2

Remembering Lee Kuan Yew

Monday 23 March 2015

Mr Lee Kuan Yew, who was then Prime Minister of Singapore, addressing a crowd on National Day, June 3, 1962. Photo: AP

We wont see another like him

A nation, led by PM Lee Hsien
Loong, mourns the first of
our founding fathers is no more
By Carl Skadian Deputy Editor and
Loh Chee Kong Associate Editor

r Lee Kuan Yew, Singapores

visionary founding Prime
Minister and architect of the
countrys rise from a fledgling island
nation expelled from Malaysia to one
envied worldwide for its rapid economic
progress, far-sighted political leadership and all-round efficiency, died this
morning.
He was 91.
Mr Lees death came a few months
shy of the 50th anniversary of the Republics independence on Aug 9.
In a brief statement announcing
his death, the Prime Ministers Office
(PMO) said Mr Lee, whose health had
been deteriorating over the past two
years, died peacefully at the Singapore
General Hospital at 3.18 this morning.

The Prime Minister is deeply grieved

to announce the passing of Mr Lee
Kuan Yew, the founding Prime Minister
of Singapore, PMO said in statement
issued just past 4am.
At about 6.20am, the Cabinet also
issued a statement: 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 Lees last public appearance was
on Nov 7 last year, at the 60th anniversary celebrations of the Peoples Action
Partys (PAP) which he founded in
1954 held at Victoria Memorial Hall.
PAP chairman Khaw Boon Wan
said in a statement that Mr Lee had
devoted his whole life to Singapore. Mr
Khaw said: Millions of Singaporeans
have improved their lives because of his
dedication and sacrifice. As we mourn
his passing, lets also re-dedicate ourselves to building on his legacy, for the
Party and for Singapore.

Mr Lee had been warded at SGH

since Feb 5 after coming down with
severe pneumonia. Despite a later
statement that his condition had improved, he never recovered. His condition worsened progressively last week,
statements from the PMO said, and a
final update on his deterioration which
arrived on Sunday afternoon said his
condition had weakened further. At
4:05am today, the announcement that
Singapore had been bracing itself for
and dreading for more than a month
was made.
The Republic now enters a sevenday period of national mourning - from
today to Sunday - for its founding leader,
a man who inspired awe and was regarded as an intimidating presence at
the start of his tenure as Prime Minister in 1959, but who later became synonymous with Singapores success and
was widely viewed with respect and
admiration even if it was grudging
in some quarters.
As a mark of respect to Mr Lee, State
flags on all Government buildings will

be flown at half-mast during the week

of mourning.
A private family wake will be held
today and tomorrow at Sri Temasek
the Prime Ministers official residence
on the Istana grounds. From today to
Sunday, condolence books and cards
will be placed at the Istanas main gate
for the public to pen their tributes to
Mr Lee. Condolence books will also be
opened at all overseas missions.
Mr Lees body will lie in state at
Parliament House from Wednesday to
Saturday, for the public to pay their respects. A State Funeral Service will be
held at 2 pm on Sunday at the National
University of Singapores University
Cultural Centre.
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong,
the eldest of Mr Lee Kuan Yews three
children, addressed the nation this
morning via live television.
With his voice choking with emotion
at times, he spoke in English, Mandarin
and Malay. In his English speech, he
said: The first of our founding fathers
Continued on page 4