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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’s founding father’s image on his neck.<\/p>\n
Speaking to Stomp, Surendran, who arrived from Tamil Nadu, India at 18 and has since worked across various companies as an air-conditioning technician, said he admires Lee for building Singapore into what he calls a “golden country”, where laws ensure fairness and equality.<\/p>\n
Widely regarded as the architect of modern Singapore, Lee led the nation through its uncertain early years after independence in 1965 \u2014 a period he later described as his greatest political setback.<\/p>\n
Yet it also steeled his resolve. In the weeks after separation, he urged Singaporeans to press on: “This is not a country that belongs to any single community\u2026 Ten years from now, this will be a metropolis. Never fear!”<\/p>\n
It is this sense of determination that resonates with Surendran.<\/p>\n
Despite the pain of getting a neck tattoo, Surendran went ahead with the portrait at First Tattoo Studio.<\/p>\n
“First pain, now gain,” he said with conviction, placing his hand over his heart. “You see my tattoo, now you all know about my heart.”<\/p>\n
He said the tattoo reflects his belief in Lee’s values, and hopes it will remind others of the late leader’s contributions and ideals.<\/p>\n
As he spoke, he gestured animatedly, his tone unwavering and confident.<\/p>\n
Surendran’s 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 “comfortable” \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 Lee and the country he built.<\/p>\n
Surendran said his admiration for 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 Lee’s iconic “there is iron in him” speech, watching the screen quietly, his expression softening.<\/p>\n
He added that he was deeply affected by Lee’s 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 Lee, though they were born in different months, him in March and Lee in September.<\/p>\n
Today, Lee even features in his spiritual life. Surendran said he prays to Allah, Jesus, Shiva \u2014 and finally, to 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 Surendran first approached him just before closing time, he asked him to return the next day \u2014 describing it as a “litmus test” to see if he was serious.<\/p>\n
When he came back the following day, Lee said it was clear he was “dead set” on the design.<\/p>\n
During the session, Surendran shared how he had “come from nothing” to build a life for himself in Singapore.<\/p>\n
Lee said the tattoo symbolises that journey and the obstacles he has overcome.<\/p>\n
\n‘This is what he stands for’<\/h2>\n
Lee later shared the tattoo on Instagram, where it has garnered more than 2,900 likes.<\/p>\n
He admitted his initial reaction was disbelief.<\/p>\n
“The only appropriate response is ‘Huh?'” he wrote.<\/p>\n
“Turns out Kumar came from a life of poverty and… tragedy,” he added. “Singapore was the first place he could build a life for himself and his family.”<\/p>\n
Despite acknowledging that tattooing a political figure could be controversial, Lee told Stomp he wanted to share the story.<\/p>\n
“This is what this man stands for, and I really have to put it out and respect that,” he said.<\/p>\n
“It is very in tune with… what I think tattooing is, which is a person wearing his beliefs on his sleeve,” Lee said. “Or in this case, on his throat.”<\/p>\n
Many netizens were impressed by Surendran’s pain tolerance.<\/p>\n
“Bro got the iron throat,” one commenter said.<\/p>\n
“Bro’s throat is dedicated to serving anyone regardless of race, language or religion,” another quipped, referencing the national pledge.<\/p>\n
When asked what he would say to Lee Kuan Yew today, Surendran said: “Uncle, you help make the country very good. I came from India to come here. Now my family and everybody are happy.”<\/p>\n
This <\/em>article<\/em><\/a> was first published in <\/em>Stomp<\/em><\/a>. Permission required for reproduction.<\/em><\/p>\n
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