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Free Malaysia Today
3 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.
CNA
3 days ago
- Business
- CNA
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth compares Donald Trump with Singapore's Lee Kuan Yew
SINGAPORE: US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth on Saturday (May 31) likened US President Donald Trump to Singapore's founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew. In a major speech outlining US strategy in the Asia-Pacific region, Mr 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. Mr Lee served as Singapore's prime minister for three decades. Mr 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." Mr Lee, who turned Singapore into a high-tech industrial and financial centre, remains highly revered in Singapore more than a decade after his death.
