Who was Lee Kuan Yew?
Q: Who was Lee Kuan Yew?
A: Lee Kuan Yew was a Singaporean statesman who served as the first Prime Minister of the Republic of Singapore from 5 June 1959 to 28 November 1990. He had also served as the second Senior Minister from 28 November 1990 to 12 August 2004 and Minister Mentor from 12 August 2004 until his retirement from the executive branch of government on 21 May 2011.
Q: Where was he born?
A: Lee was born in Singapore during British colonial rule, which was part of the Straits Settlements.
Q: What education did he receive?
A: He had top grades in his early education, gaining a scholarship and admission to Raffles College. During World War II, he worked in private companies and as an administration service officer for the propaganda office. After the war, he attended London School of Economics before transferring to Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge where he graduated with starred-first-class honours in law in 1947. He became a barrister of Middle Temple in 1950 before returning to Singapore.
Q: What political party did Lee co-found?
A: Lee co-founded and became the first secretary-general of People's Action Party (PAP). He led PAP to a landslide electoral victory in 1959.
Q: What is known about his leadership?
A: During his leadership, Lee campaigned for a merger with other former British territories into Federation of Malaysia in 1963 but due to racial issues and ideological differences it failed and Singapore became its own independent country on 9 August 1965. As leader of an independent Singapore, Lee guided the country by helping it grow from an underdeveloped outpost with no natural resources into a rich highly developed country becoming known as Asian Tiger. His influence still remains one of most influential political figures in Asia today and PAP still rules Singapore today.
Q: When did he die?
A: Lee died on 23 March 2015 from pneumonia at age 91 years old after which there was week long national mourning period declared by government officials.
