Singapore founding father Lee Kuan Yew dead

 http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/singapore-founding-father-lee-kuan-yew-dead/article7021499.ece?homepage=true

 

He was the architect of the nation's rapid rise from a British tropical outpost to a global trade and financial centre.

Lee Kuan Yew, Singapore's first prime minister and architect of the tiny Southeast Asian city-state's rapid rise from British tropical outpost to global trade and financial centre, died on Monday, aged 91, the government announced.

Although Mr. Lee had receded from the public and political scene over the past few years, he was still seen as an influential figure in the government of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, his oldest son.

"Mr Lee passed away peacefully at the Singapore General Hospital today at 3.18 am," a statement said.

"Harry" Lee became Singapore's first prime minister in 1959 and held onto power for over three decades, overseeing the island's transformation from a malaria-infested backwater into one of Asia's most prosperous nations.

Even after stepping down as leader, the fiery Mr. Lee was never far from the decision making process, holding a cabinet level post until 2011. He was a member of parliament until his death.

Mr. Lee combined market-friendly policies with strict controls over the press, free speech and his political opponents. He was hailed by some as a visionary and criticised by others as authoritarian.

Mr. Lee's death and his son's expected retirement within the next few years will mark the end of an era, but industry leaders say any change of the guard will have little impact on business in the city-state, renowned for its robust institutions.

Mr. Lee co-founded the People's Action Party (PAP), which has ruled Singapore since 1959 and led the newly born country when it was separated from Malaysia in 1965.

He stepped down as prime minister in 1990, handing power to Goh Chok Tong, but remained influential as senior minister in Goh's cabinet and subsequently as "minister mentor" when his eldest son Lee Hsien Loong became prime minister in 2004.

The older Lee left the cabinet in 2011 and had cut down his public appearances in recent months due to his age and declining health.

Lee Kuan Yew

Former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew of Singapore, often described as the "shrewdest politician of the region," was the head of Singapore's Government since 1959, through three general elections. Here is a profile of him published in The Hindu on May 16, 1969. Read more

New employment law in Singapore Mr. Lee disclosed that the Government would soon be setting up the necessary machinery whereby the employers could give jobs depending on qualifications. Here is an article published in The Hindu on June 25, 1960 on some of the early reforms he adopted.	Stepping aside to corner more power? On November 27, after 31 years at the helm of affairs, Mr. Lee Kuan Yew handed in his resignation as the Prime Minister of Singapore. Here is an analysis of his legacy that was published on December 2, 1990.

Timeline

• › Born in Singapore on September 16, 1923.


• › November 12, 1954: Lee formed the ‘socialist’ People’s Action Party (PAP) in alliance with the pro-communist trade unionists.


• › May 30, 1959: PAP won 43 of the 51 seats in the national elections. Singapore gained self-government with autonomy in all but defence and diplomacy.


• ›June 3, 1959: Lee became the first Prime Minister of Singapore, taking over from Chief Minister Lim Yew Hock.


• ›September 16, 1963: Malaya, Singapore, North Borneo and Sarawak merge and Malaysia was formed. Lee believed that Singapore’s survival as a separate nation would be difficult.


• › August 9, 1965: Singapore exits Federation of Malaysia amid political and ethnic tensions. Parliament of Singapore passed the Republic of Singapore Independence Act, making itself a sovereign republic.


• ›November 28, 1990: After leading the PAP to victory in seven elections, Lee stepped down, handing over the prime ministership to Goh Chok Tong He was then the world’s longest-serving Prime Minister.