Former prime minister Lee Kuan Yew dies, aged 91
Singapore’s founding father Lee Kuan Yew died at 3.18am on March 23 at Singapore General Hospital.
He was 91 years old.
A statement from the Prime Minister’s Office said: “Mr Lee passed away peacefully at the Singapore General Hospital today at 3.18 am.”
Lee Hsien Loong posted a copy of the statement earlier this morning (March 23).
Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong posted a tribute to his former mentor on Facebook.
President Tony Tan also sent his condolences.
The Cabinet also said in a statement:
Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean, Deputy Prime Minister Tharman
Shanmugaratnam and Cabinet colleagues send our deepest condolences to
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and the family of our Founding Prime Minister
Mr Lee Kuan Yew. We will always remember his sound guidance, his constant
questioning, and his fatherly care for Singapore and for all of us. Let us
dedicate ourselves to Singapore and Singaporeans, in the way that Mr Lee
showed us.
Mr Lee served as Prime Minister for 31 years from 1959 to 1990.
He was a Member of Parliament for Tanjong Pagar from 1955 to 1991 and a MP for Tanjong Pagar GRC from 1991 up until his death.
The elder statesman was admitted to Singapore General Hospital (SGH) on Feb 5 with severe pneumonia.
Mr Lee’s condition improved slightly at the end of February and remained largely unchanged till March 17, when it worsened due to an infection, according to updates from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).
His condition further deteriorated over the next few days.
When news broke that Mr Lee was critically ill, many visited SGH to leave bouquets and get-well cards for him.
Yesterday, well-wishers battled the downpour just to leave cards and flowers.
There was also an outpouring of good wishes for Mr Lee on social media during his hospital stay.
On March 22, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong visited the designated area and thanked well-wishers for their support in a Facebook post.
He added: “Have been looking at some old photos from our family collection. So many happy memories over a lifetime.”
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