SINGAPORE — Minister for Manpower Tan See Leng has informed that a commemorative coin will be introduced by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) later this year as a reminder of the late Mr Lee Kuan Year’s values and vision. The respective agencies will announce more details in due course.

This was said in response to the parliamentary question filed by Member of Parliament Sitoh Yih Pin on whether there are plans to observe the 100th anniversary of former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew (LKY)’s birth., and to reflect on his contributions and the values he had stood for.

Late Mr Lee, Singapore’s founding Prime Minister and co-founder of the ruling People’s Action Party, was born on 16 September 1923. Mr Lee served as Singapore’s Prime Minister from 1965 to 1990 and remained in the Cabinet from 1990 to 2011 as Senior Minister and subsequently Minister Mentor.

Dr Tan shared that many groups from the community business leaders, the grassroots, academia, media, have come up with ideas to pay tribute as they felt it was important to remember Mr Lee’s contributions to Singapore and the ideas that he represented.

“They especially wanted to raise the awareness of Mr Lee’s contributions amongst Singaporean youths, many of whom were very young or not yet born when Mr Lee stepped down from the cabinet. Some ideas that have been suggested include conferences to examine Mr Lee’s legacies, publications drawing inspiration from Mr Lee’s values and life, work and activities to engage a new generation of Singaporeans on Mr Lee’s role in Singapore’s history.”

He also shared that some business leaders have also proposed setting up a fund for private donations that will go towards supporting educational causes.

“Education was a cause dear for Mr Lee’s heart, and they felt that the fund would be a fitting tribute to him. The Government is working with these parties to coordinate these efforts,” said Dr Tan.

“On the government’s part, some agencies have planned initiatives for this year in which Mr Lee will feature, for example, the National Heritage, bought as an ongoing traveling exhibition for the Founder’s Memorial as part of a public call for artefacts and stories from the nation-building year later this year. They will have a more extensive exhibition at the National Museum on Key Historical Milestones.”

This year also marks the 60th year of Singapore’s greening journey since Mr Lee launched the first tree-planting campaign in 1963. The National Parks is said to be holding various activities to mark this milestone.

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