Death of Lee Kuan Yew

On 23 March 2015, Lee Kuan Yew, the first Prime Minister of Singapore and former leader of the People's Action Party, died at the age of 91 after being hospitalised with "severe pneumonia" on 5 February 2015. Many world leaders issued public condolences.

Death and embalming of Lee Kuan Yew

 * 0318 hrs: Lee Kuan Yew dies at Singapore General Hospital
 * 0407 hrs: Prime Minister's Office issues statement, Poh Jing Xiang and Tan Jun Yang requested to call Singapore Casket and Lee Hsien Loong, with Li Yipeng collected death certificates from the Singapore General Hospital. The entire crowd went over to wave 'farewell' to Lee Kuan Yew.
 * 0410 hrs: Radio and television channels in Singapore broadcast announcement and change programming. Solemn instrumental music is heard on the radio; while programming is changed on television channels.
 * 0630 hrs: 7-day mourning day period announced. However, this is not mandatory for all Singaporeans.
 * 0800 hrs: Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong makes 'live' address in on Singapore radio and television while the 38 Oxley Road team ransacked for clothings. He spoke in Malay, Mandarin and English
 * 0930 hrs: Lee Kuan Yew was embalmed, with clothes changed from hospital clothes to tight-fitting clothes, with black pants (mixed with Chinese clan) and sports shoes at the SGH Mortuary. Makeup was also added.

Wake at Sri Temasek
The wake will be held at Sri Temasek from 23 March 2015 to 25 March 2015 8.45am. At 1pm, the hearse had entered Istana, where the wake at Sri Temasek begins. It was brought through the Mercedes-Benz hearse, which is by Singapore Casket.

In total, 300 people have known to be attending the wake at Sri Temasek; where it also includes the 10,000 "freeloader" crowds thronging into the Sri Temasek. Those people attending are also students from Institute of Technical Education, polytechnics and those graduating with GCE 'O' Levels to go into the April intake, where they usually have school holidays.

Lying in state
The body of Lee Kuan Yew will lie in state at the Parliament House from 25 March 2015 all the way to 28 March 2015. On 26 March 2015, there will be a special parliamentary session to tribute to Lee Kuan Yew.

Funeral
The funeral will be held on 29 March 2015 (Sunday).
 * 1400 hrs: State Funeral at National University of Singapore Cultural Centre. Three double-decker buses will be hired for the state funeral procession from Parliament House to National University of Singapore Cultural Centre.
 * 1700 hrs: Private Funeral at Mandai Crematorium by invited personnel. Four double-decker buses will be hired for the procession to the Mandai Crematorium.
 * 1830 hrs: Cremation. The bus will return back to Singapore Casket at Lavender.

Local reactions
Lee Hsien Loong, the current Prime Minister of Singapore and son of Lee Kuan Yew, said "The first of our founding fathers is no more. He inspired us, gave us courage, kept us together, and brought us here. He fought for our independence, built a nation where there was none, and made us proud to be Singaporeans."

Goh Chok Tong, the former Prime Minister of Singapore, said Lee Kuan Yew was the man he looked up to most and that Lee had "bequeathed a monumental legacy to Singaporeans - a safe, secure, harmonious and prosperous independent Singapore"

Tony Tan, the current President of Singapore, sent his condolences to Lee's family saying "The greatest tribute that Singaporeans can pay him is to treasure and build upon the legacy that Mr Lee and his team have left us, and make Singapore an even better home for our future generations."

Low Thia Kiang, Secretary-General for the Workers' Party, said that Lee's "passing marks an end of an era in Singapore’s history", and that "his contributions to Singapore will be remembered for generations to come".

Nicole Seah, former second assistant secretary-general of the National Solidarity Party, said that Lee "left behind a nation that will miss [him]. Not out of fear, but of love."

Desmond Lim, Chairman of Singapore Democratic Alliance, said that Lee "had no doubt, with his comrades, had [sic] brought and push Singapore from third world country to what we enjoy now-first world state [sic]. This is something we had witnessed and cannot be denied.

Americas

 * 🇨🇦 Canada: Prime Minister Stephen Harper said that Lee "was a highly respected and accomplished leader who transformed Singapore from a developing country into a global leader in finance, shipping, education and technology. His memory will live on in the stability and prosperity of the peaceful and dynamic Southeast Asian nation to which he contributed so much of his life."


 * 🇲🇽 Mexico: Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto tweeted in Spanish "I regret the passing of the ex-Prime Minister of Singapore."


 * 🇺🇸 United States: U.S. President Barack Obama said he was "very saddened" and that Lee was "visionary". In a statement issued from the White House, he described Lee as "a true giant of history" and "...one of the great strategists of Asian affairs", and "A visionary who led his country from Singapore's independence in 1965 to build one of the most prosperous countries in the world today, he was a devoted public servant and a remarkable leader."

Former President George H. W. Bush said “I will always be proud that Lee Kuan Yew was my friend. I respected his effective leadership of his wonderful, resilient and innovative country in ways that lifted living standards without indulging a culture of corruption. I was also proud of the progress Singapore and the United States achieved together as partners. Because of the example set by Lee Kuan Yew’s singular leadership, let me add I am confident that the future will be bright for Singapore.”

Asia

 * 🇦🇫 Afghanistan: President Ashraf Ghani hailed Mr Lee Kuan Yew as an "inspirational leader" whose wisdom will "remain with us forever.


 * Brunei: The Sultan of Brunei Hassanal Bolkiah released a statement calling Lee a "....charismatic and exemplary leader", whose "vast contributions towards maintaining regional peace and stability"


 * 🇨🇳 China: President Xi Jinping described Lee as an old friend of China. Premier Li Keqiang sends condolences to Prime minister Lee Hsien Loong. Congress chairman Zhang Dejiang and Vice-premier Zhang Gaoli also send condolences to Singapore officers. China's Foreign Ministry described Lee as "...a politician who possessed unique influence on Asia. He was also a strategist with oriental values and international perspectives."


 * 🇭🇰 Hong Kong: Hong Kong Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying said that "Mr Lee's integrity, tenacity, vision and drive laid the most solid foundation possible for the impressive economic development, prosperity and social harmony that epitomises Singapore today."


 * 🇹🇼 Taiwan (Republic of China): President Ma Ying-jeou released a statement calling Lee an "...admirable and outstanding leader."


 * 🇮🇳 India: Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi described Lee as a "...far-sighted statesman and a lion among leaders".


 * 🇮🇩 Indonesia: President of Indonesia Joko Widodo tributed: "The government and people of Indonesia wish to convey their deep sorrow over the passing of former PM Lee Kuan Yew on Monday, 3.18am."


 * 🇯🇵 Japan: Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe called Lee a "...great Asian leader who laid the foundation for the prosperity of Singapore today."


 * 🇲🇾 Malaysia: Prime Minister of Malaysia Najib Razak sent his condolences saying "I am saddened to hear about the passing of Lee, founding PM of Singapore."


 * Philippine: Philippine President Benigno Aquino said "An era has passed, one upon which Singaporeans can look back on with deep pride and a sense of accomplishment. Throughout his long life, as prime minister and senior minister, Mr Lee demonstrated an unswerving devotion to his country, turning it into a statement that would be an exemplar of efficient, modern and honest governance. The development of Singapore has earned it the respect of nations and peoples, including the tens of thousands of Filipinos who work there and visit the country."


 * 🇰🇷 South Korea: The Chosun Ilbo, Joongang Ilbo and Dong-A Ilbo, the three leading newspaper agencies, all published obituaries for Lee. They went into detail on the relationship between Korean president Park Geun-hye and Lee, from the times when she acted as First Lady for her father and South Korean strongman Park Chung-hee. Additionally, President Park Geun-hye stated that "...the late Lee Kwan Yew was the father of Singapore and led it to become a centre of finance and commerce through 31 years of rule; his prophesy of a greater Singapore and efforts exerted upon such a goal has garnered respect all around the world, especially in South Korea...He has visited this nation multiple times and was a friend to the Korean people." She is to also visit the funeral and comfort the family.


 * 🇹🇭 Thailand: Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said that he would like to express his sadness for the passing of Lee Kuan Yew.


 * 🇰🇵 North Korea: Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un said Mr Lee is a very good friend of North Korea. He will be missed dearly

Europe

 * 🇷🇺 Russia: Russian President Vladimir Putin send his condolences saying "Over his decades of work as prime minister and in other high government posts, he earned his compatriots’ sincere love and respect and won the highest international influence."


 * 🇬🇧 United Kingdom: UK Prime Minister David Cameron said Lee was "a friend of Britain".

Oceania

 * 🇦🇺 Australia: Prime Minister of Australia, Tony Abbott said "Today, we mourn the passing of a giant of our region. Fifty years ago, Lee Kuan Yew led a vulnerable, fledgling nation to independence. Today, thanks to his vision and determination, Singapore is one of the world’s most successful countries."


 * 🇫🇯 Fiji: Condolences sent by the Prime Minister.
 * 🇳🇿 New Zealand: Prime Minister of New Zealand John Key said "Lee Kuan Yew’s courage, determination, commitment, character and ability made him a formidable leader who held the respect of Singaporeans and the international community alike. His loss will be deeply felt by his family and the people of Singapore. I had the honour of meeting Mr Lee in 2007 during his last official visit to New Zealand. He was well known for his insights and foresight but what struck me most was his unwavering determination to see Singapore succeed."

International organisations

 * Human Rights Watch: Phil Robertson, deputy director in Asia said that "Lee's tremendous role in Singapore's economic development is beyond doubt, but it also came at a significant cost for human rights – and today's restricted freedom of expression, self-censorship and stunted multi-party democracy is also a part of his legacy that Singapore now needs to overcome."


 * International Monetary Fund: Managing Director Christine Lagarde "He was a visionary statesman whose uncompromising stand for meritocracy, efficiency and education transformed Singapore into one of the most prosperous nations in the world. His wisdom and leadership will be remembered by people all around the globe."


 * 🇺🇳 United Nations: Secretary General of the United Nations Ban Ki-Moon expressed condolences.

Business leaders
Rupert Murdoch chairman of News Corporation called Lee a “great uncompromising statesman” and said his advice was "always wise"

Li Ka-shing, Hong Kong’s richest man, said Lee was a “veritable force of nature” who accomplished what few managed to do.

Robert Kuok, South-east Asia's richest man said Lee “did not allow anything to stand in his way” of achieving his dream for a prosperous nation.