KUALA LUMPUR, March 23 — Singapore founding father Lee Kuan Yew was a pivotal character in securing Malaya and Singapore’s independence from the British and on par with the late Tunku Abdul Rahman, PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail said.
In her condolence message to Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong today, Dr Wan Azizah also said Lee’s transparent and efficient rule had transformed the island state into the “Swiss of Asia”.
“Lee Kuan Yew was a freedom fighter of the same generation as Almarhum Tunku Abdul Rahman, and fought for Malaya and Singapore’s independence from the clasps of the British.
“We should take heed of his efforts to govern Singapore while ensuring the welfare of all its people without regard to race and religion,” she said in a statement.
Singapore was part of Malaysia from its formation in 1963 until the island state was expelled in 1965.
Singapore’s first prime minister Lee died this morning at the age of 91.
Lee had been hospitalised since February 5 to treat severe pneumonia, when he had been sedated and put on life support.
