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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Monday, September 15, 2003

'I'll be in Govt as Long as I'm Able': Lee Kuan Yew

Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew of Singapore has dismissed the idea of retiring when his son takes over as prime minister, saying that he will operate within the system for as long as he is able.


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Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew of Singapore has dismissed the idea of retiring when his son takes over as prime minister, saying that he will operate within the system for as long as he is able.

In an exclusive interview ahead of his 80th birthday, which falls on Tuesday, he said he would serve in the Cabinet as long as he could contribute, and then remain a Member of Parliament while he was fit and able.

But he stressed that his presence in the Cabinet would not retard necessary changes to the Singapore system.

On the contrary, he has been egging on his younger colleagues to remake the country.

'The old system, the old paradigm is no longer valid under these new circumstances, and that we have to change,' he said.

He also acknowledged that he was slowing down with age and accumulating less first-hand knowledge for his 'data bank' than before. As a result, his involvement in immediate policy matters has declined.

The interview at the Istana elicited Mr Lee's first detailed public statement about his role after Singapore's second leadership transition in 40 years.

Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong confirmed last month that his deputy Lee Hsien Loong would take over from him before the next election.

If Mr Goh remains in the Cabinet after stepping down and there is no change in SM Lee's position, it might mean having two senior ministers in the new prime minister's Government.

Lee Kuan Yew rejected the notion of retiring simply on account of appearances. He noted that Mr Lee Hsien Loong has served as deputy prime minister for 13 years now before taking over, enough time for people to have a measure of him.

Asked if anyone would dare to tell him when he was no longer useful, he replied: 'I don't think that's true. You don't have to tell me. I can feel it when I am no longer making a contribution.'

As for his post-Cabinet plans, he will not be walking in Deng's footsteps. Instead, he indicated he plans to follow the example of former British prime ministers Winston Churchill and Edward Heath and remain an MP after retiring from Government.

Source: Agencies




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