A migrant worker who wanted a portrait of Lee Kuan Yew tattooed on his neck was initially turned away by a tattoo artist \u2014 who asked him to return the next day \u201cto see if he was serious\u201d.<\/p>\n
He did.<\/p>\n
On April 12, 38-year-old air-conditioning technician Sugumar Surendran visited a tattoo studio along North Bridge Road with a bold request: to ink Singapore\u2019s founding father\u2019s image on his neck.<\/p>\n
Speaking to Stomp, Mr Surendran, who arrived from Tamil Nadu, India at 18 and has since worked across various companies as an air-conditioning technician, said he admires Mr Lee for building Singapore into what he calls a \u201cgolden country\u201d, where laws ensure fairness and equality.<\/p>\n
Widely regarded as the architect of modern Singapore, Mr Lee led the nation through its uncertain early years after independence in 1965 \u2014 a period he later described as his greatest political setback<\/a>.<\/p>\n Yet it also steeled his resolve. In the weeks after separation, he urged Singaporeans to press on: \u201cThis is not a country that belongs to any single community\u2026 Ten years from now, this will be a metropolis. Never fear!\u201d<\/p>\n It is this sense of determination that resonates with Mr Surendran.<\/p>\n Despite the pain of getting a neck tattoo, Mr Surendran went ahead with the portrait at First Tattoo Studio.<\/p>\n \u201cFirst pain, now gain,\u201d he said with conviction, placing his hand over his heart. \u201cYou see my tattoo, now you all know about my heart.\u201d<\/p>\n He said the tattoo reflects his belief in Mr Lee\u2019s values, and hopes it will remind others of the late leader\u2019s contributions and ideals.<\/p>\n As he spoke, he gestured animatedly, his tone unwavering and confident.<\/p>\n Mr Surendran\u2019s admiration is closely tied to his own life story. <\/p>\n Over the years, he has faced a series of personal tragedies while working in Singapore. In 2017, his sister died from cancer, followed by the death of her two-year-old son, also from cancer. <\/p>\n His wife also suffered a miscarriage with their second child due to brain development issues.<\/p>\n As he spoke about these moments, his tone softened, though he remained composed.<\/p>\n Despite this, he said he has tried to stay positive, continuing to work hard to support his wife and four-year-old son back home.<\/p>\n Life, he added, is now more \u201ccomfortable\u201d \u2014 a stark contrast to the poverty he once knew. Having worked his way up to a supervisory role, he earns a modest but steady income that allows him to provide for his family and build a more stable life.<\/p>\n He said this resilience has been shaped in part by his belief in Mr Lee and the country he built.<\/p>\n Mr Surendran said his admiration for Mr Lee grew over time through reading about his life and watching videos of his past speeches.<\/p>\n At one point during the interview, he pulled out his phone to play Mr Lee\u2019s iconic \u201cthere is iron in him\u201d speech, watching the screen quietly, his expression softening.<\/p>\n He added that he was deeply affected by Mr Lee\u2019s death in 2015, saying he could not eat or sleep, and fasted for a day as a mark of respect.<\/p>\n He also joined crowds at Parliament House before following the funeral procession to Mandai Crematorium.<\/p>\n He excitedly noted that he shares the same birth date \u2014 the 16th \u2014 as Mr Lee, though they were born in different months, him in March and Mr Lee in September. <\/p>\n Today, Mr Lee even features in his spiritual life. Mr Surendran said he prays to Allah, Jesus, Shiva \u2014 and finally, to Mr Lee.<\/p>\n Tattoo artist Jerome Lee, 34, said he was initially taken aback by the request. While he has received various walk-in requests, he had never tattooed a political figure before.<\/p>\n When Mr Surendran first approached him just before closing time, he asked him to return the next day \u2014 describing it as a \u201clitmus test\u201d to see if he was serious.<\/p>\n When he came back the following day, Mr Lee said it was clear he was \u201cdead set\u201d on the design.<\/p>\n During the session, Mr Surendran shared how he had \u201ccome from nothing\u201d to build a life for himself in Singapore.<\/p>\n Mr Lee said the tattoo symbolises that journey and the obstacles he has overcome.<\/p>\n Mr Lee later shared the tattoo on Instagram, where it has garnered more than 2,900 likes<\/a>.<\/p>\n He admitted his initial reaction was disbelief.<\/p>\n \u201cThe only appropriate response is \u2018Huh?\u2019\u201d he wrote.<\/p>\n \u201cTurns out Kumar came from a life of poverty and… tragedy,\u201d he added. \u201cSingapore was the first place he could build a life for himself and his family.\u201d<\/p>\n Despite acknowledging that tattooing a political figure could be controversial, Mr Lee told Stomp he wanted to share the story.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is what this man stands for, and I really have to put it out and respect that,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is very in tune with… what I think tattooing is, which is a person wearing his beliefs on his sleeve,\u201d Mr Lee said. \u201cOr in this case, on his throat.\u201d<\/p>\n Many netizens were impressed by Mr Surendran\u2019s pain tolerance.<\/p>\n \u201cBro got the iron throat,\u201d one commenter said.<\/p>\n \u201cBro\u2019s throat is dedicated to serving anyone regardless of race, language or religion,\u201d another quipped, referencing the national pledge.<\/p>\n When asked what he would say to Mr Lee today, Mr Surendran said: \u201cUncle, you help make the country very good. I came from India to come here. Now my family and everybody are happy.\u201d<\/p>\n Have something to say? Join in!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n See something interesting? Contribute<\/a> your story to us.<\/p>\n Explore more on these topics<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\u201cFirst pain, now gain\u201d<\/h2>\n
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Personal struggles shaped his outlook<\/h2>\n
A personal connection<\/h2>\n
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Artist initially sceptical<\/h2>\n
\u2018This is what he stands for\u2019<\/h2>\n
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