Statement by PM Lee Hsien Loong on the Passing of Mr Lee Kuan Yew

Good morning my fellow Singaporeans

I am deeply saddened to tell you that Mr Lee Kuan Yew passed away peacefully this morning at the Singapore General Hospital.

Let me say a few words in Malay and Mandarin.

Malay

Dengan berat hati dan penuh hiba, saya ingin memberitahu anda bahawa Encik Lee Kuan Yew telah meninggal dunia pagi ini. Encik Lee adalah Perdana Menteri pertama Singapura. Beliau telah mengabdikan dirinya dan seluruh jiwaraganya untuk Singapura. Beliau membangunkan Negara ini dari mula dan berjuang untuk kemerdekaan kita. Kepintarannya mencari jalan keluar dan keberaniannya yang tidak menyerah kalah, menjadi tunggak kejayaan Singapura.

Kita kehilangan seorang tokoh yang telah memimpin kita, menjadi sumber inspirasi kita dan menyatupadukan kita. Walaupun kita berdukacita dengan pemergian Encik Lee, ayuh kita menjunjung dan meraikan semangat, serta sumbangan beliau. Marilah kita teruskan usaha membangunkan Singapura dan memperkukuh masyarakat berbilang bangsa dan agama kita yang beliau perjuangkan sepanjang hayatnya.

Semoga mendiang Encik Lee tenang bersemadi.

Chinese

今天，我们失去了一位敬爱的领袖，建国总理李光耀先生。李先生在我们心目中的地位是无可替代的，他与人民建立了深厚的感情，深受人民的爱戴。在李先生住院期间，各阶层人士通过不同的方式表达了大家的关怀和慰问。这给了李先生和我家人莫大的安慰。我谨代表家属向大家致以最衷心的感谢。

由始至终，李先生最关心的就是新加坡的存亡。他把一生奉献给新加坡，致力团结全国人民，激发大家自力更生。在他的领导下，我国成功从第三世界晋升第一世界，成为一个让人民引以为豪的国家。他的离去对新加坡和我家人是个巨大的损失。

在这悲痛的时刻，我们要把李先生的贡献铭记在心。悼念他最好的方式就是继续发扬他的爱国精神，团结一致，让这个他付出毕生精力建立的新加坡，继续繁荣稳定。

建国总理李光耀先生，请您安息吧!

English

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. We won’t see another man like him.

To many Singaporeans, and indeed others too, Lee Kuan Yew was Singapore. As Prime Minister, he pushed us hard to achieve what had seemed impossible. After he stepped down, he guided his successors with wisdom and tact. In old age, he continued to keep a watchful eye on Singapore.

Singapore was his abiding passion. He gave of himself, in full measure, to Singapore. As he himself put it towards the end of his life and I quote: “I have spent my life, so much of it, building up this country. There’s nothing more that I need to do. At the end of the day, what have I got? A successful Singapore. What have I given up? My life.”

I am grieved beyond words at the passing of Mr Lee Kuan Yew. I know that we all feel the same way. But even as we mourn his passing, let us also honour his spirit. Let us dedicate ourselves as one people to build on his foundations, strive for his ideals, and keep Singapore exceptional and successful for many years to come.

May Mr Lee Kuan Yew rest in peace.

Terima kasih. 谢谢。Thank you.

* * * * *

English translation of Malay statement

I am deeply saddened to inform you that Mr Lee Kuan Yew has passed away. Mr Lee was Singapore’s founding Prime Minister. He had dedicated his whole life for Singapore. He built a nation where there was none, and fought tenaciously for Singapore’s independence. His indomitable courage and resourcefulness carried the day on many critical occasions, and laid the foundations of Singapore’s success.

We have lost the man who had led us, inspired us, and united us. As we mourn Mr Lee’s passing, let us also honour his spirit and his life’s work. Let us continue building Singapore, strengthening our multi-racial and multi-religious society, and standing together as one united people, something which he had fought for, all his life.

May Mr Lee Kuan Yew rest in peace.

English translation of Chinese statement

Today, we lost our beloved leader, founding Prime Minister Mr Lee Kuan Yew. Mr Lee is irreplaceable in our hearts. He has a special bond with Singaporeans and was well loved by them. When he was hospitalised, people from all walks of life showed their care and encouragement in different ways. This was of great comfort to Mr Lee and my family. On behalf of my family, I would like to convey our sincere appreciation for your good wishes.

Singapore’s survival was Mr Lee’s greatest concern throughout his life. He dedicated himself to Singapore, uniting us as one people and motivating us to be self-reliant. He took us from Third World to the First, building a home that we can be proud of. His passing is a great loss to Singapore and my family.

In this moment of grief, let us always remember Mr Lee’s contributions. The best way to honour him would be to carry on his life’s passion, and stay as one united people to keep Singapore, prosperous and strong.

May you rest in peace, Mr Lee!

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