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The 91-year-old founding father of Singapore died on 23-3-2015 after half a century in government, during which island was transformed from a poor British colonial outpost into one of the world's richest societies. Lee was cremated after full state honors on Sunday. There were hundred thousands of people queues outside parliament to offer their sincere condolences to the remarkable leader.
Mr Lee's achievement was propelled Singapore from Third World to First World. He managed it against far worse odds: no space, beyond a crowded little island; no natural resources; and, as an island of polyglot immigrants, not much in common in history and culture. On the other hand, the western world have criticized Lee as authoritarian and as intolerant of dissent, citing his numerous - mostly successful - attempts to sue political opponents and newspapers who express an unfavorable opinion.
新加坡從被迫獨立至發展成亞洲現代化最高的國家之一；從沒有資源的貧困小國，發展至國民人均收入前列的國家，李光耀的視野和管治獲得高度評價；然而，建立繁榮的背後，西方社會批評他對異見者和傳媒的手段。李光耀一生功過在西方社會可能引起爭議，但新加坡國民為致上一個鞠躬，不惜是在烈日下排隊近十小時，可見新加坡國民如何愛戴李光耀。
Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea and Taiwan were known as the "Four Asian Tigers" for their economic booms in the 1970s and '80s. The relationship between Singapore and Hong Kong is one of rivalry. Both regions are the leading financial hub in the world; compete to be a haven for investors and rich migrants among others. Singapore never aspired to beat Hong Kong is that of civil liberties - freedom of speech, protest rights and others. While in Hong Kong, constant political wrangles are polarizing society, and as a result, economic development is taking a battering.
新加坡和香港一直是東南亞發展最快的地方，兩地均視對方為競爭對手，但又經常吸收對方的發展經驗來強化自己。不過在近十多年，新加坡在缺乏像內地此等大靠山之下，仍可繼續向前發展，反觀香港卻有滯阻的情況；新加坡政府一直在李光耀的影子下保持強勢，而回歸後的特區政府陷入管治弱勢的泥沼中。
香港不能照搬西方式民主
香港近年不斷在普選、本土主義和西方式狹義民主等議題中兜兜轉轉，整體發展舉步維艱。有一部分政客鼓吹「有民主才能長治久安」，但又沒有提出證據。國際上，這方面當然有成功例子，如挪威、瑞士，但更多的是失敗例子，如埃及、敘利亞、泰國、菲律賓，部分南美國家，全盤照搬美式民主，或政變 (coup d'etat) 不止，或貪腐(corruption)成性，或一貧如洗。相反的例子--新加坡，反而能長治久安！所以，管治是沒有一本通書，每個地方有各自的背景，文化，歷史，香港也不能全盤照搬西方式民主。■陳威雄 青年民建聯副主席、民建聯財經及教育事務副發言人
星期五見報
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