SINGAPORE, March 24 — Here’s a look at how global government and business leaders remembered Lee Kuan Yew, Singapore’s first prime minister. Lee died at 3.18am yesterday in the city-state. He was 91.
US President Barack Obama
“Lee’s views and insights on Asian dynamics and economic management were respected by many around the world, and no small number of this and past generations of world leaders have sought his advice on governance and development.”
“He was a true giant of history who will be remembered for generations to come as the father of modern Singapore and as one of the great strategists of Asian affairs.”
China President Xi Jinping
“Mr Lee Kuan Yew was the founder of Singapore, and a strategist and statesman who was widely respected by the international community.”
Lee was an “old friend” of the Chinese people and a pioneer of the nations’ ties.
Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe
“Lee Kuan Yew was one of the greatest leaders in contemporary Asia. Under that exceptional leadership and rare judgment, your country has achieved dazzling development and prosperity.”
Malaysia Prime Minister Najib Razak
“Founding Prime Minister Mr Lee Kuan Yew’s achievements were great, and his legacy is assured.”
Indonesia President Joko Widodo
“The former Prime Minister was a close friend of Indonesia, known as the founding father of modern Singapore. As a leader and nation-builder who loved his people, he was also known as one of the most influential politicians in Asia.”
UK Prime Minister David Cameron
“Lee Kuan Yew personally shaped Singapore in a way that few people have any nation.”
“His place in history is assured, as a leader and as one of the modern world’s foremost statesmen.”
Australia Prime Minister Tony Abbott
“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. In Lee Kuan Yew’s own words, Singapore’s remarkable journey has been from ’third world to first’.”
New Zealand Prime Minister John Key
“A powerful advocate for the region and supportive of New Zealand’s role in Southeast Asia and the wider world, Mr Lee was a close and long-time friend of New Zealand.”
India Prime Minister Narendra Modi
“A far-sighted statesman and a lion among leaders, Mr Lee Kuan Yew’s life teaches valuable lessons to everyone.”
Russia President Vladimir Putin
“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.”
Hong Kong Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying
“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.”
South Korea President Park Geun Hye
“Lee’s devotion and efforts in transforming Singapore into a leading global country has gained the respect from many countries including South Korea.”
France President Francois Hollande
“France has lost a friend who had strived to draw our two nations closer and deepen our cooperation in all fields.”
Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou
“Mr Lee Kuan Yew was a decisive people-loving leader with vision.”
North Korea Premier Pak Pong Ju
Lee was a “close friend of the Korean people” and “passed away to their sorrow.”
Canada Prime Minister Stephen Harper
“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.”
US former President George W Bush
“The father of today’s Singapore transformed his country and helped usher the Asean region into the modern era. The Singapore he leaves behind is an influential force for stability and prosperity and a friend to the United States.”
US former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton
“After leaving office, he continued to offer brilliant analysis and wise advice to those who sought it. We will always be grateful for our fascinating conversations with him over the years.”
US former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger
“Lee Kuan Yew was a great man. And he was a close personal friend, a fact that I consider one of the great blessings of my life. A world needing to distill order from incipient chaos will miss his leadership.”
Hong Kong’s richest man Li Ka-shing
“In life he was a veritable force of nature, successfully accomplishing what few ever will; a vision of bold and majestic presence who never lost the common touch.”
News Corp chairman Rupert Murdoch
Lee was a “great uncompromising statesman” who he first met in Australia 50 years ago and whose advice was “always wise.”
Southeast Asia’s richest man Robert Kuok
“He did not allow anything to stand in his way, ruthless, but his aim was a very pure and noble one, a very selfless one involving extreme self-sacrifice. His one uninterrupted dream being the creation of an independent, fair and decent and prosperous country. Needless to say, he achieved all this and created the miracle called Singapore.”
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.”
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
“Lee Kuan Yew was a legendary figure in Asia, widely respected for his strong leadership and statesmanship.”
World Bank President Jim Yong Kim
“He showed that a city-state with few natural resources could rapidly evolve into a global trading hub and financial powerhouse through education, integrated planning, and a highly trained civil service.”
“Most importantly, he showed that economic development could provide opportunities and improve the lives of a country’s citizens.”
Singapore opposition leader Low Thia Khiang
“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.” — Bloomberg
