Lee Ek Tieng: 5 Lasting Legacies of a Quiet Giant Who Shaped Singapore

Lee Ek Tieng, a former top civil servant who left an indelible mark on Singapore, passed away on April 6, 2025, at the age of 91. Prime Minister Lawrence Wong mourned his loss, saying, “Mr Lee’s quiet dedication left an indelible mark on our nation.” For decades, Lee Ek Tieng’s visionary leadership transformed Singapore’s environment, water systems, and civil service, earning him a place among the nation’s pioneering heroes. This blog dives into his extraordinary contributions, his humble legacy, and why his death resonates deeply across Singapore.

Table of Contents

1. Lee Ek Tieng: A Pioneer of Singapore’s Transformation
2. The Clean and Green Revolution He Led
3. Building Singapore’s Water Resilience
4. Leadership That Shaped the Civil Service
5. A Humble Legacy Remembered
6. Tributes Pour In After His Passing
7. What Lee Ek Tieng’s Life Teaches Us Today

Lee Ek Tieng: A Pioneer of Singapore’s Transformation

Lee Ek Tieng’s journey began in 1933 in Perak, British Malaya, as the seventh of eight children. Stranded in Singapore during World War II, he built a life here, graduating with a civil engineering degree from the University of Malaya in 1958. His career took off at the Singapore City Council, where he tackled unglamorous tasks like managing night soil stations. Yet, it was this hands-on grit that propelled him to become a cornerstone of Singapore’s development.

By the time he retired in 2000, Lee had served as Permanent Secretary for the Environment, Head of the Civil Service, and a key figure at the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and Government of Singapore Investment Corporation (GIC). His work touched every Singaporean, often in ways they might not even realize.

The Clean and Green Revolution He Led

Lee Ek Tieng is perhaps best known for turning Singapore into a “clean and green” city. In 1977, then-Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew challenged him to clean up the Singapore River and Kallang Basin within a decade. Skeptics doubted it could be done—pig farms, duck farms, and industrial waste had turned the waterways into open sewers. But Lee delivered.

By 1987, fish swam in the river again, and he received a gold medal from Lee Kuan Yew, who later wrote, “There would have been no clean and green Singapore without Lee Ek Tieng.” His team dredged rivers, built sewers, and relocated polluters, transforming urban squalor into a pristine environment we take for granted today. This wasn’t just engineering—it was a vision of a better Singapore.

Building Singapore’s Water Resilience

Water security was another arena where Lee Ek Tieng excelled. As head of the Public Utilities Board (PUB) from 1978 to 2000, he co-authored Singapore’s first water master plan in 1972, aiming for 75% self-sufficiency. His boldest legacy? Leading the development of NEWater, a groundbreaking reclaimed water system that now meets 40% of Singapore’s water needs.

Facing skepticism, Lee pushed through pilot projects in the 1990s, proving that treated wastewater could be safe and sustainable. Today, NEWater stands as a pillar of Singapore’s resilience against climate change and water scarcity—a testament to his foresight and tenacity.

Leadership That Shaped the Civil Service

Lee Ek Tieng’s influence extended beyond infrastructure. As Head of the Civil Service from 1994 to 1999, he modernized Singapore’s bureaucracy, making it more responsive and forward-thinking. Starting as deputy head in June 1994, he took the helm in October that year, steering the service through economic shifts with a focus on excellence.

Colleagues remember him as thorough yet approachable. He’d play ping-pong with mechanics after hours and make surprise checks on sewerage plants—proof he never lost touch with the ground. His leadership set a high bar, inspiring a generation of public servants to prioritize integrity and innovation.

A Humble Legacy Remembered

Despite his towering achievements, Lee Ek Tieng remained humble. “Engineers are not sentimental people,” he once quipped, downplaying his role in favor of his team’s efforts. PM Wong echoed this in his tribute, noting Lee’s “quiet dedication” and humility. Even after retiring, he stayed active, serving at GIC and encouraging colleagues to take up golf—a lighthearted legacy that earned GIC the nickname “Golf Improvement Club.”

His personal life reflected this modesty. Married to Patricia, with two sons, Lee lived simply, letting his work speak for itself. His death on April 6, followed by a private cremation on April 8, marked the end of an era, but his contributions endure.

Tributes Pour In After His Passing

News of Lee Ek Tieng’s death sparked an outpouring of gratitude. PM Wong’s Facebook post on April 9 hailed him as a “pioneering civil servant” whose work shaped Singapore’s future. Sustainability Minister Grace Fu, who honored him in February 2025 at the launch of Lee Ek Tieng: The Green General of Lee Kuan Yew, called him a “true architect” of modern Singapore. Former PM Lee Hsien Loong added, “His legacy lives on in the institutions he helped build.”

On X, users mourned his loss, with posts like “RIP Lee Ek Tieng, a giant of Singapore’s story.” His death, just weeks after his book launch, felt poignant—a final chapter for a man who rarely sought the spotlight.

What Lee Ek Tieng’s Life Teaches Us Today

Lee Ek Tieng’s story is a lesson in quiet impact. He didn’t chase fame; he chased results. In an era of instant gratification, his decades-long commitment to unglamorous but vital work—sewers, rivers, water—reminds us that true change takes time and resolve. As Singapore faces new challenges like climate change, his legacy urges us to think long-term and act boldly.

For more on his life, read the full obituary at The Straits Times. Lee Ek Tieng may be gone, but his mark on Singapore is forever.