SINGAPORE - The late Mr Lee Kuan Yew will be on a new commemorative $50 note that is already in production, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in Parliament on Monday.
The note will feature a transparent panel showing Mr Lee with fist raised, leading the crowd with the rallying cry of "Merdeka!" which means "freedom" in Malay.
The design had been finalised in 2014.
The $50 note is part of a SG50 commemorative set of notes that capture significant achievements in Singapore's history, and the values and aspirations that underpin the country's progress. The set also includes five $10 notes.
"We had hoped that Mr Lee would launch the commemorative set of notes himself. Sadly that is not to be," said PM Lee.
"But we have decided to continue with the project and will launch the notes later this year. They will form part of our SG50 celebrations, which will honour our founders even as we pledge ourselves to continue their work," he said.
PM Lee added that printing Mr Lee's image on Singapore's currency notes and coins, which Ms Foo Mee Har (West Coast GRC) and Dr Lily Neo (Tanjong Pagar GRC) suggested, "is certainly something we can consider for the future".
In response to a suggestion by Dr Neo that Changi Airport be renamed for Mr Lee, given his decisive role in relocating the airport from Paya Lebar to Changi, PM Lee reiterated that these decisions should not be rushed, but be made over adequate time so that future generations do not regret any such moves.
For PM Lee's full speech, please click here.
Straits Times e-books on Mr Lee Kuan Yew
The e-books are available on Apple's iPad (but not iPhone), and Android tablets and smartphones from The Straits Times Star E-books app. To get them:
- Go to the Apple App store on your iPad, or Google Play Store on your Android tablet or smartphone.
- Type "The Straits Times Star" to search for The Straits Times Star E-books app.
- Download it onto your iPad or Android device.
- Go to "I'm just browsing"
- You will find Lee Kuan Yew: The Final Journey and Lee Kuan Yew: The Man And His Ideas inside the app.
The app is designed to work on iPad devices running iOS 6 and above. The app is best viewed on tablets.
Due to its size, it is best downloaded over Wi-Fi.
The Straits Times has also released the PDFs of its print coverage of Mr Lee's death, from March 23 to March 30. This is also sponsored by DBS Bank.
