This is a real story from Singapore about respect for parents. This is a true scandalous story thus the current Prime Minister, Mr. Lee Kwan Yew Sr. step in and issued a decree on elderly in Singapore.
There was a wealthy former businessman who resigned from business world when his wife passed away. He became a single parent, tried to raise and educate his one and only son to be an independent person and a scholar.
Then, his only son married and asked for permission to lived together in his father's luxurious and big apartment. The father really glad to permitted his son and daughter-in-law lived together with him. As a father, he imagined that the spacious apartment won't be empty especially when he had a grandson. He was so happy to gather and share happiness with his son and daughter-in-law.
At the beginning, everything was running well between father-son-daughter in law that made the father really loved his only son. Without a doubt, he granted all of his wealth and properties including the apartment where they lived together, he reversed the name to his son through a famous notary there.
Years passed, the classic problems in household happened when son and daughter-in-law lived together. Without knowing the matter, the had a great fight. In the end, the son had the heart to evict his father from the apartment which he inherited from the father.
On that day, the father became a beggar at Orchard Road because all of his wealth was given to his son. Imagined a wealthy man, a well known former businessman in Singapore suddenly became a beggar!
One day, his former business friend passed by and gave some alms, he then recognized this father and asked him whether he was his former business friend. Because the father was embarrassed, he replied : "No, maybe you had the wrong person."
Because the father's business friend was suspicious and sure enough, the old man who was begging at Orchard Road was his friend. Then, this friend told this issue to his other friends and altogether came to the father.
All of his former business friends immediately sure that the old beggar was a former businessman which they knew. In front of his friends, the father burst into tears told his stories. Thus, there was a stir. All the parents there felt angry about the prodigal son which was very immoral.
This scandalous issue came to PM. Lee Kwan Yew Sr. He was very angry and immediately called those prodigal son and daughter-in-law. They were scolded by PM Lee and PM Lee said "It is very shameful that Singapore there are prodigal child like you!"
PM Lee then called the notary and at the same time the document was cancelled for law! PM Lee ripped the document so all the wealth was back to the father and from that time the son and his wife were prohibited to come to the apartment.
Mr. Lee Kwan Yew was known as someone who is very devoted to his parents and respect elderly. In order to prevent the same thing happens, Mr. Lee announce a decree : "Parents are prohibited from granting their wealth to anyone before they died."
After that, he also made a decree so that the elderly were respected and appreciated until their death, all company in Singapore had to give the job for the elderly. This is for elderly not to depend on their children. So the elderly could have their own income and proudly provide angpao to their grandchildren.
One thing, as in other developed countries, PM Lee also gave a very good social education for children and teenager there that the work of cleaning the toilet, dining table in restaurant, and so on, it is not an abject. So the children are taught from childhood to know the value of older people, whoever they are and whatever their profession.
The children are educated to be wise and continue to maintain the respect and affection to their parents, regardless their parents condition. Although the parents were unable to sit or stand, or they might have to lying on bed forever, they should still honor them with care.
Singapore citizens reminded to always remember when they were toddlers, their parents cleansed the body from dirt, feed, holding on when they cried early in morning, and took care when they are sick.
Source : HFJ Blog
Mr. Lee Kwan Yew was known as someone who is very devoted to his parents and respect elderly. In order to prevent the same thing happens, Mr. Lee announce a decree : "Parents are prohibited from granting their wealth to anyone before they died."
After that, he also made a decree so that the elderly were respected and appreciated until their death, all company in Singapore had to give the job for the elderly. This is for elderly not to depend on their children. So the elderly could have their own income and proudly provide angpao to their grandchildren.
You do not need to wonder when you are going to Changi Airport, mall, restaurant, the janitor are the elderly. Beside being happy that they could work in their old age, they can also socialize and healthy because a lot of moves.
One thing, as in other developed countries, PM Lee also gave a very good social education for children and teenager there that the work of cleaning the toilet, dining table in restaurant, and so on, it is not an abject. So the children are taught from childhood to know the value of older people, whoever they are and whatever their profession.
The children are educated to be wise and continue to maintain the respect and affection to their parents, regardless their parents condition. Although the parents were unable to sit or stand, or they might have to lying on bed forever, they should still honor them with care.
Singapore citizens reminded to always remember when they were toddlers, their parents cleansed the body from dirt, feed, holding on when they cried early in morning, and took care when they are sick.
Source : HFJ Blog
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