the Lee Kuan Yew of the Philippines for “having a political will.”

And in most recently in Nigeria, its President, Goodluck Jonathan sees himself as the Lee Kuan Yew of Nigeria.

Shortly after the inauguration of the ministers last week, the newly sworn in Minister of Information and Communications, a friend and colleague in the political struggle of 1990s, Comrade Labaran Maku, showed the press a copy of From Third World to First, a book written by Singapore's former leader, Lee Kuan Yew. He said at that event the president, Goodluck Jonathan, gave out a copy to each and all ministers present. The intention was for them to read it, think it and borrow from the man's ideology.