Singapore’s first Prime Minister, Lee Kuan Yew
has died at the age of 91.
Lee, considered to be the founding father of the
Asian country, passed away at the Singapore
General Hospital early on Monday, March 23.
He had been admitted into the hospital over a
month ago and had been receiving treatment for
severe pneumonia and a subsequent infection.
Lee has been hailed as the architect of
Singapore's prosperity after he transformed the
nation from a small port city into a wealthy
global hub.
He was also praised for being a visionary and
for fostering relations between Asia and the
U.S.
Lee’s death has elicited an outpouring of
tributes from all over the world. US President
Barack Obama said in a statement:
“Minister Mentor Lee’s views and insights on
Asian dynamics and economic management were
respected by many around the world, and no small
number of this and past generations of world
leaders have sought his advice on governance and
development.”
Obama also described Lee as “a true giant of
history.”
The Secretary General of the United Nations
(UN), Ban Ki-moon also said that he was
"deeply saddened" by Lee's death.
“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,” Lee’s son, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong
said.
The deceased statesman was Singapore’s
Prime Minister for 31 years.
He will be receive a state funeral March 29,
after an official week of mourning.
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