Latest news with #LeeKuanYew
Independent Singapore
15 hours ago
- Business
- Independent Singapore
U.S. Defence Secretary compares Donald Trump to Lee Kuan Yew, but Singaporeans say 'ah gong confirm flip in his grave'
SINGAPORE: In comments over the weekend, Pete Hegseth, the United States' Secretary of Defense, made the headlines for a comparison he made between U.S. President Donald Trump and Singapore's much-revered founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew. He characterized Mr Trump and Prime Minister Lee as 'historic men.' 'Across three decades, he built this country into one of the world's most important hubs of finance and innovation. Like the late prime minister, President Trump's approach is grounded in common sense and national interests,' Mr Hegseth said. He noted that Mr Lee's 'sage leadership, strategic vision' and 'common sense policies' had done so much for Singapore, adding that 'that's precisely what President Trump's vision is all about.' Many Singaporeans commenting online took these remarks with a huge grain of salt. A Reddit user agreed that both men are historic figures, but added, it's 'just that one brought an eastern country from third world to first. The other is bringing a Western country from the first world to the third.' Another took it a step further, replying to the comment above with, 'More like from a third world 'developed' country to a 4th Reich if you asked me.' A commenter also agreed with the 'historic' label, but added, 'But for different reasons.' 'No billionaire could control LKY,' one noted, while another argued that U.S. Presidents Bill Clinton and George Bush are more like the late Mr Lee than the current U.S. President. A commenter noted that one of the leaders united their nation while the other is succeeding in dividing theirs. Others suggested that Prime Minister Lawrence Wong might have had strong reactions to the comparison in private. 'Lmao ah gong confirm flip in his grave,' another quipped, while one added, 'I wish LKY was still around to have a witty response to this.' Some Facebook users aimed at the Defence Secretary and other U.S. officials, writing, 'The extent of how the current U.S. officers polish their supreme leader's boots at every opportunity is like replaying the last few breaths of past falling empires.' 'He has single-handedly turned the Shangri-la dialogue into a joke with this comment,' another noted. Mr Hegseth, a former Army National Guard officer, is best known as a Fox News contributor and co-host on Fox & Friends Weekend . Many Americans were surprised when he was named Mr Trump's nominee for Defence Secretary last year, even though Mr Hegseth had served as his advisor in 2016. He barely squeaked by in the confirmation hearing for the position, after U.S. Vice President JD Vance cast the tie-breaking vote, largely due to allegations of misconduct, financial mismanagement, and alcohol issues against Mr Hegseth. /TISG Read also: U.S. urges Asian allies to prepare for China's 'imminent' threat head-on
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
YAHOO POLL: Do you agree with US defence chief's comparison of Donald Trump and Lee Kuan Yew?
In his address at the Shangri-La Dialogue, a leading security and defence forum focused on the Asia-Pacific, in Singapore on Saturday (31 May), US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth invoked comparisons between President Donald Trump's approach towards the Indo-Pacific and Singapore's founding prime minister Lee Kuan Yew's well-known pragmatism, "shaped by a preference for engaging on the basis of commerce and sovereignty – not war". "These two historic men share a willingness to challenge old ways of doing things that no longer make sense. Under President Trump's leadership, we are applying this common sense approach here in the Indo-Pacific and throughout the world," he said. Other polls: YAHOO POLL: Do you support harsher punishments for animal abusers? YAHOO POLL: When in the day is best to take a shower? YAHOO POLL: Have you used an automated bot before? Hegseth was underlining the US' new approach in dealing with the rest of the world, where "America does not have or seek permanent enemies". "The United States is not interested in the moralistic and preachy approach to foreign policy of the past. We are not here to pressure other countries to embrace and adopt policies or ideologies. We are not here to preach to you about climate change or cultural issues. We are not here to impose our will on you," he said. Still, Hegseth called on Asian countries to increase their defence spending to match levels that the US expects of European allies, saying that they bear the brunt of the 'threat' of China and North Korea in their backyards. Do you agree with Hegseth's comparison of US President Donald Trump and Singapore's founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew's "common sense" approach? Related China says Hegseth is touting a Cold War mentality in calling the country a threat Top defense officials say Ukraine war has blurred lines, exposing global threats Did China take a back seat by not having its defence minister attend this year's Shangri-La Dialogue?
Free Malaysia Today
2 days ago
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Pentagon chief irks Singaporeans with Lee-Trump comparison
Pete Hegseth said like the late Lee Kuan Yew, the US president's approach is grounded in common sense and national interests. (AFP pic) SINGAPORE : US secretary of defence Pete Hegseth rankled Singaporeans on Saturday by likening President Donald Trump to the city-state's late founding premier Lee Kuan Yew. In a major speech outlining US strategy in the Asia-Pacific region, Hegseth referred to both leaders as 'historic men'. 'Like the late prime minister, President Trump's approach is grounded in common sense and national interests,' he said at the Shangri-La Dialogue which gathers key defence leaders from around the world. Lee, a British-trained lawyer, served as Singapore's prime minister for three decades. Hegseth praised his 'sage leadership and strategic vision'. 'That's what common sense policies can achieve, and that's precisely what President Trump's vision is all about.' Lee, who turned Singapore into a high-tech industrial and financial centre, remains highly revered in Singapore more than a decade after his death. Social media erupted with loud and acerbic criticism of Hegseth's comparison. 'One is historic, the other is hysteric,' said one commenter, while another remarked: 'Trump compared to Lee Kuan Yew? That's like saying instant noodles are the same as fine dining.' 'I felt a tremor just now. Must be LKY rolling hard in his grave,' said someone else on social media, using Lee's initials.
Daily Express
3 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Express
Pentagon chief irks Singaporeans with Lee-Trump comparison
Published on: Saturday, May 31, 2025 Published on: Sat, May 31, 2025 By: AFP Text Size: Pete Hegseth said like the late Lee Kuan Yew, the US president's approach is grounded in common sense and national interests. (AFP pic) SINGAPORE: US secretary of defence Pete Hegseth rankled Singaporeans on Saturday by likening President Donald Trump to the city-state's late founding premier Lee Kuan Yew. In a major speech outlining US strategy in the Asia-Pacific region, Hegseth referred to both leaders as 'historic men'. 'Like the late prime minister, President Trump's approach is grounded in common sense and national interests,' he said at the Shangri-La Dialogue which gathers key defence leaders from around the world. Lee, a British-trained lawyer, served as Singapore's prime minister for three decades. Hegseth praised his 'sage leadership and strategic vision'. 'That's what common sense policies can achieve, and that's precisely what President Trump's vision is all about.' Advertisement Lee, who turned Singapore into a high-tech industrial and financial centre, remains highly revered in Singapore more than a decade after his death. Social media erupted with loud and acerbic criticism of Hegseth's comparison. 'One is historic, the other is hysteric,' said one commenter, while another remarked: 'Trump compared to Lee Kuan Yew? That's like saying instant noodles are the same as fine dining.' 'I felt a tremor just now. Must be LKY rolling hard in his grave,' said someone else on social media, using Lee's initials. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Al Arabiya
3 days ago
- General
- Al Arabiya
Pentagon chief Hegseth irks Singaporeans with Lee-Trump comparison
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth rankled Singaporeans on Saturday by likening President Donald Trump to the city-state's late founding premier Lee Kuan Yew. In a major speech outlining US strategy in the Asia-Pacific region, Hegseth referred to both leaders as 'historic men'. 'Like the late prime minister, President Trump's approach is grounded in common sense and national interests,' he said at the Shangri-La Dialogue which gathers key defense leaders from around the world. Lee, a British-trained lawyer, served as Singapore's prime minister for three decades. Hegseth praised his 'sage leadership and strategic vision'. 'That's what common sense policies can achieve, and that's precisely what President Trump's vision is all about.' Lee, who turned Singapore into a high-tech industrial and financial center, remains highly revered in Singapore more than a decade after his death. Social media erupted with loud and acerbic criticism of Hegseth's comparison. 'One is historic, the other is hysteric,' said one commenter, while another remarked: 'Trump compared to Lee Kuan Yew? That's like saying instant noodles are the same as fine dining.' 'I felt a tremor just now. Must be LKY rolling hard in his grave,' said someone else on social media, using Lee's initials.
