quotes on Lim Chin Siong

The late Lim
Chin Siong died in
1996. He was very
active on the political
scene in the 1950s and part of the 1960s until his arrest in 1963. At first
a member of the PAP,
he later left the party
to form the Barisan Socialis in 1961 with other politicians such
as Dr Lee Siew Choh.

Whether for or against his political beliefs, the late
Lim Chin Siong, a former leader of the Barisan Sosialis, made an impact on both his political rivals as well as friends.

"Occasionally, we talked about it (politics). He was glad that Singapore has developed very well under the PAP Government, I think he appreciates what the PAP government has been doing but I think there's still a little bit here and there that he doesn't agree with."

(Dr Lee doesn't think Mr Lim regretted his part in Singapore's past.) "He was doing what he thought was best for the people of Singapore."

-- Dr Lee Siew Choh, 79, had known Mr Lim since 1961, when they were members of the Barisan Socialis (The Straits Times, Feb 6, 1996)

"I had good regard for him. He was a dedicated politician, but questionable because he was left-wing. He never did anything stupid or incorrigible and never did anything for money, and in that way, he was clean."

-- Former Senior Minister S Rajaratnam, 82 (The Straits Times, Feb 7, 1996)

Dr Toh Chin Chye at Lim Chin Siong's funeral

Dr Toh Chin Chye (bowing) paying respects. From right, the late
Mr Lim's wife, Madam Wong Chui Wan and her sons, Zi Yi and Zi Kuan.

"Lim Chin Siong and the Communist Party played a very important part in Singapore's political history and if they had won, Singapore would be very different today."

-- Former Deputy Prime Minister Toh Chin Chye, 75, said during the funeral of Mr Lim Chin Siong in February 1996 (The Straits Times, Feb 7, 1996)

"He was a very kind and sensitive person and he never discriminated against any colour or creed."

-- Mr A Mahadeva, 65, a business consultant who had known the late Mr Lim for over 40 years (The Straits Times, Feb 7, 1996)

"The irresistible tidal wave of anti-colonialism which convulsed Singapore in the 1950s up to the mid-'60s found in him its leading and most eloquent voice, and I do not regret having been one of his closest comrades."

Below is an excerpt of the obituary note on Mr Lim Chin Siong by Mr Lee Kuan Yew. (The Straits Times, Feb 9, 1996)

I liked and respected him for his simple lifestyle and his selflessness. He did not seek financial gain or political glory. He was totally committed to the advancement of his cause.

He and many of his comrades, graduates from the Chinese middle schools, taught my colleagues and me the meaning of dedication to a cause.

They were prepared to sacrifice everything for their cause, and many did. Some lost their lives in the jungles, many were banished to China.

Because of the standards of dedication they set, we, the English-educated PAP leaders, had to set high standards of personal integrity and spartan lifestyles to withstand their political attacks. They were ruthless and thorough. We became as determined as they were in pursuing our political objectives.