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Countering the criticism: In SM's defence
SM LEE WAITED FOR HIM
Berita Harian editor Guntor Sadali related a personal anecdote to counter views that SM Lee was insensitive towards the minorities. He told of how, when he was reporting on the former Prime Minister's visit to Fiji in October 1982, Mr Lee had waited for him to show up before starting a chat session with reporters.
"During my absence, he told my fellow reporter-friends that in a multi-racial society, they have to put an effort to not make the minority community feel that they are being discriminated against.
"I think, because he did not want me to feel that way, he was willing to wait until I showed up."
A USEFUL GUIDE
A BH reader, Mr Mohamad Naser Ahmad, wrote to the paper to say that the book was another mark of SM Lee's achievements as former prime minister. "Even though the book is criticised across the Causeway, it can become a useful guide for Singapore's younger generation, for them to know more about Singapore's history, and how the 'father of Singapore' brought this country's name up in the world."
SEP 20 1998
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