Singapore, 23 March 2015

Dear Prime Minister Lee

I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our beloved Founding Prime Minister of Singapore, Mr Lee Kuan Yew.

On behalf of the Hong Leong Group Singapore, we wish to extend our profound and heartfelt condolences to you and your family during this difficult period of bereavement.

Mr Lee Kuan Yew was an extraordinary and remarkable leader. He spent his lifetime dedicated to building our nation. Since 1959 when he became Prime Minister, he fulfilled his destiny – transforming our little red dot city into a global metropolis, from Third World to First World.

Mr Lee had the vision and possessed great tenacity and courage. He led our country against all odds and created a home that we can be proud of. He led Singapore in the best way possible, creating a unique system designed to meet our societal needs and ensured our nation’s transformational growth and prosperity. His leadership style might not have always been popular, but it gained the quiet respect of even his harshest critics.

Mr Lee played an instrumental role in nurturing corporate Singapore. The private sector and the business community benefitted tremendously from his pro-business policies and vision to establish Singapore as a major business hub for Asia. This enabled many of Singapore’s home-grown conglomerates, like our Group, to thrive locally and globally.

Singapore’s skyline is dotted with iconic buildings that have been carefully and architecturally planned. Our economy flourishes with good governance, our people have quality homes to live in, streets are clean and safe, our rivers are flowing, and our lush landscaped greenery has been meticulously manicured. These were all the firm foundations that Mr Lee Kuan Yew had laid in the formative years of nation building, setting the tone to differentiate Singapore from the rest of the world – developing a thriving City in a Garden. And we, as Singaporeans, are indebted to him.

Today, our hearts are heavy and filled with much sorrow as we have lost our nation’s beloved hero on the 50th year of our independence. Even as we mourn his passing, his legacy and tireless spirit of resilience and dedication will always remain the cornerstones of Singapore.

Prime Minister Lee – I hope that the outpouring of tributes from near and far, young and old, will be a source of encouragement and comfort to you and your family. Your father has made a profound impact on the lives of Singaporeans he has so faithfully served and will always be dearly remembered and cherished.

With deepest sympathy,

Kwek Leng Beng