Singapore is 'like the durian'; try and squeeze it, you get hurt: Lee Kuan Yew | From the archives

At a scholarship presentation at the Sree Narayana Mission in 1965, the year Singapore became an independent nation, Mr Lee Kuan Yew spoke of the people's mettle and how the small-in-size state will not be squeezed by others. Rather, he likened the country to a durian: Hard to squeeze, and filled with very useful ingredients. Watch an excerpt from his speech on Sep 12, 1965.

Watch the full documentary special Lee Kuan Yew: In His Own Words on Sep 15, 9pm SG on CNA's YouTube channel.

#LKY100 #leekuanyew

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[jacobrichard]

As a Malaysian, feeel so ashame to watch but at the same time feel really proud for our neighbour Singapore and would never stop imagining how Malaysia would be if it falls into LKY's leadership at that time!!!!

[Diderot]

World class orator and a great leader. I believe those who complain about him are not just losers, but bad losers. Just see how much he has changed my family’s lives, no wonder my parents would vote for him without batting an eye.

[ltll]

He has that spark and determination in his eyes...

[SGrailadventure]

His eyes and speeches says it all well!

[silverlining]

His promise "we will progress", and progressed it did.. 😢. Remarkable leader. Rip LKY.

[josephyeo]

This is the best come back to someone who tried to bully you.

[jjvon]

LKY's prediction has always right.

[kengtzewei]

And progress we have, the results we make! Astonishing! Excellent! 😊

[Lerian_V]

This is a leader. Strong, decisive, visionary, determined, composed, fearless...

[bobafett]

*Durian got protein also high on Vitamin C and D too*

[DressedRunner]

Watching this while eating a durian is such a poignant experience

[farouqomaro]

Unfortunately Sabah & Sarawak were not durians then, or else we would've been on par with Singapore. We were more like mangosteens

[Kyryyn_Lyyh]

There is something eternally charming about food analogies in politics.

[dennisdec]

I truly love his metaphor, it tells us to be steadfast and not to be intimidated.

[ParashuVisu]

NO ONE REPLACE HIM, HE IS MAN OF PRINCIPAL, WE MISS YOU SIR 🙏

[desmondchee]

They throw out the durian cos they couldn't squeeze it. When it was out, perhaps it was thought it would go bad and become softer. It didn't turn out that way. Adversity even made it stronger. Now the durian has been transformed and gone international all over the world.

[Marchkite]

Please stop milking the old man. Rip sir.

[SilverScarletSpider]

I didn’t believe him back then. As a Hong Konger 🇭🇰i thought Singapore🇸🇬 was being boastful. He proved the world wrong

[Sambora]

Malaysia’s Malay minister watching this 😭

[kchanjh]

No doubt ex PM Lee was a charismatic speaker.