Singapore — An interview with the former prime minister of Singapore revealed his insights on love as well as his favourite family members.
“I don’t believe in love at first sight. I think it’s a grave mistake” is a famous quote made by the late Mr Lee Kuan Yew.
The interview transcripts are included in the book Lee Kuan Yew: One Man’s View of the World and shared by Facebook page SBS – Sure Boh Singapore on Monday (Sept 27).
When asked if he believed in love and love at first sight, Mr Lee considered the latter a “grave mistake.”
“You are attracted by physical characteristics, and you’ll regret it.”
He noted how he had married a woman, Kwa Geok Choo, whom he knew for a long time, although he had no interest in her initially.
“I had no interest in her when she was a student at Raffles College with me because I was too young and preoccupied with my work,” said Mr Lee. “But she told me later that she was interested in me.”
When Mr Lee eventually pursued Mdm Kwa, he considered it “the right choice.”
“And with every passing year, we adjusted to each other until now. Even our habits become the same as life,” he said.
Mr Lee was also asked who his favourite child and grandchild was.
“I can’t answer that question. All of them are favourites,” said Mr Lee at first.
“But I would say the most likeable fellow is my disadvantaged grandson (Li Yipeng, son of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong).”
“He’s turned out very polite, well-spoken, well-behaved, quite unexpected deal because I used to take him around,” he added.
“His mother died within a month of his birth, so my wife and I used to take him walking around the Istana. And we were very worried because he did strange things. When we changed the route, he was crying and (would) knock his head against the ground.”
Although diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome confounded by Albinism, Mr Lee said Mr Yipeng had improved over the years.
“He’s a nice lad, speaks very politely,” said the doting grandfather. /TISG