Lee Kuan Yew, the founding father of modern Singapore, was known for his pragmatic approach to governance and was often critical of hero worship. He believed that it was important to avoid putting people on pedestals and to focus instead on understanding and solving problems.
In one of his interviews, he said, “I’m often asked whether I’m a hero. I’m not a hero. I’ve made mistakes, but I’ve corrected them. I’ve taken tough decisions, but I’ve explained them. I’ve taken unpopular measures, but I’ve gotten results.”
In another interview, he said, “I’m a great believer in not putting up heroes on pedestals. They become myths, they become larger than life. Then, when they fall, they shatter into a million pieces, and the people who have put them up there are disappointed and disillusioned.”
In general, Lee Kuan Yew believed that hero worship was unproductive and could lead to disappointment, and he encouraged people to focus on practical solutions to the problems they faced.
I think many people respect that man because of his pragmatism, but since his decline and his death, his name is just used to milk public sympathy.
Everything since is often cringe worthy and ridiculuous, and yes, more to come.
