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More regional leaders extend condolences over death of Singapore's former PM

Xinhua, March 23, 2015 Adjust font size:

More leaders in the Asia-Pacific region extended condolences over the death of Singapore's former prime minister and founding father Lee Kuan Yew, who passed away early Monday morning at the age of 91.

Nguyen Phu Trong, General Secretary of Communist Party of Vietnam sent condolences to Lee Hsien Loong, Secretary General of the People's Action Party of Singapore.

Meanwhile, Vietnamese President Truong Tan Sang conveyed condolences to Singapore's President Tony Tan Keng Yam on the passing away of the late leader.

On the same day, Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh also sent condolences to Lee Hsien Loong, Singapore's Prime Minister over the loss, Vietnam's state-run radio VOV reported on Monday.

Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, as well as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Tanasak Patimapragorn, on Monday also expressed condolences over the passing away of the late Singaporean leader.

"Lee Kuan Yew has left behind an everlasting legacy on Singapore and the region at large. He will always be remembered for his bold and visionary statesmanship in developing Singapore into a stable and prosperous nation," Tanasak said in a letter of condolence.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen visited the Singaporean embassy on Monday to pay his last respects to the former Singaporean prime minister.

At the embassy, Hun Sen wrote in a condolence book, expressing his deepest sympathy.

In a condolence letter sent to Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Monday morning, Hun Sen said Lee Kuan Yew was the founding father of Singapore since 1965 and who later on transformed Singapore into one of the most prosperous in the region and the world.

Fiji's Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama has sent a message of condolence to his Singaporean counterpart Lee Hsien Loong, the Fijian government announced Monday.

Bainimarama paid tribute to Lee Kuan Yew's vision and commitment to building Singapore into "a nation now envied across the globe", according to Fiji's Department of Information.

"Fifty years on from a sleepy tropical port, Singapore has become the envy of many in the developed and developing world alike in wealth and progress to say the least. And such has been largely the vision of the late founder. Truly, he has passed on satisfied in the fact that he has made Singapore meritocratic, corruption-free and equal for all races, a legacy that no doubt you will pass on," Bainimarama said in the message, underscoring that the Fijian government and people share with Singapore "these moments of grief and sorrow."

Lee Kuan Yew, Singapore's founding father, served as the country's prime minister from 1959 to 1990 and then as a senior minister and minister mentor. He died early Monday at the age of 91 in Singapore. Endi