Singapore founding father Lee Kuan Yew released from hospital
Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew of Singapore makes brief remarks after meeting with President Barack Obama in the Oval Office at the White House October 29, 2009 in Washington, DC. Lee served as prime minister of Singapore between 1959 to 1990, and is regarded as an expert on Asian affairs and US relations with the region.
Singaporean founding father Lee Kuan Yew was released from the hospital on February 17th, after he was admitted on Saturday with an irregular heartbeat and "stroke-like" symptoms.
The 89-year-old political figure and analyst is reportedly resting at home after his brief hospital stay, according to a statement released by his son, current Singapore prime minister Lee Hsien Loong, writes CNN.
Read more from GlobalPost: Lee Kuan Yew resigns
The Straits Times wrote that Lee had perhaps suffered a "Transient Ischaemic Attack (TIA) associated with a prolonged episode of atrial fibrillation (i.e. irregular heartbeat)."
One of the longest serving prime ministers in world history, Lee first became leader of Singapore in 1959, soon after Singapore won its status as a self-governing city state.
He steered the young country through a short-lived union with Malaysia, racial riots, and the transformation of Singapore into an international economic power.
Lee finally left the prime minister's office in 1990, and has remained active in both politics and as an analyst of Asian and international affairs.
Lee left politics in 2011 after his People's Action Party suffered its worst-ever election results, leaving power in the hands of his son.
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