Lee Kuan Yew
Lee Kuan Yew Chinese 李光耀 Transcriptions Hakka Romanization Lí Kông-yeu Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin Lǐ Guāngyào Tongyong Pinyin Lǐ Guangyào Wade–Giles Li3 Kuang1-yao4 IPA [li  kwɑ ŋjɑ ʊ] Yale Romanization Lǐ Gwāngyàu Min Hokkien POJ Lí Kong-iāu Cantonese Jyutping Lei5 Gwong1-jiu6 IPA [le i kʷɔ ːŋ jỳː] Yale Romanization Leíh Gwōngjiuh Lee Kuan Yew, GCMG, CH (born Harry Lee Kuan Yew, 16 September 1923 ), is a Singaporean politician. He was the first Prime Minister of Singapore, governing for three decades. He is also widely recognised as the founding father of modern Singapore. As the co-founder and first Secretary-General of the People's Action Party (PAP), he led the party to eight victories from 1959 to 1990, and oversaw the separation of Singapore from Malaysia in 1965 and its subsequent transformation from a relatively underdeveloped colonial outpost with no natural resources into a "First World" Asian Tiger. He is one of the most influential political figures in Asia. Singapore's second prime minister, Goh Chok Tong, appointed him Senior Minister in 1990. He held the advisory post of Minister Mentor, created by his son Lee Hsien Loong, when the latter became the nation's third prime minister in August 2004. With his successive ministerial positions spanning over 50 years, Lee is also one of history's longest-serving ministers. On 14 May 2011, Lee and Goh announced their retirement from the cabinet after the 2011 general election.