Daniel Choy: Mr Lee Kuan Yew, Singapore's first prime minister, dies aged 91

Monday 23 March 2015

Mr Lee Kuan Yew, Singapore's first prime minister, dies aged 91

Former Singapore prime minister Lee Kuan Yew has died at the age of 91. -- PHOTO: ST FILE -

SINGAPORE - Mr Lee Kuan Yew, Singapore's founding father, has died at the age of 91.

He had been hospitalised at the Singapore General Hospital for severe pneumonia since Feb 5.

In a statement issued on Monday, March 23, the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said Mr Lee passed away peacefully at the Singapore General Hospital at 3.18 am.

Arrangements for the public to pay respects and for the funeral proceedings will be announced later.

The PMO has been giving daily updates on Mr Lee since Tuesday, March 17, when his condition took a turn for the worse due to an infection.

Mr Lee leaves behind his sons, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, 63, and Mr Lee Hsien Yang, 57, daughter Dr Lee Wei Ling, 60, daughters-in-law Ho Ching, 61, and Lee Suet-Fern, 56, seven grandchildren and two siblings. His wife, Madam Kwa Geok Choo, died in 2010, at the age of 89.

Full statement here:

LEE KUAN YEW: The Legacy Lives On

We are deeply saddened that our Founding Secretary-General, Mr. Lee Kuan Yew has passed away today.

While we mourn the passing of one of the greatest leaders of our Party, we celebrate his incalculable contributions to Singapore and its people.

We have set up a tribute page http://www.tributetolky.org

where you can view his milestones, as well as leave your messages.

As a sign of respect, our profile pictures will be switched to black & white.

Thank you Mr. Lee Kuan Yew, may you rest in peace.

‪#‎tributetoLKY‬
‪#‎LeeKuanYew‬

For Official Updates, go to:
http://www.facebook.com/RememberingLeeKuanYew
www.rememberingleekuanyew.sg

TIMELINE :

FEB 5: Mr Lee Kuan Yew is hospitalised at the Singapore General Hospital for severe pneumonia.

Feb 21: The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) issues a statement to announce Mr Lee’s hospitalisation. It says his condition has stabilised and he is on mechanical ventilation.

Feb 26: Mr Lee’s doctors restart him on antibiotics.

Feb 28: Mr Lee’s condition improves slightly. He remains sedated and on mechanical ventilation, and is continuing with his antibiotics, PMO says in an update.

March 6: PMO says Mr Lee’s condition remains largely unchanged from the last update.

March 13: Mr Lee’s condition remains largely unchanged, PMO says.

March 17: Mr Lee’s condition worsens due to an infection.

March 18: Mr Lee remains critically ill in the intensive care unit and his condition has deteriorated further, PMO says.

March 19: Mr Lee remains critically ill in the intensive care unit.

March 20: Mr Lee remains critically ill. Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong would like to thank the public for their support and good wishes, PMO says.

March 21: Mr Lee's condition has worsened, PMO says in a one-line statement.

March 22: Mr Lee's condition has weakened further, says PMO.