Singaporean officials confirmed on Thursday that the country’s founding Prime Minister, Lee Kuan Yew, remains on life support in an intensive care unit.
The Prime Minister’s office released a statement clarifying Lee’s condition, after rumors swirled earlier this week that the 91-year-old former head of government had died.
“Mr Lee Kuan Yew is still warded in ICU at Singapore General Hospital. He remains sedated and on mechanical ventilation,” read the statement. “His doctors have restarted him on antibiotics, and are continuing to monitor him closely.”
Lee, who is largely credited with creating the conditions that allowed the former British colony to transform into a thriving international business hub, was first admitted to Singapore’s General Hospital on Feb. 5 after succumbing to severe pneumonia.
According to an earlier statement, Lee was both “conscious and lightly sedated” over the weekend.
See 'Father of Singapore' Lee Kuan Yew's Life in Pictures
More Must-Reads From TIME
- The 100 Most Influential People of 2024
- Coco Gauff Is Playing for Herself Now
- Scenes From Pro-Palestinian Encampments Across U.S. Universities
- 6 Compliments That Land Every Time
- If You're Dating Right Now , You're Brave: Column
- The AI That Could Heal a Divided Internet
- Fallout Is a Brilliant Model for the Future of Video Game Adaptations
- Want Weekly Recs on What to Watch, Read, and More? Sign Up for Worth Your Time
Contact us at letters@time.com