新加坡史上首任總理,內(nèi)閣資政李光耀,是史上在位最久的總理之一,且持續(xù)在幕后主政,盡管他在 1990 年已卸下總理位置。許多人聲稱新加坡是個(gè)現(xiàn)代的極權(quán)國(guó)家,但即便如此,在李光耀的領(lǐng)導(dǎo)下,這個(gè)小小的東南亞島國(guó)在過(guò)去五十年來(lái)取得許多成就,從一個(gè)殖民港口的落后狀態(tài)成長(zhǎng)為一個(gè)不被擊敗的有力經(jīng)濟(jì)強(qiáng)權(quán)--不僅在亞洲,還在全世界。
From a country weakened by the Second World War, overrun by communists, and experiencing numerous racial riots, after a much-anticipated merger with Malaysia failed, Lee succeeded in building up the nation, calming down racial tensions, and driving investment into Singapore by inviting foreign companies in. Today, Singapore's GDP represents 0.48 percent of the world's economy, and is much higher than the other nations in Asia. In fact, the country is considered to be one of the most expensive places to live in the world.
始于一個(gè)被二次世界大戰(zhàn)削弱的國(guó)家、被共產(chǎn)主義者侵?jǐn)_,且經(jīng)歷許多次種族暴動(dòng)的國(guó)家,在一次和馬來(lái)西亞備受期待的合并失敗后,李光耀成功壯大國(guó)家、穩(wěn)定種族緊張情勢(shì),并借由吸引外商進(jìn)入來(lái)驅(qū)使投資進(jìn)到新加坡。如今,新加坡的國(guó)內(nèi)生產(chǎn)總值相當(dāng)于全球經(jīng)濟(jì)的百分之零點(diǎn)四八,比其他亞洲國(guó)家高出許多。事實(shí)上,這國(guó)家被認(rèn)為是全世界最貴的居住地之一。
While Lee has been criticized as being authoritarian and intolerant of dissent, and Singapore being more prone to nepotism rather than meritocracy, it cannot be denied that Lee is a remarkable statesman, and his governance has brought Singapore into an era of power and wealth many countries can only envy at.
雖然李光耀被批評(píng)是獨(dú)裁主義者而且不容異議,且新加坡政治偏向裙帶關(guān)系而非功績(jī)主義,不可否認(rèn)李光耀是個(gè)出色的政治家,而他的統(tǒng)治將新加坡帶領(lǐng)到一個(gè)許多國(guó)家只能眼紅的權(quán)力和富裕時(shí)代。
Whoever governs Singapore must have that iron in him—or give it up! This is not a game of cards. This is your life and mine. I've spent a whole lifetime building this, and as long as I am in charge, nobody is going to knock it down.
不管是誰(shuí)治理新加坡,在他心中一定要擁有那鐵的意志--不然就放棄!這可不是紙牌游戲。這是你我的生命。我花了一輩子打造這一切,只要是我在管,就沒人能將它毀掉。
And even from my sickbed, even if you are going to lower me into the grave and I feel that something is going wrong, I'll get up.
即便是從我的病榻,就算是你們即將把我放進(jìn)墳?zāi)估?,如果我感覺到有什么事出錯(cuò)了,我就會(huì)爬起來(lái)。