World leaders have sent best wishes to Singapore's former PM Lee Kuan Yew on his 90th birthday. Source: AAP
WORLD leaders have sent birthday greetings to Singapore's former prime minister and political strongman Lee Kuan Yew, who has turned 90.
Among them were Britain's Queen Elizabeth, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and China's former vice-premier Li Lanqing.
"Yours has been a most eventful life, inextricably interwoven with the history and development of your nation," said Queen Elizabeth in a message to Lee released by Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday.
"It is notable that this year also marks the 50th anniversary of Singapore's independence from the UK and I am delighted that the links between our countries remain so strong."
Merkel also hailed Lee's leadership and achievements, saying Singapore "will remain a key partner for Germany in Asia.
"For over 50 years you have been a decisive figure helping to shape Singapore's destiny," she was quoted as saying by Singapore's Business Times.
"It is in no small measure thanks to your prudent policymaking that the regional association ASEAN [Association of Southeast Asian Nations] has become a force for reconciliation and stability in Asia.
You can look back on your achievements with pride."
Li, meanwhile, lauded Lee's "outstanding contributions to the independence and prosperity of Singapore, and to the friendship and co-operation of China and Singapore", Business Times reported.
Lee has dominated Singapore politics for decades, overseeing economic growth that has transformed the city-state into a global financial and manufacturing hub.
He became Singapore's first prime minister in 1959, and led it into a union with Malaysia in 1962.
After it was expelled three years later, Lee consolidated his grip on power, tolerating little dissent in his drive for economic growth and social harmony in the multi-ethnic country.
He served as prime minister until 1990, afterwards becoming senior minister and so-called "minister mentor" until his retirement from politics two years ago. His son Lee Hsien Loong is the current prime minister.
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