Former Singapore premier Lee Kuan Yew on ‘mechanical ventilation’ in intensive care

Singapore’s first prime minister and the man widely credited with the city-state’s economic success, Lee Kuan Yew, is on “mechanical ventilation” in an intensive care unit in hospital, the prime minister’s office has announced as rumours swirled of the elder statesman’s demise.

Lee, who turned 91 last September, was admitted to hospital on February 5 with severe pneumonia.

“He remains sedated and on mechanical ventilation. His doctors have restarted him on antibiotics, and are continuing to monitor him closely,” the government statement said.

Although Lee has receded from the public and political scene, his health is watched closely as he is still seen as an influential figure for the government of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, his oldest son. Lee is also one of the towering figures of Asian politics.

Today’s statement came after rumours spread on social media on Wednesday night that he may have died.

The government did not issue any statement overnight, but the state-owned ChannelNewsAsia and the pro-government Straits Times newspaper published stories that the rumours were untrue.