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Lee Kuan Yew is widely
credited with transforming Singapore from an economic backwater to one of
Asia's wealthiest economies in just over three decades ©Toshifumi Kitamura
(AFP)
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The health of Singapore's
founding leader Lee Kuan Yew has worsened due to an infection after nearly six
weeks in hospital, the government said Tuesday.
The 91-year-old former
prime minister -- widely credited with transforming Singapore from an economic backwater
to one of Asia's wealthiest economies -- has been in Singapore General Hospital
since February 5, on life support at the intensive care unit and receiving
treatment for severe pneumonia.
AP reports:
"Mr Lee Kuan Yew's
condition has worsened due to an infection. He is on antibiotics. The doctors
are closely monitoring his condition," said a statement from the office of
his son, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.
The government said on
February 21 that Lee was stable but breathing with the help of "mechanical
ventilation", a form of life support.
The elder Lee modernised
the economy but rights advocates have criticised the British-trained lawyer for
his iron-fisted rule, which has seen political opponents jailed or driven to
bankruptcy through costly libel suits.
He served as prime
minister from 1959, when Singapore gained self-rule from Britain before a brief
and stormy union with Malaysia, until he stepped down in 1990 in favour of his
deputy Goh Chok Tong. Goh in turn handed the reins to Lee Hsien Loong in 2004.
The People's Action Party
(PAP), which was co-founded by the elder Lee, has been returned to power in
every election since 1959 and currently holds 80 of the 87 seats in parliament.
- Asian statesman -
In a book published in
2013, the Asian statesman said he feels weaker by the day and wants a quick
death.
The longtime fitness buff
has visibly slowed since his wife of 63 years Kwa Geok Choo died in 2010.
In a newspaper column in
2011, Lee's physician daughter Lee Wei Ling revealed that he had been battling a
neurological disease that makes it difficult for him to walk.
Lee's last high-profile
public appearance was in November, when despite requiring assistance to walk
and stand, he momentarily stood to receive a standing ovation at the 60th
anniversary of the founding of the PAP.
He is still an MP for the
port district of Tanjong Pagar but retired from advisory roles in government in
2011.
He held the special
cabinet positions of senior minister and later "minister mentor"
after stepping down as premier.
Despite being largely out
of the public eye in recent years, Lee remains revered by many Singaporeans.
Many took to social media
in recent weeks to voice messages of support.
On February 25 government
officials and state-linked media were forced to quash late-night rumours that
he had died.
Lee's health worsened as
Singapore ramped up preparations for a grand celebration of its 50th
anniversary of independence from Malaysia on August 9, 1965.
On Tuesday nearly 1,600
people wrote messages of support on Lee Hsien Loong's Facebook page after he
posted the latest statement on his father's condition.
"Be strong and hope
you can recover from your illness Mr Lee Kuan Yew. SG50 will be pitiful if you
aren't there with us," wrote Muhammad Zhafran, referring to the Independence
Day celebrations.
Others wished Lee well,
with the hashtag #GetwellsoonLKY, referring to his initials.
In a Facebook post on
March 13, Lee Hsien Loong said "my family and I are deeply touched"
by the messages of support.
Some had sent the elder
Lee paintings and cards wishing him well.
"We've arranged the
cards in his office, to welcome him back when he's better," the younger
Lee said.
Lee Hsien Loong, 63, was
himself discharged from hospital on February 18 after undergoing surgery for
prostate cancer. His doctor has said he should make a full recovery.
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