The speedy transformation of this tiny state at the tip of Malaysia was due to the first Prime Minister of Singapore, Lee Kuan Yew commonly referred to by his initials LKY. Governing for three decades (1959-1989), Lee is recognized as the nation’s founding father, with the country described as transitioning from the “3rd World to 1st world in a single generation” under his leadership. A 1st World oasis with 1st World citizensTo make Singapore “a 1st World oasis in a 3rd World region,” he told The New York Times, “We built infrastructure… The difficult part was getting the people to change their habits so they behave more like 1st World citizens.” There were campaigns – more than 200 in the ‘70s and ’80s – and the Keep Singapore Clean Campaign in 1968 was one of the first. He was elected the first Prime Minister in 1959 and successfully campaigned for Britain to relinquish its colonial rule. All they read about is that Singapore as the most competitive country, number 1 or number 2 as seaport or airport.

Source: Philippine Star September 19, 2018 15:35 UTC