Named Entity Recognition Demo

Text with Entity Highlighting

Lee Kuan Yew (1923-2015) was a Singaporean statesman and lawyer who served as the first Prime Minister of Singapore from 1959 to 1990. Widely recognized as the nation's founding father, he was a central figure in its transformation from a British colonial outpost into an independent nation. After a brilliant academic career at the University of Cambridge, Lee co-founded the People's Action Party (PAP) in 1954. He led Singapore through a brief and tumultuous merger with Malaysia in 1963, and then to full independence in 1965 after its unexpected separation from the federation, a moment he famously described with great emotion on television. During his three decades as Prime Minister, Lee Kuan Yew orchestrated Singapore's remarkable economic rise, transforming the small, resource-poor island into a global hub for finance, trade, and manufacturing. His government implemented policies centered on long-term planning, meritocracy, multiculturalism, and a zero-tolerance stance on corruption. By attracting foreign investment and cultivating a highly skilled workforce, he oversaw the development of world-class infrastructure, public housing, and education systems, a journey often described as moving "from the Third World to the First." Lee's leadership style was pragmatic, disciplined, and often authoritarian. While he is credited with creating a stable, prosperous, and secure society, his rule also involved strict controls over the press, political opposition, and public expression. Even after stepping down as Prime Minister in 1990, he continued to wield significant influence as Senior Minister and later Minister Mentor until 2011. His legacy remains that of a visionary and formidable leader who shaped every aspect of modern Singapore, earning him both immense respect for his nation-building achievements and criticism for his methods.