Politicians, including PM Lawrence Wong, mourn the passing of Dr Lee Wei Ling
Following Lee Hsien Yang’s announcement of Dr Lee Wei Ling's passing on 9 October, Singaporeans, including politicians from both the ruling People's Action Party and alternative parties, expressed heartfelt condolences on social media. Many highlighted Dr Lee’s profound contributions to Singapore’s medical field, as well as her courage, honesty, and integrity.
Dr Lee Wei Ling, daughter of Singapore’s founding Prime Minister, Lee Kuan Yew, passed away on 9 October 2024 at the age of 69.
Her brother, Lee Hsien Yang (LHY), announced the news on his Facebook page, revealing that Dr Lee died at their family home at 38 Oxley Road.
Following the announcement, tributes poured in from politicians, civil society, and ordinary Singaporeans.
Many took to social media to express their heartfelt condolences, highlighting Dr Lee’s profound contributions to Singapore’s medical field and her unwavering commitment to patient welfare and medical ethics.
In a Facebook post on 9 October, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong expressed his sadness at Dr Lee’s passing while attending the ASEAN Summit in Laos.
Although he did not know Dr Lee personally, Wong acknowledged her lifelong dedication to medicine.
She was a prominent paediatric neurologist and epileptologist, serving as head of Tan Tock Seng Hospital’s neuroscience department.
Her most significant achievement was helping to establish the National Neuroscience Institute (NNI), where she later served as Director for 11 years.
PM Wong praised Dr Lee for her steadfast focus on patient welfare, adding that she was deeply committed to medical ethics throughout her career.
Dr Lee's influence extended beyond medicine. In her later years, she wrote newspaper columns where she shared her stoic philosophy on life and personal stories about her father, Lee Kuan Yew.
"Many readers would have come away enriched by her strong convictions and incisive observations, " added PM Wong.
Lim Tean, leader of the opposition party Peoples Voice (PV), also expressed his deepest condolences to Lee Hsien Yang and his family. Commenting on LHY's Facebook post, Lim reflected on the close bond between Dr Lee and her brother.
He noted that Dr Lee had always supported LHY and fondly remembered the trip they took to Machu Picchu, Peru, a place Dr Lee had long wanted to visit.
Teo Soh Lung Pays Tribute to Dr Lee’s Legacy, Honouring Her Courage and Lasting Contributions to Singapore’s Medical Field
Singaporean lawyer and activist Teo Soh Lung extended her condolences, highlighting Dr Lee's courage, honesty, and integrity.
She remarked that Singaporeans would remember Dr Lee for her immense contributions to the nation and the medical field.
Other notable political figures, such as Tan Kin Lian, former NTUC Income CEO and presidential candidate; Yee Jenn Jong, former Non-Constituency Member of Parliament (NCMP) from Workers' Party; and Victor Lye, former People’s Action Party (PAP) candidate for Aljunied GRC, also left heartfelt messages of condolence on LHY’s Facebook post.
Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean reflected on Dr Lee’s passion and dedication as a doctor. Having known her for over five decades, Teo shared that they had many deep discussions on issues important to her, including early childhood education.
He described Dr Lee as a stoic individual, especially in her final years, as she faced a degenerative illness.
Despite her condition, she remained resolute and continued to see only a small circle of close family members and associates.
Lee Hsien Loong reflects on the passing of his sister
Earlier, Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong (LHL), Dr Lee Wei Ling's elder brother, also shared a personal reflection in a Facebook post.
Reflecting on childhood memories and her achievements in medicine, he acknowledged their estrangement but expressed deep sorrow at her loss, describing her as fiercely loyal, independent, and dedicated to her family.
Illness and Final Years
Dr Lee’s diagnosis of progressive supranuclear palsy, which she announced in 2020, marked the beginning of a challenging period in her life.
The neurological disorder, often mistaken for Parkinson’s disease in its early stages, progressively impaired her physical movements, vision, balance, and eventually led to difficulty swallowing and an increased risk of pneumonia.
Dr Lee candidly described her condition on Facebook, explaining that for those afflicted with the disorder, death would eventually come for the fortunate.
In a poignant post in March 2023, LHY revealed that Dr Lee had become “extremely unwell.” He expressed deep sorrow over the fact that he might never see his sister again due to his own circumstances.
