Lee Kwan Yu
Lee Kwan Yu (1923- ). Singaporean statesman; prime minister (1959-90). The son of wealthy Chinese parents, Lee studied law at Cambridge University before returning to Singapore, where he worked in the trade union movement. He founded the centrist People’s Action Party in 1954, was elected to parliament a year later, and helped to Singapore’s self-governing status in 1959. As prime minister he led Singapore into the Federation of Malaysia in 1963 and out again in 1965, when the country became an independent republic. During his long period in office, Singapore made remarkable economic progress, thanks largely to Lee’s policy of encouraging foreign investment. His regime attracted some criticism for its authoritarianism and intolerance of opposition.
