Singapore Founding Father Lee Kuan Yew dies at 91 (Photo : Twitter/@ANCALERTS)
Singapore mourns after Singapore's first prime minister and modern founding father Lee Kuan Yew died on Monday at the age of 91.
This sparked a downpour of tributes to the man who administered and kept a keen eye on the city-state's rapid rise from a British colonial setback to a global trade and financial center, Reuters reports.
Lee was described by US President Barack Obama as a "true giant of history". Lee's advice and counsel regarding governance and economic development was sought after by other leaders all over the world in the course of years. According to Yahoo News, Lee has led Singapore to its development for almost three decades. He transformed the poor island into a financial hub with low crime rate and almost zero corruption.
Lee drew both praises and criticisms in his lifetime concerning his market-friendly policies as well as strict controls over the press, public protest, and political opponents.
Despite retreating from his post over the past few years, he is still seen and regarded as a very influential figure in the history of Singapore and in the government of his eldest son Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.
Prime Minister Lee paid tribute to his father in a live television address on Monday. "To many Singaporeans, and indeed others too, Lee Kuan Yew was Singapore," he said.
According to BBC News, a private wake will take place for the family on Monday and Tuesday. His body will lie in state at parliament from Wednesday to Saturday afterwards.
A period of national mourning has been declared by the government until the funeral on Sunday. According to a statement from the government, Lee "passed away peacefully" at Singapore General Hospital on Monday.
Singaporeans showed their solid support throughout the time Lee was being treated for pneumonia. Many had sent flowers that it had piled up in the hospital.
