"I was a product of the times, the war, the occupation, the reoccupation, my 4 years in Britain, admiring but at the same time questioning whether they are able to do a better job than we can"

Lee Kuan Yew's quote shows his experience of growing up in a turbulent time in Singapore's history. He was born throughout the Japanese occupation of Singapore, and after that experienced the reoccupation by the British. He spent four years in Britain, admiring the country yet likewise questioning whether they can do a better job than Singaporeans. This quote mirrors the complexity of his experience, as he was both influenced by the British but additionally knowledgeable about the possibility of Singaporeans to do much better. His experience of maturing in a time of battle as well as occupation shaped his views on the possibility of Singaporeans as well as the demand for them to take control of their very own fate. He believed that Singaporeans could do better than the British, and also this quote shows his commitment to the suggestion of Singaporeans taking control of their own future.