“For the next thousand years, we will be here, Recognisable, Identifiable.”
That are the iconics lines from Lee Kuan Yew in the era when Singapore declared itself an independent country, in 1965.
That words are appear at the beginning of the documentary film which released on Netflix and collaboration with Channel News Asia in 2023 with the title Lee Kuan Yew, In His Own Word. The documentary about Lee Kuan Yew, the first Singapore prime minister and also the man behind the fast development of this country.
This documentary not only talk about his lifetime as the most important person in Singapore. But also it's tell ‘how his speech inspiring Singaporean, to grow into good as now’
The separation of Singapore and Malaysia
This movie first scene is tells when the Singapore decide to separate with Malaysia because the difference economy and politics systems.
In this part also shows the footage when Lee Kuan Yew open the press conference but turn into emotional opening speech about the separation in August 9, 1965.
How effective early industrial system at 1970s
The next part is highlights how Singapore built his military at 1967 and also how Singapore industial sector grow from labor surplus become labor shortage, which in turn leads to bigger wages.
But among how good the effective his system built the good development such as education and hospitality, Singaporean face the matter from language.
Responding this matter, on August 13, 1978 Lee Kuan Yew speaks delivering some narration that show the facts and his thoughts about:
“The percentage of students whose can't speak a sentence in English. However, they are not fluent in Mandarin either. He believe, Singaporean can changes this habit to use English as a mother language”
And before changes to another topic, this 2nd part were closes by narate which sound “by the late of 1970’s, Singapore's GDP grows at an average rate of 13% which is this was one of the highest in developing world until now”
Singapore 1980’s a period of progress
This part is open with narrate that tells about Chang Lin Airport which known as the crown jewels of Singapore tourism and a pillar of modernity since the first year when this sector open for public.
Narator says, that achievement was achieved by Lee Kuan Yew motto for creating success. This motto also deliveref at his election rally speech about “key to success in the new decade with one word” the main insight from that speech is
- The word that he meant is ‘productivity’.
- Productivity means the ability to use man and machines in such a cooperative way.
- Whoever governs Singapore must have that iron (manful) in him or give it up
Narrator says with that motto and Kuan Yew systems, Singapore was recognized as one of fastest economy growing in Asia region even it's only 2 decades since they became independent nation.
In recognition of those achievements, Lee Kuan Yew was invited to address his system in the U.S. Congress in 1985. The interesting fact is, he got a standing ovation from all participants when he entered the room.
Two years after the U.S. Congress. Singapore honoring several big achievement, including the completion of river cleaning which already started since 1977 and follows by introduce of the new river tourism in Singapore.
Not only that, Kuan Yew also Inaugurated Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) system which not only shifts Singapore's economy but it also shifts the quality of its citizens into higher gear.
Singapore Biggest Challenge at Early 2000's
And the final part is showing the era when the presidential were changed to Goh Chok Tong, in the second govern, Lee Kuan Yew still get the senior minister roles and that often referred as the speaker at several youth event.
The last part also tells the story when Singapore facing the economic issues and facing national endemic SARS at early 2000s. Even Kuan Yew wasn't the prime minister in this era, but for several times he still success to inspire and pushing the local workers to facing the biggest challenge in Singapore at that time through his speech.
That's is few key points from the documentary titled Lee Kuan Yew, In His Own Word. The other good things from this movie is, you also can listen from several his iconin speech and also seeing his speciality speech tone and his gesture.
