Lee Kuan Yew 李光耀
Minister Mentor
Incumbent
Assumed office  12 August 2004
President	S.R. Nathan (1999-Present)
Prime Minister	Lee Hsien Loong (2004-Present)
Preceded by	Post created
Constituency	Tanjong Pagar Group Representation Constituency (Tanjong Pagar)
1st Prime Minister of Singapore
In office 3 June 1959 – 28 November 1990
President	Yusof bin Ishak (1965-1970) Benjamin Henry Sheares (1970-1981) C.V. Devan Nair (1981-1985) Wee Kim Wee (1985-1993)
Deputy	Toh Chin Chye (1959 to 1968) Goh Keng Swee (1968 to 1984) S. Rajaratnam (1980 to 1985) Goh Chok Tong (1985 to 1990) Ong Teng Cheong (1985 to 1990)
Preceded by	None (post created)
Succeeded by	Goh Chok Tong
Senior Minister
In office 28 November 1990 – 12 August 2004
President	Wee Kim Wee (1985-1993) Ong Teng Cheong (1993-1999) S.R. Nathan (1999-Present)
Preceded by	S. Rajaratnam
Succeeded by	Goh Chok Tong
Born	September 16, 1923 (1923-09-16) (age 84) Singapore
Political party	People's Action Party
Spouse	Kwa Geok Choo

This is a Chinese name; the family name is 李 (Li).

Lee Kuan Yew, GCMG, CH (Chinese: 李光耀; pinyin: Lǐ Guāngyào; born September 16, 1923; also spelled Lee Kwan-Yew) is a Singaporean of Chinese immigrant background. He was the first Prime Minister of the Republic of Singapore from 1959 to 1990. Image File history File links Download high resolution version (748x827, 130 KB) Lee Kuan Yew, first prime minister of Singapore ; Image from US gov. ... Minister Mentor is a cabinet position created by the Singapore government in 2004 as part of a major leadership reshuffle. ... Open seat redirects here. ... is the 224th day of the year (225th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Sellapan Ramanathan (born July 3, 1924) is the sixth and current President of the Republic of Singapore. ... This is a Chinese name; the family name is 李 (Lee) Lee Hsien Loong (Simplified Chinese: ; Traditional Chinese: ; pinyin: ; born February 10, 1952) is the third and current Prime Minister of Singapore. ... Tanjong Pagar Group Representation Constituency. ... Tanjong Pagar Road The characteristic spiral staircases at the back of shophouses in Tanjong Pagar. ... The Priminster of Singa pyohbsdg vjhd|Lee Kuan Yew||3 June 1959 || 28 November 1990 || 1968 GE 94. ... is the 154th day of the year (155th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1959 (MCMLIX) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 332nd day of the year (333rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about the year. ... This is a Malay name; the name Ishak is a patronymic, not a family name, and the person should be addressed by his or her given name, Yusof. The Malay word bin () or binte (), if used, means son of or daughter of respectively. ... Benjamin Henry Sheares (August 12, 1907-May 12, 1981) was the second President of Singapore. ... Chengara Veetil Devan Nair, also known as C. V. Devan Nair (August 5, 1923–December 6, 2005), was the third President of Singapore and was elected by Parliament on October 23, 1981. ... Wee Kim Wee (Simplified Chinese: ; pinyin: ; November 4, 1915–May 2, 2005) was the fourth President of Singapore, from 1985 to 1993. ... Toh Chin Chye Toh Chin Chye (Chinese: 杜进才) (Born 10th December 1921) is a prominent first generation political leader in Singapore. ... Year 1959 (MCMLIX) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1968 (MCMLXVIII) was a leap year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Goh Keng Swee (Simplified Chinese: 吴庆瑞; Pinyin: Wú Qìngruì; born October 6, 1918 in Malacca) is a former Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore. ... Year 1968 (MCMLXVIII) was a leap year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about the year. ... Sinnathamby Rajaratnam (born February 25, 1915, Jaffna, Sri Lanka) is a former Singaporean politician. ... Year 1980 (MCMLXXX) was a leap year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1980 Gregorian calendar). ... This article is about the year. ... This is a Chinese name; the family name is Goh Goh Chok Tong (Simplified Chinese: ; Traditional Chinese: ; Pinyin: ; Hokkien: Gô· Chok-tòng; born May 20, 1941), was the second Prime Minister of the Republic of Singapore from November 28, 1990 to August 12, 2004, succeeding Lee Kuan Yew. ... This article is about the year. ... This article is about the year. ... This is a Chinese name; the family name is Ong Ong Teng Cheong (Chinese: ; pinyin: ; January 22, 1936 - February 8, 2002) was the first directly elected President of Republic of Singapore. ... This article is about the year. ... This article is about the year. ... This is a Chinese name; the family name is Goh Goh Chok Tong (Simplified Chinese: ; Traditional Chinese: ; Pinyin: ; Hokkien: Gô· Chok-tòng; born May 20, 1941), was the second Prime Minister of the Republic of Singapore from November 28, 1990 to August 12, 2004, succeeding Lee Kuan Yew. ... The political office of Senior Minister in the political system of Singapore is taken by a Prime Minister when he retires from that office, but still has something to offer the government based on his long experience. ... is the 332nd day of the year (333rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about the year. ... is the 224th day of the year (225th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Wee Kim Wee (Simplified Chinese: ; pinyin: ; November 4, 1915–May 2, 2005) was the fourth President of Singapore, from 1985 to 1993. ... This is a Chinese name; the family name is Ong Ong Teng Cheong (Chinese: ; pinyin: ; January 22, 1936 - February 8, 2002) was the first directly elected President of Republic of Singapore. ... Sellapan Ramanathan (born July 3, 1924) is the sixth and current President of the Republic of Singapore. ... Sinnathamby Rajaratnam (born February 25, 1915, Jaffna, Sri Lanka) is a former Singaporean politician. ... This is a Chinese name; the family name is Goh Goh Chok Tong (Simplified Chinese: ; Traditional Chinese: ; Pinyin: ; Hokkien: Gô· Chok-tòng; born May 20, 1941), was the second Prime Minister of the Republic of Singapore from November 28, 1990 to August 12, 2004, succeeding Lee Kuan Yew. ... is the 259th day of the year (260th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1923 (MCMXXIII) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Party logo with a symbol of red lightning that signifies action. ... Lee Kuan Yew and his wife welcoming Deng Xiaoping to Singapore Kwa Geok Choo (Chinese: 柯玉芝) is one of the major partners in the biggest law firm in Singapore, Lee & Lee, which handled most of the property transactions involving HDB flats in Singapore. ... Personal names in Chinese culture follow a number of conventions different from those of personal names in Western cultures. ... A Chinese surname, family name (Chinese: ; pinyin: ) or clan name (氏; pinyin: shì), is one of the hundreds or thousands of family names that have been historically used by Han Chinese and Sinicized Chinese ethnic groups in mainland China, Taiwan, and among overseas Chinese communities. ... 李 Lǐ Lǐ (Chinese: ; pinyin: Lǐ) is a surname of Chinese origin. ... On the Orders insignia, St Michael is often depicted subduing Satan. ... The Order of the Companions of Honour is a British and Commonwealth Order. ... Pinyin, more formally called Hanyu Pinyin (Simplified Chinese: ; Traditional Chinese: ; Pinyin: ), is the most common variant of Standard Mandarin romanization system in use. ... is the 259th day of the year (260th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1923 (MCMXXIII) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... A prime minister is the most senior minister of cabinet in the executive branch of government in a parliamentary system. ...

He has remained one of the most influential political figures in the South-East Asian region. Under the administration of Singapore's second prime minister, Goh Chok Tong, he served as Senior Minister. He currently holds the self-created post of Minister Mentor under his son Lee Hsien Loong, who became the nation's third prime minister on August 12, 2004. This is a Chinese name; the family name is Goh Goh Chok Tong (Simplified Chinese: ; Traditional Chinese: ; Pinyin: ; Hokkien: Gô· Chok-tòng; born May 20, 1941), was the second Prime Minister of the Republic of Singapore from November 28, 1990 to August 12, 2004, succeeding Lee Kuan Yew. ... The political office of Senior Minister in the political system of Singapore is taken by a Prime Minister when he retires from that office, but still has something to offer the government based on his long experience. ... Minister Mentor is a cabinet position created by the Singapore government in 2004 as part of a major leadership reshuffle. ... This is a Chinese name; the family name is 李 (Lee) Lee Hsien Loong (Simplified Chinese: ; Traditional Chinese: ; pinyin: ; born February 10, 1952) is the third and current Prime Minister of Singapore. ... is the 224th day of the year (225th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Family background

In his memoirs, Lee refers to his immigrant background as a fourth-generation Chinese Singaporean: his Hakka great-grandfather, Lee Bok Boon (born 1846), emigrated from the Dapu county of Guangdong province to the Straits Settlements in 1862. For other uses, see Hakka (disambiguation). ... Not to be confused with the former Kwantung Leased Territory in north-eastern China. ... The Straits Settlements were a collection of territories of the British East India Company in Southeast Asia, which were given collective administration in 1826. ... This article is about 1862 . ...

The eldest child of Lee Chin Koon and Chua Jim Neo, Lee Kuan Yew was born at 92 Kampong Java Road in Singapore, in a large and airy bungalow. As a child Lee was strongly influenced by British culture, due in part to his grandfather, Lee Hoon Leong, who had given his sons an English education. His grandfather gave him the name "Harry" in addition to his Chinese name (given by his father) Kuan Yew. Thus Lee is known informally as "Harry" to his close friends and family and his name is sometimes cited as Harry Lee Kuan Yew, although this first name is never used in official settings. Look up Appendix:Most popular given names by country in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ...

Lee and his wife Kwa Geok Choo were married on September 30, 1950. They have two sons and one daughter.^[1] Lee Kuan Yew and his wife welcoming Deng Xiaoping to Singapore Kwa Geok Choo (Chinese: 柯玉芝) is one of the major partners in the biggest law firm in Singapore, Lee & Lee, which handled most of the property transactions involving HDB flats in Singapore. ... is the 273rd day of the year (274th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1950 (MCML) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Note: Family tree are mostly based on Memoirs of LEE KUAN YEW; Pinyin of Lee is Li Pinyin, more formally called Hanyu Pinyin (Simplified Chinese: ; Traditional Chinese: ; Pinyin: ), is the most common variant of Standard Mandarin romanization system in use. ...

His elder son Lee Hsien Loong has been Prime Minister of Singapore since 2004.

Several members of Lee's family hold prominent positions in Singaporean society, and his sons and daughter hold high government and government-linked posts. His elder son Lee Hsien Loong, a former Brigadier-General, has been the Prime Minister since 2004. He is also the Vice-Chairman of the Government of Singapore Investment Company (GIC) — Lee himself is the Chairman. Lee's younger son, Lee Hsien Yang, is a former Brigadier-General and also a former President and Chief Executive Officer of SingTel, a pan-Asian telecommunications giant and Singapore's largest company by market capitalisation (listed on the Singapore Exchange, SGX). Fifty-six percent of SingTel is owned by Temasek Holdings, a prominent government holding company with controlling stakes in a variety of very large government-linked companies such as Singapore Airlines and DBS Bank. Temasek Holdings in turn is run by Executive Director and CEO Ho Ching, the wife of Lee's elder son, the Prime Minister. Lee's daughter, Lee Wei Ling, runs the National Neuroscience Institute, and remains unmarried. Lee's wife Kwa Geok Choo used to be a partner of the prominent legal firm Lee & Lee. His younger brothers, Dennis, Freddy, and Suan Yew were partners of the same firm. He also has a younger sister, Monica. 1846 was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... For the game, see: 1850 (board game) 1850 (MDCCCL) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Sunday [1] of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar). ... 1871 (MDCCCLXXI) was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... Year 1883 (MDCCCLXXXIII) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Saturday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... Year 1903 (MCMIII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display calendar) of the Gregorian calendar or a common year starting on Wednesday of the 13-day slower Julian calendar. ... Year 1907 (MCMVII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Monday of the 13-day-slower Julian calendar). ... Year 1923 (MCMXXIII) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Lee Kuan Yew and his wife welcoming Deng Xiaoping to Singapore Kwa Geok Choo (Chinese: 柯玉芝) is one of the major partners in the biggest law firm in Singapore, Lee & Lee, which handled most of the property transactions involving HDB flats in Singapore. ... Year 1921 (MCMXXI) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar). ... Year 1951 (MCMLI) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... This is a Chinese name; the family name is 李 (Lee) Lee Hsien Loong (Simplified Chinese: ; Traditional Chinese: ; pinyin: ; born February 10, 1952) is the third and current Prime Minister of Singapore. ... Year 1952 (MCMLII) was a leap year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Ho Ching (Chinese: 何晶; Pinyin: Hé JÄ«ng) is the executive director of Temasek Holdings. ... Year 1953 (MCMLIII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1955 (MCMLV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays the 1955 Gregorian calendar). ... Lee Hsien Yang (Chinese: 李显扬, Pinyin: Lǐ XiÇŽnyáng, born 1957) is the second son of Singapores first prime minister Lee Kuan Yew. ... Year 1957 (MCMLVII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1957 Gregorian calendar). ... Year 1957 (MCMLVII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1957 Gregorian calendar). ... Year 1980 (MCMLXXX) was a leap year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1980 Gregorian calendar). ... Li Hongyi (born 1 May, 1987) is the eldest son of Lee Hsien Loong, the current serving Prime Minister of Singapore, from his second marriage with Ho Ching, who heads Singapores state investment firm Temasek Holdings. ... This article is about the year 1987. ... This article is about the year. ... Year 1982 (MCMLXXXII) was a common year starting on Friday (link displays the 1982 Gregorian calendar). ... Year 1989 (MCMLXXXIX) was a common year starting on Sunday (link displays 1989 Gregorian calendar). ... Year 1988 (MCMLXXXVIII) was a leap year starting on Friday (link displays 1988 Gregorian calendar). ... Year 1995 (MCMXCV) was a common year starting on Sunday. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Lee_Hsien_Loong_2004-11-21. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Lee_Hsien_Loong_2004-11-21. ... This is a Chinese name; the family name is 李 (Lee) Lee Hsien Loong (Simplified Chinese: ; Traditional Chinese: ; pinyin: ; born February 10, 1952) is the third and current Prime Minister of Singapore. ... Lee Hsien Yang (Chinese: 李显扬, Pinyin: Lǐ XiÇŽnyáng, born 1957) is the second son of Singapores first prime minister Lee Kuan Yew. ... Singapore Telecommunications Limited SGX: T48 (commonly abbreviated as SingTel) is Singapores largest telecommunications company. ... Temasek Holdings is the investment arm of the Singapore government and owned 100% by the Ministry of Finance. ... For the band, see Big Brother and the Holding Company. ... Ho Ching (Chinese: 何晶; Pinyin: Hé JÄ«ng) is the executive director of Temasek Holdings. ... Lee Kuan Yew and his wife welcoming Deng Xiaoping to Singapore Kwa Geok Choo (Chinese: 柯玉芝) is one of the major partners in the biggest law firm in Singapore, Lee & Lee, which handled most of the property transactions involving HDB flats in Singapore. ...

Lee has consistently denied charges of nepotism, arguing that his family members' privileged positions are based on personal merit. However, these charges have persisted and international publications such as The Economist, International Herald Tribune and the Far Eastern Economic Review have been threatened, sued or banned in Singapore for implying the existence of nepotism.^{[citation needed]} Look up nepotism in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... The Economist is an English-language weekly news and international affairs publication owned by The Economist Newspaper Ltd and edited in London. ... The International Herald Tribune is a widely read English language international newspaper. ... A cover of the then-weekly Far Eastern Economic Review in September 2003 The Far Eastern Economic Review (Chinese: 遠東經濟評論; also referred to as FEER) is an English language Asian news magazine. ...

Early life

Lee was educated at Telok Kurau Primary School, Raffles Institution, and Raffles College. His university education was delayed by World War II and the 1942–45 Japanese occupation of Singapore. During the occupation, he operated a successful black market business selling tapioca-based glue called Stikfas.^[2] Having taken Chinese and Japanese lessons since 1942, he was able to collaborate as a transcriber of Allied wire reports for the Japanese, as well as being the English-language editor on the Japanese Hodobu (報道部 — an information or propaganda department) from 1943 to 1944.^[3][4] Telok Kurau Primary School was founded in 1926 and it is located in the area of Bedok Reservoir. ... This article needs additional references or sources for verification. ... Raffles College is a Singapore high school run broadly along the lines of a British public school. ... Combatants Allied powers: China France Great Britain Soviet Union United States and others Axis powers: Germany Italy Japan and others Commanders Chiang Kai-shek Charles de Gaulle Winston Churchill Joseph Stalin Franklin Roosevelt Adolf Hitler Benito Mussolini Hideki Tōjō Casualties Military dead: 17,000,000 Civilian dead: 33,000... Year 1942 (MCMXLII) was a common year starting on Thursday (the link will display the full 1942 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1945 (MCMXLV) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar). ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into underground economy. ... For other uses, see Tapioca (disambiguation). ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section can be improved by converting lengthy lists to text. ... Look up ally in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Year 1943 (MCMXLIII) was a common year starting on Friday (the link will display full 1943 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1944 (MCMXLIV) was a leap year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

After the war, he studied law at Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge in the United Kingdom, of which he was subsequently made an honorary fellow, (graduating with Double Starred First Class honours), and briefly attended the London School of Economics. He returned to Singapore in 1949 to work as a lawyer in Laycock and Ong, the legal practice of John Laycock, a pioneer of multiracialism who, together with A.P. Rajah and C.C. Tan, had founded Singapore's first multiracial club open to Asians. College name Fitzwilliam College Motto Ex antiquis et novissimis optima (Latin: The best of old and new) Named after Fitzwilliam Museum, named after the 7th Viscount FitzWilliam, named after Fitzwilliam Street, original location Established 1966 Previously named Fitzwilliam Hall (Non collegiate) (1869-1924) Fitzwilliam House (Non collegiate) (1924-1966) Location... The British undergraduate degree classification system is a grading scheme used to distinguish between the achievements of undergraduate degree holders (such as those gaining bachelors degrees or undergraduate masters degrees) in the United Kingdom. ... Mascot: Beaver Affiliations: University of London Russell Group EUA ACU CEMS APSIA Golden Triangle G5 Group Universities UK Website: http://www. ... Year 1949 (MCMXLIX) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... For the fish called lawyer, see Burbot. ... This article needs to be cleaned up to conform to a higher standard of quality. ... Multiracialism is term for an ideology which emphasizes the use of policy to promote tolerance and exchange between races, while respecting cultural independence along ethnic lines. ...

Early political career – 1951 to 1959

Pre-People's Action Party (PAP)

Lee’s first experience with politics in Singapore was his role as election agent for his boss John Laycock under the banner of the pro-British Progressive Party in the 1951 legislative council elections. However, Lee eventually realised the party’s future looked bleak as it was unlikely to have mass support, especially from the Chinese-speaking working class masses. This was especially important when the 1953 Rendel Constitution significantly expanded the electoral rolls to include all local-born as voters, resulting in a significant increase in Chinese voters. His big break came when he was engaged as a legal advisor to the trade and Students' unions which provided Lee with the link to the Chinese-speaking, working class world (later on in his career, his party the PAP would use these historical links to unions as a negotiating tool in industrial disputes). This article needs to be cleaned up to conform to a higher standard of quality. ... The Singapore Progressive Party, or just, the Progressive Party is a now defunct political party that was formed in August 25,1947. ... The term working class is used to denote a social class. ... Year 1953 (MCMLIII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Lawrence textile strike (1912), with soldiers surrounding peaceful demonstrators A trade union or labor union is an organization of workers who have banded together to achieve common goals in key areas such as wages, hours, and working conditions, forming a cartel of labour. ... A students union, student government, student senate, students association, or guild of students is a student organization present in many colleges and universities. ... Party logo with a symbol of red lightning that signifies action. ... Strike action, often simply called a strike, is a work stoppage caused by the mass refusal by employees to perform work. ...

Formation of the PAP

On November 21, 1954, Lee, together with a group of fellow English-educated middle-class men whom he himself described as “beer-swilling bourgeois” formed the socialist People's Action Party (PAP - 人民行动党) in an expedient alliance with the pro-communist trade unionists. This alliance was described by Lee as a marriage of convenience, since the English-educated group needed the pro-communists’ mass support base while the communists needed a non-communist party leadership as a smoke screen because the Malayan Communist Party was illegal. Their common aims were to agitate for self-government and put an end to British colonial rule. An inaugural conference was held at the Victoria Memorial Hall, packed with over 1,500 supporters and trade unionists. Lee became secretary-general, a post he held until 1992, save for a brief period in 1957. UMNO’s Tunku Abdul Rahman and MCA’s Tan Cheng Lock were invited as guests to give credibility to the new party. is the 325th day of the year (326th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1954 (MCMLIV) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1954 Gregorian calendar). ... Party logo with a symbol of red lightning that signifies action. ... Communist Party of Malaya (CnoPM), also known as the Malayan Communist Party (MCP) until the 1960s was founded in Singapore in 1930 with a predominantly Chinese membership, carrying out armed resistance to the Japanese during World War II. From 1948 to 1960, its military arm, the Malayan Peoples Liberation Army... Exterior of Victoria Theatre The Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall (Chinese: 维多利亚剧院及音乐会堂) is a complex of two buildings and a clock tower joined together by a common corridor and located in the civic district of Singapore. ... A number of international organizations and other bodies use the title secretary general or secretary-general for their chief administrative officer. ... Year 1992 (MCMXCII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1992 Gregorian calendar). ... Year 1957 (MCMLVII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1957 Gregorian calendar). ... The United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), Pertubuhan Kebangsaan Melayu Bersatu in Malay, is the largest political party in Malaysia and a founding member of the Barisan Nasional coalition, which has ruled the country uninterrupted since independence. ... Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj ibni Almarhum Sultan Abdul Hamid Shah (February 8, 1903–December 6, 1990) usually known as the Tunku (a princely title in Malaysia), and also called Bapa Kemerdekaan (Father of Independence) or Bapa Malaysia (Father of Malaysia), was Chief Minister of the Federation of Malaya... The Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA or Persatuan Cina Malaysia) (traditional Chinese: ; simplified Chinese: ; pinyin: ; Cantonese: Ma Loi Saiya Wah Yen Koong Wui) is a political party in Malaysia, made up of Malaysian Chinese and one of the three major parties that make up the ruling Barisan Nasional (or National Front). ... Tun Dato Sir Tan Cheng Lock (Simplified Chinese: ; Pinyin: ; 1883–1960; born in Malacca), Malaysian Chinese, was the founder and first president of the Malayan Chinese Association (MCA), which represents the Malaysian Chinese population. ...

In opposition

Lee contested and comprehensively won the Tanjong Pagar seat in the 1955 elections. He became the opposition leader, pitting himself against David Saul Marshall’s Labour Front-led coalition government. He was also one of PAP's representatives to the two constitutional discussions held in London over the future status of Singapore; the first led by Marshall and the second by Lim Yew Hock, Marshall's hardline successor. It was in this period when Lee had to contend with rivals from both within and outside of the PAP. While Lee had to keep a safe distance from his pro-communist colleagues as they actively participated in mass and often violent actions to undermine the government’s authority^{[citation needed]}, he also consistently maintained his opposition to the ruling coalition, often attacking the latter as incompetent and corrupt. Lee’s position in the PAP was seriously under threat in 1957 when pro-communists took over the leadership posts, following a party conference which the party's left wing had stacked with fake members.^[5] Fortunately for Lee and the party's moderate faction, Lim Yew Hock ordered a mass arrest of the pro-communists and Lee was reinstated as secretary-general. After the communist 'scare', Lee subsequently sought and received a fresh and stronger mandate from his Tanjong Pagar constituents in a by-election in 1957. The communist threat within the party was temporarily removed as Lee prepared for the next round of elections. It was during this period when he had the first of a series of secret meetings with the underground communist leader, Fong Chong Pik (or Fang Chuan Pi) whom Lee referred to as the Plen, short form for plenipotentiary. Tanjong Pagar Road The characteristic spiral staircases at the back of shophouses in Tanjong Pagar. ... Year 1955 (MCMLV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays the 1955 Gregorian calendar). ... David Marshall, wearing his political uniform of white bush-jacket and grey trousers, with a hammer David Saul Marshall (born March 12, 1908, Singapore – MATI December 12, 1995, Singapore) was the leader of the Singapore Labour Front and became the first Chief Minister of Singapore in 1955. ... The Labour Front is a political party in Singapore. ... This article is about the capital of England and the United Kingdom. ... Lim Yew Hock the loser (1914-1984) was Singapore’s second Chief Minister from 1956 to 1959. ... Fong Chong Pik was called The Plen, for Plenipotentiary, by Mr Lee Kuan Yew. ... The term plenipotentiary (from the Latin, plenus + potens, full + power) refers to, as a noun, a person who has, or as an adjective that confers, full powers. ...

Prime Minister, pre-independence – 1959 to 1965

Self-government administration – 1959 to 1963

A photograph of People's Action Party members, including Lee, during the 1959 election campaign. The white uniforms continue to be characteristic of the PAP.

In the national elections held on June 1, 1959, the PAP won forty-three of the fifty-one seats in the legislative assembly. Singapore gained self-government with autonomy in all state matters except in defence and foreign affairs, and Lee became the first prime minister of the state of Singapore on June 3, 1959, taking over from Chief Minister Lim Yew Hock. Before he took office, Lee demanded and secured the release of Lim Chin Siong and Devan Nair who were arrested earlier by Lim Yew Hock's government. is the 152nd day of the year (153rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1959 (MCMLIX) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Party logo with a symbol of red lightning that signifies action. ... is the 154th day of the year (155th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1959 (MCMLIX) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Lim Yew Hock the loser (1914-1984) was Singapore’s second Chief Minister from 1956 to 1959. ... A young Lim Chin Siong. ... Chengara Veetil Devan Nair, also known as C. V. Devan Nair (August 5, 1923–December 6, 2005), was the third President of Singapore and was elected by Parliament on October 23, 1981. ... Lim Yew Hock the loser (1914-1984) was Singapore’s second Chief Minister from 1956 to 1959. ...

Lee faced many problems after gaining self-rule for Singapore from the British, including education, housing, and unemployment. In response to the housing problem, Lee established the Housing and Development Board (HDB), an agency which began a massive public housing construction programme to relieve the housing shortage. CIA figures for world unemployment rates, 2006 Unemployment is the state in which a person is without work, available to work, and is currently seeking work. ... It has been suggested that Public housing in Singapore be merged into this article or section. ...

Merger with Malaya, then separation – 1963 to 1965

After Malayan Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman proposed the formation of a federation which would include Malaya, Singapore, Sabah and Sarawak in 1961, Lee began to campaign for a merger with Malaysia to end British colonial rule. He used the results of a referendum held on September 1, 1962, in which 70% of the votes were cast in support of his proposal, to demonstrate that the people supported his plan. During Operation Coldstore, Lee crushed the pro-communist factions who were strongly opposing the merger and who were allegedly involved in subversive activities. Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj ibni Almarhum Sultan Abdul Hamid Shah (February 8, 1903–December 6, 1990) usually known as the Tunku (a princely title in Malaysia), and also called Bapa Kemerdekaan (Father of Independence) or Bapa Malaysia (Father of Malaysia), was Chief Minister of the Federation of Malaya... The Federation of Malaya, or in Malay Persekutuan Tanah Melayu, was formed in 1948 from the British settlements of Penang and Malacca and the nine Malay states and replaced the Malayan Union. ... For other uses, see Sabah (disambiguation). ... For the river, see Sarawak River. ... Year 1961 (MCMLXI) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... The 1962 Merger Referendum of Singapore was a referendum held in Singapore on September 1, 1962, which called for people to vote on the terms of merger with Malaysia. ... is the 244th day of the year (245th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1962 (MCMLXII) was a common year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1962 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... In February 1963, the government of Singapore conducted a security operation, named Operation Coldstore (sometimes spelled Operation Cold Store), and arrested at least 107 left-wing politicians and trade unionists. ...

On September 16, 1963, Singapore became part of the Federation of Malaysia. However, the union was short-lived. The Malaysian Central Government, ruled by the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), became worried by the inclusion of Singapore’s Chinese majority and the political challenge of the PAP in Malaysia. Lee openly opposed the bumiputra policy and used the Malaysian Solidarity Convention's famous cry of "Malaysian Malaysia!", a nation serving the Malaysian nationality, as opposed to the Malay race. PAP-UMNO relations were seriously strained. Some in UMNO also wanted Lee to be arrested. is the 259th day of the year (260th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For other uses, see 1963 (disambiguation). ... The politics of Malaysia takes place in a framework of a federal parliamentary monarchy, whereby the Prime Minister of Malaysia is the head of government, and of a pluriform multi-party system. ... Sang Saka Bangsa The United Malays National Organisation, or UMNO, (Malay: Pertubuhan Kebangsaan Melayu Bersatu), is the right-Wing and the largest political party in Malaysia and a founding member of the Barisan Nasional coalition, which has ruled the country uninterruptedly since its independence. ... Bumiputra or Bumiputera (Malay, from Sanskrit Bhumiputra; translated literally, it means son of the soil), is an official definition widely used in Malaysia, embracing ethnic Malays as well as other indigenous ethnic groups such as the Orang Asli in Peninsular Malaysia and the tribal peoples in Sabah and Sarawak. ... The sometimes tumultous relationship between the Peoples Action Party and United Malays National Organisation, which were, and still are, the ruling parties respectively of Singapore and Malaysia, has impacted the recent history of both States. ... The sometimes tumultous relationship between the Peoples Action Party (PAP) and United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), which were, and still are, the ruling parties respectively of Singapore and Malaysia, has impacted the recent history of both states. ...

Racial riots followed, such as that on the Prophet Muhammad's birthday (21 July 1964), near Kallang Gasworks, in which twenty-three were killed and hundreds injured as Chinese and Malays attacked each other. It is still disputed how the riots started, and theories include a bottle being thrown into a Muslim rally by a Chinese, while others have argued that it was started by a Malay. More riots broke out in September 1964, as rioters looted cars and shops, forcing both Tunku Abdul Rahman and Lee Kuan Yew to make public appearances in order to alleviate the situation. The price of food also rose dramatically during this period, due to the disruption in transport, which caused further hardship. Muhammad in a new genre of Islamic calligraphy started in the 17th century by Hafiz Osman. ... is the 202nd day of the year (203rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Also Nintendo emulator: 1964 (emulator). ... Also Nintendo emulator: 1964 (emulator). ... Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj ibni Almarhum Sultan Abdul Hamid Shah (February 8, 1903–December 6, 1990) usually known as the Tunku (a princely title in Malaysia), and also called Bapa Kemerdekaan (Father of Independence) or Bapa Malaysia (Father of Malaysia), was Chief Minister of the Federation of Malaya...

Unable to resolve the crisis, the Malaysian Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman, decided to expel Singapore from Malaysia, choosing to "sever all ties with a State Government that showed no measure of loyalty to its Central Government". Lee was adamant and tried to work out a compromise, but without success. He was later convinced by Goh Keng Swee that the secession was inevitable. Lee Kuan Yew signed a separation agreement on August 7, 1965, which discussed Singapore's post-separation relations with Malaysia in order to continue co-operation in areas such as trade and mutual defence. Goh Keng Swee (Simplified Chinese: 吴庆瑞; Pinyin: Wú Qìngruì; born October 6, 1918 in Malacca) is a former Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore. ... is the 219th day of the year (220th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1965 (MCMLXV) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar) of the 1965 Gregorian calendar. ...

Prime Minister Lee announces the separation of Singapore from the Federation of Malaysia on 9 August 1965.

The failure of the merger was a heavy blow to Lee, who believed that it was crucial for Singapore’s survival. In a televised press conference, he broke down emotionally as he announced the separation to the people (this particular conference is used as evidence by supporters of Lee that he had not intentionally instigated the breakup of Malaysia): Image File history File links Lee_Kuan_Yew_Press_Conference,_9_August_1965. ... Image File history File links Lee_Kuan_Yew_Press_Conference,_9_August_1965. ... is the 221st day of the year (222nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1965 (MCMLXV) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar) of the 1965 Gregorian calendar. ...

"For me, it is a moment of anguish. All my life, my whole adult life, I believed in merger and unity of the two territories. ... Now, I, Lee Kuan Yew, Prime Minister of Singapore, do hereby proclaim and declare on behalf on the people and the Government of Singapore that as from today, the ninth day of August in the year one thousand nine hundred and sixty-five, Singapore shall be forever a sovereign democratic and independent nation, founded upon the principles of liberty and justice and ever seeking the welfare and happiness of the people in a most and just equal society."

On that day, August 9, 1965, the Malaysian Parliament passed the required resolution that would sever Singapore's ties to Malaysia as a state, and thus the Republic of Singapore was created. Singapore's lack of natural resources, a water supply that was beholden primarily to Malaysia and a very limited defensive capability were the major challenges that Lee and the Singaporean Government faced. is the 221st day of the year (222nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1965 (MCMLXV) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar) of the 1965 Gregorian calendar. ...

Prime Minister, post-independence – 1965 to 1990

In his biography, Lee Kuan Yew stated that he did not sleep well, and fell sick days after Singapore's independence. Upon learning of Lee's condition from the British High Commissioner to Singapore, John Robb, British Prime Minister Harold Wilson expressed concern, in response to which, Lee replied: For other persons named Harold Wilson, see Harold Wilson (disambiguation). ...

"Do not worry about Singapore. My colleagues and I are sane, rational people even in our moments of anguish. We will weigh all possible consequences before we make any move on the political chessboard..."

Lee began to seek international recognition of Singapore's independence. Singapore joined the United Nations (UN) on 21 September 1965, and founded the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on 8 August 1967 with four other South-East Asian countries. Lee made his first official visit to Indonesia in May 25, 1973, just a few years after the Konfrontasi under Sukarno's regime. Relations between Singapore and Indonesia substantially improved as subsequent visits were made between Singapore and Indonesia. UN redirects here. ... is the 264th day of the year (265th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1965 (MCMLXV) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar) of the 1965 Gregorian calendar. ... Hymn The ASEAN Hymn Jakarta, Indonesia Membership 10 Southeast Asian states Leaders  -  Secretary General Ong Keng Yong Area  -  Total 4,497,4931 km²  Expression error: Unrecognised punctuation character , sq mi  Population  -   estimate 566. ... is the 220th day of the year (221st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1967 (MCMLXVII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar) of the 1967 Gregorian calendar. ... is the 145th day of the year (146th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the song by James Blunt, see 1973 (song). ... The Indonesia-Malaysia confrontation was an intermittent war over the future of the island of Borneo, between British-backed Malaysia and Indonesia in 1962-1966. ... Sukarno (June 6, 1901 – June 21, 1970) was the first President of Indonesia. ...

Singapore has never had a dominant culture to which immigrants could assimilate even though Malay was the dominant language at that time. Together with efforts from the government and ruling party, Lee tried to create a unique Singaporean identity in the 1970s and 1980s. One which heavily recognised racial consc