In full: PM Lee Hsien Loong's final May Day Rally speech

Political stability and trust in the government are critical for Singapore in the years ahead, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said at the May Day Rally on Wednesday (May 1) - his final major speech before stepping down. Mr Lee spoke about the importance of tripartism and looked back at Singapore’s progress in the 20 years that he has been Prime Minister. “I have done my duty,” he said to a standing ovation, calling on Singaporeans to rally behind his successor Lawrence Wong. More details: cna.asia/3UeM71W
00:00 Introduction
02:46 Singapore’s growth since 1965
33:57 Imperatives that make Singapore work
49:58 The role of tripartism
01:02:32 Conclusion
Subscribe to our channel here: cna.asia/youtubesub
Subscribe to our news service for must-read stories:
Telegram - cna.asia/telegram
WhatsApp - cna.asia/whatsapp
Follow us:
CNA: cna.asia
CNA Lifestyle: www.cnalifestyle.com
Facebook: / channelnewsasia
Instagram: / channelnewsasia
Twitter: / channelnewsasia
TikTok: / channelnewsasia

[@bell-xk5dd]

I always say I love LKY but I love LHL more ❤🇸🇬.. Thank you Mr Lee, can’t say enough how much I appreciate you and your dedication in taking good care of Singapore 🙏🙏🙏

[@reubenjonaspretzels4831]

A great leader. Humble, kind, wise and very respectable. Father and son are different in character, but both brings out the best in Singapore. Thank you sir for your service! Please enjoy your retirement days and the fruit of your labour!

[@rickhunter3245]

PM Lee deserves all our respects and love. He has done his part for this country with all his heart, soul and effort and now he deserves all the rest and fruits of his effort now that it is time to pass the baton. We are very lucky to have 3 giants ( LKY, GCT and LHL) for our PM. Thank you PM once again.

[@huiling7947]

heartfelt words 👍🙏

[@deschan2246]

😂

[@varatharajanrajan7222]

ONE OF THE BEST PM IN THE WORLD

[@alejandrogozon8578]

I take off my hat to the highest display of statemanship by PM Lee Shien Loong. Competent and sincere. I am not a Singaporean, but just a neutral student of international politics but from the standpoint of a neutral observer without any stake in Singaporean politics I say kudos to you PM Lee, please accept my snappy salute as a manifestation of respect.

[@chengjm7696]

We are very blessed to have Mr Lee Kuan Yew who laid a very strong foundation for Singapore. Mr Goh Chok Tong built on this to bring Singapore forward and you did an awesome job to enable Singapore to scale greater heights. Thank you very much for devoting your life to make Singapore exceptional!

[@ivanlee2675]

Thousands thanks, Mr. Lee. It is honour to be a Singaporean. Thanks to you and the older teams leading Singapore in harmony and prosperous.... BIG BIG THUMBS to YOU... Wishes Singapore to have many many properous and peaceful years.....

[@georgdeden9918]

THAT IS STATESMANSHIP! Hail and salutes to the Republic of Singapore! Thank you Lee Kuan Yew, Goh Chok Tong and Lee Hsien Loong! And bless you all: you have created and nursed a political and social system which easily serves as a brilliant example for all peoples and countries to follow and learn from! As a German who had the good luck and honour to cooperate with Singaporeans I say: LET US LEARN FROM SINGAPORE - NOW! Very good luck to the people and leadership of Singapore for the future. "I wish our country could become as Singapore" (Lee Hiesn Loong's words)

[@matthew1333]

Thank you Sir for all the hard work and dedication for bringing this nation to where it is today. As citizen we grateful for your leadership and hope the new team can continue to build on this strong foundation . May God bless Singapore

[@shireenmustaffa3357]

I m very lucky to be Singaporean thank you Sir

[@deschan2246]

When u arrived in Singapore?

[@arcencielc2065]

Thank you, PM Lee. Singapore and Singaporeans are very fortunate to have Mr LKY and you to lead our country. Again, thank you.

[@deschan2246]

Empty

[@sttalk2500]

Promise

[@sianghoonheng6753]

Thank you Mr. PM Lee for making Singapore a first class country in the world today. May God bless you and your family in the coming years.

[@PeggyAng-pn2yn]

Awesome speech .... I listen to his speech every year, after this year, going to miss his speech. Great leader. 🙂

[@chongchinyit2745]

I perceive his sincerity, humanity, capability, and wisdom. The people of Singapore are very fortunate.

[@user-dc6zv7fh7c]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤷🏻‍♂️

[@vincecarlo]

LKY got rid of Strikes n Riots. Under the Son; 1st Strike by CHINA FWs Bus Drivers n 1st Riot by INDIA FWs Burning Police cars in Little India. LKY Got rid of CORRUPTION. NOW Corruption even in CPIB. What a BLOODY Joke. AMK TC Right under PM's Nose ALSO Got CORRUPTION. CORRUPTION in NTUC. Look at KOM Case of CORRUPTION; Light Tap on The Wrist for 73M CORRUPTION. RIDOUT Fiasco. TCJ " F**king " Populist n Affair. Iswaran Corruption Investigations. 💰💰💰 Laundering. Compare The times of LKY n his Son There U Have It. Wonderful 4G ADDICTED to 💰💰 WORST Is Yet To Come

[@deschan2246]

Failed to see any. Care to enlighten? Thanks

[@splashmoby]

😳😳😳😳😳😳

[@mrtienphysics666]

Not only is he a good leader, he is also a good son and and a good brother.

[@satya16]

Goosebumps at midnight, watching PM Lee's speech after a long day at work. Thank you Sir🙏

[@Junnybop]

Thank you PM Lee for the last 2 amazing decades, I'm proud to be Singaporean

[@glennfong984]

Thank you sir for all the hard work in serving our nation. Whatever the critics may say, I still dare say you are the best we have for our time, and I thank God that you are here to lead us thus far. Here's wishing you a fruitful retirement.

[@ageeibc6029]

I was a teenager, student & saw with my own eyes . It was Mr Lee Kuan Yew's sweat, tears & even his family money plus some of his close members who pulled out their resources to put Singapore on the map, after a very painful separation. Truly Singaporeans owe it to their founding Father, Mr Lee Kuan Yew for making Singapore, a tiny red dot, to become the 4th Top leading Country in the WORLD. 3rd world Neighbouring Countries such as Thailand, Malaysia & Indonesia really benefited from this Corruption Free Singapore. It's not a Christian Country, but God's favour will always be upon Singapore ONLY, I dare say, blessings flow to a Nation that looks into the needs of People, Environment, Animals & Climate Changes. Yes, the people of Singapore is lucky to have a government 1st. No leaders in Singapore lined up their pockets. They emptied their pockets to help to raise the people standards of living by stressing on English Education. Period.

[@srivegnesh2596]

Thanks for leading the country in good leadership quality

[@ddonlee]

Thank you Mr Lee HL for dedicating your entire life to building this small but amazing nation. Proud to be a Singaporean.

[@irenelam1183]

Mr. P.M. Lee, I would just like to convey my most heartfelt gratitude & thanks for all that you've done for S'pore and for us. I understand it's never easy to lead a nation, especially a vulnerable one like S'pore. I know you've come a long way and have learnt your lessons and have tried your best. Even though I'm sad to see you step down, I feel happy that the burden is finally off your shoulders!:)

[@thsjef]

Thank you PM Lee for everything that you and your team had done for Singapore.

[@SazalibinkamsirSazali-zu5yo]

Thank you My PM im from jurong east 🤵🌊🔑🌊🗝im follow The Low.📖📚Leaning more deep.

[@zubaidahabdulkadir1092]

Our love and respect for our PM. May God bless him with good health. ❤

[@shahidkamal5865]

A great emotional and historic speech will be remembered for a long time as a guiding path for Singapore to excel in pursuit of continued growth and success for Singapore and Singaporeans. Lee family has made Singapore an examamplery nation by achieving unachievable results in a short span of time, which other nations could partially achieve in centuries. It's not a miracle. It's, in fact, the strength of the determination of our founding father and the support he received from the masses.

[@lompanglompang6628]

Can’t wait to read his memoir. Hope he will write one. Let the Singapore story continues.

[@linaang9992]

❤Thanks Sir.

[@johntaylor1030]

What a great leader PM Lee has been for Singapore.......just like his father before him. How blessed you Singaporeans have been to have two such great leaders. May Singapore's success continue under Lawrence Wong's leadership.

[@deschan2246]

Great leader a common name for Fat Kim North Korea. How appropriate

[@emaho5540]

Building a nation is not an easy feat and sustainability is even harder since one has to keep up with standards set by predecessors whilst having to juggle different challenges internally and externally. Thank you Sir, Mr PM Lee for your years of dedication and the sacrifices you made. Wishing you good health and many more good years ahead. Respect 👏🙏🤗🇸🇬

[@wongkenneth4005]

Mr.PM Lee, you have done your part for Singapore. Uniting everyone is not an easy job, especially the workforce, You have enlightened the Singaporeans, "Individually is a drop, together we are an ocean" Your service is still needed to guide the younger generation. Salute you from across the causeway.

[@deschan2246]

Malaysian? Wat do u know about Singapore?

[@hendsem]

the "ocean" is shaped like a PYRAMID

[@cfleow5404]

​@@deschan2246don't be little of others who knows much more than you!!!

[@puspavallisuppiah2749]

Blessings to you Sir.I am very thankful to you to move our Singapore together our people strongly to make a better nation.,with all your ministry.We went ups and downs but still standing strong. I strongly believe our nation n our people will be with you and your Ministry.One of the best policy our younger generations for their future education. I am impressed with your policies n l hope the other Singaporeans. Thank you.May God always bless you and our nation.Thank you 🙏❤️🇸🇬

[@philiphan9085]

We are always grateful to your contribution to this country. We love you and we know you work hard, wise and visionary. Thank you Sir

[@colorpeace-fo1sp]

Thank you PM Lee. Excellent speech as always. May you stay healthy and be blessed.

[@RKFP]

Thank you PM Lee and fellow Singaporeans.

[@jeanchan96]

Thank you Mr Lee, for everything.❤

[@deschan2246]

?

[@vincelamvision]

Big Thank you to SG. PM Lee Hsien Loong's and Singaporeans. Yes, Left no one behind.

[@bobafett5757]

*Its obvious that SG is what it is remarkably so prosperous today is all because of the robustic and democratic ruling from the late LKY and PM Lee and all the PAP Leaders and the nation will always salute you*

[@ckGohhelen]

Thank you so much , SIR ! You are our Good Leader , You are Our Proud . May God Bless You with Good Health and Happiness . 👍👍👍👏👏👏 🙏🙇

[@deschan2246]

Give one example !!!

[@livetill7136]

It is rare that a family produces both the father of a nation and also a true son that the country is proud of. Thank you, PM LHL

[@deschan2246]

Rare ? Its not rare in North Korea Kim family

[@paul0355]

@@deschan2246 It is indeed rare. Nothing to compare w Rocket Man. Most politicians will keep 'milk' the nation for themselves. Just look at Marcos family in Philippines or even closer, Mahathir family and cronies in Malaysia. Lost decades are hard to recover. Sg did well overall. Be proud.

[@elnorton7113]

Bush?​@@deschan2246

[@gjaiveda]

Thank You PM Lee for the strong foundation built for our nation.

[@linaang9992]

❤Thank Sir.

[@linaang9992]

❤Thanks Sir.

[@deschan2246]

Foundation ???? 😂elaborate?

[@gjaiveda]

@@deschan2246 , there are many examples, such as stable Government, inclusiveness of labor union while making policies and decision that impact labor force, CPF scheme (one of the best in Asia), supporting lower income families .

[@deschan2246]

​@@gjaiveda when u migrate to Singapore? 😂

[@bobt2113]

Proud to be singaporean and our chosen key leaders are always upright and dedicated

[@deschan2246]

Where u migrated from?

[@bobt2113]

Born in Singapore

[@deschan2246]

​@@bobt2113 born? So where yr parent migrated from?

[@splashmoby]

🤭

[@canahun]

As a non-Singaporean (from Europe) but living in Singapore i have to say: Thank you for your Service, it was an Honor to see and feel the positive vibe of this City. Great job, WELL DONE!!

[@mikelee3675]

Thank you very much our great great pm for Singapore...thank you Mr Lee

[@catherinedennis9953]

Great P:M LEE Proud Singapore 🇸🇬🇸🇬🇸🇬Singaporean People 🇸🇬🇸🇬🇸🇬👍👍👍👏👏👏🙏🙏🙏

[@afysuave5209]

Thank you Sir!

[@readytoeatmeals]

Singapore is blessed to have great leaders. This is not by coincidence but a very clear mindset, careful and dedicated plan. Many congratulations to Mr. Lee Hsien Loong. You live your fullest life, just like your father, Mr. Lee Kuan Yew!

[@huiling7947]

Mr Lee Kuan Yew said he used all his life to build this nation. PM Lee used all his life to upkeep his father's legacy, developing the nation to be a stronger one. Thank You, Singapore is blessed to have both of you, taking care of us. We will continue to strive for excellence, the DNA imprinted in us.

[@joannayoong9370]

@@huiling7947 A few good men!👍😁

[@deschan2246]

Really? Care to give example of each praises u gave him. Ty

[@lamjianyuan]

​@@deschan2246 I think alot of these people and commentators with alot of thumbs up are ghost commentators with false likes.

[@jojfun6406]

We are so grateful to have you SIR as our leader. Wishing you good health and happiness always.

[@deschan2246]

Wat has he done for u to be grateful. Share?

[@bppeh130]

Thank you PM Lee for your hardwork and wish you healthy & happy. All the best to you❤

[@deschan2246]

😂

[@REDREDStrawberry]

Thank you Sir 🫡

[@pamelakoh4660]

Thank you, PM Lee❤❤❤

[@pokuo7476]

Thank you sir, PM Lee, for your contribution to make Singapore what she is today. I’m so proud to be Singaporean! ❤

[@deschan2246]

Wat is Singapore today? Just a developing country.

[@ainiab4556]

Tq PM Sir. U & d Team r highly appreciated. U'll indeed be missed.

[@user-cl3ke3gy2f]

lhl - u did good... incorruptable, humble n hard working...u will b missed

[@desmondchee9976]

Thank you PM Lee. You are your own man even though you had a big shoe to fill. You have proven over 20 years how great a leader you are. Mr LKY brought us together to the top. They say it is always more difficult to remain in the lead. You have done so and keep us on top. Thank you for your years of dedication. Singapore is exceptional including how we choose our leaders. Cheers to you and all the best to our next PM.

[@patrickheng2342]

Very good May Day Speech

[@carolyong6915]

Thank you Mr Lee

[@deschan2246]

For?

[@cfleow5404]

​@@deschan2246 do more reading and get your own answers

[@wynnkoh5888]

😊Thank you PM!

[@liquidsnake1334]

🙏🇸🇬🫡 thank you Sir!

[@marykoh6456]

Thank you PM Lee and Team

[@deschan2246]

For?

[@cfleow5404]

​@@deschan2246 stop asking this question! Do more reading to get your answer!!

[@martindawn934]

Today is a day where we celebrate the contributions of all the hard-working and dedicated workers in Singapore. It is also a reminder that workers are central to the Singapore dream and that they are integral to building our nation."

[@zanylynnq7839]

Without any doubt, a speech spoken by a man of political stature! Wishing him GOD's blessings as he retires as SG's PM.

[@minyah9625]

Thank you for your service sir. Wishing you good health and joy after handing over the baton

[@wks9837]

Well done !!!

[@chuashirley895]

Thank you Sir for your dedication to us fellow singaporean. May God blessed you with good health n keep you safe always

[@deschan2246]

Wat has he done for Singaporeans n you?

[@gopalansubramaniam7558]

Thanks to Mr Lee and his father may God bless you with good health Singaporean love you.

[@deschan2246]

When u move to Singapore?

[@helenkhor515]

Thank you Mr. LHL we will miss you. May God be with you always.

[@lilianteo3229]

Sure indeed, God will be watching him!

[@splashmoby]

He's not going anywhere anytime soon lah

[@stickymoney]

I have no doubt PM Lee has Singapore in his heart of hearts. Thank you!

[@ivancen5020]

All eyes and hope on LW, hope you can continue the legacy of a string of high quality PMs in SG.

[@TyNguyen-bj2xc]

I'm not a Singaporean but hopefully one day I can visit Mr LKY house to admire the greatest man that ever live there.

[@annasalado3283]

LKY a great man with a great heart but his Haus is a simple Haus.

[@TyNguyen-bj2xc]

@@annasalado3283 is not the house but who been there and the historical present of Mr LKY. It should become a museum if is not already.

[@oishicurrypuffus]

A very good man

[@deschan2246]

U know him personally? 😂

[@SazalibinkamsirSazali-zu5yo]

im still in care for my county singapore🤵🔑🌊🗝🌊

[@psvr_melg4207]

As a GenX living through part of the country’s development, I can’t be more contented to have a roof above my head, food on the table and time for leisure now. ❤❤❤

[@huiling7947]

Pls continue to pass on LKY legacy, striving on excellence to your next generation. Building the nation and upholding the standards require the efforts of generations.

[@michellelye6265]

Yes…I am certainly proud to be a Singaporean! Proud also to have Mr Lee Hsien Loong as our prime minister

[@deschan2246]

Did he give u Singapore citizenship without serving National Service? 😂

[@anziar3038]

The PAP team has attained numerous global achievements and recognitions for s'pore. It's so obvious that PAP is the only competent and effective party in s'pore.❤❤

[@johnlim1678]

you love handouts?

[@singapoo]

Singapore could have been in doldrums had it not been this ruling party.

[@saneasmydog7120]

So competent until can screw each other

[@kiajoonyong7041]

I am a PR, soon citizen , tq Mr Lee 👍

[@deschan2246]

If this happen in yr country, foreigners given citizenship freely by your government. Would u praise him ?😂

[@X99Zero]

In Singapore you earn your residence or citizenship. It is not given and it cannot be bought.

[@mikechiam2032]

​@@deschan2246what do you mean giving freely? You know what most went through during the process? Let me ask then you, what have you done to deserve your citizenship?

[@huiling7947]

Congratulations, Thank You for being part of us, building the nation together 🙏💗

[@uUwUu69]

got do NS?

[@OrgKgTV]

PM looks truly happy & relieef...maa

[@joantay2824]

Beautiful quote “Postal code do not determined one’s destiny” Thank you. 幸苦你了。

[@davidlartey2297]

Grateful for your service. Sir

[@suppiahmurugesan8343]

Mr Lee Kuan Yew laid the foundation to make Singapore one of the most prosperous countries in the world. The political methodology he adopted may be questionable to some. But ultimately it is boils down to good governance to ensure political stability that remains the lynchpin for continuing economic growth to an island with no natural resources save top quality human resources within and without. Congratulations!

[@stevefeng888]

Thank your Sir!!!!

[@englianconnietan1931]

Thank you Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong for all these years. You and your father have given Singaporeans everything, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts and may you enjoy a good retirement and thank you for promising to be our Minister mentor so that Singapore will continue to thrive.Singaporeans are the luckiest people in the world..all because of everyone in parliament who did their very best. We are so very lucky.

[@jessc2754]

Thankful to be born in Singapore!

[@cheeweistephenlim8372]

Majulah Singapura.His legacy comment,we as Singapore cannot fail as we dont have hinterland or natural resources,only a tiny island of 734.3km².

[@Ak1m2]

Well Said! It's an Island as a small-boat in a wide-ocean, PM LHL certainly a great captain of that small-boat keeping us afloat and towards greater horizon!

[@clementfernandez1945]

Excellent speech

[@rabiakou883]

I am very proud to be Singapore thank you sir. God bless👏👏💐🥰

[@ongboonguan2989]

Majulah Singapura! Thank you PM Lee

[@lucychen1760]

李家父子令人肃然起敬。如果在古代，PM Lee百年之后，他配享太庙。他的父亲李光耀先生也是享有同样的礼节，深受人民爱戴。一个国家的领导人就像是一个公司的CEO，好领导才能有好的业绩👍。

[@chengjm7696]

他是位忧国忧民的好总理。李家父子把他们的一生奉献给新加坡，我们实在很有福气！感恩，感恩！

[@arianawright4187]

Oh my God! Hopefully, your retirement will help your health. I was nervous when I heard you ready to retire as PM, but not work. It makes me kind of relief. All the best for you, Sir.❤😢.

[@1967PCR]

Thank you

[@user-rz3iz5ly9z]

Thanks you CNA 👍

[@williamkwong9346]

Really a great heart touching speech. ❤❤

[@soisoi2964]

Respect

[@user-sd2xe1ox5z]

Proud man standing.bravo!

[@MargaretLoo-hg1of]

It was my good fortune to be in the era of both LKY and LHL n enjoyed Spore's success n prosperity. Forever grateful. May God bless Mr LHL with good health😊

[@panxiangqing3793]

人民的好总理👍👍👍

[@ChhivlyKang]

My respect towards this man is almost the same as to his father.

[@maryloh3982]

done a good job . and the method of slow handover ensures we have good government

[@bernardsankarah2210]

Hi Bernard Sankarah lives in Singapore I friends with you ok 💯🇸🇬 Dr Sir Pm Lee Hsien Loong's Singapore Government PAP Striveing Forward Singapore Government PAP Union County and the Singaporean Citizens people take care for Better years ahead Happy Labour's day Happy May Day Rally PAP All Group PAP Dr Sir MP Ms DPM PM Lee Hsien Loong's group PAP very best very Power very goodPAP Trust me I Will always Support you ok PAP Singapore Government PAP group Always very best very Power very good 💯🇸🇬😊👋👌👍👏PAP MAJULAH SINGULAR PAP Singapore Government PAP very best very Power very good PAP 💯🇸🇬💪💪💪💪PAP 🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@appjunkies]

Well done Mr LEE and all other past leaders.

[@ringoj8678]

❤🇸🇬❤

[@lindafukuyu5767]

I'm sad to see him go but I wish him the best for whatever he will be doing after leaving the PM job.