Founding Father Of Singapore Lee Kuan Yew Passes Away At 91

23 March, Singapore

Lee Kuan Yew, the statesman and founding father of Singapore, who transformed Singapore from a small port city into a wealthy global hub, has died at the age of 91.

Lee served as the city-state’s prime minister for 31 years and continued to work in government until 2011.

Highly respected as the architect of Singapore’s prosperity, Lee was also criticised for his iron grip on power. Under him freedom of speech was tightly restricted and political opponents were targeted by the courts.

Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has declared a period of National Mourning from March 23 to 29.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said in a statement that Lee Kuan Yew helped Singapore to transition from a developing country to one of the most developed in the world, transforming it into a thriving international business hub.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed grief over the demise of Kuan Yew. In a tweet, Modi termed him a far-sighted statesman and a lion among leaders.

US President Barack Obama and former President George W Bush, as well as Secretary of State John Kerry, have sent their condolences to the Prime Minister on the passing of Kuan Yew.

UK Prime Minister David Cameron and former Prime Minister Tony Blair, Australia Prime Minister Tony Abbott and New Zealand Prime Minister John Key have also paid tribute to Singapore’s first Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew.