SINGAPORE - The committee in charge of coming up with the concept of the Founders' Memorial, which will honour Singapore's first generation of political leaders, met for the first time on Tuesday.
Its work will span at least 18 months, during which it will tap people for ideas by going online as well as using focus group discussions.
The group, with 15 members, is seeking to produce a concept for "a memorial that will best reflect the founding ideals and values that will continue to inspire us all, including generations of Singaporeans to come," said its chairman Lee Tzu Yang.
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said in Parliament in April the memorial will honour founding prime minister Lee Kuan Yew and his core team. They included Dr Goh Keng Swee, Mr S. Rajaratnam, Mr Othman Wok, Mr Hon Sui Sen and Mr Lim Kim San.
PM Lee also said the late Mr Lee was always conscious he did not act alone, but was "first among equals" of a multiracial team that complemented one another and trusted one another implicitly.
The group comprises representatives from fields that range from heritage, architecture, and education to academic research and community engagement.
Its members are:
- Mr Lee Tzu Yang, chairman of The Esplanade
- Ms Lina Chong, assistant director for student affairs at Nanyang Polytechnic
- Professor Lily Kong, vice-provost for academic personnel at National University of Singapore (NUS); she will be provost at Singapore Management University from September
- Ms Kuik Shiao-Yin, Nominated Member of Parliament and co-founder of social enterprise group The Thought Collective
- Ms Lee Huay Leng, adjunct assistant professor of Chinese studies at NUS and editor of evening daily Lianhe Wanbao
- Mr Ong Keau, director of administration at National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) Administration and Research Unit, and deputy executive secretary of the United Workers of Electronic & Electrical Industries
- Madam Dolly Par, chairman of Cashew Senja community club management committee, and director of human resources at property and building materials firm Solid Resources
- Mr Gopinath Pillai, ambassador-at-large at the Foreign Affairs Ministry and chairman of the Institute of South Asian Studies
- Ms Druga Rajendran, research assistant at NUS Business School anda youth mentor with various self-help groups.
- Mr Sidek Saniff, former senior minister of state for education and the environment
- Mr Timothy James de Souza, board member of People's Association, member of the Presidential Council for Minority Rights, and chairman of Pioneer Generation Appeals Panel
- Mr Tai Lee Siang, group managing director of architectural firm Ong & Ong Group
- Mr Tan Aik Hock, chairman of Singapore Lam Ann Association, vice-chairman for finance at Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan, and council member of Singapore Federation of Chinese Clan Associations
- Mr Zahidi Abdul Rahman, president of Singapore Malay Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and principal architect at Zahidi AR Arkitek
- Madam Haslinda Zamani, principal of Tanjong Katong Secondary School
