SG50 celebration in 2015

Because of the deep introspection and reflection that we were plunged into, and that shared sense of grief, it added a certain profundity to the celebrations. It added a lot more depth to the celebrations,” said Mr Heng. “So it was no longer just a rah-rah celebration, but I think it also got us to think very hard about what matters to us as Singaporeans, and how by coming together, we can beat the odds, do the impossible, and we can stay cohesive as a people."

Said Mr Heng: "It was for me, a very intense feeling, looking at that empty seat, wishing that Mr Lee was there to celebrate with us. And when I sat through the NDP, my mind was filled with images of Mr Lee speaking to Singaporeans in the early years - how he mobilised our people, how we forged a multi-racial, multi-religious society out of ex colonial subjects, immigrants, and I must say for me it was a very profound moment."

He added that Mr Lee's death also united Singaporeans and brought out the best in them, pointing to the many examples of how they took care of one another while waiting in line to pay their final respects to Mr Lee.