World leaders mourn the passing of Lee Kuan Yew

(Baonghean) - At 3:18 a.m. on March 23, former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew - a big heart, a great personality of Singapore passed away. Upon receiving the news, many world leaders expressed their condolences and sent messages of condolence to the government and people of Singapore.

Mr. Lee Kuan Yew on September 21, 1963 in Singapore. Photo: AP

Speaking on the passing of Mr. Lee Kuan Yew, US President Barack Obama praised former Singapore Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew as “a visionary” and “a hero of history.” President Obama stated that it was thanks to Mr. Lee Kuan Yew’s “vision” that made Singapore “one of the most prosperous countries in the world.” Finally, Mr. Obama concluded, “Mr. Lee Kuan Yew was a dedicated public servant and an outstanding leader.”

In a statement later, Mr. Obama said he also highly appreciated the wisdom of former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, especially in the meetings and conversations during Mr. Obama's visit to Singapore in 2009. Mr. Obama noted that this conversation partly helped him shape and develop the US's Asia-Pacific rebalancing policy.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said that Mr. Lee Kuan Yew was “a legendary figure in Asia, a man of national stature and respected by all for his leadership.” China also expressed its condolences and praised Mr. Lee Kuan Yew as “a strategist with Eastern values ​​and an international vision.”

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung laid a wreath and signed the condolence book at the Singapore Embassy on the passing of former Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew. Photo: VNA

On the same day, from Vietnam, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung sent condolences to Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong to express sympathy and share the loss with the people and country of Singapore.

The passing of former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew has left many regrets for the people of Singapore. He was the first Prime Minister of Singapore and the one who made Singapore one of the strongest economies in Asia in just 3 decades. He is considered the most influential person in Singapore. Therefore, his passing is certainly a great loss for the people of the Lion Island.

Chu Thanh

According to Le Monde March 23