母仪天下? Lianhe Wanbao journalist needs to wake up his bloody idea
October 4th, 2010 | 
Author: I am dumbstruck by Lianhe Wanbao’s report on the unfortunate passing of Madam Kwa Geok Choo, the wife of MM Lee Kuan Yew.
The chinese evening daily had dedicated an entire 8 pages to Madam Kwa and proclaimed her as the “First Lady of Singapore” and “母仪天下“, taken to mean literally as the “mother of Singapore”.
The unofficial title of First Lady is used in some countries for the spouse of an elected head of state, normally the President although in the United States, it is also used to refer to the spouse or partner of a Governor or Mayor. It is NOT used to refer to the spouse or partner of a prime minister or head of government.
In a different sense, the term is also used to describe women who are the forefront of their field, especially in the performing arts. In both senses, the term is meant to suggest that a woman is socially prominent and that she should be viewed as an object of veneration and respect.
Mrs Nathan
With all due respect to the late Madam Kwa, the head of state in Singapore is President S R Nathan and therefore Mrs Nathan ( Urmila (Umi) Nandey ) being his spouse is the rightful First Lady of Singapore and the only one.
Madam Kwa being the late wife of MM Lee Kuan Yew who held the appointment of Prime Minister, Senior Minister and Minister Mentor (none of them as head of state) can hardly “qualify” as the First Lady of Singapore by a mile stretched long.
Although Madam Kwa certainly was a woman thats “socially prominent and should be viewed as an object of veneration and respect” but that at most would qualify her as the “First Lady of Law” – if Law can be considered a performing arts and she being a lawyer by profession was at the forefront of her field.
Additionally, the use of the Chinese term “母仪天下” is highly inappropriate as it is a honorific term reserved for the Empress or Empress Dowager in feudal China. Even then, it had only been used twice in the official annals of the Qing dynasty for Empress Xiaozhuang, the mother of the Qing Emperor Shunzhi and Empress Cixi who dominated Qing politics during the last years of the dynasty.
Singapore is a modern democratic republic and NOT a feudal dynasty belonging to the Lee family and hence the use of “母仪天下” to honor Madam Kwa Gek Choo is not only illegal, but downright callous, disgusting and nauseating as well.
Even if the chiness term ”母仪天下” were to be taken very loosely with all its good intent, Singapore was already an vibrant city, …..busiest trading port in the east….has all essential infrastructures in place…..has most efficient colonial governing…etc, when Lee kuan Yew was still a fresh law graduate, how then could Madam Kwa had significantly “contributed” to the “building and birth” of Singapore to be worthy of being accorded “母仪天下”?
The journalist at LianHe WanBao should seriously learn to use Seek, Google or Yahoo instead of plucking definition out of thin air and twisting history to propel his “career move”.
Not only has this journalist shown disrespect to the bona fide First Lady of Singapore, he has done great dishonour to the late Madam Kwa and insulted the intelligence of Singaporeans in the process.
For a journalist paid to write in mass-circulation print issues, such trivial but embarrassing “honest mistake” is simply unforgivable and a disgrace to fellow journalists worldwide.
Fanny Wong
Posted in 
We in Malaysia have the same problem. Rosmah (PM Najib’s wife) has been called First Lady on many occasions while the Lady who takes precedence over all, after the King, is obviously the Queen.
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Wah lao. this Chinese journalist really know how to make his career move hor.He know LKY sure know how to “repay” him later one.Afterall who got eyes also can see throughout the last 50 years,how Yesmen and Balls-lickers all got handsomely rewarded mah.
This is also the reason why Sinkapoor sure “finish” one day one, everybody so selfish kiasu and kiasi.
Pro-PAP people can be described as “F-U-C-K” liao:
F= Foolish
U= Useless
C= Corrupted
K= Kiasu
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@James W. Hiew, I believe thats quite different because Malaysia has Sultans, therefore their spouse is rightly addressed as Queen.
Won’t sound logical if the wife of a Sultan is First Lady, right?
One can also argue that since the Sultan of the various states is not technically an executive appointment, therefore the PM is the head of state?
I am not sure on this one, so I am only guessing. Don’t take my word for it.
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Aiyah, don’t you know that everything’s second fiddle next to the Lee family? Haven’t you noticed the number of ministers given the title of Senior Minister these days? You think SM Goh feels snubbed? He knows better.
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Gecko should be known as the Empress Dowager.
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Errh…The First Lady is refer for the President United States Of America, but hor Singapore follow British System. So “political correctness” it should be Ex-PM wife or MM wife.
“Political Correctness” in British System Parliment, there is only Queen that subbed the Commonwealth Games (too many courrption news)
“Political Correctness” if we had President, then our President can only run for office “2-term”
Anyhow, it is joke to used President. It is be a Ministry Of Treasury Department that safeguard our reserve.
“Political Correctness” a President do more than just looking after reserve, so Lianhe WanBao “is igornant of American Politics!!!”
I bet Lianhe WanBao knows nothing about Tea Party Movement of the right wings
I bet Lianhe WanBao knows nothing about (One Nation Movement) of the left wings, made up of Anti-war movement, Civil Rights movement, Hipanics and Asian movement, Teacher Unions, Gays Rights movement, Anti-Corporation American Greed, Labor Unions calling for Jobs, Student movements….
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So, can the real First Lady please stand up??? Mrs Nathan or Mrs Lee??? What a blunder made by Lianhe Wanbao.
Does Lianhe Wanbao know “political correctness???”
I think hor, Lianhe Wanbao better watch CSPAN lah, don’t even know what is term as First Lady, please update your journalism knowledge “One Nation Working Together” a rally for “jobs and good paying jobs, immigrant justice they contribute they give and rights to education.” hor don’t know don’t anyhow anyhow used lah
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The title “First Lady” is only reserved for the wife of the Highest Office Holder in the Country, which in Singapore is the President’s Wife.
Madam Kwa Geok Choo nee Mrs Lee Kuan Yew is the wife of Minister Mentor, and mother of PM Lee Hsien Loong – she is in no way the “First Lady of Singapore”.
Sadly, CNA had shamelessly spread the ignorance of Singaporeans by releasing footage of interviews with ordinary Singaporeans caught by surprise of a live interview, to call Madam Kwa Geok Choo as the “Mother of Singapore” – which erroneously suggest that Lee Kuan Yew is the “Father of Singapore”.
Is CNA and the PAP propaganda machinery working overtime to rewrite History and spread ignorance to make Singaporeans more “DAFT” ?
It is in the interest of the Lee Family to take the initiative to correct all these incorrect platitudes made, so as to correct the commonly held view that they are pushing themselves to be the Owner and the First Family of Singapore.
Singaporeans will need to question whose idea was it to have Madam Kwa’s wake to be held in the grounds of the Istana – which suggest a State Funeral and the elevation of her status of an ordinary housewife to Lee Kuan Yew, into a National Icon ?
It is a sad time of bereavement for the Lee Family, and it is not a lack of gratitude to Lee Kuan Yew that such questions are raised, but for the sake of Singapore to be seen as a Law abiding country, protocol will need to be followed.
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After the citizens voted LKY after the next general elections, he will have to grab power by contesting to become the next president at the presidential elections. Thus Wanbao is correct but the ‘First Lady’ title is pre-mature.
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@Forecaster Extraordinarie II:
October 4, 2010 at 12:56 am
//@James W. Hiew, I believe thats quite different because Malaysia has Sultans, therefore their spouse is rightly addressed as Queen.
Won’t sound logical if the wife of a Sultan is First Lady, right?
One can also argue that since the Sultan of the various states is not technically an executive appointment, therefore the PM is the head of state?//
*
In Malaysia, the Head of State is the Yang di-Pertuan Agong – or the King of Malaysia.
It is only the Peninsular Malayan States of West Malaysia that has Sultans in the States of Johor, Pahang, Selangor, Perak, Kelantan, Kedah, Trengganu, and Perlis.
The States of Penang and Malacca do not have Sultans but only Yang Di Pertuan Negara, or Head of State similar to the title of Governors, and these are not Royalty.
The State of Negri Sembilan claims “royal bloodlines” that are not recognised by the other Royal Families, and the Head of State is recognised only as Yang di-Pertuan Besar. Negri Sembilan is a collection of nine “states”, and the Yang di-Pertuan Besar is elected by a council of ‘Headmen’ from the four largest “state” within the group of “sembilan negaras” or “nine states”.
The King of Malaysia – or Yang Di Pertuan Agong – is an elected position, chosen by a closed group of “brotherly” Royal Sultans.
They will elect one from amongst themselves to be the King of Malaysia, and another to be the Deputy King in the event that the King is unable to continue with his appointment.
The Agong or the King, will hold his position for a period of five years, and the Sultan – who has been elected as the Agong – will not hold this title of Agong again until all the other Sultans of the component States have been accorded the opportunity to serve in this role.
The Prime Minister of Malaysia is only a political figure, and his wife is NOT the “First Lady” – as the title of the “First Lady” is given only to the “Queen” of Malaysia. (also known as Raja Permaisuri Agong).
Clearly, Lianhe Wanbao does not know protocols, or it has deliberately skewed formalities by rewriting history to score political points for itself.
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Aiyoh,
Singapore’s true First Lady won’t mind at all to let Gecko be called First Lady la; even Second Or Third or 99th Lady. Everything just bogey name ma. Have salary can liao. Let’s all bow down and offer joss sticks in front of the MBS US$6b tombstone structure . The 1st pillar, signifying the ‘first lady’, has now been set. Second will come for first gentleman, then third Pinkie son. All will complete the tombstone symbol of the massive burial ground for the end of a wicked dynasty.
Throw the dice. Heng heng all Singaporeans will win…..back our homeland. Black Jack!
Lim Pei King of Gambler motion Freeze dice Swee Swee to set numbers at 666 for Hole-lee Trinity, has gambled and won
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did u agree with the two ca SIN nos?
did u agree with the legal brothels?
did u agree with the abortions n stop at two policy?
did u agree to use the isd?
did you agree to the bilingual policy?
did you agree to the many own people appointment?
did you agree to bankrupt opposition, n curbing political freedom?
o, wife of the great leader, n mother of the dear leader, how lost we would have been without u, we would still be poor n jobless, n we will be slaves to the american imperialist, we would lose to their stooge in the south, o, our great mother, without u , our country would have collapsed, we will be enslaved, now our country march forward on the socialist path to a bright dawn, a future for our one people, we have justice n equality, u r our heroine; the mother of all democracies. we will take our beloved country forward, n allow more f talents to bloom here. haha, the cult of mao, the cult of kims. i m sure they going to turn your death into another propanganda overdrive. comrades! forward!
haha, who ching?
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eh, what happened to ho jinx.
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Damn u actually bother to read 8 pages of the write up about her?
i dont buy wan bao , my sis buys straits time and i skipped plenty of pages to the sports column which i feel is the only section that is not biased and gagged by this regime.
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You will see shit times and all MSM tripping over each other to praise her, it’s more of a career move then anything else.
Any one in MSM dare question the timing of abolishment of estate duties?
Press freedom here is rank 148th.
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I think this chinese paper reporter purposely say ‘first lady’ because old man maybe ask him to write as EMPERORESS…
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sorry should be EMPRESS…
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BOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!
A MAJOR INSULT TO THE PRESIDENCY, PRESIDENT AND SINGAPOREANS!!!!!!
I’M TAKING OVER AND WILL CLEAR ALL THIS MESS!!!!
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It’s Ok lah….call her whatever name…First Lady, MM Lady, Lady of Singapore, Queen etc…..after all she is dead.
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Aiyah! all these chinese journalist are M’sian born wan lah.
M’sian got no brains wan lah
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Sigh. This has blind patriotism all over it.
Hello whoever wrote that original article, if you ever need a job, I hear Fox News is hiring.
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Come on, don’t be too harsh. It just showed you what people of Singapore really think deep down. In Stink-gar-pooreans’ peabrain, Lao Lee is the real master, not the Xiao Lee, got it. Therefore Madam Kua is the first lady for sure.
Don’t pick on superficiality. The real mindset is far more concrete!
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A new level of balls carrying…go all the way!
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The chinese press is merely boot-licking and elevating the status to First Lady in an attempt to raise the status of LKY to beyond the presidency. This is in line with the typical chinese culture of looking forward to an Emperor or King for the nation. It is dynastic culture of the Chinese civilisation that has brought China to its lowest in the 1940’s. It seems the Chinese never learn their lesson and is still harping on the greatness of their culture. I propose the ISD watches over the chinese press closely.
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They have already proclaimed her “Mother of Singapore”!
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The biggest issue on the chinese newspaper is that 4 words they included:
母仪天下
what? The Lees really think they are the Imperial Family??!!
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There is no First Lady in Singapore. When Nathan became president, the official lorry-head sized pics displayed in banks and govt offices captioned Mrs Nathan as First Lady. This was later corrected to “Mrs. Nathan”.
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‘Wife of Founding Father’ ‘First Lady’ ‘NTUC in mourning’ LOL so many bullshit written in the paper to carry balls of the dictator. C’mon you guys, they are all filthy rich and powerful, anyone dead in their family is no loss for them, in fact, they inherit even more wealth of the deceased and become more richer. Wake up !!
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All these praises are a waste of time. What is important is whether God knows her. If he does not know her, she will be hell- bound no matter what the newspapers and other book-lickers say about her.
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As long as it is pleasant to the ears of, you know who, nothing
un-to-ward action, will be instituted against this “bootlicker
journalist”!
It is an outright insult to Mrs. Nathan, the First Lady of Singapore,
but,….but, who is the actual boss?
Singapore is in a real MESS!
PAP SURE LOSE
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濫用名稱！
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I totally agree with the main article and comments that followed. I just cannot believe how low our print & propaganda media will stoop just to please their PAP master.
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What happen to Mrs Nathan? Is she still the “First Lady of Singapore”?
Why they are sudden change to protocols? Who is the “First Lady”? now…confused!!! confused!!
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Sultan=King,Wife of King/Sultan = Queen/Sultana.
In Msia,there are many sultans in many state,therefore their wife is known as queens.
in misa there is also a Yang di-Pertuan Agong(supreme ruler),a position similar to a emperor.therefore his wife is known as an emperess.therefore also known as the first lady.
ah kwa was the wife of lky,however to call her first lady would be very very disprespectful,since our one and only first lady is prataman’s wife.unless she died of course.
this reproter needs to get his head out of the sand and wake up.
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Why take thing so serious? Anyway this is just a “title” and she already left the world.
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Why you all so liddat.
She is already dead, so let them say what ever they want lah.
Anyway if you look at those“讣告” in the Chinese newspaper, every woman that was a mother died， they also print“母仪天下”。so whats the problem?
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I think you’re getting outta hand to say this, TR. I’ve totally lost respect for you, and I’ve become a 100% PRO PAP supporter.
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In my mind and I believe in the mind of many other Singaporeans, our ex-President Ong Teng Cheong was a far better and profound role model for Singapore. Yet they did not see it fit that he be entitled to a state funeral.
When has Mrs LKY been exactly such a role model for Singaporeans really beats me ? Except maybe when she was busy as a powerful career woman earning and attracting the massive HDB conveyancing fees under the consultancy practice that she and her husband and brother-in-law help set up ? Remember she was paid doing for her job ?
And whose wife would not have stood by her husband ? In the same token, would Mrs Lee Hock Siew and many other wives of those detained under the LKY administration be a much better role models compared to Mrs LKY considering the fact that they must have really made a lot of real sacrifices when their husbands were being detained ?
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Shhhhhhhh! This is sensitive time, the people involved is sensitive during this time!
Just shut up and do your stuff during the election will do! Better don’t comment!
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No use lah, guys and gals. They still have the majority. Its not like you ppl can help opposition swing some votes over?
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@Gary,
Please read this first before you comment:
P/S: This is an OPINION piece, so all views expressed are of my own, nothing to do with Temasek Review agreeing or not agreeing with me.
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@nonsense, and your reason being? If my opinion is nonsesse, then I would loved to hear your rebuttal.
@Gary who said: I think you’re getting outta hand to say this, TR. I’ve totally lost respect for you, and I’ve become a 100% PRO PAP supporter.
I am sure many of us here would loved to hear your opinion on WHY the article that I wrote is inappropriate. Anyone disagree?
@Dragonfly, this is no just a title. Assuming that if my mother had passed away (actually she did) and I put up an obituary in the shitty times claiming that she is the First lady of Singapore, would it be appropriate and acceptable?
@MyKarChng, all spouse of Singapore’s Presidents are First Lady. Has been and always will be until officially removed.
@Rainnix, even if LKY were to be elected President, Mdm Kwa will also NOT be the 1st lady because she is already dead. BUT since LKY jas NO SPOUSE now, technically speaking and off the book, its inappropriate for him to be President since the photos in banks and all gahment office requires 2 LIVING faces, right?
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Another brainless and joke article on TR
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@Forecaster Extraordinarie II:
There are many anti-Opposition postings , please take it easy. Don’t be a loser !!
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@Anti-Opposition, what EXACTLY did I say that warrant me being termed a “LOSER”?
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oi, stop carrying dirty and smelly balls can or not?
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Lets support our MM to be next President!
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母伊老母翅摆！！！！！！！！！！
We need to know how much this lated Madam Kwa LAW FIRM ( LEE & ＬＥＥ LAW ＦＩＲＭ ）earned from most of the dwellers of HDB flats !
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@Forecaster Extraordinarie II. You’re “LOSER” because you lose out on all the privileges. Membership to the Lightning Club has lots of privileges like, for instance, “flirting” touches of boobs only cost $6000 without jail.
Do you want to be a Paul Lampard?
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@President
I think he should be President Mentor, since President still needs mentoring also just like the PM.
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Actually the 2 photos in the banks should be of the president and the vice president. First Lady is never in the picture. If you don’t believe it, you can visit other countries’ banks. It’s just that there isn’t a vice president in Singapore, so 1 photo is actually sufficient. However, Mrs Nathan is still the rightful First Lady.
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@DOM the Clown, ah I see.
I was a member many moons ago, was there, been there, left there.
Now where I am, “fleeting touch” most of the time is free and anything beyond “fleeting touch” is only SGD$100, so cheaper
@FT Supporter, yes thats true I supposed. Noted with thanks.
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Honestly, I see no wrong in that article. I think the journalist went deeper than face value, it’s the credit and effort that he was referring to, not just the mere title. For that I couldn’t agree more. Well I’m not trying to compare (Mrs Lee has been through the building of our nation) and I give my due respect to Mrs Nathan but when do you really see her anyway? Sometimes the (guest) presences of our Mr and Mrs President are so trivial that they are easily forgotten.
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First lady should be refer to Sir Stamford Raffles wife la..
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All the low class 记者 and 编辑 obviously take up this opportunity to play up her death in order to gain big fat bonuses as yearend is approaching.
全部都是一等下流的， 无脸！！！
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@Forecaster Extraordinarie II
Only loser will argue over a EULOGY ! Ha.. ha…
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母仪天下. Very arrogant. Proof that Lee family treats Singapore as own asset.
全部都是一等下流的， 无脸. Very well written.
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“母仪天下” was used in the olden days to refer to the Queen, but has since evolved to a metaphor. It is now to describe a women who has the virtue of what a lady should be, and is able to be a role model for other women.
If this writer insists on using the origin of the meaning to read what’s written today, then even the First Lady shouldn’t be termed 母仪天下 since we’re not practising imperialism.
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One Nation Movement:- October 4, 2010 at 2:37 am
“So, can the real First Lady please stand up??? Mrs Nathan or Mrs Lee??? What a blunder made by Lianhe Wanbao.”
Hello, already “see” lioa, how to stand up ??
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The hubris of LKY and his cronies to assume the mantle of Supreme Presidency of sinkieland, with the utmost disrespect for Nathan and his wife, is manifest and disgusting …
LKY’s time is almost up. May he drop dead soon.
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Eat too full.
You all think that she care for what name to get now?
Stop disturbing her, let here RIP.
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It looks like that LKY was brought UP and teached by his wife and not by his mother.
This shows no respect for the mother of LKY.
“母仪天下” and “The First Lady” has differences in many ways, one for the east and one for west.
Having the honorable title of ” 母仪天下” the wife of LKY is the mothers of all the Singaporeans; All the mothers have to learn from her. All the Singaporeans have to respect her more than their mothers.
I think only the PAP supporters would accept this order.
You want all the Singaporeans to respect the wife of LKY more than we respect our mothers. It is totally not acceptable.
A lady to be given this honorable title of “” 母仪天下”, the lady’s son or the lady’s husband must be a king.
This is the first condition for this honorable title in old China.
A king is the owner of a nation and LKY is a public servant of Singapore,who can be voted out anytime; and he is even over paid for his job by the Singaporeans. Why we must give his wife such honorable title.
One must remember that the independent of Singapore was given to all Singaporeans by the British, and
was not secured by LKY and the PAP.
Only the idiots and the Pro-PAP would respect the wife of LKY more than their mothers.
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Look up the dictionary or do some research before commenting. Sometimes there are various meaning to a “phrase” or even a word in Chinese.
Mod’s note: The author was referring to the intended meaning as used in the papers.
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Aiyoh,no need argue so much lah! Now that Mdm Kwa already dead,the PAP media is planning to put MM LKY as President (since Sinkapooreans asking him to step down)lor.That’s why they try to call the deceased Kwa “First Lady” (should be called “Last Lady” since no one should replace her after this lor).
MM LKY will be the “First Single” President without a wife. Opps! don’t worry,soon sure got “Someone”to come forward one.Afterall which emperor in history got only one wife leh?(Don’t forget how that PAP minister Ho Kah Leong remarried his “childhood love” at “lightning speed” upon his wife’s demise meh?)
So sit back lor,curtains not down yet leh!
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Kwa Geok Choo was as much the first
lady and mother of Singapore as
Mrs Cow.
And that’s a fact!
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the journalist probably is art degree holder from china uni and got confused with Mdm Mao. anyway money can buy titles even in sg
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Ok guys, let’s not quibble over her title
Let’s just call her the late Empress of Sillypore.
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what do you people stand to lose with the newspapers entitling mm’s wife as “first lady” or “mother of singapore”? she was partly responsible for bringing singapore into current first world. how humble of she and her family for not wanting a state funeral! it should have been half-mast throughout singapore for 7 days when the state-mother dies, you disagree? tell that to your mother!
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Mrs LKY = Madam Mao
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“母仪天下” : doubt our local singaporeans could come out with such befitting phrase for the mm’s wife. only people with in-depth knowledge of the chinese language and culture could flaunt such a beautiful phrase to honour such a respectable woman! Once again it shows the right direction sph is advancing.
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Forecaster XO 11,you made your point clear.
protocol should be respected and facts should be accorded their due place.
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How’s this from a not-so-in-depth knowledge of the chinese language and culture:
Kwa Geok Choo was the pinnacle of beauty, intelligence and femininity and shall henceforth be known as the First Lady, Mother-in-law of First Lady, Ex-First Lady and Mother, of Singapore.
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President:
October 4, 2010 at 10:40 am
“Lets support our MM to be next President!”
He don’t need your support he can always disqualify whoever come along and then proclaim to be the Elected President.
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LianHe WanBao, like the Straits Times is another running dog and prostitue of the PAP. In a country where there is no press freedom what can we expect.??
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Why get so fussed up over such…minute matters? Even if it was wrong, so what?
The point is that she has passed away. And she has contributed greatly to our nation. So has MM Lee Kuan Yew.
To discount their contributions is plain ignorance. Why be so nitty-gritty at these tiny issues? Can’t we just be sympathetic for once, even if you are anti-PAP, and mourn at her demise?
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term ‘Mu Yi Tian Xia’ 母仪天下was used in imperial Chinese dynasties ONLY for Empress (wife of Emperor) or Empress Dowager (Mom of Em) or rarely Grand Em. Dowager (GrandMa of Em), in Modern context, it can ONLY be used for First Lady & nobody else….First Lady has official constitutional roles and duties alongside President and THAT’s WH…Y 1st Lady’s photo (with President’s) appears in ALL governmental offices…e.g. School, Immigration, Ministries and Stat Boards
DO We see any FORMER 1st Ladies / ex-PM’s wives given such nice & Extensive “media exposure” upon demise ? are we doing that for ALL spouses of PMs & Presidents AND also MOTHERs of all PMs/Presidents of S’pore FROM NOW ON ? for their “AMAZING contribution”?: OR else a PM (cannot win govt) to be PM, or become President? or else a PM and President cant be BORN to Singapore (and this world)?
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So when LKY died are they going to use the word “驾崩”?
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Lee Er San:
October 4, 2010 at 3:27 pm
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We stand to lose plenty. We stand to lose
truth and honesty for without that you are
nothing but a piece of snot, fit only to
be discarded.
You may call her your state mother or even
your birth mother if you like but she ain’t
mine. You can also give her a half-mast
salute if that is your wish. I’m reserving
mine for Ah Fart.
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@Gary:
October 4, 2010 at 10:11 am
“I think you’re getting outta hand to say this, TR. I’ve totally lost respect for you, and I’ve become a 100% PRO PAP supporter.”
100% Pro pap so why are you here in TR? Anyway Mrs Lee death is no love’s lost to SG. First Lady, Empress or whatever i don’t give a dame. I don’t understand why ppl are making a big fuss out of it.
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@Lee Er San:
October 4, 2010 at 3:27 pm
“what do you people stand to lose with the newspapers entitling mm’s wife as “first lady” or “mother of singapore”? she was partly responsible for bringing singapore into current first world. how humble of she and her family for not wanting a state funeral! it should have been half-mast throughout singapore for 7 days when the state-mother dies, you disagree? tell that to your mother!”
Talking thru your arsebrain!!!
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Mdm Kwa has done much contributions to Singapore, and can be said to be even more “intelligent” than MM Lee. Many ideas came from her too. Many people have already called MM Lee “Father of Singapore” by mouth (sacarsm or not, I cannot be sure).
Considering our nation to have depended on a “baby-sitter government” for the past years, in fact her contributions were critical, but the term used for her may be a little too strong.
In any case, the definition of “mother of Singapore” may well change over time. I believe we will soon find most Singaporeans accepting it already.
What I’m worried about isn’t the next article on the newspaper, but rather the next edition of history textbooks for primary schools.
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pessimitic:
October 4, 2010 at 9:54 am
What happen to Mrs Nathan? Is she still the “First Lady of Singapore”?
Why they are sudden change to protocols? Who is the “First Lady”? now…confused!!! confused!!
dun confuse now, later lky appear suddenly and start yelling I AM GOD, I AM GOD! then how? more confuse right?
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“母仪天下” means (setting) an example for all mothers under the sky. Nothing wrong with that. This phrase can be used for the passing of anyone’s mother. Mrs Lee indeed is a good example of a successful professional and a good parent to her children.
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hi i happened to come across this Temasek Review by chance as i am not internet savvy.
I read the opinion piece with great dismay. I do understand everyone is entitled to own opinion, as everyone has written on what they felt. However, we should be more respectful to the passing of the late Mrs Lee. As a wife and mother,not just being Mrs Lee Kuan Yew. What happened to respect for our seniors and, our manners ! The journailist was not wrong to coin such phrases, to sum up what Mrs Lee had done in her own quiet way for MM and for Singapore. Sigh…
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“母仪天下” means (setting) an example for all mothers under the sky. Nothing wrong with that.
Now she is “the mother of world”
All other mothers are no good. Only PM LHL mother is good.
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@Forecaster Extraordinarie II
You are reading the Chinese Lianhe Wanbo newspaper report and not the English newspapers like The Straits Times and Today. When you are reading the Chinese newspaper as the proverbial saying goes when you are in Rome, do as the Romans do.
It is customary in the Chinese traditions and beliefs to enhance the status and age of a deceased person at least one grade higher and the age by 3 years to portray the deceased person in higher regard, esteem and public image. For example, to dress up the deceased person as a VIP/Mandarin/Magistrate or scholar, etc, and confer another 3 years to the deceased’s age. To date, no one has objected to this customary Chinese tradition and belief, after all a person has already passed away. So far, you are the one and only one person that have objected and make such a big issue with the enhanced status of the deceased person reported in the Lianhe Wanbo newspaper. The Chinese reporter is dutifully correct in observing and following the Chinese tradition and belief and enhanced her status in the newspaper report. What is wrong with that?
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@Devagi
You are absolutely right . Forecaster Extraodinarie II is just a plain loser who cannot sleep over a Eulogy. He may be a winner in the spiritual world but definitely a big loser in our real world world.
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Hatchet man and netizens in TR
Yah!!!! the f-u-c-k work is great description!!
Goes for you guys too!! wow.. F-U-C-K wow.. literally man. no other hidden meaning hahahaha
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guys……….. regardless of what religion you are in.. rem.. the word karma.. esp those who keep cursing and swearing at MM Lee.
anyway.. If not for MM Lee and gang as well as Mrs Lee, Singapore would no had survive after the separation. so what is so wrong about this report? All these are human perception and view. What makes you so sure you are right and the reporter is wrong?
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MM LEE AKA FATHER IN LAW…….DIE NOW…..COME MEET ME NOW!!! I WILL CURSE N SWEAR U EVERYDAY….BUT LONG LIFE LONG LIFE LONG LONG LIFE TO XIA THIA POH.
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母仪天下 = “成为皇后” = become the empress
This proverb has not evolved to a metaphor because hardly anyone uses it because of the arrogance of the proverb. How many times have we heard of this proverb being used, except in Chinese imperial drama?
Nothing against Mrs Lee, it’s the ass licking that I cannot stand.
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First Lady is the unofficial title used in some countries for the spouse of an elected head of state. In the United States, it is also used for the spouse or partner of a governor or mayor. It is not normally used to refer to the spouse or partner of a prime minister or head of government.
It was the FIRST hit on a google search. C’mon, are we having monkeys in the media?
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“母仪天下” is NOT a metaphor and even in China, you DON’T see Eulogy for the death of city official’s spouse or mother use “母仪天下“ because it is reserved for the spouse or mother of a HEAD OF STATE, although normally referred to a DYNASTY.
I am nothing against anyone treating Mdm Kwa like their own mother if they want to BUT as some readers correctly pointed out:
Protocol should be respected and facts should be accorded their due place.
Again, if Mdm Kwa is First Lady, then WHO is Mrs Nathan, YOUR bona fide First Lady?
Would it pleases all Sinkaporeans if the leading headlines of major international newspapers were to scream ” First Lady of Singapore Dies At the Age of 89“?
WHEN Mrs Nathan is alive and kicking?
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“so what is so wrong about this report? All these are human perception and view. What makes you so sure you are right and the reporter is wrong?”
You want to call and accept the wife of LKY as your mother or 母仪天下 = “成为皇后” = “become the empress”. It is your right but the reporter cannot force all Singaporeans to call and accept the wife of LKY as our mothers or 母仪天下 = “成为皇后” =”become the empress”
although she is rich and in power. We do have the right to opposite this order.
What makes you so sure that the reporter is right and all of us
are wrong?
Are all praises of Lee family are right?
The reporter of a public media should not side any political party.
If late Madam Kwa is not the wife of the head of a political party
no one would have brought up this matter.
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Nothing interesting to read? Lets move to a more interesting joint.
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Mr and Mrs Nathan are employees of LKY.
Mr Nathan is a smart man who want to step down quickly.
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“Now she is “the mother of world”
All other mothers are no good. Only PM LHL mother is good.”
Absolutely not like that. I have seen such compliments, usually Chinese characters mounted on funeral banners at the wake of ordinary citizens. It’s simply that the deceased person was is an exemplary, good mother.
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I wonder what the President and His First Lady
have to say about all this?
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Yes, you are right, everyone can praise his mother as good as “母仪天下” and on one will object it.
A reporter of a public media also can praise the mother of other people as good as “母仪天下” but he must state that he only represents the SPH and not all the Singaporeans.
To you she is good but not to me.
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@vincent.. welll i suppose. without them i dun think we have the current singapore.. so yah. I think the term is appropriate.
if the reporter have to state that he represent only sph.. why doesn’t tr state that their reports on netizens response are nly base on their own measly few uncouth and retarded posters? they state the word public netizens hoping to imply that majority of the netizens are supporting them.. so why are they not doing it?
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@vincent
Are you competing with Forecaster Extraordinarie II to be the ultimate loser !
Only Loser will argue over a EULOGY.
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WTF: October 6, 2010 at 12:24 am
^^^if the reporter have to state that he represent only sph.. why doesn’t tr state that their reports on netizens response are nly base on their own measly few uncouth and retarded posters?^^^
bcos the former comes from public funds and yet is preventing others from wanting to say that they are not representative in its very medium.
as for TR, well u r here to say that it only presents “own measly few uncouth and retarded posters” & yet it is still being published. & i believe that it is not collecting any single cent from you.
probably it is u who r quite uncouth and retarded in your mental ability to see the fine difference !!!!!
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Loser:
October 6, 2010 at 4:17 pm
@vincent
Are you competing with Forecaster Extraordinarie II to be the ultimate loser !
Only Loser will argue over a EULOGY.
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What you mean is losers write half-baked eulogies.
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What you mean is losers write half-baked eulogies….
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
…..and fellow losers don’t even dare to talk about it!
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@@Gary:
First lady , Last lady , queen … I don’t give a dam .
I want my CPF unlock .. ( It’s my money why pay me by installment )
I want garment accountability
I want garment transparency
I want garment to stop importing F.Trash ( Foreign talent are welcome )
I want HDB purchase priority given to Singaporean first
I want minimum wage set for manual labor .
The old Fart , old lady .. gun carriage no gun carriage .
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no matter how great the Eulogy was given to the wife of LKY It would not make me to change my mind to support the PAP.
I hope that the Pro-PAP do not get angry for failing to change my mind to support the PAP.
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Sounds like the reporter is very wrong and inappropriate if goes by the definition below.
母仪天下：形容皇后或者国母，以慈母的宽厚博爱胸怀来关爱天下臣民，以维护江山社稷的和谐稳定。所谓皇后母仪天下，就是因为皇帝是天子，如同百姓之父。皇后自然为民之母，要行礼数规定的为母之道，恩慈黎民，母仪天下。 母仪是指封建社会所规定的为母之道。
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母仪天下真正的意义是“天下母亲的典范”，在封建时代有用来形容皇帝的母亲，因为皇太后需要成为天下母亲的典范。但是现代“仪”作为典范的意思，不一定要指皇帝。如果什么都要讲回成语出处时的意义，那很多成语都可以丢进垃圾桶里了。
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“母仪天下” “天下母亲的典范”
不适合改到适合,真是强权夺理.
应该改成行动党党员母亲的典范.更为合适.
要当天下母亲的典范,她还不够资格.
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Nothing new or surprising about the journalist’s action. Bootlicking is a norm here. Working adults here have learnt and found this skill very profitable especially after the term ‘guan xi’ was introduced in the early 1990s by one of our prominent speakers. Workers here learnt fast especially when the something they heard was from someone who carried a lot of weight. So those smart obedient ones established extra-friendly relationship with their superiors. And they do get to the top and much faster than their principled and morally-bound co-workers. This bootlicking trend is here to stay – afterall, one’s end-of-year bonus is at stake.
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