Singapore—Many netizens seem delighted at the candid photos of a relaxed Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, seen enjoying family time at the Botanic Gardens.
The Prime Minister and his wife were seen with their toddler granddaughter, sitting on a blanket on the grass. In some photos, which were taken at a concert by the Singapore Chinese Orchestra (SCO) on April 6, Saturday, PM Lee is taking pictures of Mrs Lee and the little girl, and in others, he is showing the child something on his screen.
The photos were uploaded by Facebook user 媛來就在新加坡, and her post has been widely shared since she uploaded them on April 7.
The poster wrote, “The Prime Minister’s family is just like yours and mine.”
She noted that he behaved like a typical grandad, taking photos of the child and that he also took selfies. She also wrote that there was no big security detail and that the Prime Minister and his family had not been given VIP seating, but had joined the rest of the audience.
For her, the scene “embodies the environment in Singapore’s equality, mutual respect, and the coexistence of racial harmony.”
She added that while it could be said that PM Lee may be “putting on a show for the general election,” his style was still deeply grounded, mentioning that he lined up to buy food at a hawker center, and hosted the Sichuan Gold Council as well.
She ended her post with a hashtag wishing him well and that he would live to be a hundred years old.
#阿媛說星國今天阿媛的朋友圈都被這組照片洗版！！李顯龍總理帶著太太與孫孩子參加植物園的音樂會。總理一家就像你我，拿塊野餐墊席地而坐，總理夫人斜躺在草坪。也像各家爺爺，瘋狂拍攝孫女。他還俏皮自拍，不知有沒有開美顏？沒有大批警力，沒…
Posted by 媛來就在新加坡 on Sunday, 7 April 2019
There were many other netizens who posted photos of PM Lee at the concert. One woman, Victoria Li, showed the PM posing with a young boy, and Ms Li points out that the Prime Minister had holes in his socks, a fact that netizens say prove his simplicity and humility.
真的难以置信日后的日子更不会有压力了我国大总理的袜子有洞总理夫人也可笑啊啊妻子何易当
Posted by Victoria Li on Sunday, 7 April 2019
Another poster, Cathy Jian, showed more photos of PM Lee playing with the baby girl.
今天总理又被刷屏了～没有人围观，没有清场、没有大批警察，也没有人打扰。像普通人家一样在植物园享受天伦之乐，这就是在新加坡人人平等、互相尊重、各种族和谐共处的环境。大爱～
Posted by Cathy Jian on Saturday, 6 April 2019
PM Lee wrote about his experience at the Botanic Gardens on April 6 on his Facebook account as well, writing, “Spent a relaxed evening at the Singapore Botanic Gardens yesterday for the Singapore Chinese Orchestra’s Spring at the Gardens concert.
We’ve had some wet weather lately, but fortunately conditions were perfect for yesterday’s performance! The orchestra performed spring and nature-themed pieces to celebrate the Gardens’ 160th anniversary. Also took the opportunity for a #jalanjalan, since the weather was good. How did you spend your weekend? – LHL”
Spent a relaxed evening at the Singapore Botanic Gardens yesterday for the Singapore Chinese Orchestra’s Spring at the…
Posted by Lee Hsien Loong on Sunday, 7 April 2019
His post and photos went over well with many commenters.
Read also: Is Lee Hsien Loong pining for his younger brother?
https://theindependent.sg.sg/is-lee-hsien-loong-pining-for-his-younger-brother/