Lee Wei Ling’s determination to speak up for Singapore remembered by Lee Hsien Yang on death anniversary

On October 9, Lee Hsien Yang honored his sister, Lee Wei Ling, on what would have been her second death anniversary. In his social media post, he quoted his sister's famous line, "What matters most is that I must do right, and I should do so even if I offend the people who have power over me." The post featured a screenshot of Dr Lee's 2010 opinion piece titled "Medals don't matter, doing right does," published in The Straits Times.

The piece, written while she was serving as the director of the National Neuroscience Institute, recounted Dr Lee's journey of finding nine medals she had received for academic excellence. However, when she discovered them again in 2003, her sense of accomplishment had faded. Dr Lee reflected on how her priorities had shifted over time, stating, "I try not to hesitate to speak up when my superiors or even the Government do something that I think is not in the best interest of Singapore."

Despite her young age, Dr Lee remained unafraid to challenge powerful figures, urging them to do what was best for the nation, even if it meant stepping on sensitive toes. Her piece concluded with the same commitment to her principles, emphasizing the importance of those in her position acting in the best interest of Singapore. Lee Wei Ling's post has resonated with netizens, who admire her courage and dedication to doing what she believed was right for the country.