SINGAPORE - Former prime minister Lee Kuan Yew is in intensive care for severe pneumonia, and has been warded for the past two weeks.

Mr Lee, 91, was admitted to Singapore General Hospital on Feb 5, the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said in a statement.

"His condition has stabilised and he remains on mechanical ventilation in the ICU," the statement said, referring to the Intensive Care Unit.

"He is conscious and lightly sedated."

The statement added: "His doctors are continuing to monitor his condition. PMO will keep the public informed of any change."

Mr Lee is an MP for Tanjong Pagar GRC, and his latest condition indicates he is not likely to be able to attend upcoming Chinese New Year events.

But on Saturday morning, his son, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, paid him a visit in hospital.

PM Lee said in a Facebook post that he did not see his father on the first day of the New Year, on the advice of both their doctors.

"We wished him Happy New Year today, and a smooth recovery," PM Lee wrote.

"This was the first year in a long while that we could not attend the Lee family reunion dinner," PM Lee added.

Mr Lee Kuan Yew's earlier bouts of ill health had prevented him from attending public and constituency events in recent months.

However, he attended the People's Action Party's 60th anniversary celebrations at the Victoria Concert Hall in November, as well as his constituency's Tree Planting Day earlier the same month.

He also attended Tanjong Pagar GRC's National Day dinner in August 2014.