Singapore leaders pay tribute to veteran civil servant and NEWater pioneer Lee Ek Tieng

Earlier in February, Sustainability and Environment Minister Grace Fu paid tribute to the former civil servant at the launch of the book, titled Lee Ek Tieng – the Green General of Lee Kuan Yew.

In a speech, she described him as “a leader, a pioneer and a true architect of modern Singapore’s environmental transformation”.

“Mr Lee Ek Tieng was one of those rare individuals – a man of action, determination and immense capability,” she said.

“Those who worked with him will attest that he was thorough, innovative and not one to suffer fools.”

She also highlighted his other contributions such as keeping air pollution in check, upgrading Singapore’s drainage system to tackle flooding and modernising waste collection and disposal. 

In a separate Facebook post on Wednesday, Ms Fu described him as “one of the green heroes of Singapore during our early independence”, who was instrumental in “transforming the island from one filled with dirty squatters into a clean and green city”.

“In the clean-up of the Singapore River, Mr Lee led in the building of hawker centres. Street hawkers relocated to these hawker centres and could prepare their food in a hygienic environment,” Ms Fu added.

This was also highlighted by Senior Minister Lee, who said that the man was “perhaps best remembered for cleaning up the Singapore River and Kallang Basin” alongside clearing hawkers, squatters and bumboats, as well as developing an underground sewer network.

“Within a decade, the polluted and foul-smelling river had been transformed into the clean waterway Singaporeans enjoy today,” he added.

“I offer my deepest condolences to Ek Tieng’s family and loved ones for their loss.”

In his contributions, Lee also led efforts to eliminate malaria and other mosquito-borne diseases in the country, and he was responsible for the creation of the nation’s first Water Master Plan in 1972, which outlined the strategies for domestic water resources in Singapore.

“He spearheaded the development of NEWater to recycle water and supplement the population’s growing water needs. In fact, he was the person who coined its now-iconic name.” Ms Fu said.