Lee Kuan Yew: The Straits Times Asian of the Year 2015

Singapore's late Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew is awarded The Straits Times Asian of the Year 2015, which has been given posthumously for the first time, announced Singapore Press Holdings Ltd in a press release on Saturday.

The Straits Times Asian of the Year recognizes an individual or organization that has contributed significantly to improving lives either at home or in the wider neighborhood. The editors of the newspaper picked the late prime minister, who passed away on March 23 at the age of 91, as their choice from a crowded field for the annual award.

Lee Kuan Yew had been respected as the architect of Singapore's prosperity, transforming it from a port city into a wealthy global hub.

"He played key roles in introducing policies and attracting investments that turned Singapore into a modern, economic success story," said the citation bestowing this year's award posthumously on Lee Kuan Yew.

Warren Fernandez, editor of The Straits Times who chairs the editorial board that picks the Asian of the Year, said that very few people in Asia have influenced their nations and their neighborhood as Lee Kuan Yew did in his long years as national leader and international statesman.

The Straits Times Asian of the Year has been in its four year. The inaugural award went to Myanmar President Thein Sein in 2012. The 2013 award was shared by Chinese President Xi Jinping and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Last year, the editors picked India's Narendra Modi for the award. Enditem