Tuesday 24 March 2015

quotes from world leaders

Tributes to Mr Lee from near and far

Today, ASEAN lost one of its greatest leaders, Mr Lee Kuan Yew.
Mr Lee is acknowledged as the founding father of Singapore. The
countrys transformation from a sleepy port town 50 years ago to
now one of the wealthiest countries in the world is widely attributed
to his astute leadership and effective governance. Indeed, Singapores
sterling economic growth is a monumental testimony to the former
Prime Ministers service to his country. He was Singapores prime
minister for three decades and continued to serve his country in various ways even after
stepping down in 1990. Indeed, he dedicated his entire life for the progress of Singapore.
We convey our deepest condolences to Lee Hsien Loong, son of Mr Lee Kuan Yew and
current Prime Minister of Singapore, his family, and to all Singaporeans, for their great loss.

The former Prime Minister was a close friend

of Indonesia and renowned as the founding
father of modern Singapore. As a great
leader and a statesman who truly loved his
people, he was also known as an influential
political figure in Asia.
Under his leadership, Singapore has
succeeded in transforming itself into a major
economic hub for the Asian region
and stands in equal footing to other
developed nations of the world.

On ASEANs Facebook page

Indonesian President Joko Widodo

Minister Mentor Lees 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. I personally
appreciated his wisdom,
including our discussions
during my trip to Singapore
in 2009, which were hugely
important in helping me
formulate our
policy of
rebalancing
to the AsiaPacific.
United
States
President
Barack
Obama,
in a statement
by the White
House

We will be forever grateful to the former

Prime Minister for his role as a pioneer of
development and the architect of modern
Singapore. We were privileged to have
had a close working relationship with
him over several decades. The late Prime
Minister is recognised around the world
for transforming Singapore in a short time
from an undeveloped nation to one of the
most successful high-income countries
in the world. He showed that a city-state
with few natural resources could rapidly
evolve into a global trading hub and
financial powerhouse through education,
integrated planning, and a highly-trained
civil service. He tackled corruption
relentlessly and held
public servants to the
highest standards.
Most importantly,
he showed
that economic
development could
provide opportunities
and improve the lives
of a countrys citizens.

As one who was privileged

to see him at work for over
five decades, I feel a sense
of personal loss. His loyalty
and lifelong dedication to
his country are recognised
and well-recorded. He left an
indelible mark in the history
of South-east Asia.
I personally have
benefited from his
perspective wisdom and
foresight. For that, I remain
ever grateful.
My deepest
condolences to his beloved
family.

Lee Hsien Loong, I am very sorry to hear

about the loss of your father. My thoughts
and prayers are with you and your family.
On behalf of all Malaysians, my deepest
condolences to the people of
Singapore. Founding Prime Minister
MrLee Kuan Yews achievements were
great, and his legacy is assured.

World Bank Group

CEO Jim Yong Kim
in a World Bank

Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak

in a post on Facebook yesterday morning,
one of the first responses to the news

Mr Lee Kuan Yew had

worked together with the
pioneering generation of
Chinese leaders in opening
the gate for the friendly
cooperation between
China and Singapore.
His contributions to
the China-Singapore
relationship and Chinas
reform and opening up
will surely be marked by
history.

As the founder and first

Prime Minister of Singapore,
Lee Kuan Yew initiated
developmental policies
that were transparent and
efficient, and was successful
at attracting foreign investors
to the point that his country
was dubbed the Swiss of Asia.
The people of Singapore
have lost an important figure
who has done much for his
country, and we hope that
the close and warm ties
between South-east Asian
neighbours initiated during
the time of Lee Kuan Yew and
other past leaders can only be
strengthened from here on.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang

in a message posted on the website
of the State Council of the Peoples
Republic of China

Prime
Minister
of
Thailand
General
Prayuth
Chan-ocha
writing in
the book of
condolence
at the Embassy
of the Republic
of Singapore
in Bangkok

I knew (Mr Lee) well. When

I became leader of the
Labour Party I travelled
to Singapore to seek his
advice, which he gave
with typical acumen and
frankness. Over the years,
we then worked together
in many ways. He will be
profoundly missed and
greatly mourned not only
by the people of Singapore
but by his many friends the
world over.
Former UK
Prime Minister Tony Blair
from the Office of Tony Blair

Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR)

president Wan Azizah Ismail

I valued his insights on Asia, geopolitics, and economics,

which have shaped the thinking of many around the world.
I will always cherish the wisdom he imparted on me when I
had the honour to sit and talk with him in Singapore in July
2013. Then just shy of 90 years old, he remained formidable.
United States Vice-President Joe Biden
who met mr lee at the istana in july 2013 (picture)

Photo: Reuters