The former brigadier-general and Cambridge-educated mathematician, seen by many as an aloof intellectual with a privileged upbringing, showed the results of two decades of political training in an inaugural policy address Sunday.

By the time he finished the more than three-hour televised speech at 11:15 pm, Singaporeans had discovered a more accessible, even folksy side of Lee, 52, and the local media found a new poster boy.

Speaking in English, Mandarin and Malay -- the main languages in the multiracial city state -- Lee cracked jokes, made fun of Singaporeans, asked them to please make more babies and told them they are now free to speak out and criticize the government.

Skeptics remain wary of just how far they can go to test the limits of free speech after decades of tight controls, but many viewers were pleasantly surprised by Lee's performance and promise of a more open society.

"You can see that he had made an effort to reach out, to be accessible," said a foreign diplomat who has followed Lee's rise to power. "He came across as very comfortable in his new shoes."

Lee also announced reforms to what used to be seen as "sacred cows" in Singapore -- the education system and civil service, which played key roles in its rapid transformation into Southeast Asia's wealthiest society.

One year ago, when then-Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong confirmed plans to step down in favor of Lee, he publicly advised his chosen heir, known to his family and friends as "Loong", to fix his image problem.

Lee had entered politics as a rookie MP in 1984 after leaving the military. In 1990 he was named one of two deputy prime ministers when Goh took over from Lee's father.

"Loong's public persona is that of a no-nonsense, uncompromising and tough minister. Singaporeans would like Loong to be more approachable. They have got used to my gentler style," said Goh, 63, now senior minister in Lee's cabinet.

"Loong is aware of the people's perception of him. We have discussed it frankly among the ministers. I have told Loong that he has to let his softer side show," Goh added.

Last Sunday after Lee's policy speech, Goh reportedly described his former deputy's performance as "masterful" and some in the political opposition shared his view.

"He has come across as a convincing speaker with a serious but positive attitude towards resolving the problems facing Singapore," opposition MP Steve Chia told AFP.

"Going forward, it is a tougher and bigger challenge for the opposition to win votes and the confidence of the people against an increasingly charismatic prime minister," he admitted.

Sinapan Samydorai, a human rights activist, said Lee "knows how to link up with the younger people" and proposed solutions which his own father and Goh did not offer.

He said that being Lee Kuan Yew's son may enable the new prime minister to reverse policies put in place by the 80-year-old patriarch, who remains in the cabinet as an adviser.

But a veteran opposition MP, Low Thia Kang, was less impressed, saying Lee's announcement that official permission is no longer needed to hold indoor political forums was like "opening within a confined space."

He said the partial easing of restrictions was being passed off "as real changes to convince Singaporeans and critics from outside that Singapore is now an open society" under its new leader.

"I will be mindful of his words and observe his deeds," Low said.
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