File photo taken on Aug. 9, 2013 shows Lee Kuan Yew attending the National Day Parade at the Float Marina Bay in Singapore. Singapore's former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew died at 3:18 a.m. local time at age of 91 in Singapore, March 23, 2015. (Xinhua/Then Chih Wey)
SINGAPORE, March 23 (Xinhua) -- Lee Kuan Yew, former prime minister of Singapore, died at 3:18 am on Monday at the age of 91, according to a statement released by the Prime Minister's Office ( PMO) on Monday.
Lee passed away "peacefully", the statement said.
Lee had been in hospital for severe pneumonia since Feb. 5. PMO said his condition was "slightly improved" on Feb. 28, but worsened due to an infection on March 17. His condition had hence remained "critically ill" until PMO issued a statement at noon on Saturday, saying that his condition had again "worsened".
His ill health had prevented him from attending public and constituency events in recent months. His latest appearances were at the People's Action Party's 60th anniversary celebrations in November last year and his constituency's Tree Planting Day earlier the same month.
As a MP for Tanjong Pagar GRC (Group Representation Constituency), he also attended Tanjong Pagar GRC's National Day dinner in August 2014.
Lee, also known as Singapore's founding father, was born in September 1923. He served as the prime minister of Singapore from 1959 to 1990, and later served as a senior minister and minister mentor after stepping down from the first chair.
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SINGAPORE, March 23 (Xinhua) -- Lee Kuan Yew, former prime minister of Singapore and one of the most influential political figures in Asia, passed away at the age of 91 Monday morning.
Lee served as Singapore's prime minister from 1959 till 1990.
Born in September 1923 into a family of Chinese descent, Lee did well in high school and later majored in law at Cambridge. Full story
UN chief offers condolences over death of Singapore's former PM Lee Kuan Yew
UNITED NATIONS, March 22 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said Sunday that he is deeply saddened by the death of Lee Kuan Yew, former prime minister of Singapore, and offered his condolences to Lee's family, the government and the people of Singapore.
In a statement issued here by his spokesperson, Ban called Lee a "legendary figure in Asia" widely respected for his strong leadership and statesmanship. Full story
Obama mourns death of Lee Kuan Yew, calling him "remarkable" man
WASHINGTON, March 22 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Barack Obama on Sunday mourned the death of former Singaporean prime minister Lee Kuan Yew, calling him a "remarkable" man.
"I was deeply saddened to learn of the death of Singapore's minister mentor, Lee Kuan Yew," the president said in a written statement, noting he and his wife Michelle offered their "deepest condolences to the Lee family and join the people of Singapore in mourning the loss of this remarkable man."
Lee Kuan Yew, Singapore's founding father, served as the country's premier from 1959 to 1990 and then as a senior minister and minister mentor. He died early Monday local time at the age of 91. Full story
