Berkshire Hathaway’s (BRK-A, BRK-B) Vice Chair Charlie Munger further detailed his deep admiration for Singapore’s first prime minister, Lee Kuan Yew, who governed for three decades.
“There aren't that many people like Lee Kuan Yew who ever lived,” Munger responded to a question about why the legendary investor admired the Southeast Asian politician at the Daily Journal Annual Meeting on Wednesday. “So of course I admire him. I have a bust of Lee Kuan Yew in my house. I admire him that much.”
Munger reiterated his praise for the nation's founding leader for his deft stewardship of the city-state.
“Lee Kuan Yew had the best record as a nation builder," Munger explained. "He had the probably the best grade record that ever existed in the history of the world. He took over a malarial swamp, with no army … And pretty soon, he turned that into this gloriously prosperous place.”
Furthermore, Munger added, “his method for doing it was so simple. He said, 'Figure out what works and do it.' Now it sounds like anybody would know that made sense. … he was a very smart man, and he had a lot of good ideas and he absolutely took over a malarial swamp and turned it into modern Singapore in his own lifetime. It was absolutely incredible.”
Lee Kuan Yew addresses on December 30, 1996 the public at the People's Action Party rally in Hougang stadium. (ROSLAN RAHMAN/AFP via Getty Images)