SINGAPORE, March 24 — Setting aside their political differences, opposition parties yesterday (March 23) offered their condolences to Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong over the passing of former Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew.

In a condolence letter sent to Lee Hsien Loong, Workers’ Party chief Low Thia Khiang noted the late Lee’s achievements, leading a group of like-minded individuals through Singapore’s tumultuous early years of nationhood, including a difficult merger with Malaysia and subsequent independence in 1965.

“Mr Lee served in public office for almost his entire adult life. His passing marks an end of an era in Singapore’s history. His contributions to Singapore will be remembered for generations to come,” Low wrote.

Singapore Democratic Party Secretary-General Chee Soon Juan said in statement on the party’s Facebook page: “On behalf of the members of the Singapore Democratic Party, I send you and your loved ones my deepest condolences on the demise of your father, Mr Lee Kuan Yew. In this time of personal grief, our thoughts are with you.”

Non-Constituency Member of Parliament Lina Chiam of the Singapore People’s Party wrote on its Facebook page: “I ask God to give the family strength and comfort during this period of uncertainty. May He also give comfort to Mr Lee Kuan Yew.”

The National Solidarity Party said it lamented the passing of Mr Lee, “who had contributed significantly to the growth and development of our country”.

“The party extends its deepest condolences to PM Lee Hsien Loong and his family,” NSP said on its Facebook page.

The Democratic Progressive Party of Singapore issued a statement saying it was deeply saddened by Lee’s demise.

“We are indebted to him as a nation, and owe our present and our future to what he has wrought to make Singapore an independent nation,” the party said. “All great leaders are ultimately human, and much can be said, both good and bad, about the man. But at this time of national mourning, let’s remember and celebrate the good he has done for us as Singaporeans, and give him the credit that is due.”

Mr Kenneth Jeyaretnam, secretary-general of the Reform Party — founded by his father the late JB Jeyaretnam — said in a Facebook post: “As Singapore’s first post-independence Prime Minister, Lee Kuan Yew was part of our shared history. With his death, it is natural that Singaporeans will feel that a part of Singapore has died with him. RIP. My thoughts are with his family.” ― Today