I was sorry to learn about the passing of Mr Fong Swee Suan yesterday. Mr Fong was a convenor of People’s Action Party when it was founded in 1954. Mr Lee Kuan Yew’s team was almost wholly English-educated, and Mr Fong, together with Mr Lim Chin Siong, acted as a bridge to reach the Chinese-educated, the trade unions and the workers.
In 1956, Mr Fong was detained for his part in a series of strikes and riots that paralysed the island. Mr Lee acted as his lawyer. I remember following my father on a police boat to visit Mr Fong and the other detainees on St John’s Island. My mother would bring a pot of chicken curry and freshly baked bread for them.
Later, Mr Fong followed Mr Lim Chin Siong to break away from the PAP and form the Barisan Sosialis. The fight was over the fundamental issue of Singapore’s future: whether Singapore should be a non-Communist, democratic state, or a Communist one.
Mr Lee recalled in his obituary note on Mr Lim Chin Siong in February 1996 that his differences with Mr Lim were ideological and deep, but never personal. He would have said the same of Mr Fong.
They met for the last time in September 2009, at the launch of the book “Men in White”, a history of the PAP. The two shook hands warmly, and took a photo together.
My deepest condolences to Mrs Fong and family for their loss. – LHL
(Mr Fong and Mr Lee during the book launch of “Men in White” in 2009. / ZB Photo © Singapore Press Holdings Limited. Reproduced with permission.)
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