Singapore to probe rumors of Lee’s death
Print Edition
Singapore’s elder statesman Lee Kuan Yew remained in a critical condition yesterday, the government said, as police launched an investigation into bogus reports that he had died.
“Mr Lee Kuan Yew remains critically ill in the ICU,” the latest bulletin issued by the office of his son, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, said.
The government on Wednesday quashed rumors that the 91-year-old patriarch, who has been in hospital for severe pneumonia since February 5, had died and asked police to investigate a fake statement on his passing that purportedly came from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) website.
A government spokesperson said late on Wednesday the statement was “doctored” and described it as “fake.”
“Police confirm a report has been lodged and we are looking into the matter,” the Singapore police said.
“We take a very stern view against anyone who doctors a government website to spread false information,” it said in a statement.
“We will spare no effort to bring them to task.”
Lee, credited with transforming Singapore from an economic backwater to one of the world’s wealthiest economies, is on life support in the intensive care unit, according to earlier statements.
The government on Wednesday said he was “critically ill” and that his condition was worsening.
Rumors that Lee had died swept through social media late on Wednesday after a screenshot of the purported PMO statement was widely circulated. Media reports based on the hoax were later retracted.
He served as prime minister from 1959 to 1990.
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