showSidebars ==
showTitleBreadcrumbs == 1
node.field_disable_title_breadcrumbs.value ==

Mr Lee Kuan Yew

Mr Lee Kuan Yew

Former Singapore Minister

About The Speaker

Mr Lee Kuan Yew was Singapore’s first Prime Minister and an integral figure in transforming the country into the cosmopolitan financial centre spotting a first world skyline it is now. During his premiership, he led Singapore through its merger with Malaysia and later separation and independence in year 1965. The country blossomed into a first world economic hub and the PAP also won the General Elections 8 times under his leadership. In 1990 he was appointed as Senior Minister and later Minister Mentor in 2004.

He has since left cabinet after the 2011 Singapore General Elections to allow the current Prime Minister and also his son, Mr Lee Hsien Loong and his team to govern the country.

An Entrepreneurial Culture for Singapore

5 February 2002

The remaking of Singapore does not mean we throw out every strength and virtue we have developed.

Speaking at the inaugural Ho Rih Hwa Leadership in Asia Public Lecture Series, former Singapore Minister Mentor Mr Lee Kuan Yew, alluded to the four salient features of America’s entrepreneurial culture: a national emphasis on personal independence and self-reliance, respect for those starting new businesses, acceptance of failure in entrepreneurial efforts and tolerance for a high degree of income disparity. He called for a change of culture, values and mindset towards encouraging more entrepreneurs. Mr Lee believed that while entrepreneurship is latent in Singapore society, it is not extinct, and the key to unlocking this latent potential lies in the education and inspiration of the youth.

View Full Speech Event Videos Event Photos

Media Coverage

SM points the way to stronger economy

Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew spelt out steps that Singapore can take to foster a more entrepreneurial culture and held out hope that some managers might yet be turned into entrepreneurs, citing the example of the late businessman-envoy Ho Rih Hwa, who was Singapore's ambassador in Bangkok, Brussels and Bonn in the 1960s and 1970s. This was a fitting tribute as Mr Lee was speaking at the inaugural Ho Rih Hwa Leadership In Asia public lecture organised by the Singapore Management University (SMU) last night. The event was chaired by Mr Ho Kwon Ping, chairman of the SMU board of trustees, who is also the son of Mr Ho Rih Hwa. The Straits Times

Change our value and develop an entrepreneurial culture

Yesterday, about 1,400 people attended the Ho Rih Hwa Leadership in Asia lecture at Suntec Singapore.
SM Lee was the inaugural guest speaker at the annual event organised by SMU. Lianhe Zaobao

SM spells out changes needed to boost entrepreneurship

Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew hinted at two new measures to help boost Singapore's entrepreneurial spirit – releasing more government scholars to the private sector and lower taxes. Speaking at the inaugural Ho Rih Hwa Leadership in Asia Public lecture organised by SMU, he said, “For over 30 years we have aimed for an egalitarian society. If we want to have successful entrepreneurs, Singaporeans have to accept a greater income disparity between the successful and not so successful." The Business Times

Contradiction called S'pore

At the inaugural Ho Rih Hwa Leadership in Asia Public lecture organised by SMU, Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew argued that although entrepreneurs are ‘born' and not ‘made', Singapore must strive to produce more. He claimed the lack of entrepreneurs is due to many of the most able people being drawn into politics, the bureaucracy and the armed forces. Changing a culture that is drawn to the security such jobs offer would be a considerable challenge. TODAY

More able and resourceful officers will be released to the private sector

SM Lee was the inaugural guest speaker for the Ho Rih Hwa Leadership in Asia lecture, held at Suntec Singapore on Tuesday. The annual event organised by SMU, was established by Mrs Ho Lien Fung, with a $500,000 donation to SMU in memory of her late husband, Mr Ho Rih Hwa, former Singapore Ambassador and successful businessman. Lianhe Wanbao

USA Inc – SM Lee Kuan Yew on Entrepreneurship

Senior Minister Lee said Singapore needed to adopt some new values. He was speaking at the inaugural Ho Rih Hwa Leadership in Asia Lecture at Suntec Singapore. He said Singapore could pick up four salient features of America's entrepreneurial culture, and identified them as: A national emphasis on personal independence and self-reliance; Respect for those starting new businesses; Acceptance of failure in entrepreneurial and innovation efforts, and; Tolerance for a high degree of income disparity. Streats

SM to Towkay-Wannabes: Be like Sim or get a job

Senior Minister Lee said that, while being rich is everyone's dream, one has to have “a cut of mind that sees opportunities where others see problems” to get there. SM Lee was speaking at the first Ho Rih Hwa Leadership in Asia lecture, entitled An Entrepreneurial Culture For Singapore. It was a talk on how to become a successful businessman in Singapore. He also used local businessman Sim Wong Hoo of Creative Technology as an example. “He attended a neighbourhood school. He went to polytechnic. But he has the drive.” The New Paper

Tickets to Senior Minister's lecture snapped up

Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew will speak at the Ho Rih Hwa Leadership in Asia Public Lecture on the 5th of next month. The organizer received overwhelming response with the announcement and tickets have all been snapped up. Lianhe Zaobao

Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew will speak on Entrepreneurial Culture for Singapore at the Ho Rih Hwa Leadership in Asia Public Lecture

Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew will speak at the Ho Rih Hwa Leadership in Asia public lecture, at Suntec Singapore on the 5th of next month. The topic is "An Entrepreneurial Culture for Singapore". Lianhe Zaobao

SM Lee to speak on entrepreneurship

Singaporeans need to move from being managers to striking out on their own as businessmen. But how do you form a be-your-own-boss culture for the nation? The Senior Minister will speak about this issue during the inaugural Ho Rih Hwa Leadership in Asia lecture to be held on Feb 5 at Suntec City. It is part of a series of public lectures organised by SMU. The Straits Times

SM Lee to talk on Ho Rih Hwa's services

Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew will speak at the inaugural Ho Rih Hwa Leadership in Asia public lecture on Feb 5. In a statement issued by SMU, the event's organiser, SM Lee said he felt it was important for him to speak “because I am obligated to Ho Rih Hwa for his past services to Singapore”. TODAY