CARICOM saddened by former Singapore Prime Minister’s passing “...a visionary and a strategic thinker” - CARICOM SG. 

"...a visionary and a strategic thinker" - CARICOM SG. 

(CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana)     The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has expressed sadness at the news of the death of Singapore’s founding father and first Prime Minister Mr. Lee Kuan Yew.

The ninety-one year old former Prime Minister, who led his country for 31 years before stepping down, died on Monday.

CARICOM Secretary-General Ambassador Irwin LaRocque, in a message of condolence to the People and Government of Singapore, noted the global reputation that Mr. Lee earned as a visionary and a strategic thinker.  The former Prime Minister, through a unique mix of principles, transformed an under-developed Singapore into one of the wealthiest, best managed, most modern, socially cohesive and least corrupt states in the world, the message stated.

It said the achievements of Singapore serve as a model for economic development particularly for Small Island Developing States.

Read full message below:

“It is with deep sadness that the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has received the news of the death of Mr. Lee Kuan Yew, Singapore’s founding father and first Prime Minister who led his country for 31 years before stepping down.

 The former Prime Minister was a historic figure who, through a unique mix of principles, transformed Singapore from a small, fractured, under-developed state without natural resources into one of the wealthiest, best managed, most modern, socially cohesive and least corrupt states in the world.  In the process, he earned a global reputation as a visionary and a strategic thinker.

The achievements of Singapore serve as a model for economic development particularly for Small Island Developing States.  Its experience will continue to be an inspiration to leaders everywhere and stand as a legacy of Mr. Lee’s leadership. 

On behalf of the Caribbean Community and on my own behalf, I extend heartfelt condolences to the People and Government of Singapore and to the family and loved ones of Mr. Lee Kuan Yew at this time of mourning.