Lee Hsien Loong, Singapore Prime Minister
We have intimate relations with Indonesia

August 2015 marks a milestone in Singapore's history: the island state turns 50. Big and small events will be held throughout the country as part of the jubilee. But this will be the very first time that Singapore celebrates its anniversary without its revered and influential founding father, Lee Kuan Yew. "Mr. Lee retired as Prime Minister in 1990. He has prepared well and Singapore is set to take further steps forward." said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, in answer to Tempo's questions.

Prime Minister Lee, who is popularly known as BG (Brigadier-General) Lee, follows in the footsteps of his father Lee Kuan Yew, the nation's first president and his predecessor, Goh Chok Tong. "I'm a third generation leader," said Lee. He leads a small nation of just 5.5 million people yet with the highest gross domestic product (GDP) per capita in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region and the top third in the worldover US$56,000. Given its sizesmaller than Jakartaits lack of natural resources and its young age, Singapore's story is a remarkable one.

August 11, 2015