Lee Kuan Yew's image to be on commemorative note

Singapore's founding prime minister Lee Kuan Yew will have his image on a new commemorative note of 50 Singapore dollars, said PM Lee Hsien Loong in the parliament on Monday.

"We had hoped that Mr. Lee would launch the commemorative set of notes himself. Sadly that is not to be," said Lee Hsien Loong, "but we have decided to continue with the project and will launch the notes later this year. They will form part of our SG50 celebrations, which will honor our founders even as we pledge ourselves to continue their work."

The note will feature a transparent panel showing Lee Kuan Yew with fist raised, leading the crowd with the rallying cry of " Merdeka!" which means "freedom" in Malay. The design of the note had been finalized in 2014.

The note is part of a SG50 commemorative set of notes that capture significant achievements in Singapore's history, and the values and aspirations that underpin the country's progress.

Singapore's Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) revealed a set of commemorative coins themed "Education, Building Our Nation Together" to mark the nation's golden jubilee on April 4.

Lee Hsien Loong thanked all Singaporeans who paid their tribute to Lee Kuan Yew during the month of his final illness, and the week of National Mourning after the founding father passed away. Endi