Singapore’s founding father and first Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew passed away early Monday morning at the age of 91, according to media reports.
A statement posted on the website of the Prime Minister’s office said Mr Lee died peacefully at the Singapore General Hospital at 3:18am. He had been in hospital since 5 February due to severe pneumonia and was later put on life support.
This morning, his eldest son and current Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong released a statement saying: “The first of our founding fathers is no more. He inspired us, gave us courage, kept us together, and brought us here. He fought for our independence, built a nation where there was none, and made us proud to be Singaporeans. We won’t see another man like him.
“To many Singaporeans, and indeed others too, Lee Kuan Yew was Singapore. As Prime Minister, he pushed us hard to achieve what had seemed impossible. After he stepped down, he guided his successors with wisdom and tact. In old age, he continued to keep a watchful eye on Singapore.
“Singapore was his abiding passion. He gave of himself, in full measure, to Singapore. As he himself put it towards the end of his life and I quote: “I have spent my life, so much of it, building up this country. There’s nothing more that I need to do. At the end of the day, what have I got? A successful Singapore. What have I given up? My life.”
“I am grieved beyond words at the passing of Mr Lee Kuan Yew. I know that we all feel the same way. But even as we mourn his passing, let us also honour his spirit. Let us dedicate ourselves as one people to build on his foundations, strive for his ideals, and keep Singapore exceptional and successful for many years to come. May Mr Lee Kuan Yew rest in peace. Thank you.”
The elder Mr Lee will lie in state from 25 to 28 March at Parliament House so that the public can pay their last respects. The state funeral will be held on 29 March.
The government has also declared a period of national mourning from 23 to 29 March, and Singapore flags at all government buildings will be flown at half-mast until Sunday.
Mr Lee, who was born in Singapore on 16 September 1923 into a fourth-generation middle-class Chinese family, is credited for transforming the city-state into one of Asia’s wealthiest countries in spite of its small size, lack of natural resources and largely uneducated population.
Responding to Mr Lee’s passing, US President Barack Obama hailed him as a visionary.
“He was a true giant of history who will be remembered for generations to come as the father of modern Singapore and as one (of) the great strategists of Asian affairs,” he said.
Romesh Navaratnarajah, Singapore Editor at PropertyGuru, edited this story. To contact him about this or other stories email romesh@propertyguru.com.sg
